

Intro Rewind: First Drafts With Evie (Extended)
Aug 27, 2025
The show dives into the whirlwind of reactions Stephen faced after hosting the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner and launching the Colbert Super PAC. A fun segment features Stephen chatting with his wife Evie about the joys of the holiday season and creating quirky holiday cards. They also explore the evolution of audience engagement, from nostalgic shows like Howdy Doody to modern television dynamics. With humor, they reflect on light-hearted traditions and the playful roles we all play during festive times.
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Massive Backlash After Correspondents' Dinner
- Stephen describes waking up after the 2006 Correspondents' Dinner and discovering an enormous online reaction the next day.
- He found a forum with tens of thousands of letters and only read one before stepping away from it.
Super PAC Raised Unexpected Millions
- Stephen recounts launching the Colbert Super PAC and raising over $1.2 million from viewers.
- He panicked about handling the money until a billionaire offered another $500k and he begged them not to give more.
First Drafts Reveal Real Holiday Voice
- Stephen frames holiday cards as items that rarely get perfect on first attempts, prompting a 'first drafts' peek.
- The segment highlights the humor and humanity behind polished final messages.