The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Kumail Nanjiani | It's Yammer Time
Dec 18, 2025
Kumail Nanjiani, a comedian and actor known for his roles in Silicon Valley and The Big Sick, dives into his new stand-up special, Night Thoughts. He hilariously shares his pesky nighttime worries and personal anecdotes, including his Broadway debut and his Pakistani family's reaction. Kumail opens up about therapy, masculinity, and the emotional weight of recording his special on the very day his wife emerged from a coma. He wraps up with heartfelt insights on community and the comforting power of shared experiences.
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Loud Pakistani Family Dinners
- Kumail recounts large, loud Pakistani family dinners where his father orders for everyone and force-feeds leftovers.
- He describes aggressive divvying of food and packing multiple takeaway boxes.
Parents' Approved Backstage Line
- Kumail performed in O'Malley on Broadway and worried about his parents' reaction to a filthy scene.
- His parents repeatedly told him, 'It's a great show,' following an approved line Emily had given them.
What Night Thoughts Are
- Night thoughts are intrusive, anxiety-driven worries that arrive when you try to sleep.
- Kumail Nanjiani calls them 'day thoughts that hate you' and writes them down to manage them.