Podcast Summary: "Ben Stiller (Extended) | 'Severance'"

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Episode: Ben Stiller (Extended) | 'Severance'
Release Date: December 28, 2024
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Ben Stiller
Podcast Information:
The Late Show Pod Show delivers the wit, humor, and candid conversations of late-night television straight to listeners. Hosted by Stephen Colbert, the show features celebrity guests, insightful discussions, and engaging monologues. This episode features Ben Stiller, renowned actor and director, delving into his latest project, "Severance," and sharing personal anecdotes.

1. Warm Welcome and Personal Updates

[00:37] Stephen Colbert:
Stephen Colbert opens the episode by welcoming Ben Stiller, highlighting his impressive filmography including hits like Zoolander, Tropic Thunder, and Escape at Dannemora. Colbert notes Stiller’s directorial role in Severance, which has garnered 14 Emmy nominations, and extends a warm greeting:
"Please welcome back to the Late Show, Ben Stiller. It's lovely to see you again."

[01:03] Ben Stiller:
Ben responds graciously, complimenting Colbert:
"You too."

Family and Summer Activities:
The conversation shifts to Ben’s personal life, where he shares his recent experiences:

[01:24] Stephen Colbert:
"How many kids you got?"

[01:25] Ben Stiller:
"I got two kids. Not really, they're not. My daughter's 20 and my son's 17. And yeah, this summer my daughter got her driver's license and that was a big deal because I helped her learn to drive."

Colbert empathizes, sharing his own experiences teaching his children to drive, leading to a humorous exchange about the challenges and nerve-wracking moments of this rite of passage.

[02:08] Ben Stiller:
Ben recounts teaching his daughter to drive in New York, describing the hectic traffic:
"The west side highway is literally like Mad Max Fury Road... she was doing really well with it. And what really helped her was if we just played her favorite artist on the iPhone and we'd just play Taylor Swift."

He further elaborates on their shared musical interests, especially Taylor Swift’s Folklore album, which provided a calming backdrop during their driving lessons.

[02:42] Stephen Colbert:
Colbert shares his own experience:
"I drove with my daughter and my son from New York to Charleston, South Carolina, where I'm from, for Christmas time, and we listened to Evermore for the entire 14-hour ride."

The hosts bond over the shared experience of teaching their children to drive and the role of music in easing tension during the process.

2. Ben Stiller’s Humanitarian Efforts

[03:36] Stephen Colbert:
Colbert shifts the discussion to Ben’s recent travels:
"You've done some traveling recently. You were in Ukraine this past spring."

[04:02] Ben Stiller:
Ben clarifies his role:
"I was there with the UN refugee agency because I'm a goodwill ambassador and I go and visit places where people are displaced by war."

Meeting with Ukrainian President:
They discuss Ben’s interaction with Ukraine’s President Zelensky:

[04:38] Ben Stiller:
"I was really impressed. He has such an interesting story... and to be able to talk about the refugee issues that they have in the country there, because there's, you know, it's probably the biggest displacement of people since World War II."

[05:09] Stephen Colbert:
Colbert inquires if Ben discussed his movies during the meeting, leading to a heartfelt exchange about mutual support among celebrities:

[05:18] Ben Stiller:
"I did bring that up in the meeting. I said, Adam Sandler wanted me to send his regards... And he said... they tried out 'Hustle,' and he said it was pretty good."

This segment highlights the intersection of Hollywood and humanitarian efforts, showcasing Ben’s commitment beyond the entertainment industry.

3. Exploring "Severance"

Transition to "Severance":
After a brief commercial break, the conversation returns to focus on Severance.

[07:44] Ben Stiller:
Ben responds to congratulations on the show's Emmy nominations:
"Thank you."

[07:51] Stephen Colbert:
Colbert introduces Severance, emphasizing its accolades and teasing potential rewards for a successful interview:
"If this interview goes well, there might be some waffles in it for you."

Insights into "Severance":

[08:04] Ben Stiller:
Ben shares his excitement about the show and his involvement:
"It has to be the next thing. My daughter... it's the greatest television show of all time. I'm so glad I finally watched it. I am absolutely blown away by this show, Ben, about the strangeness of it, the tenderness of it. It's so funny... and it's got this great social commentary about what our work-life balance should be and the sort of false family dynamics of corporations."

Creative Process and Inspiration:
Delving deeper, they discuss the origins and themes of Severance:

[08:40] Ben Stiller:
Ben explains the genesis of the show:
"I got a script about five years ago that was a writing sample by Dan Erickson, who was a writer who was just trying to rake in and get a job in show business. And I read it, and it just jumped off the page... it's happening in a world where these people go to work... they have a chip implanted in their head... they don't know who they are on the outside."

He elaborates on the metaphorical aspects of the show, relating it to broader life experiences and the nature of work.

Casting and Character Development:

[10:32] Stephen Colbert:
Colbert praises Adam Scott’s performance:
"And I thought of Adam Scott right off the bat that he would just be amazing as Mark, the main character."

[10:33] Ben Stiller:
Ben agrees, highlighting Scott’s versatility:
"He's so funny. And he has this other side to him because he gets to play two sides of the character... the guy on the inside and the guy on the outside."

4. Career Growth and Creative Evolution

[11:48] Stephen Colbert:
Colbert offers a heartfelt reflection on Ben’s career growth, referencing earlier works like Secret Life of Walter Mitty and contrasting them with Severance:
"You've done this extraordinary thing at this stage of your career to, like, grow the palette of your work in such an extraordinary way... you've grown so enormously... that I can't help but be happy for an artist to find this new set of gears."

[11:51] Ben Stiller:
Ben modestly responds, discussing the continuous journey of creative expression:
"The creative process is... always trying to get closer to expressing ourselves and trying to find, you know, who you are in the work that you do."

He emphasizes the personal connection and life experiences that influence his projects, highlighting a shift towards more introspective and meaningful storytelling.

5. Interactive Experiences and Fan Engagement

[12:35] Stephen Colbert:
Colbert inquires about interactive fan experiences related to Severance:
"Is it true I heard that out at Comic Con there was something called the severance experience where you could actually have the experience of being in the office."

[12:48] Ben Stiller:
Ben confirms and describes the Severance activation at Comic Con:
"We had an activation at Comic Con... you could go to work at Lumen... awaken as your innie on the table... go into the break room... end up at MDR and you have a music dance experience."

He humorously notes the forgetfulness imposed by the show's premise:
"You probably wouldn't remember because you get severed at the end and you forget."

This segment showcases the show's immersive fan engagement strategies, blending narrative elements with real-world interactions.

6. Closing Remarks and Final Banter

[13:36] Stephen Colbert:
As the interview wraps up, Colbert thanks Ben for his time and participation:
"Ben, thanks so much for being here. Thanks for having me. Lovely to see you."

[13:39] Ben Stiller:
Ben reciprocates the sentiment:
"Great to see you."

[13:41] Stephen Colbert:
Colbert reminds listeners where to watch Severance:
"Severance is on Apple TV."

Ads and Sign-Off:
The episode concludes with a brief advertisement mentioning Justin Hartley's shows on Paramount, interspersed with humorous comments from Ben about drinking to risks:
"Nothing good comes without risks. I would drink to that."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben Stiller on Teaching to Drive:
  "[02:08]... the west side highway is literally like Mad Max Fury Road."

• Stephen Colbert on 'Severance' Listening Experience:
  "[03:08]... I listened to Evermore for the entire 14-hour ride."

• Ben Stiller on Creative Process:
  "[12:04]... stories in them, I think, are somehow more connected to my life experience or my, you know, how I feel as a person."

• Stephen Colbert on 'Severance' Experience at Comic Con:
  "[12:35]... you could actually have the experience of being in the office."

Conclusion

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert offers a multifaceted glimpse into Ben Stiller’s personal life, humanitarian efforts, and creative ventures. Through engaging dialogue, Colbert and Stiller explore the nuances of balancing family, career, and social responsibilities. The in-depth discussion of Severance provides listeners with insights into the show's themes, production, and cultural impact, all while maintaining a lighthearted and personable tone. Whether you're a fan of Ben Stiller’s work or interested in the creative processes behind acclaimed television, this episode delivers a rich and entertaining experience.