US chat show king Stephen Colbert shocked actor Ryan Reynolds live on air with a confession about popular late '80s sitcom Saved by the Bell.
The 55-year-old TV host stunned the 43-year-old Deadpool star when he revealed he auditioned for the part of the nerdy and loveable Screech, which was eventually played by Dustin Diamond.
Colbert, who was scouted for the part when he was a student, was told by producers his performance was "over the top".
"My first professional audition, 1986, they came to Chicago," Colbert told Reynolds via video call.
"I was a student at Northwestern University, and someone had seen me do something.
"Somebody had scouted me at school. I got called down to a casting agent on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
"I walk in and they hand me the [script]. I was auditioning for the part of…was the character's name Screech?"
"I auditioned for Screech. No, I’m not joking."
He continued: "I’m not making this up. Imagine how that character ended up in broadcast.
"I did my audition and they said to me, ‘There’s a term you’re going to need to know about as a professional. It’s called over-the-top. You just went over-the-top. Don’t do that anymore.’
"I saw the subtle, I saw the subtle interplay of status dynamics that Dustin Diamond brought to that part."
A visibly stunned Reynolds conveyed all of our reactions, while also giving us a well-needed giggle.
Watch the full episode now - new episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert are available weekdays only on RTÉ Player.
