Stephen Presents: Hannah Einbinder & Paul W. Downs (Extended)

Summary

Summary of "Stephen Presents: Hannah Einbinder & Paul W. Downs (Extended)" on The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Release Date: April 22, 2025

---

Introduction

In this extended episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes two prominent figures from the acclaimed television series Hacks: Hannah Einbinder and Paul W. Downs. The conversation delves deep into their experiences on the show, creative processes, personal anecdotes, and the dynamics of their collaborative efforts. This summary encapsulates the key points, insightful discussions, and memorable moments from the episode.

---

Promoting Hacks and Personal Achievements

The episode begins with Paul W. Downs and Hannah Einbinder discussing the ongoing success of Hacks. Paul highlights the excitement surrounding the show's fourth season, emphasizing its growth and the challenges of keeping the content fresh and engaging.

Notable Quote:

Hannah Einbinder: "It's really, it's, you know, not everybody's gonna enjoy the same way that people who write comedy for a living do. But it's great. And, you know, it's, you know, it's farcical, but it's also real at the same time." [04:44]

Hannah shares her recent accomplishment of winning a Critics Choice Award, recounting the humor and confusion that ensued when she returned to work post-winning the award, mistaking the clapping for celebration of the Super Bowl victory.

Notable Quote:

Hannah Einbinder: "And the bucket is good. It's good. I'm hyper. I'm good. I'm excited to be here." [01:59]

---

Personal Anecdotes and Life Experiences

Hannah opens up about her personal life, notably the recent departure of her upstairs neighbors. She humorously details the challenges posed by their presence, including noisy nights and the lack of soundproofing in her building.

Notable Quote:

Hannah Einbinder: "When you think about the noise bleed from their direction and the noise bleed from my direction. I'm waking up twice a night with the baby and then the four year old's." [06:09]

She further shares a lighthearted story about being mistaken for someone else by a security guard at Universal Studios, showcasing the everyday humorous mishaps that come with fame.

Notable Quote:

Hannah Einbinder: "But like my noise again, what are we talking here? It's like gay sex. Which, like, it's fine." [08:35]

---

Hair Transformation and Character Development

Stephen shifts the conversation to Hannah's character on Hacks, particularly focusing on her recent "ass bob" hairstyle. Hannah explains the significance of the haircut in portraying her character's toughness, drawing inspiration from mob movies and her admiration for Jean Smart's portrayal in the series.

Notable Quote:

Hannah Einbinder: "This is a lob. But that is an ass bob. And I think that everybody could stand to benefit from that." [12:22]

---

Transition to Paul W. Downs

The latter part of the episode features Paul W. Downs, who shares insights into his journey in comedy and his collaborative efforts with Hannah. He reflects on his experiences working in a comedy trio and the dynamics that make such collaborations both challenging and rewarding.

Notable Quote:

Paul W. Downs: "We keep it moving, we keep it going podcast style." [02:53]

Paul recounts how he met his creative partners in improv classes and the evolution of their collaborative process, highlighting the importance of camaraderie and creative synergy in producing successful content.

---

Early Beginnings and Personal Stories

Paul reminisces about his early days in comedy, including his participation in a Strangers with Candy-style trio, and shares a humorous yet poignant story from his fourth-grade play where he got injured, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of pursuing a career in acting and comedy.

Notable Quote:

Becca: "Oh, Deborah. Now if both of you listen to me, this is how this is gonna go. You're gonna stay out of each other's way." [16:19]

---

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the conversation wraps up, Stephen Colbert and his guests reflect on the journey of Hacks, celebrating its achievements and looking forward to future seasons. Both Hannah and Paul express gratitude for the opportunity to share their experiences and promote the show's continued success.

Notable Quote:

Hannah Einbinder: "Every day. Like the other day I was at my agency in. And I was there for a screening and I was going down the escalator and there was a security guy..." [07:35]

---

Closing Remarks

Stephen Colbert concludes the episode by expressing appreciation for Hannah Einbinder and Paul W. Downs' contributions to Hacks and their candidness during the interview. He encourages listeners to stay tuned for more engaging content in future episodes.

---

This extended episode offers listeners an in-depth look into the making of Hacks, the personal lives of its creators, and the intricate dynamics of collaborative creativity. Through humorous anecdotes and heartfelt discussions, Hannah Einbinder and Paul W. Downs provide a comprehensive understanding of their work and the essence that makes Hacks a standout show in contemporary television.

Transcript

[Stephen Colbert]

I've been counted out, dismissed, passed over, told I'd never be a golfer with just one arm. But the only thing that feels better than proving people wrong is out driving them. I'm 14 year old golfer Tommy Morrissey.

[Becca]

And I want to be remembered for.

[Stephen Colbert]

My ability as a champion partner of the Masters.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Bank of America supports everyone. Determined to find out what's possible in golf and in life.

[Stephen Colbert]

What would you like the power to do?

[Paul W. Downs]

Bank of America?

[Stephen Colbert]

Bank of America NA member FDIC.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Copyright 2025 bank of America Corporation.

[Stephen Colbert]

All rights reserved.

[Paul W. Downs]

Want to pull off the season's freshest trends? You just need the right shoes. That's where designer shoe warehouse comes in. Loving wide leg jeans. Pair them with sleek low profile sneakers. Obsessed with the sheer trend. Try it with mesh flats. Feeling boho. Comfy sandals. Nail the whole free spirited thing. Find on trend shoes from the brands you love like Birkenstock, Nike, Adidas and more at dsw.

[Stephen Colbert]

Hi, this is Stephen Colbert. I'm here with Becca. Becca just told me that she's feeling all energized. What's got you all jacked up?

[Paul W. Downs]

I had a bucket of coffee today. It's truly a bucket. Have you ever seen what the large iced coffee at Dunkin looks like?

[Stephen Colbert]

Do you need a snorkel?

[Paul W. Downs]

Yeah, it's like Big Gulps Biggest gulp is what it is.

[Stephen Colbert]

And why today did you need that is what I'm asking.

[Paul W. Downs]

It's a getaway day. What we call a getaway day.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, that's true. This is getaway day.

[Paul W. Downs]

Yeah. End of the week, you know, I did.

[Stephen Colbert]

I kind of like, I try to do like, I do a salad in the middle of the day. I try to keep, you know, I'm a 60 year old man. I need to keep the salads coming.

[Paul W. Downs]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

But today I was like, it's getaway day. I want a turkey burger with sweet potato fries.

[Paul W. Downs]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes. Order me a salad and I won't eat it.

[Paul W. Downs]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

But also get me the sweet potato fries.

[Paul W. Downs]

And it's like I'm not, you know, tomorrow's off.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, yeah.

[Paul W. Downs]

I'll deal with the consequences tomorrow.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, there is no tomorrow.

[Paul W. Downs]

Exactly.

[Stephen Colbert]

There is no tomorrow.

[Paul W. Downs]

It's a treat day. It's treat day.

[Stephen Colbert]

Good for you.

[Paul W. Downs]

And the bucket is good. It's good. I'm hyper. I'm good. I'm excited to be here.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, so far this is going pretty well.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Yeah.

[Paul W. Downs]

So we're on the podcast. Hello. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod Show.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's always a pleasure for us to represent this material.

[Paul W. Downs]

Yes. If you've never been here before, this is new. What we're doing is new. And it's only for you, the podcast listener.

[Stephen Colbert]

And there's sometimes stuff in the show or the interviews that you did not see on the show because we had to cut for time.

[Paul W. Downs]

And today we do have that. We have two extended interviews together.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, what is today?

[Paul W. Downs]

Today is Monday. And we got hacks. We got hacks.

[Stephen Colbert]

Hacks. We got both. Hacks or double hacks?

[Paul W. Downs]

We got double hacks.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, oh, I see. Yeah.

[Paul W. Downs]

So this is Hannah Einbinder, star of Hacks, and Paul W. Downs, co creator, co showrunner, delightful star of Hack.

[Stephen Colbert]

And which one went long?

[Paul W. Downs]

They both did. They both did.

[Stephen Colbert]

So this is the uncut hack. Yeah, unhacked cut.

[Paul W. Downs]

Which is fun because there's more bits, more riffs. You know, you have your funny people on the show. You have a lot of fun with them.

[Stephen Colbert]

Your wit, your charm.

[Paul W. Downs]

We keep it moving, we keep it going podcast style.

[Stephen Colbert]

Fantastic.

[Paul W. Downs]

Great. So here's hacks. Stephen, anything you wanna add? Do you like the show we got? Season four is on now. I like the show.

[Stephen Colbert]

I've not seen season four yet.

[Paul W. Downs]

I haven't seen it yet.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm still. I gotta watch Andor first.

[Paul W. Downs]

Oh, what's that?

[Stephen Colbert]

I realized you don't know what Andor is.

[Paul W. Downs]

Is it Lord of the Rings?

[Stephen Colbert]

No, it's the greatest Star wars series ever made. It's written and directed by Tony Gilroy.

[Paul W. Downs]

Okay.

[Stephen Colbert]

Extraordinary.

[Paul W. Downs]

It's coming out right now.

[Stephen Colbert]

Extraordinary. Bo Willimont also wrote on it. Fantastic. House Guards. This is like the first season, in my opinion, was as good as, like, the best Star wars movies. Just fantastic.

[Paul W. Downs]

Okay, cool.

[Stephen Colbert]

And this one is supposed to be even better.

[Paul W. Downs]

Okay.

[Stephen Colbert]

I haven't watched it yet. I tried to watch the beginning of it and realized, wait, I have to go back and remember what happened in season one.

[Paul W. Downs]

Yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

So that's. That's what I'm doing over the break is that I'm andorizing.

[Paul W. Downs]

Okay, that's great. Because I'm gonna see my brother over this break and he likes Star wars and we were. He's always like, you were in tv. What TV do I need to be watching? What TV are you gonna show me Andor and or is gonna be it? That's gonna be fun. Okay, great. Yeah. Hacks. Fun show about someone who is kind of has your job, kind of a.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure. Everybody I like certainly when it first began, I'm sure the same. But everybody I knew in comedy watched.

[Paul W. Downs]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, Hacks. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

And we would also sometimes remember we had an argument after like the second episode or something. Not an argument. We had a discussion going, hey, you know when they're riffing and trying to make that joke work, do you think they landed on the right joke? Cause they threw out like eight versions of that joke. And do you think the one they landed on is the one that they should have landed on? And people going like, I would have gone with number three. I would have changed like this. And we had a big discussion. I was like, well, I think it's the second to last joke was the joke they should have landed on.

[Paul W. Downs]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Anyway, it's really, it's, you know, not everybody's gonna enjoy the same way that people who write comedy for a living do. But it's great. And, you know, it's, you know, it's farcical, but it's also real at the same time.

[Paul W. Downs]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Great. All right, well, enjoy. This is Hannah Einbinder and Paul W. Downs on the Late Show POD Show.

[Stephen Colbert]

There you go. Hey, everybody, welcome back. My next guest tonight is a three time Emmy nominated actor and comedian. You know her from her standup special Everything Must Go. And her hit show Hacks.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Huh?

[Becca]

They moved up the HR meeting. I wonder why.

[Stephen Colbert]

Ha ha.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Nice try with the panties.

[Becca]

Panties? We're at work. Act appropriately, you skank.

[Hannah Einbinder]

That's rich coming from you. Aren't you and Mary Magdalene neck and neck for the title of world's oldest whore?

[Becca]

Be careful, I'm wearing a wire.

[Hannah Einbinder]

What? You're. Are you.

[Paul W. Downs]

No.

[Stephen Colbert]

Please welcome back to the Late show, Hannah Einbinder. Nice to see ya.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Hi.

[Stephen Colbert]

I love the chocolate.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

And listen, before we get started, I got my questions here. Obviously I'm a professional, but I understand. Before we do that, you have an announcement to make. Would you care to share with everybody?

[Hannah Einbinder]

Thank you. That's right, Stephen, Sure. As you guys know, I'm here to promote season four of Hacks out April 10th. But I also have some personal news to share. I am so excited to announce that my upstairs neighbors moved out.

[Stephen Colbert]

What a journey. What a roller coaster. Yeah. So, and this was a good thing.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Really, really good. I'm gonna tell you what we were working with, okay. The thinnest walls known to man. Okay? Six foot four man.

[Stephen Colbert]

Six foot four, man. Okay.

[Hannah Einbinder]

His wife, their newborn baby being sleep trained, and a four year old with night terrors, folks.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, wow.

[Hannah Einbinder]

I wasn't sleeping. Okay. When you think about the noise bleed from their direction and the noise bleed from my direction. I'm waking up twice a night with the baby and then the four year old's.

[Stephen Colbert]

Daddy, Daddy.

[Hannah Einbinder]

I mean, please. What are they hearing from my apartment? Therapy. Hey, put your ear to the floor. You might learn something. Okay. Science podcasts, perhaps. Perhaps the occasional acapella rendition of It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones. It's not comparable.

[Stephen Colbert]

I haven't heard the acapella of that one. That sounds good.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Oh yeah, it's fabulous.

[Stephen Colbert]

So did you express this to them? Did you say, could you stop being who you are? Could you stop. Could you stop having children or something? Because what can they do?

[Hannah Einbinder]

They can move. Which they did.

[Stephen Colbert]

All right, great.

[Hannah Einbinder]

That was the song.

[Stephen Colbert]

Was it bad? All the time. Every night.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Every night. I heard their phones vibrate. I heard them talking. I know too much about what they do and don't do.

[Stephen Colbert]

But that's not. It's not a wall. That's the ceiling. Did they live on a trampoline? How did you know all of that?

[Hannah Einbinder]

I think my building is not sound. I think that the infrastructure is probably flawed. I mean, it was the most insane, out of control thing ever.

[Stephen Colbert]

Have you ever been the upstairs neighbor who got complained about? Yes, because I have too. Yes, yes.

[Hannah Einbinder]

But like my noise again, what are we talking here? It's like gay sex. Which, like, it's fine.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is that quiet. I'm not familiar.

[Hannah Einbinder]

It depends. I don't think those were on the cards, folks.

[Stephen Colbert]

No, I don't think. I didn't know we were going to be talking about how loud gay sex is.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Well, you know, you do what you can.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure. With what you got.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Totally.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, sure. So I hear you're an Eagles fan. I know you're an Eagles fan. Yeah, I know it's been a little bit, but I just want to say congratulations on the whole super bowl and everything like that. Thank you. Did you have a. Did you get a chance to watch it?

[Hannah Einbinder]

I did watch the Super Bowl. My dad and I watched at a really cool bar in LA. We lined up at 8am it opened at 10. There was no one else. There was no line. We were like, we gotta get there early. There was no one. And so we just wanted to secure good seating. And it was like a very narrow bar in la. So we got there early. We got in and then we waited till 3:30 when the game started. And by the time the game was up, I was like in a group chat with a. Like we just got to know our neighbors and it was really cool.

[Stephen Colbert]

I understand the night before something very special happened for you. You won something.

[Hannah Einbinder]

That's true. Yes, I did win a Critics Choice Award the night before.

[Stephen Colbert]

Congratulations. And this led to some confusion when you got to work on Monday.

[Hannah Einbinder]

That's right. I went to work the day after the super bowl and chaos ensued.

[Stephen Colbert]

Here we go.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Let's go, baby. Let's go. E I G L E S Eagle.

[Becca]

We're clapping because you won, not your team.

[Hannah Einbinder]

They were clapping for the award, not the super bowl, it turns out. So my reaction, you know, so the.

[Stephen Colbert]

Fourth season, a huge success. It has to have changed your life. Like, everyone, like, walking down the street, people will be going, there's Hannah Einbinder sometimes.

[Hannah Einbinder]

But I think everyone who doesn't recognize me was put on this earth to humble me. I think.

[Stephen Colbert]

Like, have you recently been humbled?

[Hannah Einbinder]

Oh, every day, Stephen. Every day. Like the other day I was at my agency in. And I was there for a screening and I was going down the escalator and there was a security guy, and I happened to be wearing a purple and black jacket. And he's like, you FedEx? I was like, what? He's like, hey, drop offs are up there. You gotta go up to the front. I was like, I'm. No, I'm here for screen. And he was like, oh, my bad. Literally, we shoot at Universal Studios, and every season we're in a different location on the lot at a different soundstage. And so we go through a different entrance. And I'm pulling up season three, like, new area, not sure where to go. And the security guard's like, hey, how's it going? I'm like, hey, I was just wondering where to park. And she's like, you a teacher? I was like, what? She's like, you here to tutor? Are you a tutor? You're an on set teacher? I was like, no, no, I'm on Hacks. I'm here for Hacks. She's like, all right, ma'am. Crew parking is all the way on the other side. I was like, oh, I'm actually. I'm an actor on the show, so I'm acting. I just wondered where my trailer was at. And she's like, all right, can I see some id? I was like, the hell?

[Stephen Colbert]

Now I understand that last season you debuted power hair.

[Hannah Einbinder]

That's right.

[Stephen Colbert]

Ok. And I understand this cut, which I was not aware of, this has a special name. What is the name of this kind of haircut?

[Hannah Einbinder]

Well, it's a ass bob, of course.

[Stephen Colbert]

What makes it a ass bob? Just for the unintended, I would say.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Well, first of all, it's about heart. Right? Like, that's first and foremost. It's about what you bring to the bob. And then I would say the severity of the chop, chopping, and as well the height. See, right now, this is a lob that I'm rocking.

[Stephen Colbert]

A low bob is a lob.

[Hannah Einbinder]

A long bob.

[Stephen Colbert]

A long bob is a lob.

[Hannah Einbinder]

This is a lob. But that is a ass bob. And I think that everybody could stand to benefit from that. And I would say I would encourage everyone here tonight to kind of engage with a bob. However you can get a wig, you know, whatever you have to do.

[Stephen Colbert]

Your character. Your character has really embraced the ass bob. She's very tough. She's toughening up this year.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

How have you toughened up? Like, what have you used as a model? What have you done?

[Hannah Einbinder]

Well, I have been watching a lot of mob movies to channel.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay.

[Hannah Einbinder]

You know me, Stephen. I'm delicate. But Ava has to be fighting. You know what I mean?

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure.

[Hannah Einbinder]

So I'm kind of trying to go Ava Corleone this season. You know what I mean? And that's how I channel. And I'm also channeling the great Jean Smart in her Deborah Vance portrayal.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Which is, of course, fierce.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes. A lot of the fans, a lot of the fans speaking on the volume of lesbian sex. A lot of the fans, A lot of your fans want the two of you to get together as characters. And is that going to happen?

[Hannah Einbinder]

Okay. So I appreciate you giving me a platform to speak about this, girls. You know, I want what you want. Where can I look into a camera? Hi. I have heard you. Okay? And we want the same things. And I have relayed your message to the powers that be. Okay. But I don't think it's gonna happen. And that's the truth. And again, like, I want you to express yourself in the fan fiction. And that is beautiful. We're not gonna get it. And we need to focus up, because I will post on Instag, like, hey, guys, we all need to support SB222 to make polluters pay for climate disasters. And everybody sign the petition right now. And I'll get like, 16 replies that are like, make them kiss. And I'm like, girls, we gotta focus. We gotta focus. Cause there's no kissing on a dead planet. You know what I'm saying?

[Stephen Colbert]

Hannah, nice to see you. Thanks for being here. The new season of Hacks premieres April 10th on Max. Hannah Einbinder, everybody. Thanks, Hannah. Stick around for Paul W. Downs right after this.

[Paul W. Downs]

Spring savings are in the air. And at Ross where they have savings on all the brands you love, from the latest fashion to outdoor decor and even pet supplies. Savings are in every aisle. Go to ross and save 20 to 60% off other retailers prices on your favorite spring finds.

[Stephen Colbert]

Spring is in full bloom at the Home Depot. So what are you working on? If you're digging into your garden, come into the Home Depot's garden center where we can help you pick out the best plants for your space. Then make sure you give your plants the proper soil and support they need to thrive.

[Becca]

Like Miracle Gro 25 Quart Potting Mix.

[Stephen Colbert]

On special buy two bags for only $15.

[Becca]

It's formulated to help your plants grow.

[Stephen Colbert]

And keep them fed for up to six months. Shop spring savings happening now at the Home Depot. Welcome back everybody. Ladies and gentlemen, my next guest tonight is a three time Emmy award actor, writer and director. You know, from comedies like Broad City and Rough Night. He's also the co creator, co showrunner and star of the hit show Hacks, which is back for its fourth season.

[Becca]

Hey, girls.

[Stephen Colbert]

Hey.

[Becca]

How are you? Smile. People are starting to stare. So smile, damn it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Laugh.

[Hannah Einbinder]

Laugh.

[Becca]

Oh, Deborah. Now if both of you listen to me, this is how this is gonna go. You're gonna stay out of each other's way. You're gonna keep your hands to yourself. You're gonna keep your panties to yourself. All right, I will be the intermediary even though I said I'd never do that again after my parents divorce because it almost destroyed me. But I'm gonna do it for you. And this show is gonna be a big success. So do me a favor, stay the away from each other. Got it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Please welcome to the Late Show, Paul W. Downs. Hi. Nice. Nice to meet you.

[Becca]

Nice to meet you too.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm a big fan of hacks and.

[Becca]

I'm a big fan of yours.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, you're very kind.

[Becca]

Yeah. Since Strangers with Candy.

[Stephen Colbert]

What?

[Becca]

Since Strangers With Candy.

[Stephen Colbert]

Since Strangers with Candy. So you're emotionally damaged.

[Becca]

I am.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's interesting.

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, not only are you co creator, but you also play Jimmy, the very put upon agent who we just saw in that clip. He doesn't seem to be able to catch a break with any clients at all.

[Becca]

No.

[Stephen Colbert]

And you also, you also write the show. Why don't you just write a better situation for Jimmy?

[Becca]

I know. Well, if it was easier, it wouldn't be funny, you know?

[Stephen Colbert]

I guess not.

[Becca]

Yeah, but they keep me busy. Deborah and Ava Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, they sure do.

[Becca]

It's rough. I wish I had a client like you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Me?

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm perfect.

[Becca]

Yes. I mean, talented. I wouldn't have to work that hard. It'd be great.

[Stephen Colbert]

I don't. Well, you met your wife, and you're actually your creative partner, Lucia Agnello. Here you are, you two handsome people right there. Here in New York City. So you met in New York. Excellent place to meet a girl, in my opinion. What first attracted you to her?

[Becca]

Well, you know, we actually met in a level one improv class at the Upright Citizens Brigade theater.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure, sure.

[Becca]

And, yeah, I was super early, I was super nervous. My first class, she came in 15 minutes late, nonplussed. She's like, what are we working on? What are we doing? And I was like, who is this? And then a couple weeks later, we were doing a scene, and, you know, there's a teacher there, and as I'm doing the scene, I hear her say, write that down to the teacher, as if she was her, I don't know, writer's assistant or something.

[Stephen Colbert]

Something that you said in the improv scene.

[Becca]

Something that I said, which is not really what you do in an improv scene.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's exactly what you don't do. Yeah, exactly.

[Becca]

But I knew she had taste, you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Know, and you had to respect that.

[Becca]

I have to respect that?

[Stephen Colbert]

You had to respect that. Yes, I have. You actually are a trio as a creative team. This is you and Lucia with your friend Jen Statsky.

[Becca]

Yep.

[Stephen Colbert]

How did the three of you get to become this sort of close creative team?

[Becca]

You know, we were really good friends. We all met in the comedy scene here in New York, and Lucia and I moved to Los Angeles, and Jen had moved there, so we kind of chased her. And then Jen got a job writing for Jimmy Fallon, so she came back to New York. And so at the time, we were, like, missing our friend, and we decided just to include her on our daily to do lists. So we would send emails, like, you know, laundry, buy toilet paper, get floss, and we would just copy her on them. And then she.

[Stephen Colbert]

You just cc'd her?

[Becca]

We just cc'd her as like, sort of a life bit. And she would respond with notes. You know, she'd be like, I think you should do your blood work before you get toilet paper, maybe. Sure.

[Stephen Colbert]

You get closer.

[Becca]

And she was really funny. And so we just. We've always. And then we worked together on Broad City and a bunch of stuff since.

[Stephen Colbert]

I've been in a comedy trio. You said Strange with Candy, me and Paul Danelle. And Amy Sedaris created that, and it's. I like the trio. No, no, no.

[Becca]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is it? I. I only bring it up because I really enjoy being in a comedy trio. What do you like about it?

[Becca]

Oh, well, there's always a tiebreaker or a punching bag, you know, sometimes the.

[Stephen Colbert]

One who's not there.

[Becca]

Yeah, yeah, right. Yeah. It's also the sexiest number. You know, you can't have a menage a deux. You know what I mean?

[Stephen Colbert]

You actually can.

[Becca]

Well, yes, you can.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's highly recommended for many relationships.

[Becca]

To each his, her, or their own. I suppose that's true.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is there something you're telling us about this relationship?

[Becca]

No, no, no, no, no.

[Stephen Colbert]

You can understand how I got there.

[Becca]

Yes. Well, two of us are married and one of us is not. Well, she also has a husband, but we're not all married. Although she did marry us. She actually did marry us. She was our officiant at our wedding Gem.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow.

[Becca]

Yeah. But you know what? There's intrigue. I think that's good.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's good in a trio. So there's backbiting, which adds that layer of excitement.

[Becca]

It depends on how you're using the phrase. It could, I will say, in a couple.

[Stephen Colbert]

In a menage a trois, there's some literal backbiting.

[Becca]

There can be.

[Stephen Colbert]

Just to get a grip sometimes.

[Becca]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

We're adults.

[Becca]

We're adults. We can say it.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's late night.

[Becca]

Oh, in that case, I can say that in a comedy writing team. That's just a pair. You can't. Eiffel Tower. Can I say that.

[Stephen Colbert]

I am hesitant to ask, what does Eiffel Tower mean?

[Becca]

I don't even really know. I know it's something.

[Stephen Colbert]

You started performing at a pretty young age.

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

What was the first thing that you remember doing?

[Becca]

You know, we did, like, a Robin Hood play when I was in fourth grade, and I don't know why we had actual swords. I don't know why they did this to fourth graders, but we had actual swords.

[Stephen Colbert]

Metal swords.

[Becca]

They were wood, but they were very pointy.

[Stephen Colbert]

I understand.

[Becca]

And I got stabbed in the eye. Yeah. And I went to an optometrist who said, okay, so you have a cut and we have to cover it, but if you move one eye, you move the other eye. So he said, so we have to cover the other eye. So I spent. I spent weeks in school, like, both eyes cover.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you have to leave the play?

[Becca]

Oh, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh.

[Becca]

The play ended. The play stopped. The play stopped.

[Stephen Colbert]

I mean, the whole Run of the play. Like, they didn't mount it again.

[Becca]

It was over. It was over.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh. Because I was really hoping they would give and cover both of your eyes.

[Becca]

No, that would have been better.

[Stephen Colbert]

Were your parents supportive?

[Becca]

Very. I mean, I used. I really wanted to do. I really wanted to be an actor. And my parents. I'm from New Jersey, and they would take the train with me. Yes. Give it up for New Jersey.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Becca]

We would take the midtown direct from Dover into the city, and I would audition and never book.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow.

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nothing. I find that hard to believe because we have a photo of you from high school. Is this high school? This is high school.

[Becca]

I think it is, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Were all your parts taken by Ralph Macchio first?

[Becca]

Wow.

[Stephen Colbert]

Look at that. That is unbelievable. Look at the glow. Look at the shine. Look at the sheen off of that hair, man. How do you achieve that?

[Becca]

Okay, so that's something called the wet look. Okay. For those uninitiated, because it looks wet. It is wet, actually.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's actually wet.

[Becca]

So here's the thing. The gentleman who used to cut my hair cut my dad's hair. So I was a legacy. Brilliant man. And he gave me the wet look. And he said, you know, gel gets kind of, like, crusty, dry, and flaky. So he used something else. He used KY Jelly. Yeah. Which he gave to me. And I didn't even know what it was at the time. So, yeah, that was my high school experience, was using KY Jelly only in my hair, not for anything else.

[Stephen Colbert]

Paul, lovely to meet you. Thank you so much for being here.

[Becca]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you for listening to the Late Show POD show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.