Overview of RE-RELEASE: Emma Stone
This SmartLess episode features hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett interviewing Emma Stone (joining remotely while under the weather). The conversation blends casual banter and deep-dive storytelling covering Emma’s early life in Scottsdale, AZ; her move to L.A.; career arc (from early roles to La La Land and Poor Things); collaborations with Yorgos Lanthimos and Nathan Fielder; stage work; personal health anecdotes (broken bones, bone density, colic, asthma); and small, human details (no social media, snack habits, tattoos). The episode is full of comic riffing, behind‑the‑scenes film anecdotes, and warm admiration from the hosts.
Key topics discussed
- Early life and move to L.A.
- Growing up in Scottsdale, Arizona; moved to LA at 15 to pursue acting.
- Early internet hobby: building simple websites (AngelFire/GeoCities era).
- Name change and early career
- Birth name Emily Stone; changed to Emma after SAG name conflict and a childhood fondness for Baby Spice.
- Early auditions, camera tests, and small roles leading to Superbad and other early films.
- Career highlights and recent projects
- La La Land (Oscar win) — how that flowed directly into working with Yorgos.
- The Favorite and other collaborations with Yorgos Lanthimos; producer credit and development on Poor Things.
- The Curse — new series with Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie (discussed as dark/comedic and intense).
- Stage work: Cabaret — described as the most physically demanding experience she’s had.
- Health and physical stories
- Broke her shoulder (story about slipping before a Spice Girls concert) and a recent broken toe.
- History of colic as an infant, possibly shaping her raspy voice.
- Bone density concerns: takes vitamin D/calcium and is advised to do weight-bearing exercise.
- Asthma discovery during filming (briefly mentioned).
- Personal life and habits
- Married to Dave McCary (met via SNL); has a child.
- Minimal tech/social media use — she has an iPhone but no computer; no social media.
- Travel and on-set comforts: always has apples & peanut butter, rice cakes, and a Starbucks coconut misto.
- Small jobs: worked at a dog bakery (Three Dog Bakery) as a teen.
- Light, recurring SmartLess banter: hiccup cures, tattoos, family anecdotes, and host-driven jokes.
Notable moments & quotes
- Hosts’ playful water-bottle “bullying” story opening the episode.
- Emma on the name change: “I was an enormous… huge Spice Girls fan” — chose Emma partly because of Baby Spice.
- On being colicky: described five months of near-constant crying as an infant and how that may have affected her voice.
- On work ethic and continuity after an Oscar: went straight back to work the day after the Oscars to film The Favorite.
- Spice Girls anecdote: hosts sing/prattle “If you want to be my lover, first you got to get with my friends” — Emma’s recognition of the lyric is a recurring joke.
- Funny/relatable details: she broke her shoulder the night before meeting the Spice Girls and still attended the concert; she travels without a laptop; she always drinks a “coconut misto” from Starbucks.
Guest background & career highlights (concise)
- Breakthroughs: Superbad (audition/camera-test story involving Judd Apatow), steady rise through diverse roles.
- Awards: Oscar win for La La Land (mentioned in conversation).
- Collaborations:
- Yorgos Lanthimos — The Favorite (worked together), Poor Things (producer and star; called one of her favorite projects).
- Nathan Fielder — The Curse (new series; dark comedic premise, filmed in New Mexico).
- Stage: Performed in Cabaret — described as physically and vocally demanding.
Personal & human details that stand out
- Tech approach: no computer, no social media; email and calendar on iPhone.
- Snacks & comforts on set: apples + peanut butter, rice cakes, and a daily Starbucks coconut misto.
- Health/trauma: multiple broken bones (including recent toe, previous shoulder), bone-density monitoring, and asthma/colic history.
- Tattoo story: small family-linked wrist tattoo done poorly in 2010; attempts to fix/laser complicated by skin issues.
Recommendations / Takeaways
- If you liked Emma’s roles:
- Watch Poor Things (Yorgos Lanthimos) — Emma calls it one of her favorite projects.
- Look out for The Curse (with Nathan Fielder) — described as an intense dark comedy.
- Takeaway on work ethic: Emma’s career is framed by consistent, varied work and a strong on-set ethic—she returned to work immediately after major milestones.
- Lifestyle note: Simpler tech use and small comfort rituals (food, coffee) can be grounding when traveling or on long shoots.
Episode logistics & sponsors (brief)
- Hosts: Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett.
- Guest: Emma Stone (remote, under the weather).
- Sponsors/read ads included: Whole Foods Market, LinkedIn Ads (linkedin.com/smartless), Allstate, Gordon’s Seafood, Audible (Big Age), Ashley (furniture), Venmo Stash, Apple Card, Hilton, Kleenex, Edible Arrangements.
Final note
This is a casual, conversational episode heavy on personal stories and movie/industry anecdotes rather than a tightly structured interview. Fans of Emma Stone and listeners who enjoy long-form, comedic host-guest banter will find lots of memorable moments and behind-the-scenes insights into her life and work.