Fresh Air Episode Summary: Stephen & Evie Colbert Share The Taste Of Home

Release Date: December 12, 2024
Host: Terry Gross
Guests: Stephen Colbert and Evie McGee Colbert
Topic: Discussion of their new cookbook, personal histories, faith, career insights, and favorite comfort foods.

Introduction to the Cookbook

Terry Gross welcomes Stephen Colbert and his wife, Evie McGee Colbert, to discuss their collaboratively authored cookbook, "Does This Taste Funny? Recipes Our Family Loves." The book intricately weaves personal narratives with cherished family recipes, offering readers not just culinary instructions but also heartfelt stories behind each dish.

Terry Gross [00:14]: "Each recipe in the book is preceded by the story behind it and memories associated with it, so you actually learn about Stephen and Evie as you read the recipes."

The Joy and Challenge of Cooking Together

Stephen shares his passion for cooking as a relaxing pastime, contrasting it with Evie's more pragmatic approach in the kitchen. While Stephen enjoys the creative process of experimenting with new recipes, Evie often becomes the taste-tester.

Stephen Colbert [01:55]: "I love process. I love one thing becoming another thing. Well, it's kind of like doing the show."
Evie McGee Colbert [02:32]: "You're not cooking to make food for yourself. You're just cooking to make a process."

Childhood Food Memories

The couple delves into their early experiences with food, recounting both beloved and less favorable meals from their childhoods. Stephen reminisces about the abundance of Mrs. Paul's fish sticks and the make-do with Campbell's condensed tomato soup as a "delicious remoulade."

Stephen Colbert [05:13]: "Mrs. Paul's fish sticks growing up... It would take a can of Campbell's condensed tomato soup, and you would just heat up the condensed soup and ladle that over the fish sticks as the sauce."

Evie shares her aversion to local delicacies like shad roe, contrasting with Stephen’s nostalgia for red rice, a staple from their South Carolina upbringing.

Evie McGee Colbert [05:49]: "We ate a lot of Charlestonians love shad roe, which I hated."

Stephen Colbert [42:35]: "I got so many in there. It's probably the red rice... it has its roots in Jollof rice of West Africa, but it's super jammy and a little spicy and salty."

Stephen's Appendicitis and Resilience

A significant portion of the conversation centers around Stephen's recent battle with appendicitis. He recounts performing two shows while suffering from a burst appendix, describing the intense pain and his determination to uphold his commitment to his audience.

Stephen Colbert [07:10]: "I thought I was indigestion of just the highest possible quality... somebody was leaning on a broomstick and just jamming the end of the broomstick into my gut."

Evie played a crucial role in ensuring Stephen received necessary medical attention, underscoring the strength of their partnership.

Evie McGee Colbert [08:52]: "He wanted to go home and go to sleep. I bypassed Stephen and called Pablo to meet him at the emergency room."

Upbringing and Family Influence

The Colberts reflect on their family backgrounds, highlighting the significant influence their parents had on their lives. Stephen discusses the legacy of his father, a prominent academic and his absence due to his early passing.

Stephen Colbert [25:01]: "I did it to myself because of the person I perceived my father to be."

Evie shares her admiration for her parents' community involvement and the profound impact of her father's recent passing.

Evie McGee Colbert [25:01]: "I admired my father so much that I always wanted to try to live up to be the person he was."

Balancing Career and Family

Evie discusses the sacrifices she made to support Stephen's burgeoning career, choosing to focus on their children and forego her own acting ambitions. The couple emphasizes the blessings of maintaining a close-knit family despite the demands of show business.

Evie McGee Colbert [17:37]: "I ended up spending a lot of my time as a stay-at-home mother, which I had never expected to do. But we were always together as a family."

Stephen adds that the nature of his job allows for a certain level of stability, with predictable hours that help in planning family life.

Stephen Colbert [18:52]: "The business that I'm in, this is one of the more normative jobs you can have because you know where you're going and you know when you're coming home."

Evolution of Television and Career Insights

Stephen reflects on the changes in the television landscape since he began working on "The Daily Show" in 1997. He discusses the shift towards streaming platforms and the challenges traditional networks face in retaining viewership.

Stephen Colbert [27:38]: "TV is a completely different place... cable will go away completely because streaming now fills that position."

Despite industry shifts, Stephen remains optimistic about the enduring appeal of live, same-day programming like late-night shows.

Stephen Colbert [28:03]: "Live, same day... they still have an appointment audience on a daily basis."

Faith and Meeting the Pope

A notable highlight of the interview is Stephen’s recounting of his invitation to meet the Pope at the Vatican. He describes the surreal experience of being among 110 comedians and the Pope’s appreciation for comedy as a social lubricant.

Stephen Colbert [33:45]: "The Pope gave a beautiful speech about comedy... easing people's day and making them feel better."

He also details his personal interaction with the Pope, who blessed their rosaries and acknowledged his work.

Stephen Colbert [37:43]: "I did meet the Pope one on one... He gave me a rosary."

Religious Background and Interfaith Dynamics

Evie discusses her Presbyterian upbringing and the dynamics of their interdenominational marriage. While she maintains her Presbyterian faith, she ensures their children are raised in the Catholic Church, fostering a harmonious religious environment.

Evie McGee Colbert [38:54]: "I grew up Presbyterian, and we were religious, but decidedly not Catholic... we raised our children in the Catholic Church."

Stephen shares his deep-rooted Catholic faith and the influence of his parents' religious dedication on his own spirituality.

Stephen Colbert [25:01]: "I have a faith... I just am integrally Catholic, if you know what I mean."

Favorite Comfort Foods and Emotional Connections

The Colberts discuss their favorite comfort foods from the cookbook, emphasizing the emotional connections these recipes hold. Evie highlights her mother's cheese biscuits as a source of comfort, while Stephen cherishes red rice for its nostalgic value.

Evie McGee Colbert [42:41]: "My favorite recipe in the book is my mother's cheese biscuits because... I feel like she's with me."

Stephen Colbert [42:35]: "Red rice... just barrels of it being cooked every day by those lunch ladies."

The Cookbook Writing Process

Both Stephen and Evie elaborate on the meticulous process of creating their cookbook, from recipe testing to fact-checking. They acknowledge the challenges of ensuring accuracy and consistency, with assistance from their niece and a professional test kitchen.

Stephen Colbert [45:27]: "It makes a difference... three years to do this."

Evie McGee Colbert [45:45]: "Yes. By lottery."

Conclusion and Reflections

In wrapping up, Terry Gross praises the engaging and heartfelt nature of the Colberts' cookbook, appreciating the blend of recipes and personal stories. The couple expresses their gratitude for the opportunity to share their experiences and creations.

Terry Gross [47:18]: "The book definitely survived that... it's very entertaining."

Stephen Colbert [48:00]: "I love talking to you so much... I'm so glad to talk to you after 10 years."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Stephen Colbert [01:55]: "Evie will tell you it's relaxing for me."
• Evie McGee Colbert [02:32]: "You're not cooking to make food for yourself. You're just cooking to make a process."
• Stephen Colbert [05:13]: "Mrs. Paul's fish sticks growing up... ladle that over the fish sticks as the sauce."
• Stephen Colbert [07:10]: "Somebody was leaning on a broomstick and just jamming the end of the broomstick into my gut."
• Evie McGee Colbert [08:52]: "I bypassed Stephen and called Pablo to meet him at the emergency room."
• Stephen Colbert [25:01]: "I did it to myself because of the person I perceived my father to be."
• Evie McGee Colbert [17:37]: "I ended up spending a lot of my time as a stay-at-home mother."
• Stephen Colbert [27:38]: "TV is a completely different place... cable will go away completely."
• Stephen Colbert [33:45]: "The Pope gave a beautiful speech about comedy."
• Evie McGee Colbert [38:54]: "We raised our children in the Catholic Church."
• Stephen Colbert [42:35]: "Red rice... just barrels of it being cooked every day."
• Evie McGee Colbert [42:41]: "My favorite recipe in the book is my mother's cheese biscuits."
• Stephen Colbert [48:00]: "I'm so glad to talk to you after 10 years."

This episode offers an intimate glimpse into the Colberts' lives, blending personal anecdotes with professional insights. Their shared love for food, family, and faith underscores the depth of their collaboration, resulting in a cookbook that resonates on multiple levels.