"Do you know that song 'Creep'?" asks the affable, roadie-looking guy in charge of "The Colbert Report"'s in-house sound mix, talking about the night's special guest. "I like that song... but the stuff they played [in soundcheck] was real trippy."

Indeed, it's been 18 (!) years since Radiohead turned up on late-night TV as the first musical guest on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" and played "Creep". Since then, you could follow their unpredictable trajectory via TV performances alone, if you wanted to-- I still have vivid memories of Jonny Greenwood playing what looked like a telephone switchboard while doing "Idioteque" on "Saturday Night Live" in 2000. Needless to say, they did not play "Creep" as part of their six-song "Colbert" set. (All songs were taped, though some may not make it to air.)

In fact, the only song played that wasn't from this year's The King of Limbs (or the new track "The Daily Mail") was Kid A's "The National Anthem", a more direct precursor to the jittery rhythms found on the new album. So that sound guy's confusion is understandable, as Radiohead have done all they could to refract and diffuse the loud-soft-loud attack that first defined them. During their performance, the constantly moving patter of Phil Selway and guest drummer Clive Deamer offered the perfect sonic symbol of their latest state of restlessness.

But Radiohead could've played a bunch of songs on any late-night show they wanted, presumably. They likely chose "Colbert" because he's arguably the smartest after-hours host on TV, so they could have a little fun with their own image. And while they didn't exactly look like naturals in their two interview segments (you would think they'd be a little bit more comfortable in the interview chair by now), they largely sat back and let Colbert perfect his still-amazing blowhard shtick while they fought the good fight-- for environmentalism and, pointedly, against the show's bubbly, caffeinated sponsor.

The brilliance of Colbert is that he makes the people sitting across from him (including aloof British bands) look good because of his asshole posturing while, obviously, remaining totally knowing and somehow lovable. When not on air, he came off more like a warm, goofy dad, explaining the editing of the show and even briefly serenading his wife, who was in attendance. As Colbert combed through the vinyl version of Limbs onstage between songs, guitarist Ed O'Brien joked, "It's like having a headmaster look at your homework." From his toe-tapping during Radiohead's performance, as well as his general giddiness throughout the night, on and off camera, it definitely seemed like Colbert approved.

Radiohead's "The Colbert Report" setlist:

"The Daily Mail"

"Bloom"

"The National Anthem"

"Codex"

"Little by Little"

"Morning Mr Magpie"

"Morning Mr. Magpie" (Live on "Colbert"):

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Exclusive - Radiohead - "Morning Mr Magpie"

www.colbertnation.com

"Codex" (Live on "Colbert"):

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Exclusive - Radiohead - "The National Anthem"

www.colbertnation.com

"The National Anthem" (Live on "Colbert"):

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Exclusive - Radiohead - "Codex"

www.colbertnation.com

Radiohead interview on "Colbert":

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Radiohead

www.colbertnation.com

"The Daily Mail" (Live on "Colbert"):

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Radiohead - "The Daily Mail"

www.colbertnation.com

Thom Yorke and Ed O'Brien interview on "Colbert":

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Global Warming - Thom Yorke & Ed O'Brien

www.colbertnation.com

"Bloom" (Live on "Colbert"):

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Radiohead - "Bloom"

www.colbertnation.com

"Little by Little" (Live on "Colbert"):

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Radiohead - "Little by Little"

www.colbertnation.com