When it comes to shrimp, a simple question has ignited a fiery debate: tail on or tail off? 

This culinary conundrum took center stage on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert when Al Roker stopped by to promote his latest cookbook, Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By. 

What started as a lighthearted discussion quickly escalated into a passionate disagreement between the two TV personalities, 

with Colbert hilariously grilling Roker over his choice to leave the tails on shrimp in one of his featured recipes.

Stephen Colbert Calls Out Al Roker Over Shrimp Tails

During the February 20 episode, Colbert flipped through Roker’s cookbook and came across a recipe for shrimp tikka masala. 

While he acknowledged the dish looked delicious, he couldn’t get past one glaring detail—the shrimp still had their tails. With an exaggerated sense of exasperation, Colbert called Roker out on-air.

“Take a look at this,” he said, showing the audience the recipe. “OK, shrimp tikka masala. Delicious recipe. Look at those shrimp. They still have the tails on the shrimp,” he exclaimed. “What the hell, Al Roker? What the hell is going on? Am I supposed to roll up my sleeves, put on a poncho, and de-tail the shrimp myself?”

The late-night host wasn’t done there. Comparing shrimp tails to something far less appetizing, Colbert quipped, “They’re like toenail clippings, Al!” His dramatic reaction sent the audience into laughter, but he had one final argument to make: “Would you leave a hoof on a burger? Why would you do that? Such a beautiful book destroyed.”

Al Roker Defends His Culinary Choice on Today

Not one to back down from a food debate, Roker brought the discussion to the Today show the next morning, February 21, where his co-hosts eagerly weighed in. Defending his decision, Roker explained, “You know, there’s a little more flavor in the tails.” However, his Today show colleagues weren’t entirely convinced.

Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, and Dylan Dreyer listened as Roker stood his ground, arguing that removing the tails wasn’t a big deal. “You take your fork and you cut it off, and boom! You eat it,” he said, making it sound like a minor inconvenience.

Despite his reasoning, his co-hosts appeared skeptical, mirroring the debate happening online.

The Internet Weighs In—Team Tail On vs. Team Tail Off

As the debate gained traction, it spilled over to Today’s food-focused Instagram account, where commenters had plenty to say. Some backed Roker’s approach, insisting that the shrimp tails enhance flavor.

Roker’s publisher, Hachette Book Group, even chimed in with their support, posting, “All that extra flavor is in the tail!”

However, not everyone agreed. One commenter bluntly stated, “Off. There’s no reason to leave the tail on if the shrimp is mixed into something. I only want the tail on for fried shrimp if I want to be able to pick it up or dip it in sauce.”

Others took a more practical stance, acknowledging that shrimp tails aren’t a dealbreaker—depending on how the dish is served. “No, I’m with Al Roker,” one person wrote, “just use a fork and cut it off. Or like us Texans, we use our hands and fingers!! If you’re at home, of course.”

Another viewer focused less on the debate itself and more on Colbert’s reaction, saying, “🙋🏻‍♀️ I would like a shirt that says ‘What the hell Al Roker’ pretty please 💕.”

A Playful Debate with No Clear Winner

At the end of the day, the great shrimp tail debate remains unresolved, with passionate opinions on both sides. While some argue that leaving the tails on adds depth of flavor, others insist they have no place in a dish meant to be eaten with a fork.

One thing is for certain—Roker’s shrimp tikka masala recipe has received more attention than he could have ever anticipated. And whether you’re Team Tail On or Team Tail Off, this debate proves that even the smallest culinary details can spark a big discussion.

So, what do you think? Will you be keeping the tails on your shrimp, or are you firmly in Colbert’s camp? One thing’s for sure—next time you serve shrimp, someone at the table might have an opinion!

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