The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Emma Thompson | Ego Trip
Oct 28, 2025
Dame Emma Thompson, an award-winning actress and conservationist, shares her journey from her first paid comedy gig to her career highlights. She discusses her new series, where her character, Zoe, embraces rebellion and challenges conventional roles. Emma hilariously recounts a computer mishap that stalled her writing and her unique writing habits. Additionally, she touches on developing a Nanny McPhee musical, exploring themes of grief and connection through its songs. Tune in for laughter and insightful reflections!
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Drilling Threatens Arctic Wildlife
- Stephen Colbert highlights the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling decision as industrializing critical habitats.
- He frames it as harmful to polar bears, caribou, and migratory birds and criticizes the policy.
First Paid Stand‑Up Memory
- Emma Thompson's first paid comedy gig was on her 25th birthday doing stand-up in a Croydon warehouse.
- She was paid £60 in a brown envelope and felt amazed by earning money from words and a microphone.
Handwriting Preserves Creative Control
- Emma Thompson prefers writing longhand because she believes in a brain‑to‑hand connection that fosters creativity.
- She resists automated rewriting prompts and finds them intrusive to her process.
