John Mulaney And Stephen Colbert Explore Each Other's Deepest Anxieties

John Mulaney, whose comedy special "John Mulaney and The Sack Lunch Bunch" is a huge hit on Netflix, joins our host for an exploration of their various insecurities and how they influence their comedy. #Colbert #Comedy #JohnMulaney

Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT. Only on CBS.

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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is the premier late night talk show on CBS, airing at 11:35pm EST, streaming online via CBS All Access, and delivered to the International Space Station on a USB drive taped to a weather balloon. Every night, viewers can expect: Comedy, humor, funny moments, witty interviews, celebrities, famous people, movie stars, bits, humorous celebrities doing bits, funny celebs, big group photos of every star from Hollywood, even the reclusive ones, plus also jokes.

[sethescope]

It is 2020 and I just watched two men have an honest discussion about anxiety and wanting to be liked and not feeling good enough as themselves and neither of them made a joke about those feelings. Neither of them pretended that they didn't have feelings. Neither of them pretended that they didn't have that feeling and need. They talked about the process of learning to separate how people feel about you and how you see yourself.

You know, the world is a messed up place right now, but this just happened and I'm thinking that we might eventually be okay. Wholesome masculinity is becoming more mainstream and men are having the courage to talk about their feelings in public with other men and that is fucking incredible. I'm so fucking proud of these guys and I love them so much.

[downriverproductions]

"You're supposed to act fake around adults"
"You're 36 years old."
SAME

[camilarossini]

John: Haha, funny joke.
Stephen: *Scribbling on a legal pad.* So tell me about your relationship with your mother.

[moss_yt]

I feel like this interview being two comedians talking about anxiety and having a mini therapy session sets the tone for the rest of 2020.

[graceotto]

i feel like john's suit with the bright yellow socks is the most accurate representation of john and his personality you will ever see.

[d]

John Mulaney on Fallon: Here’s this crazy story about how I went to a concert with Pete Davidson!
John Mulaney on Colbert: I will never truly reveal who I am as a person.

[acornpockets]

"You have a lot of anxiety?"
"Yeah."
"And that's why you don't want anyone to ever truly know you."
"... Ooh."

[nesquik]

I like the fact that they don't really force laughter and instead talk sincerely and allow awkward pauses. It shows the real respect that they have for each other

[Maliceah]

I wasn't expecting John to answer that question about his anxiety so honestly. What a brave guy.

[eddy]

They're still disguising it under comedy but this is probably the most real conversation there's ever been on a late night talk show.

[ItsIntelligentDesign]

I love John Mulaney’s work, but in retrospect knowing he and his wife got divorced the “You’ll never really know what I think of you, and I’ll never really know what you think of me” moment hits haaaard

[niftythegoblin]

Stephen and John: **casual banter**
Stephen: "Do you think your anxiety is what makes you feel the need to not let anyone see the real you?"
John: "and I- oop"

[gloria_loves_bats]

Wow they really just invited an audience to John Mulaney's therapy appointment.

[Gunkytube]

John Mulaney and Stephen Colbert always have the most genuine conversations and I will never tire of them discussing real, personal matters.

[koalabear]

It's very obvious that Colbert sees a LOT of himself in Mulaney. He sees him as a younger version of himself.

[MillerMooseMan]

This felt like a rare TV moment.

Kudos to John for being so receptive to a question which could have so easily crossed a line for others

[phantomosolace]

I've watched this particular interview over 50 times since it was released, , , , and y'know, their honest discussion of anxiety combined with their natural sense of humor really seems to help me find something to smile about in 2020.

[blairelliott]

"Just water for me, and tremendous anxiety."


"Is that why you never let everyone get to know the real you?"


"Oh. Can I have a second?"


Stephen and John are the ideal friends who press them to tell the truth and check up on them.

[lionmenmusic]

John Mulaney realised he had been paying the wrong person 800 bucks an hour

[ArabicBeautiful]

I hope John knows we love him and we're rooting for him. Being funny is a part of who he is but even when he's not providing laughter for other people, he deserves love and support. We're glad you had the courage to change the things you can. Get well soon JM! Also those post-rehab jokes are going to be hilarious.