Stephen Colbert Tells Atul Gawande To Stop Making Everybody Anal (VIDEO)

WATCH: Stephen Colbert Tells Atul Gawande

"We are failing because of inability to meet the basics," Dr. Atul Gawande told Stephen Colbert on "The Colbert Report" last night.

Dr. Gawande's new book "The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right" explains the improvements and achievements possible when professionals institute the process of list making. On Colbert's show, the television host underwent an elaborate ruse to debunk Dr. Gawande's claims.

"Isn't this going to make everybody anal all the time," Colbert said. "If we never make mistakes, we can never learn from our mistakes. Correct? Is this not correct?!"

"Well, that would be my first book ..." the doctor responded.

"So, you don't want people to learn," Colbert said. "You're a terrible teacher! Don't you agree? Don't you agree!"

"Yes, we learn from our mistakes," Dr. Gawande said.

"OK, I want to check off that I nailed you."

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