The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Ben Stiller | Winging It

Date: October 24, 2025
Guest: Ben Stiller

Overview

In this episode, Stephen Colbert welcomes multi-hyphenate entertainer Ben Stiller to discuss Stiller's debut documentary, Stiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost, which chronicles the comedic legacy of his parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. The conversation reflects on the unique world of growing up in a show business family, generational impacts of fame, memories from the Ed Sullivan Theater, and Ben’s new foray into the soda business with "Stiller’s Soda." The two also touch on Stiller's ongoing film projects and share candid personal stories with genuine warmth and humor.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Legacy of Stiller and Meara (17:02–21:50)

• Documentary Origins: Ben discusses the inspiration behind his first documentary, focusing on his parents’ iconic comedy team, Stiller and Meara, and their repeated appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.

  • "They did the Ed Sullivan show here 36 times." — Ben Stiller [19:19]

• Family Memories: The process of going through family archives after Jerry Stiller’s passing forms the emotional core of the documentary, revealing both professional and deeply personal audio recordings.

  • "A lot of the documentary is us going through the apartment...there was all this stuff he saved over the years...hundreds of hours of audio." — Ben Stiller [21:11]

• Intergenerational Influence: Stiller reflects on how the family business affects each generation, noting that his own children (now both actors) experience similar challenges navigating their father’s fame.

  • "They have exactly the same issues with me, you know, that I had with my parents." — Ben Stiller [24:18]

2. Growing Up in Showbiz and Parental Perspective (21:51–25:03)

• Conflicted Feelings: Ben likens his current relationship with his children to his own upbringing, noting how deeply involved creative careers can strain family time—a universal theme for families with passionate pursuits.

  • "There's that thing...when you have parents who are creative...that takes them away from, you know, the family life. Everybody has to deal with some version of that." — Ben Stiller [23:52]

• Meta-Moments: The emotional parallels of being recognized in public and balancing public/private life are highlighted in a candid exchange with his son:

  • "There's a conversation with my son where I talk about how my dad would get pulled away from people on the street...my son interrupts me and says, 'yeah, you know, that just happened to me last week with you.'" — Ben Stiller [24:22]

3. Stiller’s Soda: From Films to Fizzy Drinks (26:18–28:25)

• Why Soda?: Ben shares his enthusiasm for launching "Stiller’s Soda"—a low-calorie, all-natural drink inspired by his favorite childhood treat, the Shirley Temple.
  • "I'm more a Stiller Shirley Temple kind of guy." — Ben Stiller [26:46]
  • The hosts sample different flavors live, with Colbert quipping: "What a time to be alive." [27:45]
  • Ben recounts his joy at seeing a stranger enjoying his soda:
    • "It was better than any feeling I've ever had in my life. Like, better than any review." [28:08]

4. Revisiting ‘Meet the Parents’ and Working with Robert De Niro (28:25–29:42)

• Sequel Announcement: Stiller confirms he’s filming "Focker in Law," the fourth installment of the beloved franchise.

  • "You're currently filming the fourth installment...This one's called Focker in Law." — Stephen Colbert [28:47]

• On De Niro’s Intimidation Factor:

  • "He is still extremely intimidating...His great talent is that he has this incredible scary darkness inside of him." — Ben Stiller [28:59]
  • Despite decades of friendship, Stiller admits De Niro remains awe-inspiring, underscoring the actor’s legendary presence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Comedy Legacies:
  • "The Ed Sullivan show was their launching pad and made their careers, really..." — Ben Stiller [19:32]
• On Family Discovery:
  • "They would improvise on tape, and then he'd let the tape keep going...sometimes arguments and all this real stuff that I discovered..." — Ben Stiller [21:48]
• On Intergenerational Patterns:
  • "And what I learned...was that, you know, [my kids] have exactly the same issues with me that I had with my parents." — Ben Stiller [24:18]
• On Soda Passion:
  • "It was better than any feeling I've ever had in my life. Like, better than any review..." — Ben Stiller [28:08]
• On De Niro’s Presence:
  • "His great talent is that he has this incredible scary darkness inside of him. Right. That we all love to watch." — Ben Stiller [28:59]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [17:02] — Stephen introduces Ben Stiller and the documentary
• [19:08] — Ben gives background on Stiller and Meara, family legacy
• [21:10] — Discussing archival discoveries and making the film
• [22:13] — On making the documentary posthumously and grief during Covid
• [23:16] — Impact on Ben's children, generational fame reflections
• [26:18] — Transition to Stiller’s new soda venture; taste testing
• [28:47] — "Meet the Parents 4" announced; reflections on De Niro

Style and Tone

The conversation is lively, affectionate, and reliably witty, with Colbert’s sharp humor balanced by Ben Stiller’s self-deprecating warmth. Stories carry both nostalgia and insight, making the discussion accessible even to those unfamiliar with the historic figures. Personal anecdotes, showbiz trivia, and the mix of humor with emotional honesty bring a human touch to celebrity conversation.

Final Notes

Stiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost emerges as a heartfelt documentary illuminating the often unseen impact of family history, fame, and generational creativity. Meanwhile, Stiller’s leap into the soda business and willingness to poke fun at his own celebrity reinforce why he remains a beloved and relatable figure. Listeners gain both laughter and insight from this revealing, lighthearted interview.