The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Intro Rewind: First Drafts With Evie (Extended)
Date: August 27, 2025

Overview

This engaging episode brings together Stephen Colbert and his wife, Evie Colbert, for a special “First Drafts” segment focused on holiday cards. Evie joins Stephen for a playful, laughter-filled critique of greeting card “first drafts,” mixing genuine holiday warmth with their trademark banter. The episode opens with behind-the-scenes conversation with the show’s producers and Jon Stewart, teasing a new mailbag segment and sharing anecdotes about audience interaction, before transitioning to the extended on-air “First Drafts” feature.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Behind-the-Scenes & Upcoming Mailbag (01:35–07:12)

• Holiday Podcast Special:
  The producer and host announce a run of festive podcasts, highlighting the extended “First Drafts” with Evie and teasing that it may be the last one for a while as the show enters a new season.

• The Mailbag Concept:
  Jon Stewart explains the decision to introduce a new “Mailbag” segment, inviting letters from listeners that Evie will help read on the show.

  “She's going to help me. She's going to be my beautiful assistant or I'm going to be her beautiful assistant.” (03:01, Jon Stewart)
  They note they've already received over 350 letters.

• Audience Interaction History:
  Stephen and Jon recount TV history of engaging audiences, referencing both the Howdy Doody Show’s 1940s postcard stunt and Stephen's own experience after the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner.

  “By Monday morning, there were like 10,000 letters on there. And it ended up being 75,000 letters.” (05:44, Jon Stewart)

• Recalling the Super PAC:
  The hosts reminisce about the time their satirical Super PAC raised $1.2 million, prompting both delight and dread:

  “I'm like, oh, what do I do with over a million dollars of comedy money?” (06:36, Stephen Colbert)
  “A well-known billionaire called me up... he said, I'll give you another half mil. Like that. I’m like, do not give me any more money.” (06:48, Jon Stewart)

2. First Drafts Holiday Cards with Evie Colbert (07:23–17:19)

Warm Holiday Banter

Evie joins Stephen for a cheerful exchange full of gentle teasing and marital rapport, setting a cozy, festive tone.

“But even the best cards don't nail it on the first try. So tonight we'll take a look at some of the early attempts in our segment.” (07:59, Stephen Colbert)

Holiday Gift Shenanigans

• The couple exchange mock complaints about who got who a present and joke about Stephen’s public dancing for Oprah:

  "You're the one who said, go dance with Oprah." (09:58, Stephen Colbert)
  "I didn't know you were going to do the same. You got to get some new moves, hun. I mean, we've all seen the triple pirouette a lot." (10:03, Evie Colbert)

First Drafts Cards—Segment Highlights

Evie reacts to Stephen’s “first draft” versions of common holiday cards. The duo riff on the pitfalls of greeting card etiquette, family traditions, and holiday mishaps.

• Forgetting Children’s Names:

  “I said you and yours because I can never remember your kid's name. I want to say Cashley. Is that a name?” (10:33, Stephen Colbert)
  “Oh my God, that is such a real problem.” (10:40, Evie Colbert)

• Holiday Photos & Family Participation:
  The Colberts discuss their children helping with the Christmas card, favoring silly, unflattering photos.

• Entering the Christmas Spirit:

  “I took a nap and I woke up and just felt fantastic. I recommend everyone please nap this Christmas. That's a public service.” (11:31, Stephen Colbert)

• Religious Card Jokes:
  They lampoon over-earnest religious cards, joking about Christ’s gift registry:

  “But the first draft said Christ is born, and Mary and Joseph sent us the baby gift registry. But it's like, his dad is God. He's rich. That's tacky.” (13:07, Stephen Colbert)

• Hanukkah Card & 'Bossy Bottom':
  A playful aside about RuPaul lingo and Andy Cohen’s infamous label for Evie:

  “That reminds me that Andy Cohen called me a bossy bottom.” (13:30, Evie Colbert)
  “And you have not yet looked up what that means.” (13:36, Stephen Colbert)

• Let It Snow—Cannibalism Riff:
  The “first draft” goes dark comedy:

  “It doesn't show signs of stopping. Oh, God, we're trapped till spring. Let's draw straws to see who we eat. Who do you think? Who would eat who? Me more delicious or you more delicious?” (14:36, Stephen Colbert)
  “I'm pretty well marbled. And I don't move much... I'm more like Kobe beef. Just pour me beer and massage me every so often.” (14:54, Stephen Colbert)

• Twelve Drummers Drumming—Holiday Logistics:

  “On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. A total logistical nightmare. Where am I supposed to put 12 drummers drumming?” (15:55, Stephen Colbert)

• Pear Trees as ‘Trash Trees’:

  “My mother used to say pear trees were sort of like trash trees.” (16:24, Evie Colbert)

• OnlyFans Gag:

  “Ho ho ho. More like man ho. I found your only fans, Chris.” (17:06, Stephen Colbert)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:01 | Jon Stewart | “She's going to help me. She's going to be my beautiful assistant or I'm going to be her beautiful assistant.” | | 05:44 | Jon Stewart | “By Monday morning, there were like 10,000 letters on there. And it ended up being 75,000 letters.” | | 06:36 | Stephen Colbert | “I'm like, oh, what do I do with over a million dollars of comedy money?” | | 09:58 | Stephen Colbert | “You're the one who said, go dance with Oprah.” | | 10:33 | Stephen Colbert | “I said you and yours because I can never remember your kid's name. I want to say Cashley. Is that a name?” | | 11:31 | Stephen Colbert | “I took a nap and I woke up and just felt fantastic. I recommend everyone please nap this Christmas. That's a public service.” | | 13:07 | Stephen Colbert | “But the first draft said Christ is born, and Mary and Joseph sent us the baby gift registry. But it's like, his dad is God. He's rich.” | | 13:30 | Evie Colbert | “That reminds me that Andy Cohen called me a bossy bottom.” | | 14:54 | Stephen Colbert | “I'm pretty well marbled. And I don't move much... I'm more like Kobe beef. Just pour me beer and massage me every so often.” | | 15:55 | Stephen Colbert | “On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. A total logistical nightmare. Where am I supposed to put 12 drummers drumming?” | | 16:24 | Evie Colbert | “My mother used to say pear trees were sort of like trash trees.” | | 17:06 | Stephen Colbert | “Ho ho ho. More like man ho. I found your only fans, Chris.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:35–07:12 | Behind the scenes, Mailbag Introduction, Super PAC Anecdotes
• 07:23–17:19 | First Drafts Holiday Card Segment with Evie — Main Content

Tone and Energy

• Warm, playful, and teasing: The signature dynamic between Stephen and Evie blends mutual affection with quick-witted jabs, family in-jokes, and irreverent humor.
• Cohesive holiday spirit: Despite the comedic tone, there is genuine warmth and relatability in their discussions about family, holiday stress, and traditions.
• Meta and self-aware: The show frequently pokes fun at itself, its audience, and the conventions of both late night TV and holiday rituals.

Conclusion

This extended episode offers fans a rare, intimate look into Stephen Colbert’s life with his equally hilarious wife, Evie. Their banter on holiday cards is infused with both absurdity and authenticity, providing lots of laughs and a little inspiration for those crafting their own imperfect holiday greetings. The episode also spotlights the show's ongoing evolution, inviting audience participation in the new Mailbag feature and reflecting on the power and unpredictability of fan engagement.

Listeners interested in tradition, comedy, and a bit of sentimentality will find this a truly enjoyable holiday special.