
The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Top of The Tops | Audience Questions
May 9, 2026
Stephen and Becca swap baking stories and praise a coworker’s almond-basil cookie that made it into a cookbook. They tease favorite recipes and Ina Garten influences. A live audience Q&A sparks rapid-fire potato choices, baby-name banter, tales about a longtime stage manager, and a memorable Daily Show field piece.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
How A Writer's Cookie Became A Cookbook Star
- Stephen Colbert and producer Becca describe a backstage cookie culture that influenced their cookbook choices.
- Colbert recounts Kara's almond-basil cookie (lemon zest, chewy, gluten-free) becoming a breakout hit and making it into Does This Taste Funny.
Office Food Traditions Influence Creative Work
- The show's internal culture treats cookies and holiday exchanges as creative touchpoints that influence content.
- Becca describes an annual NYT-inspired cookie exchange among writers that surfaces standout recipes like Kara's.
Cookbook Finished And Heading To Print
- Stephen and Becca discuss their cookbook Does This Taste Funny and the production process they just finished.
- Colbert mentions final notes sent, layout/galleys next, and preorders available for a September release.


