Stephen Presents: Will Ferrell (Extended)

Summary

Episode Summary: "Stephen Presents: Will Ferrell (Extended)"

Release Date: February 15, 2025
Podcast: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Will Ferrell

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Introduction and Co-Hosting Banter

The episode opens with Stephen Colbert and producer Becca engaging in light-hearted banter about their roles as co-hosts on the podcast. They discuss the unique perks of working at The Late Show, such as having a crepe bar in the office and the beloved "Tuesday's Pizza Day." This segment sets a convivial tone, highlighting the camaraderie and behind-the-scenes atmosphere of the show.

Notable Quote:

• Becca [01:37]: "It's not every office you go to that you come in for a day of work on a Tuesday. And there's a crepe bar set up like 10ft away from your desk and two really lovely men making crepes per your order."

Introducing Will Ferrell

Transitioning into the main content, Becca introduces Will Ferrell as the episode's special guest. Stephen shares his admiration for Will, recounting their collaborative experiences and Will's unique approach to interviews—often blending character work with genuine conversation.

Notable Quote:

• Stephen Colbert [05:50]: "Will's nice and everything. There's a few people it was fun to interview as well. And the odd thing about Will is that he comes in sometimes, he'll come in character with an intention, but if you're just talking to him, he'll come in and be super laid back, as if he's not interested in the interview at all."

Experiences on "Bewitched"

A significant portion of the conversation delves into Will Ferrell's role in the "Bewitched" movie remake. Stephen and Will reminisce about filming experiences, particularly their interactions with co-stars like Nicole Kidman and David Alan Grier. They share amusing anecdotes about on-set dynamics, such as Will's portrayal of Darren and the memorable moment when Nicole Kidman delivered her lines with exceptional charisma.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Colbert [24:12]: "There is a moment in the movie, and it's the very first time that your character who's playing Darren... when Nora Ephron called action, we saw why Nicole Kidman was a movie star because the moment she called action, she flipped some switch."
• Will Ferrell [26:16]: "She literally, like, glowed from the inside."

Personal Anecdotes and Comedy Insights

Stephen and Will share personal stories that highlight their comedic journeys. Will discusses his early attempts at comedy, including unconventional methods like interrupting lectures in college to make friends laugh. They also touch upon the challenges and rewards of working in the entertainment industry, with Stephen expressing his appreciation for their long-standing professional relationship.

Notable Quotes:

• Will Ferrell [16:21]: "I was, because my father's a musician. I saw how tough the entertainment business is. I mean, right, guys? Musician. It's not... I mean, you got a steady gig. I mean, don't blow it. But it's tenuous at best."
• Stephen Colbert [07:03]: "I have done that with him. Like, I've worked on projects with him where you're having lunch together and... ridiculous."

Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavors

The conversation shifts to upcoming projects, including Will Ferrell's new movie, "You're Cordially Invited," co-starring Reese Witherspoon. They discuss the film's premise centered around weddings and the humorous dynamics expected from the collaboration. Stephen playfully speculates about setting up a booth at Comic Con to promote the movie, emphasizing the fun and camaraderie involved in such ventures.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Colbert [30:06]: "You're in a new movie with Reese Witherspoon. Yes, it's called 'You're Cordially Invited.'"
• Will Ferrell [31:23]: "I'm not just saying that. I would never come on here and just say stuff. I mean, it gets crazy."

Humorous Interactions and Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Stephen and Will engage in witty exchanges, showcasing their comedic chemistry. They joke about the differences in their comedic styles and the behind-the-scenes moments that fans rarely see. The episode concludes with Stephen wrapping up the interview, expressing gratitude for Will's participation and encouraging listeners to check out more content on The Late Show's YouTube channel.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Colbert [35:35]: "It'd be okay if you did."
• Will Ferrell [36:07]: "Also too, that audience, like, think about it."

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Key Takeaways and Insights

• Collaborative Dynamics: The long-standing professional relationship between Stephen Colbert and Will Ferrell is characterized by mutual respect, humor, and a shared passion for comedy.

• Behind-the-Scenes Stories: The episode offers listeners a glimpse into the making of "Bewitched," highlighting the on-set camaraderie and the talents of co-stars like Nicole Kidman and David Alan Grier.

• Personal Growth in Comedy: Will Ferrell's anecdotes about his early comedic endeavors illustrate the dedication and unconventional methods often employed in the journey to success in the entertainment industry.

• Upcoming Projects: The discussion about "You're Cordially Invited" with Reese Witherspoon adds anticipation for fans eager to see the collaborative efforts of these comedy veterans.

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Conclusion

"Stephen Presents: Will Ferrell (Extended)" is a treasure trove for fans of both Stephen Colbert and Will Ferrell. The episode masterfully blends humor with heartfelt stories, providing an engaging and insightful look into the minds of two of comedy's most beloved figures. From reminiscing about past projects to teasing future endeavors, the conversation is both entertaining and informative, making it a must-listen for audience members seeking an in-depth podcast experience.

Transcript

[Samsung Galaxy]

I can say to my new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, hey, find a keto friendly restaurant nearby and text it to Beth and Steve. And it does without me lifting a finger so I can get in more squats anywhere I can. 1, 2, 3.

[Stephen Colbert]

Will that be cash or credit? Credit. 4 Galaxy S25 Ultra. The AI companion that does the heavy lifting. So you can do. You get [e-mail] compatible with select apps. Requires Google Gemini account. Results may vary based on input. Check responses for accuracy. In the mood for something crunchy, saucy and boneless? Try Jack's new crispy boneless wings from Jack in the Box. Get them with honey, garlic, sriracha or smoke show smoky barbecue sauce. Enjoy so much more.

[Becca]

Hey, everybody, I'm Becca. I'm a producer here at the Late Show.

[Stephen Colbert]

And I'm Stephen Colbert. I am the host of the Late Show.

[Becca]

And here we are as co hosts on the Late Show Pod Show, a wonderful podcast.

[Stephen Colbert]

Co host. Yeah. I've never thought about that, but yeah, we are co hosts.

[Becca]

We're co hosts in the States.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm your guest right now, actually.

[Becca]

We're here together.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay.

[Becca]

Yeah. And we're having a great time. We're talking, we're talking about podcasts, we're talking about the show. We're talking about jobs that we have.

[Stephen Colbert]

You like your job, Steven, very much. It's a privilege to do this job. And I like doing the show for the audience and everything, but I really like, I like working with you. I like working with everybody here. This is a crew we've built together very carefully for 20 years now.

[Becca]

Yeah. And it's not every office you go to that you come in for a day of work on a Tuesday. And there's a crepe bar set up like 10ft away from your desk and two really lovely men making crepes per your order, per your specific order.

[Stephen Colbert]

Isn't that nice?

[Becca]

So I want to thank you for that. That was wonderful.

[Stephen Colbert]

That was celebration of the various guild novel. That was for the WGA nomination, the PGA nomination, and the DGA nomination. That was to celebrate the efforts of everybody here.

[Becca]

Yes. We got very talented people on staff and some very talented crepe makers every once in a while too. Thank you so much.

[Stephen Colbert]

Also, Tuesday's Pizza Day.

[Becca]

Tuesday's Pizza Day. Love Pizza Day. I think you've described this at one point that it's like doing this kind of show is like asking all your friends to help you move. And it's like you just kind of need pizza at some Point as part of that agreement.

[Stephen Colbert]

Very much so. Very much so.

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

I would always do that wrong. Like, I remember asking Danello and another friend of mine named Steve Conley. Paul Danello, and my friend of mine is Steve Conley and maybe one other person to help me move, and I. I don't know why I did this. I ordered the pizza first, and we didn't really get it done. Yeah. Like, we had pizza and beer, and then we're like, all right, let's move.

[Becca]

Oh, no.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's a bad combination.

[Becca]

Yeah, that's a bad combo. But it's nice. You wanted to make sure that they knew that they would get their end of the deal. Today, actually, on my way to work, I had a very New York moment where there was a guy pushing a nuts for nuts cart down the sidewalk.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nuts for nuts? Yeah.

[Becca]

And then it fell over. It toppled over.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, no.

[Becca]

And got stuck on something. And then I tried to go help him lift it up, but it's so heavy. And then all these Scottish tourists came, very big men, and they all helped the nuts for nuts guy lift it back up. And then they all got nuts. And it was so nice. It was really like a beautiful New York City.

[Stephen Colbert]

It had a happy ending.

[Becca]

Yeah, it had a good.

[Stephen Colbert]

Anything that ends in nuts and, like, candied nuts. Right, the nuts for nuts guys.

[Becca]

Yeah, there's, like.

[Stephen Colbert]

There's like a fire in there.

[Becca]

Was, like, it wasn't on because he was pushing. He was, like, going home for the day. Or maybe he was just setting up.

[Stephen Colbert]

Because the nuts for nuts guys, like, there's like, usually, like, a charcoal fire down there.

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Like, they're doing kebabs, but it's actually. They're just heating up nuts and, like. And, like, sugar.

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Becca]

A lot of water spilled. I don't know where that came from. What part of that. Yeah, I learned a little about the nuts.

[Stephen Colbert]

The ecosystem of the nuts for nuts cart.

[Becca]

Yeah, exactly. But that was a nice New York. I didn't get any nuts, but that's okay. I was too weak to help, so I won.

[Stephen Colbert]

One of the things that. The craziest New York food carts things I've ever seen is I was walking down. Shoot, I think it's 53rd street over. Over towards 6th Avenue. And there was a guy had a cart out there, and on the cart, he. He was doing soft shell crabs.

[Becca]

Whoa.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm like, what? He's like, literally, he had, like, a burner, A couple burners on there. And he had buns, and he was doing soft Shell crab sandwiches on the street. I'm like, this is. What a great city this is. It was the right time of year, you know, whatever. When the water hits about 70 degrees, the crabs molt for about a week or maybe a week and a half. You can eat them. And he was out there just. Just frying up bread, like a little bit, little dredging, a little, you know, a little flour. Frying up their shelf shell crabs, putting on a. I couldn't believe it. Now that also might be the least safe thing you could possibly eat off a New York street vendor. What are you eating there?

[Becca]

Street crab.

[Stephen Colbert]

Looks like you're eating a spider sandwich. Like it's a. It's a street. It is. It's a street. It's a street crab hoagie.

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, it was good, though. You'll never know. You never know. You come around any corner in New York, you never know what you're gonna see.

[Becca]

I would have hate to see the street crab guy. Toppl. Crabs everywhere, man.

[Stephen Colbert]

So what's our. Who's our guest tonight?

[Becca]

We have a very lovely extended interview. And by that I mean mega extended. This is someone you spent maybe 30 minutes with recently. Big star, big movie star.

[Stephen Colbert]

Male or female?

[Becca]

Male.

[Stephen Colbert]

Big male, movie star. Long conversation. Give me.

[Becca]

I need another of the humorous variety.

[Stephen Colbert]

Was it Will?

[Becca]

It was Will.

[Stephen Colbert]

Will Ferrell.

[Becca]

This is Will Ferrell. Remix on the podcast. We're putting him out again with some more extended content. So fun. So fun to watch you guys hang out.

[Stephen Colbert]

There's a few people it was fun to interview as well. And the odd thing about Will is that he comes in sometimes. He'll come in character with, like, an intention, but if you're just talking to him, he'll come in and be super laid back, as if he's not interested in the interview at all. It never pushes the product, for one thing. You ever bring up what the movie is? He's like, yeah, yeah, yeah, it was fun. And then that's all that I'll say. But if you didn't know better, you would think he's here at gunpoint. But then the comedy in him will rise up, and it's like someone turning into a superhero form. Just for a moment, he'll rise up and he'll just reach out and he'll grab the steel bar of the moment, and he'll bend it with the bare hands of his comedy. And you go, holy. He's Superman of joke telling. It's unbelievable how he can just turn it on. Like his Colbert questionnaire hasn't been on yet, but his Colbert questionnaire. Unbelievable quality.

[Becca]

One of the best of all time.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes. And again, you got really. Got a sense that he was not actually listening to the questions.

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

But every answer. Every answer is just a pearl.

[Becca]

He strikes me as someone who would be like the funniest guy at every single cafeteria table he sat down at.

[Stephen Colbert]

I have done that with him. Like, I've worked on projects with him where you're having lunch together and. Ridiculous.

[Becca]

Yeah, ridiculous. Yeah. Speaking of working together, I gotta ask. So one of the things we're bringing back. You guys talk about Bewitched? Yeah, I love Bewitched. I love.

[Stephen Colbert]

You like the movie.

[Becca]

I've seen it, like, 20 times. I really, really liked it. Because when I was.

[Stephen Colbert]

I mean, it was a very happy memory for me because the people got to work on it.

[Becca]

Yeah, yeah. No, it's a fun movie. It's fun. Movies are fun, but they're supposed to be fun. They're not fun anymore. You know what I mean? But, I don't know, I loved TV Land and stuff. So when that came out, I was like, oh, I like these old shows, but you guys had the idea to do Bewitched Khan at Javits Center.

[Stephen Colbert]

Just the movie.

[Becca]

Just the movie.

[Stephen Colbert]

Bewitched Khan. Exactly.

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

That would be really fun.

[Becca]

It would be really fun. Field piece. Field trip. You know, let's go.

[Stephen Colbert]

As we get together. The old cast. So it'd be Jason Schwartzman and me and Will and Nicole and David Alan Grier.

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, my God. That was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Is that David Alan Grier was. I think he played the director of Bewitched. And because I was pretty much in every scene that he was in, if he was off, I was off and vice versa. So hanging out with David Alan Grier, like, just hanging out in his trailer, just agonizingly funny guy. Like, no one like that guy. Why is he not working constantly? If there's a crime going on in the industry, as I call it, and by the industry, I mean the biz, then it's that David Alan Grier isn't in everything.

[Becca]

Yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Dramatic and comedic. He's. He's. The. He's the. The. He's the most underutilized genius that I. That I can think of.

[Becca]

And he's been on our show a bunch, too. We've got some great. Some great bits with Dag.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. Why don't we just play him?

[Becca]

Yeah, great. Let's play him.

[Stephen Colbert]

I mean, Will's nice and everything.

[Becca]

We can put him on this. We can put them on the Saturday. Yeah, let's listen.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, we have a Saturday pod.

[Becca]

We got Saturday pods, Sunday pods.

[Stephen Colbert]

No, we have Saturday pods.

[Becca]

We have pods 365 days a year. We keep it fresh.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, this is a big job.

[Becca]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

I had no idea what a big job this was, Becca.

[Becca]

Yeah, but you have the weekend off. Don't worry about that.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, I don't have to do it. This is the last one. I'm record.

[Becca]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Today. All right.

[Becca]

Yeah, this is a fun special.

[Stephen Colbert]

I gotta go take a nap.

[Becca]

All right, this is Will Ferrell, a bonus version on the Late Show Pod Show. Have a great week, everybody.

[Stephen Colbert]

I love you. Ladies and gentlemen, you know my guest tonight from anchorman Talladega Knights and Barbie. He now stars in. You're cordially invited. Just all calm down.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, I'm calm.

Oh, I'm super calm.

[Stephen Colbert]

You don't seem calm.

[Will Ferrell]

I'm dead calm.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, really?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. But let's get something straight. My sweet little pumpkin's gonna have her special day and no one's getting in the way of that. Not you, not some dead lady who.

[Stephen Colbert]

Can'T keep her together.

[Will Ferrell]

No one. And come Saturday, if I look out on that dock and that bride's not my baby girl, that bride's going in the lake. Okay. Splish splash, bitch taking a bath.

[Stephen Colbert]

Please welcome back to the late show, Will Ferrell.

[Will Ferrell]

Thank you. I'm. Please.

[Stephen Colbert]

From get off the shed to here.

[Will Ferrell]

Right?

[Stephen Colbert]

There you go. Yeah, there you go. I was just saying from. Get off the shed. Is that your first sketch on snl? Get off the shed. Get off the damn shed.

[Will Ferrell]

Get off the shed.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, to here.

[Will Ferrell]

To here.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

Get off the shed. That's what got me the job.

[Stephen Colbert]

I know. I saw your audition. Very nice.

[Will Ferrell]

And I'm so mild mannered. Right. You don't expect that.

[Stephen Colbert]

You're on camera. Yeah, dull.

[Will Ferrell]

Dull as a wooden board. That's pretty dull.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yep, yep. Yeah. Pretty dull metaphor too.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

It is lovely to see you because I haven't had a chance to talk to you since I saw your fabulous documentary, Will and Harper, which. So beautiful. I really loved it. Incredible. It was incredible. You and Harper Steele, who I know from the old days, just a beautiful documentary about two friends driving across the country and trying to understand each other. Thank you for that. I was inspired.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you. It was really nice.

[Will Ferrell]

Thank you so much. And yeah, one of the best things I ever got to be a part of and loved every second of it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Cannot wait for the video game.

[Will Ferrell]

Well, that's in the works. We're in talks with EA Sports. I don't know why Sports. Ask me if we got Oscar nominated.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you? I'm just curious. That's such a good documentary. It's one of the best documentaries I've seen in years. It was beautiful. It was timely. It was heartfelt. I was inspired by it. Tell me, how was the Oscar nomination?

[Will Ferrell]

We didn't get it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, I'm sorry about that. Well, those guys. Right.

[Will Ferrell]

I know. Yeah. Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

The Academy.

[Will Ferrell]

Say it. Well, especially the DOC branch. Yeah, the doc branch of the Academy.

[Stephen Colbert]

Totally, totally different guys.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, you don't want to hang out with the doc branch. What a bunch of losers.

[Stephen Colbert]

A few weeks ago.

[Will Ferrell]

I hope there's some of them here tonight. Hey, if you're a member of the DOC branch, suck it.

[Stephen Colbert]

A few weeks ago, this made a lot of news. You were at LA Kings hockey game, right? And you went looking like this. This is like this.

[Will Ferrell]

Yep.

[Stephen Colbert]

Just cause. Just cause.

[Will Ferrell]

Just cause. Yeah, that was my goal for the Christmas break. I just wanted to dress as Buddy the elf.

[Stephen Colbert]

And I like the expression on your son's face right here. Yeah, he's thrilled.

[Will Ferrell]

He's so over dad trying to do anything funny anymore, but that, you know, that I still love the performance art aspect of getting out there and mixing it up and seeing what the reaction would be. And it was incredible. People were like, what is he promoting?

[Stephen Colbert]

Do you like what's going on? Are you. Totally.

[Will Ferrell]

People got mad at me. Buddy would never do that. Buddy wouldn't smoke a cigarette. Well, you don't know Buddy. You don't know Buddy.

[Stephen Colbert]

You don't know what's happened to Buddy since that movie came out.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. I mean, with AI, Buddy's out of a job.

[Stephen Colbert]

Really? AI is replacing the L's.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

I didn't know that.

[Will Ferrell]

Get up to the North Pole, you'll see, it's carnage up there.

[Stephen Colbert]

Here's another one. You also. This is a different son of yours being just thrilled he posted this. You're dressed as an Elizabethan lord with your son to embarrass him at prom.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Now tell me about the origin of this.

[Will Ferrell]

Whoa. That just happened to be a coincidence. His. I was just. It was Elizabethan garb. Friday. I do that the last Friday of the month.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure.

[Will Ferrell]

It happened to be the same night as prom.

[Stephen Colbert]

Everybody in your company, right, gets to do that?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, everyone. That's a thing. And I still had my Elizabethan garb on. And I came Home. I'm like, oh, it's prom tonight. Let's take a photo.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you go. Did you go with him to prom?

[Will Ferrell]

I escorted him inside the.

[Stephen Colbert]

You went inside in that aspect?

[Will Ferrell]

I went inside and just hung around the perimeter.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you really go in and stay.

[Will Ferrell]

There for a little bit?

[Stephen Colbert]

No, no, no, no. I'm just curious.

[Will Ferrell]

No.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. Do you like the. I'm just curious. When you do that, do you. Are you nervous or anxious before you go out, or is it all just pleasure for you? I mean, like, when you. In terms of. And, like, you as. You know, like both pictures like this, you know, as Buddy or as this.

[Will Ferrell]

Or anything, it tests your mettle a little bit. Cause I also didn't know. I didn't want the King's organization to make a big deal about it. I wanted to see if it naturally kind of got out into the ecosystem.

[Stephen Colbert]

You wanted it just to go viral?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, just to see if it truly would go viral. And sure enough, boy, did it ever.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That feeling. That feeling of making a big choice and living right. The embarrassment's actually not a bad part. The embarrassment kind of feels good to me.

[Will Ferrell]

There was a group of kids who were there at the hockey game, I think they were doing. They were, like, cheering on the Kings. And so they were lining up in the tunnel, and I was coming back out as Buddy the elf to go to my seat, and they were like, Buddy. Screaming at me.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[Will Ferrell]

And Buddy couldn't stop to talk. He had to get to his seat.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, Buddy has changed.

[Will Ferrell]

Buddy has changed. He had to get his beer and his cigarette and sit down.

[Stephen Colbert]

Hey, I'm with my family.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. Leave me alone. Christmas was three weeks ago.

[Stephen Colbert]

When you were younger, did you do this? Did you, like. Would you dress up and do things like sort of public theater to like, to upset yourself and others?

[Will Ferrell]

I think it was testing the waters to see if I had the mettle to get into comedy, even though I was radically against doing it as a profession.

[Stephen Colbert]

You were against being a comedian?

[Will Ferrell]

I was, because my father's a musician. I saw how tough the entertainment business is. I mean, right, guys? Musician. It's not. I mean, you got a steady gig. I mean, don't blow it. But it's tenuous at best. Right? And I would. You know, my dad would come home from playing a gig for a year, and then all of a sudden it was gone. And I was like, how. Who wants that existence? But I loved comedy so much, so I think I found ways to kind. I wasn't a Theater kid. So I would do things, like, in college, I would dress up like a janitor and interrupt my buddy's lecture class with, like, a bucket and a mop. Once again, a lit cigarette.

[Stephen Colbert]

And just roll in.

[Will Ferrell]

And the teacher would say, can I help you? I go, no one threw up in here. The professor goes, no. I'm like, well, sorry. I'm from Physical Plant. They gave me a call that someone threw up in here. Are you sure no one threw up in here? Teacher, we're going to know. I don't know why you're here. And just to make two of my friends laugh in the back row, and then I just walk out.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. When did that then turn into, like, okay, I'm gonna do this?

[Will Ferrell]

Not really until after college. That, you know, I. In fact, I thought I was gonna be, like, a sportscaster, so I studied sports journalism.

[Stephen Colbert]

But you played, right? You played.

[Will Ferrell]

I played ball, sure. I still hold the record in my high school for the most field goals made. Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow.

[Will Ferrell]

Field goal catches.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow. How many? Like, in a season total or in a season career?

[Will Ferrell]

I think. I think I kicked something like 30 field goals.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's not bad. Yeah, that's not bad.

[Will Ferrell]

Over the course of three years. Sure, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Ten a year.

[Will Ferrell]

We were bad.

[Stephen Colbert]

How big was.

[Will Ferrell]

We were one eight and one my senior year. One one eight and one one win, eight losses, one tie.

[Stephen Colbert]

But it's a lot of field goals for that many losses.

[Will Ferrell]

As much as you would think. I think I was five for seven that year. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. Were you a sports guy at all?

[Stephen Colbert]

What sports? I played a fair amount of hacky sack.

[Will Ferrell]

Is that a sport?

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, that's funny, because my wife.

[Will Ferrell]

It is.

[Stephen Colbert]

In Vermont on our first date. My wife.

[Will Ferrell]

Is that how you wooed her? With the hacky sack?

[Stephen Colbert]

And he said, joe, do you play any sports?

[Will Ferrell]

Right.

[Stephen Colbert]

And it was a true answer, and I meant it. And I said, I play a lot of hacky sack. And then I told her about a dream I had the night.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, my gosh. How was there a second day?

[Stephen Colbert]

I have no idea. I kept the. I kept the wine coming. I kept the wine coming. Yeah. Yeah. It's a small town. There weren't a lot of choices. How did you meet. How did you meet Vivica, your wife?

[Will Ferrell]

I met her. I met her in an acting program, actually. And she was in the good group and I was in the bad group.

[Stephen Colbert]

So you were trying, like, okay, if I'm gonna do this, I need to be. I need to be a triple threat here. Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And I met her there. We were just friends for years and years and years. Dated a little bit, but didn't take. Didn't take. And then kind of doubled back to each other and got rebounded.

[Stephen Colbert]

Evie and I knew each other for, like, we'd met for seven years before once. Absolutely no vibe at all. Yeah. And people have been trying to get us together for those seven years when we met. And she was like, distant, icy on a mountaintop. And I was high and I went, yeah, I don't think we're gonna connect. I walked away. And seven years later, I met her. And I went, I'm gonna marry her. That was like, instantly when I saw her. Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

No, I knew she was the one.

[Stephen Colbert]

I. That's how good my story was.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. That was good.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's not a contest. It's not a contest.

[Will Ferrell]

Obviously.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm just saying I gotta awe. I got it. Aw. And you got it.

[Will Ferrell]

I know.

[Stephen Colbert]

Huh?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

I wonder how. I wonder why they didn't get together.

[Will Ferrell]

Well, they're not all awesome. Some of them are. Huh? Yeah. In life. But this year in August, we'll have been married 25 years.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, that's fantastic. Congratulations. Good man. Good man. I do want to point out 31. 31. Whoa. 31 years. Again, not a contest.

[Will Ferrell]

But I'm like, it feels like a contest.

[Stephen Colbert]

We have to take a quick break. We'll be right back with more Will Ferrell, everybody.

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[Stephen Colbert]

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[Stephen Colbert]

Hey, everybody, look at that. It's Will Ferrell. This is the 20th anniversary this year is the 20th anniversary of Bewitched. Oh, the movie Bewitched.

[Will Ferrell]

Let's try it again.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. This is the 20th anniversary this year of the movie Bewitched. People loved it. You Nicole Kidman. When they think Bewitched, they go, yeah, the movie with Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell.

[Will Ferrell]

Ask Nicole Kidman about the pantheon, the body of work.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[Will Ferrell]

She always lists Bewitched as number one.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes. We had her on. She was sitting right there and I said, you know, we were in a movie together. We were both in Bewitched. And she went, what are you. You were in. You were in Bewitched?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, I mean, we had a great. You were part of the writers room.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, that was officially one of the writers. This is me on the. Me over all the way here. And there's you in the green sweater right there. That's me. That's 20 years ago. 30 years ago. Me dressed like a member of Wilco and do you. My favorite. One of my favorite. It was a lot of fun. I was there for 52 days, and I think I showed up in 45 seconds of the film.

[Will Ferrell]

Right, right.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

That was a long shoot.

[Stephen Colbert]

That was super long.

[Will Ferrell]

75 days, I believe.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. Yeah. I think Oppenheimer took 50 days to shoot Bewitched.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. We needed it, though.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[Will Ferrell]

We needed all those days.

[Stephen Colbert]

I've always wanted to ask you about this. I don't think we've ever discussed this before. There is a moment in the movie, and it's the very first time that your character who's playing Darren. Yes, your character.

[Will Ferrell]

Now, for those of you I know everyone's seen it. But I play Darren. Yes, but it's the. But I'm in the TV version.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's a movie about this. About a remake of the tv. TV show of Bewitched. And you're playing Darren. Yes, and she's playing Samantha.

[Will Ferrell]

But I'm an actor in the movie. I'm an actor playing Darren in the TV show.

[Stephen Colbert]

Right, you're an actor. You are an actor. Playing an actor.

[Will Ferrell]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

In that. Okay, so. But here's the thing.

[Will Ferrell]

I'm an actor.

[Stephen Colbert]

This is the first time your character, if you were wondering, this is the. In the scene where you guys act together for the first time, you're doing your first scenes. Yeah, we're doing together as Bewitch. This is supposed to be the moment when, like, either you're meet cute and you fall in love. Nicole Kidman's over there, like, across the studio, and me and all the other people playing the writers at Video Village watching the first scene. And you, Will Ferrell, go to. Go play the Darren to go be in the scene with Nicole. And when the scene's over, do you remember what you came and said to us?

[Will Ferrell]

No, I have no idea.

[Stephen Colbert]

You came over to us because when she. When the scene started and when Nora said action.

[Will Ferrell]

Nora Ephron.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nora Ephron called action, we saw why Nicole Kidman was a movie star, because the moment she called action, she flipped some switch. She became the most alluring and beautiful woman. She's a beautiful woman. But something preternatural happened.

[Will Ferrell]

Absolutely.

[Stephen Colbert]

And we did the scene, and all of us are, like, in a fever of desire for the character that she's playing, and we can barely breathe, and none of us are saying to each other, because that's a weird feeling to have on a set. And you walked over and you went, what the. The just happened out there? And we all went. I don't know. She was like, I couldn't remember any of my lines.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

I couldn't get out of her eyes.

[Will Ferrell]

What the just happened. It was like an alien being had come and told us everything's going to be okay.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes. Yeah. It was extraordinary.

[Will Ferrell]

She did this.

[Stephen Colbert]

She literally, like, glowed from the inside.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Why can't you do that?

[Will Ferrell]

I can't. Look, I'm working on it, and I think I'm gonna get there.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Eventually.

[Stephen Colbert]

All right. They're having a big party here.

[Will Ferrell]

I still got time.

[Stephen Colbert]

Where's the big party for Bewitched? The anniversary party over on 30 Rock on the 16th. I think everybody's getting together. All the stars are getting together.

[Will Ferrell]

It's at Jacob Javits. The entire Jacob Javits Center.

[Stephen Colbert]

Bewitched Con.

[Will Ferrell]

Yes, Bewitched Con.

[Stephen Colbert]

Everyone's gonna show up dressed like nothing.

[Will Ferrell]

With the original show. Just the movie.

[Stephen Colbert]

Everyone's dressed up as Steve Carell, as Paul Lynn.

[Will Ferrell]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. Lot of security. Can I show you how Nicole Kibben said goodbye to me?

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, please.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, so I'm wrapped. I'M wrapped before everybody. I don't know why I'm wrapped early a couple of days before other people. And she's been very nice, been very gracious, you know, the whole time we've been working there. And they go, okay, that's a wrap on Stephen Colbert. And you always get a little applause like that. And so this is what she does. She goes, stand up, we'll do this together. She'll do the. And I said, hey, it was so lovely meeting you and I'll be her. She goes like, oh, oh, it was so. No, don't do it. I was like, oh, it was so wonderful. It was so wonderful. I had such a wonderful time. Oh, you were so great. Thank you so much. And then she walked away. Never touched my hand. And I just stood there looking down at my arm. And then there was a grip, like holding a light. And he goes, guess that's how Nicole Kibben says goodbye.

[Will Ferrell]

I wonder.

[Stephen Colbert]

I don't know, it was like, I was like raking or something.

[Will Ferrell]

I remember she told me she did learn how to do massage.

[Stephen Colbert]

No.

[Will Ferrell]

Yes. I swear to God.

[Stephen Colbert]

While we were doing the movie, she.

[Will Ferrell]

Had learned, not, I don't know if it was during, but at some point, but she had learned to do massage techniques just as a, I don't know, enrichment. And so maybe she was just sensing tension through there. And like, that is good.

[Stephen Colbert]

That is.

[Will Ferrell]

Stephen, Stephen, you're so gifted. But what's your next project? What are you working on next? Take care, love.

[Stephen Colbert]

Uh huh. Yeah, yeah, exactly. That's spooky. That was really good.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

We have to take another break here, but we'll be right back with more Will Ferrell.

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[Stephen Colbert]

Hey, everybody. We're back with the star of your cordially invited, Will Ferrell. You're in a new movie with Reese Witherspoon. Yes, it's called you're cordially invited.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

You want to help me out? No, you go ahead it's your movie. I don't want to like, jump on. I don't want to steal your glory here. So it's about weddings.

[Will Ferrell]

I want to get to the Javits center before it gets too many people get there.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's about.

[Will Ferrell]

It's about a signing booth, by the way. We gotta sign a lot of merch.

[Stephen Colbert]

God.

[Will Ferrell]

Okay.

[Stephen Colbert]

How much fun would that be? Wouldn't that be fun just to set up a booth at the chapter at like, just to go to Comic Con.

[Will Ferrell]

With a banner behind it.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's you or me.

[Will Ferrell]

And we're signing signs Will Ferrell from Bewitched.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, we're signing.

[Will Ferrell]

But Bewitched in parentheses, the movie signing merch.

[Stephen Colbert]

There you go. Uh huh. Yeah. And we won't sign anything from the series.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, nothing serious.

[Stephen Colbert]

Any of the Elizabeth Montgomery sign this one series.

[Will Ferrell]

Sorry.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nope.

[Will Ferrell]

Take it somewhere else.

[Stephen Colbert]

So it's about a couple.

[Will Ferrell]

It's two weddings. My daughter's getting married. Reese Witherspoon's sister's getting married. Booked on the same date at the same destination, you know, there you go.

[Stephen Colbert]

Like two rams butting heads right there.

[Will Ferrell]

Two rams butting heads. And. Ooh, it gets crazy. I'm not just saying that. It really gets crazy.

[Stephen Colbert]

You're not just saying that.

[Will Ferrell]

I'm not just. I would never come on here and just say stuff. I mean it. It gets crazy.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, we know how there's a lot of laughs.

[Will Ferrell]

I'm not just saying that either. A lot of laughs.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay. It'd be okay if you did.

[Will Ferrell]

No, I mean it. There's a lot of laughs.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, good. Yeah, yeah. Who gets more laughs, you or Reese?

[Will Ferrell]

It depends. Depends on what part of the movie.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

But I think.

[Stephen Colbert]

I think it's an equal, equal share, contractually.

[Will Ferrell]

Contractually, no. Contractually, no. Contractually, I have to get 60.

[Stephen Colbert]

40. I thought it might be like Vin Diesel and the Rock, like when they fight in the Fast and Furious movies. It says in the contract that neither of them can win or lose.

[Will Ferrell]

No.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you know that?

[Will Ferrell]

I did not know that.

[Stephen Colbert]

But it says in the contract that neither one of them can win.

[Will Ferrell]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

[Stephen Colbert]

Neither one of them would care what they would.

[Will Ferrell]

Our boats both rise with the tide.

[Stephen Colbert]

Not if one of them loses. Then their boat lost. Yeah, they're both rising up.

[Will Ferrell]

But no, I will watch the movie. I'll watch Final Cut and I'll count the laughs.

[Stephen Colbert]

Clicker.

[Will Ferrell]

Yep, I'm a clicker and I don't laugh. At all. Watch it again.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yep.

[Will Ferrell]

Do my co stars laugh? I'll calculate it out. Hopefully it's 60, 40.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

If it's not, we gotta open up the edit.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, yeah. Or you're not doing Colbert.

[Will Ferrell]

I have a clicker and I have a change belt for some reason too.

[Stephen Colbert]

And a key on that. Key on that retractable thing.

[Will Ferrell]

So I'm spilling out quarters, I'm clicking and I'm doing this.

[Stephen Colbert]

True story. True story. The first time I ever did a.

[Will Ferrell]

Did you work in an arcade with a change belt?

[Stephen Colbert]

I did. I did, yeah. Down on the boardwalk on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. No, I did a pilot for NBC years ago and we were like on like day three of shooting a pilot. I don't know why they're taking two weeks to shoot it, but it's going to be a long shoot. It's up in Canada. And the director comes to me and goes, look, the NBC execs are here and they'd like to. They're upset that you're not smiling enough.

[Will Ferrell]

Never a good sign.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, you're not smiling enough in character. And I said, what do you mean? He said, yeah, they counted your smiles. I said, they counted my smiles? And they said, yeah. And I said, how many? And they said, one and a half. I said, that's the half.

[Will Ferrell]

What constitutes.

[Stephen Colbert]

I think the half was like, those is like. Like that. Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

We obviously don't have time for any of this to make it to air, but do you.

[Will Ferrell]

We're here about. We're here to entertain the audience.

[Stephen Colbert]

Not.

[Will Ferrell]

It's not. It's not. It's not so much what goes out.

[Stephen Colbert]

I just got. I got a phone call later. I just want to make sure I don't miss that.

[Will Ferrell]

Well, I've got it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

I'm hoping I can use one of these monitors for a zoom. I have to do.

[Stephen Colbert]

Absolutely 100%. Yeah, you can use the back wall if you want.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, perfect. That would be great.

[Stephen Colbert]

Back wall. Yeah, exactly. You just turn this around. Just go like. This is how I do them. Hey, what's going on? Hey, Charlie. Hey, what's going on? You're on mute. You're on mute. Do you remember? And I know I got to let you go, but do you. It's so rare I get a chance.

[Will Ferrell]

To talk to you.

[Stephen Colbert]

I know. Do you remember. Hey, I got invited to that SNL thing. Yeah, the s. Part of the 50.

[Will Ferrell]

The 50.

[Stephen Colbert]

Should I go like. It's a three hour.

[Will Ferrell]

I know.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's three hour show where you Sit. You have to sit there for three hours while there's a retrospective show. Is that what it is?

[Will Ferrell]

As far as I know.

[Stephen Colbert]

I live.

[Will Ferrell]

I'm really not doing a bit. I know nothing.

[Stephen Colbert]

Are you gonna. It's black tie. What? It's black tie. You have to sit for 3 hours in 8h in black tie. And then is there a party in the rainbow room or like, closet?

[Will Ferrell]

Okay. The performative part of me wants to show up in a tank top and just say, hey, kick me out. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

I supposedly, I'm one of the best cast members. Kick me out, tank top. Supposedly, not me. I'm not saying it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow.

[Will Ferrell]

I'm not saying it.

[Stephen Colbert]

You came out with that awful fast, man. You came out. You had that on speed dial right there.

[Will Ferrell]

Please go so we can sit next to each other.

[Stephen Colbert]

That would be fun. Yeah, Cuz. Yeah, I think that would. I think snacks.

[Will Ferrell]

Or bring a natural loud cellophane.

[Stephen Colbert]

Loud cellophane snacks.

[Will Ferrell]

Corn nuts and crisp Washington apples.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's fantastic.

[Will Ferrell]

Also too, that audience, like, think about it.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's gonna be the worst. No one's gonna laugh of all time. It's all gonna be all industry people.

[Will Ferrell]

In Black Tiger and a lot of.

[Stephen Colbert]

People who didn't get cast in SNL exactly like me. Good luck. Good getting one titter out of me for those three hours. You don't want me there.

[Will Ferrell]

No, I know.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

But I do.

[Stephen Colbert]

Will. It's always a joy. Thank you so much. You're cordially invited. Is available on Amazon prime tomorrow. Will Ferrell, everybody. 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.