Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Laura Dern | Travel Buff
Date: December 10, 2025
Guest: Laura Dern

Episode Overview

This episode features Academy Award-winning actress Laura Dern, returning to The Late Show for a lively and heartfelt conversation with Stephen Colbert. They discuss Dern's new film "Is This Thing On?" (directed by Bradley Cooper and co-starring Will Arnett), her role as executive producer on "Palm Royale," her unique Oscar storage story, and some delightful canine connections. The conversation mixes humor, personal anecdotes, career insights, and memorable exchanges about film, family, and the joys of working with Hollywood legends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Laura Dern’s Oscar Adventure

• Evacuating with an Oscar: Due to LA fires, Dern had to evacuate and trusted her Oscar statue to the care of Gregory Peck's daughter.
  • “My Oscar... went to stay with a friend because we had to evacuate. So my Oscar has been living with Gregory Peck's Oscar at Gregory's daughter's home.” (18:34)
• Oscar Social Life:
  • “My Oscar calls that Oscar Atticus, I believe only which is appropriate.” (19:00)

2. Her New Film: “Is This Thing On?”

• On-Set Method Acting and Cookie Scene:
  • When asked if she ate a real pot cookie in the film:
    • “Of course, I am very method!... if you're going to film in Grand Central, it's good to not be entirely method because that could have really turned out bad.” (19:24)
  • “The cookies were real. In fact, they're still hitting me now.” (20:13)
• About the Film:
  • Explores marriage after 25 years, rediscovery, and empathy.
    • “It's a mature film about a couple, after being married for 25 years with two kids, have lost their way and are trying to see if they can find their way back to each other... it's kind and hopeful and about empathy and learning to communicate.” (20:17)
  • Directed by Bradley Cooper, it's described as a love letter to New York City.
    • “It's a beautiful film... a real homage to New York City.” (19:44)

3. Filming in New York & Unwinding with Her Dog

• Shooting in NYC and Dog Daycare:
  • Dern brought her beloved husky, Baby, to set, who enjoyed doggy day care and forged a canine bond.
    • “We shot here in New York and I brought my beloved husky with me... at the end of the day we'd cuddle up and I'd get videos and we'd look over them.” (23:22)
• The Surprise Connection:
  • Colbert’s dog “Benny” was Baby’s playmate at the same daycare.
    • “That is my dog Benny, the brown dog who happened to go to the same... place while we were out of town.” (24:06)
  • Discovery that Benny is also “boyfriends” with Dern’s daughter’s dog.
    • “I just kept hearing about Benny and it was Benny and Baby... and then only later, I found out that they're madly in love.” (24:28)
  • Playful banter about now being “in-laws”:
    • Laura Dern: “We're gonna be in laws.” (24:17)
    • Stephen Colbert: “There's no danger she'll get pregnant.” (24:40)

4. Producing and Working with Icons: “Palm Royale”

• Producing and Acting alongside Carol Burnett:
  • “Did you ever think... you would have a chance to produce, cast and perform with Carol Burnett?” (25:03)
  • Dern shares how Carol Burnett is a lifelong hero and inspiration from family TV time.
    • “I grew up, my grandma and I watched her, she and Lucy, every day... I got to tell her that she's the reason I fell in love with this in the first place.” (25:21)
• Orchestrating Carol Burnett’s Hollywood Honor:
  • Dern arranged Burnett’s hand and footprints ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
    • “Carol, of all icons, had not received her hand and footprints on Hollywood Boulevard... so we tried to correct that...” (25:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Oscar Storage:
  • Laura Dern: “My Oscar has been living with Gregory Peck's Oscar at Gregory's daughter's home.” (18:38)
• On Method Acting & Pot Cookies:
  • Laura Dern: “Of course, I am very method... the cookies were real, in fact, they're still hitting me now.” (19:28, 20:13)
• On Dog Connections:
  • Laura Dern: “We're gonna be in laws.” (24:17)
• On Carol Burnett:
  • Laura Dern: “She's the reason I fell in love with this in the first place.” (25:21)
  • Stephen Colbert: “Guys. And she's in her 90s. Yes. And she's extraordinary.” (25:20)
• Playful Banter:
  • Stephen Colbert (after dog introduction): “This is your son in law. This is Benny.” (26:33)

Important Timestamps

• Laura Dern joins the show: 17:49
• Oscar evacuation and Gregory Peck story: 18:34
• “Is This Thing On?” pot cookie scene and method acting: 19:24–20:13
• About the movie’s theme: 20:17–20:47
• Unwinding with her husky, Baby: 22:51–23:50
• Baby and Benny’s daycare love story revealed: 23:55–24:40
• Discussion of “Palm Royale” and Carol Burnett: 25:03–25:50
• Carol Burnett’s handprint honor: 25:50–26:08
• In-studio meeting with Benny the dog: 26:29–26:44

Episode Tone & Style

Warm, witty, and affectionate—combining Colbert’s signature sharp humor with Laura Dern’s genuine storytelling. The episode balances lighthearted dog anecdotes, candid movie trivia, and heartfelt tributes to Hollywood legends.

For Listeners

• "Is This Thing On?" opens in theaters December 19th.
• "Palm Royale" season two available on Apple TV.
• Expect delightful behind-the-scenes stories and genuine chemistry between host and guest—with bonus canine content!