Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert – Emma Stone | Don't Mind If I Sue

Episode Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Emma Stone
Main Theme:
This episode blends Stephen Colbert’s signature wit in skewering current political antics—especially Donald Trump’s latest legal hijinks—with a lively, revealing conversation with acclaimed actress Emma Stone about her career, her new film Bugonia, creative collaborations, and stories from her personal life.

Monologue and Key Discussion Points

Trump’s Never-ending Legal Battles & White House Redesign

[03:56–15:43]

• Trump’s DOJ Lawsuit: Colbert unpacks Donald Trump’s attempt to sue the Department of Justice for $230 million over previous investigations into his conduct, mocking the absurdity that Trump’s own appointees could end up deciding whether he should win taxpayer money.
  • Quote:
    “He wants the DOJ to pay him $230 million, which from the sound of this audience, is obviously ridiculous… That’s some kind of endless, endless loop of corruption. Like a Mobius grift.” – Stephen Colbert (06:52)
• Legal Loopholes and Ethics: Colbert highlights the lack of controls as Trump’s team (many of whom are appointees) are tasked with arbitrating his own claim against the government.
  • “He’s suing the Department of Justice and his own lawyers decide whether he wins. It’s like that classic drama, 12 Angry Men, who were all at my bachelor party even.” – Stephen Colbert (06:52)
• Trump’s Charity Pledge: Trump suggests he’d donate any payout to “charity,” which Colbert lampoons, referencing the shuttered Trump Foundation.
  • “Yes, yes. He might give it to charity. She’s a centerfold he banged back in 2006.” – Stephen Colbert (08:57)
• White House Demolition: The segment touches on Trump demolishing the East Wing for a new ballroom, disregarding regulations. Colbert rants about the destruction of US history and the lack of oversight.
  • “He is literally erasing US History, a feat previously achieved only by the Florida school board.” – Stephen Colbert (09:24)
• Nixon Foundation ‘Peace Prize’: Trump is humorously awarded a “peace prize” from the Nixon Foundation, prompting Colbert to skewer a list of previous controversial recipients.
  • “Pretty bold choice. That’s like giving a Latin Grammy to Kissinger, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Bush.” – Stephen Colbert (13:50)
• ICE Fitness Test Joke: Colbert reports on the low pass rate for ICE fitness tests, riffing on the idea of “athletically allergic” applicants and offering humorous ‘tips’ for immigrants.
  • “There’s a hot tip for immigrants. Learn to run 1.6 miles, and ICE can never catch you.” – Stephen Colbert (15:29)

Interview: Emma Stone

[17:24–27:32]

Emma Stone: Name Origins and “Stage Name” Mishaps

• Why Emma?: Emma reveals her given name is Emily, but Screen Actors Guild customs forced her to choose a stage name. She initially tried “Riley” but dropped it after confusion during a guest role.
  • Quote:
    “I was Riley Stone… but I did an episode on Malcolm in the Middle, and they kept going ‘Riley, Riley’, and I had no idea who they were talking to, truly. And I was like, I cannot be Riley.” – Emma Stone (19:11)

“Bugonia”: New Film and Collaboration with Yorgos Lanthimos

• Film Pitch: Stone describes Bugonia as a comedy about two conspiracy-obsessed men who kidnap a pharmaceutical CEO (Stone) believing she is an alien.
  • Quote:
    “Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the CEO of a major pharmaceutical company convinced she is an alien from outer space. And it’s a comedy.” – Emma Stone (20:38)
• Alien Candidates in Hollywood: When asked who might be a secret alien, Emma immediately names Willem Dafoe.
  • “Willem Dafoe. 100%... Like if it was like, oh, Willem Dafoe was actually an alien, everyone would be like, yeah, obviously.” – Emma Stone (21:26)
• Working with Yorgos: Colbert jokes about her “Frith” collaboration with director Yorgos Lanthimos, and Emma shares that his catchphrase on set is “this is a disaster.”
  • “His most well known phrase… is ‘this is a disaster’—about everything, really. It could be anything, no matter what it is.” – Emma Stone (22:22)
• Family Involvement: Emma’s mom Krista is a superfan of Yorgos’ films and even gives him editing notes, which Yorgos heeds.
  • “He listens to my mom… What if we change this? He’s like, nope. But if Krista thinks so, yeah.” – Emma Stone (23:58)

Comedy Roots and SNL

• Family’s Taste in Comedy: Emma was raised on SNL by her mom (a Gilda Radner fan) and her dad (Steve Martin, Bill Murray).
• SNL Five-Timers Club: Stone celebrates having hosted SNL five times, noting her pride and the tradition of receiving a jacket.
  • “Five times, Stephen. I have a jacket. I can’t stop saying it.” – Emma Stone (25:00)

Fun Stories: Wigs, Head Shaving, and Intelligence

• Shaving Head for Role: For Bugonia, Emma shaved her head and wore a wig in public to hide it, failing to keep it a secret as she nervously asked if people could tell.
  • “The whole night I was like, can you tell it’s a wig to everyone? …There was like a lip read video where I was like, it’s a wig.” – Emma Stone (26:07)
• On Bald Heads: Both Stone and Colbert share their enjoyment of having a shaved head. Stone confesses to having moles removed once her head was exposed.
  • “I loved having a shaved head. Did you like it?... I had four moles that I had removed the next day.” – Emma Stone (26:44)

Emma’s Affection for The Ed Sullivan Theater & Stephen’s Invite for a Sketch

• Emma jokes about preferring the SNL stage but playfully asks to do a sketch with Stephen “next time.”
  • “Can we do a sketch? 100%. Okay, next time.” – Emma Stone & Stephen Colbert (25:27–25:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Colbert on Trump’s Lawsuit:
  • “You sue you and you get to decide which one of yous wins. I’m guessing you do.” (06:52)
• Emma Stone’s Stage Name Mishap:
  • “I was Riley Stone… but they kept going ‘Riley, Riley’, and I had no idea who they were talking to, truly.” (19:11)
• Emma on Willem Dafoe as the Most Likely Alien:
  • “Of course. Like, if it was like, oh, Willem Dafoe was actually an alien, everyone would be like, yeah, obviously.” (21:39)
• Emma on Yorgos’ Catchphrase:
  • “This coffee is a disaster. This day is a disaster… How’s the movie going? It’s a disaster.” (22:38)
• Emma’s Mom as Unofficial Editor:
  • “But he listens to my mom. Like, he really respects her taste. And he’s like, well, if Krista said it, okay, all right, yeah, I’ll change it.” (23:58)
• Shaved Head Story:
  • “I had four moles that I had removed the next day… they nicked my head. I’m not walking around with four giant moles.” (26:52)

Major Timestamps Guide

• 03:56–15:43 Monologue: Trump’s lawsuit, White House demolition, ICE “fitness,” and political satire
• 17:24–27:32 Interview: Emma Stone on name origins, Bugonia, family, comedy, SNL, and shaved heads

Tone & Style

The episode balances Colbert’s biting, rapid-fire political satire and pop culture humor with Emma Stone’s self-deprecating charm, quick wit, and warmth. Their banter is playful and candid, peppered with showbiz-insider stories and mutual admiration.

For Listeners

If you missed the episode, you’ll come away with a vivid sense of both the absurdity in contemporary politics and the camaraderie and creative joy in the world of film and comedy. Emma Stone’s stories—about her name, her mother’s secret editing power, and why Willem Dafoe is probably an alien—offer both laughs and a peek behind the curtain for fans.