Rainn Wilson, best known for his roles as Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, Dr. House, and Dwight, recently appeared on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” Wilson, who admitted to having a talk show phobia earlier in his career, opened up about overcoming his fear through hypnotherapy.
During the interview, Wilson expressed his nerves about being on the show and sitting next to James Corden. He jokingly mentioned that he had quite the thing for Corden, referring to his admiration for the host. Wilson’s love for quirky and eccentric characters like Dwight was evident when he exclaimed, “You like big weirdos, then!”
Wilson further explained that he had sought hypnotherapy to combat his fear of talk shows. He found the process of hypnotherapy fascinating, describing it as a deep meditation that tapped into the subconscious for strength. Thanks to the therapy, Wilson’s phobia eventually lifted, leading to his successful appearance on Corden’s show.
However, Wilson humorously acknowledged that he sometimes worried about a potential secret trigger that could break the hypnosis. He playfully mentioned the possibility of turning into a killing machine if someone uttered the exact right code word. But overall, it seems that Wilson’s talk show phobia is a thing of the past.
The conversation then shifted to Wilson’s co-star in an upcoming movie, Andrea Riseborough. Wilson shared a hilarious anecdote about his mother visiting him on a film set. He recalled a particularly emotional scene where he and another actor were crying. To his surprise, he heard his mom’s voice shouting, “No!” from the monitors. Despite embarrassing moments like these, Wilson’s mother’s support is unwavering.
Wilson also touched on his mother’s influence when it comes to health advice. He mentioned how his 81-year-old mother, a yoga instructor, used to offer tips like replacing butter with ghee. Wilson affectionately described ghee as “if butter threw up.” He jokingly set boundaries with his mom, explaining that as a middle-aged man, he could make his own shopping decisions.
Corden then congratulated Wilson on his recent film, “Jerry and Marge Go Large,” based on a real story about a couple who discovered a strategy to win the lottery legally. Wilson plays the character who sells them the winning tickets. The movie stars Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening.
In a surprising revelation, Riseborough shared that she enjoys gambling and considers herself lucky. She shared stories of winning the jackpot and even leaving her bet on the table, which resulted in another win. Wilson jokingly compared her to Rain Man, mentioning that they should plan a trip to Las Vegas together.
Towards the end of the interview, Wilson admitted that although he went through a phase of trying to become a gambling addict, it didn’t quite work out. He humorously described the stark contrast between the glamorous portrayal of gambling in commercials and the actual reality of the craps table, highlighting the sweaty and depressing aspects that are often left out.
Rainn Wilson‘s appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” showcased his witty humor and charming personality. Through his stories and experiences, Wilson proved that even with a talk show phobia, it’s possible to overcome fears and embrace new opportunities.
