This week on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Hollywood’s brightest stars took over the Ed Sullivan Theater with laughter, reflection, and stories that perfectly blend nostalgia and wit. From Emma Stone’s extraterrestrial comedy turn to Michael J. Fox’s touching advocacy and Ben Stiller’s family legacy, Colbert’s interviews were a masterclass in charm, intellect, and pure entertainment.
If you missed these moments, here’s your chance to catch every highlight — each one a reminder that television talk shows are still the beating heart of pop culture storytelling.
“It’s A Comedy!” – Emma Stone Plays a Pharma Exec and Suspected Alien in Bugonia
Emma Stone never disappoints when it comes to unexpected roles, and her latest in Bugonia proves it. Sitting across from Stephen Colbert, she effortlessly balances self-deprecating humor with that magnetic energy that’s made her one of the most versatile performers of her generation.
In Bugonia, Stone plays a pharmaceutical executive who might — or might not — be an alien, depending on how you read the film’s absurdist undertones. The way she describes the set chaos, the sci-fi satire, and the comedic chemistry with her co-stars gives us a peek into the kind of surreal brilliance only she could pull off.
Here’s the full interview, where she laughs about aliens, capitalism, and what it takes to stay grounded when everyone thinks you’re from another planet:
Michael J. Fox Swapped Alex P. Keaton for Marty McFly Every Day While Making Back to the Future
Talk about multitasking. Michael J. Fox reminisced about the surreal chaos of juggling his hit sitcom Family Ties with filming Back to the Future — sometimes within the same day. Imagine wrapping a sitcom taping only to hop into a DeLorean at 3 AM.
Colbert and Fox dive deep into how those sleepless nights forged cinematic magic. The anecdote reminds us why Fox remains a timeless figure in Hollywood — one who redefined the work ethic behind stardom.
Michael J. Fox on Claiming Ground for Parkinson’s Sufferers and Performing with Coldplay
In another segment, Fox moves from humor to heart. The conversation turns emotional as he talks about his foundation’s relentless work for Parkinson’s research and his moving on-stage moment performing Fix You with Coldplay.
Fox’s unwavering optimism and humility radiate through the entire interview. It’s a reminder that resilience and purpose can coexist with fame — and that authenticity resonates far longer than applause.
“This Theater Is an Institution” – Ben Stiller’s Parents Performed at the Ed Sullivan Theater 36 Times
For Ben Stiller, The Late Show is more than just another press stop — it’s a homecoming. Sitting on the same stage where his legendary parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, performed dozens of times, Ben reflects on their comedic legacy with warmth and wit.
He paints vivid memories of growing up backstage, watching his parents command audiences long before he became a Hollywood powerhouse himself. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s a full-circle moment that cements how showbiz runs in his blood.
“I Call Him Bob Because We’re Friends” – Ben Stiller on His Meet the Parents Co-Star Robert De Niro
You know you’ve made it when you can casually call Robert De Niro “Bob.”
Stiller shares hilarious behind-the-scenes moments from Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers, revealing De Niro’s surprising warmth and deadpan humor. The banter between Colbert and Stiller here is gold — two comedic minds riffing about a friendship forged on awkward comedy and cinematic chemistry.
Final Takeaway
This week’s Late Show lineup was a perfect microcosm of why audiences still crave the intimacy of late-night conversations. They’re part laughter, part soul-searching — and entirely human.
From Emma Stone’s cosmic comedy to Michael J. Fox’s enduring courage and Ben Stiller’s generational nostalgia, each segment reminds us that the best Hollywood storytelling doesn’t always happen on the big screen. Sometimes, it happens right there in the chair opposite Stephen Colbert — where sincerity meets sarcasm, and stars become people again.
Discover more of Hollywood’s finest conversations at Hollywood Box, where entertainment meets insight.
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