The future of the "Colbert Report"

[ProfessorPlum]

Stephen Colbert has created a dim-witted, full-throated, confident ignoramus persona on his new TV show, the Colbert Report. He often gets his audience, which one presumes is full of NYC sophisticates who are in on his joke, shouting in lusty, fratboy-like agreement with his retarded right-wing lunacy, expressed with confidence.

One wonders what kind of liberal support could be drummed up if the ideals of people who value people would ever be expressed with equal confidence.

Watching his show, especially during his interviews where the right wing talking points jump from his smiling lips, makes me wonder also: Does his studio audience get the joke? Does his TV audience get the joke? Do the subjects of his interviews get the joke (his right wing subjects seem tickled with themselves when he is done)? Is Colbert ever worried about his own sanity? (Putting yourself in that mindset, for hours a day everyday, has got to do something bad for your brain).

I realize Colbert is incredibly bright and appropriately cynical, and that his writers come from places like the Onion, etc. So I guess I'm less worried about them than everyone consuming the product.

But apart from the truly, incredibly funny and asinine things he says, he never breaks character. If you were stupid (and half of this country is of below-average intelligence), you might not get it. Does that pose any kind of danger or problem?

Or is this a stupid concern? Maybe - it just strikes me as a little weird and cultish after having watched a bunch of clips from the show.

[stevietheman]

1. It works the same way as "All in the Family"....

there's something for all ideologies to love. That is the sign of well-written comedy. It should be noted that a show like this isn't designed to promote the liberal cause, but to make people laugh.

[Greenpeach]

44. I remember when...

We thought it was so great when "All in the Family" appeared as a brilliant satire showing up racism and bigotry. What a shock to realize that there were those who agreed with Archie Bunker and thought he was just swell!

[geniph]

141. My stepfather adored Archie Bunker

He looked, sounded, and spoke just like him. The resemblance was truly creepy. "He's the only person on TV who makes sense!"

[Ian David]

52. Andrew Dice Clay Syndrome

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x846510#857576

I've posted more about that elsewhere on DU.

Out of time, or else I'd find it.

[Taverner]

64. Yep. Very true

He used to have a few different characters he did - Diceman was only one of them. He also used to do a TV Preacher (kind of overdone in the late 80s) and a salesman from hell.

I met him once - very nice guy. Very mellow and 'un-dice'like

[rinsd]

76. Besides he was on Different Strokes as the Gooch! (nt)

[Ian David]

122. More about "Andrew Dice Clay Syndrome"

As usual, I will reference the most profound source of wisdom I have ever found: Myself.

14. I wrote a short paper on Dice during college
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4079630#4079906


I'll summarize:

Clay saw himself as "doing a character" like Archie Bunker. He intentionally tried to make his character seem ignorant and foolish. He thought people would "get it," and see him not as a folk hero, but as a contemptible buffoon.

But later in his career, he realized this was not the case. People were seeing his character as a mascot and as a spokesperson for their own small-minded beliefs.

This is what he cried about during his interview on The Arsenio Hall Show. He didn't understand how people couldn't understand that he didn't want people to admire his "Diceman" personae.

A key difference between Dice and Archie Bunker is that Archie was always surrounded by foil characters. He always had Meathead around to call attention to Archie's idiocy.

The Diceman, on the other hand, had the stage all to himself and thought that people would be smart enough to "get the joke."

Hell, even smoking a cigarette by holding his arm across his head didn't bring home the point, "Hey, this guy is supposed to be a moron."

As if the half-literate juvenile nursery rhymes and malapropisms like "transtesticles" weren't enough.

Andrew Dice Clay was an idiot when it came to reading his own audience. And American males aged 12-30 were idiots when it came to understanding him.

More:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4079630#4079906

[RagAss]

152. Think of how many folks thought Andy Kaufman was...

really pulling women out of the audience and wrestling them on Saturday Night Live.....


It's an IQ thing.

[leftchick]

166. yes indeed

it is amazing the disconnect.

[leftchick]

165. I love your sig line

and I so miss Nate and the rest of the Fisher clan. :(

[rpgamerd00d]

2. Some of his RW guests clearly DID NOT get it.

I watched Colbert BASH these RW idiots, and they had NO CLUE what he was doing.
I was literally on the floor laughing.
Trust me, no neocons are watching Colbert, and anyone clueless enough to be tricked, is no one we need to worry about.

[Supersedeas]

124. that for me is when the show takes off

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. Stupid people not getting it

is the icing on the cake.

[TexasLawyer]

138. And not too many "morans"

watch the show. The Colbert Report is like fine Godiva chocolate-- much too good for children-- or numb-skulls.

[skooooo]

4. How can anyone view Colbert without seeing the sarcasm??!

[noonwitch]

5. Did you see O'Reilly on TDS a few months ago?

I'm not sure old Bill thought that Cobert's show was a joke. He told Jon that Cobert was ripping off his show. He didn't say "ripping on" it, he said "ripping off".

I think his guests and the audience know that he's poking fun at conservative blowhards like O'Reilly, Rush and Hannity.

[TexasLawyer]

146. Papa Bear!

Don't bad mouth Baby Bear!:rofl:

[Beelzebud]

6. I think their head writer is Andy Kaufmann.

And I LOVE the Colbert Report. :)

It's quickly becoming my favorite over the Daily Show.

[bunkerbuster1]

10. So Andy really did fake his own death?

That's a relief!

[DoYouEverWonder]

33. My 13 year old said the same thing

and I know he gets it. He's allowed to watch the rerun after school.

[LetsGoMurphys]

102. dude what? n/t

[bunkerbuster1]

7. I don't know how he does it, but FWIW he DOES break character

rather effortlessly, I think, when I've heard him interviewed. He makes it crystal clear that he disapproves of the Administration and is quite articulate about it.

I think he's just a great actor and a great ad-libber. It's one thing to do the scripted fake-news-commentary, but when he interviews a host and pulls it off, now that's talent.

Of course he doesn't always pull it off, but that's what gives the show its tension.

[ComerPerro]

8. I will say one thing: his RW guests don't seem to get it

But he does the best, absolute best, Bill OhReally impression I have ever seen...

[stopbush]

9. I think it's a stupid concern.

His nightly segment on "The Word" lays the entire parody out there for all to see. If the
audience misses such an obvious joke, then they're hopeless.

[rpgamerd00d]

15. Good point. "The Word" segment is his giveaway.

[CAcyclist]

30. The pronounciation of title, the Colbert Report, is the dead giveaway nt

[Vinnie From Indy]

105. I like the very end of his intro

when the eagle flies right at the screen with it's claws open and shrieking. That always makes me chuckle.

[Kingshakabobo]

148. LOL. I love the screaming eagle. n/t

[Buzz Clik]

54. absolutely. n/t

[TahitiNut]

155. It should be called "The Crib Sheet" ...

... since it gives the 'answer'/punch-line to each parody remark.

[patrice]

27. True.

Love that bit. Is there anything else like it around?

[walkon]

11. I find Colbert

to be brilliant. Most RW guests don't get it. I doubt bushbots tune in. I get it and hope he can keep the show going for at least 999 more days.

[meisje]

12. Someone once posted a freeper thread where they were raving about the show

Many do not get it, but that's what makes it so funny!

[ProfessorPlum]

19. Seriously? So there actually are people who don't get it?

That's amazing and scary. Wow. I never really thought that could literally be true, just that it was a possibility. Wow.

[annabanana]

91. yup! Not "it" getters.. . . . . n/t

[Ladyhawk]

115. LOL! I heard Randi Rhodes isn't an it-getter.

I stopped listening to Randi a long time ago because I hate the way she treats her callers, but she always struck me as very smart. Someone here on DU said she was ripping on Colbert. She thought he was the real thing. This is second-hand information, but if that's so, Randi needs to get more sleep. Or something.

I don't know how ANYONE could think it's anything but satire.

[NuttyFluffers]

168. nah, she' rips on things as a sarcastic inside joke

people who listen to the show regularly knows she's ribbin', but there's just enough there to get a rise out of people. she's in a business where the point is to keep you listening, and one of the best ways to do that is by saying something controversial, even stupid-controversial. thankfully she chooses more benign topics when she employs that. like when she'd tease about how French food is bad (even though that's supposedly her favorite). gets a rise out of people, wakes 'em up from their lethargic commute, stirs up the slow thinkers with fast dialing fingers, keeps things interesting. a little fake controversy goes a long way.

[kittenpants]

23. on another forum there are two conservatives who have him as their avatar

and I don't think they mean it ironically.

[CAcyclist]

36. OMG, that's hilarious!

freepers and irony are two things that I don't think can be contained in one vessel.

[stanwyck]

35. They loved him! One lone freeper

kept wailing "but, he's mocking us!"
You'd think the eagle would be a giveaway.
I mean...that's one crazy, over-the-top eagle.
But, then, freepers are a little slow on irony.
(the freepers really did think they'd "finally got one of our own on The Comedy Channel! Our answer to Jon Stewart.")
Poor freepers.

[ProfessorPlum]

59. Holy Jeebus

I guess my fears are realized.

"that's one crazy, over-the-top eagle"

I'm LOL. You're damn right.

[kittenpants]

66. aw, I almost feel sorry for that one freeper who got it

but was unable to convince the others! So funny.

[RaleighNCDUer]

118. Maybe not a bad thing --

it's an indication that he's not completely brain-dead.

There may be hope for him yet.

[Ladyhawk]

117. ROTFLMAO!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Stupid people. You either have to laugh at 'em or cry until it hurts. I choose laughter.

[RaleighNCDUer]

13. Half of this country is of below-average intelligence?

That is just shocking!

[Xenotime]

38. Hopefully they are all repugs.

[ProfessorPlum]

45. I think there is no question about that.

[reichstag911]

47. That's not the problem;...

...in fact, it's always been the case. By definition, statistically speaking, half are going to be of below-average intelligence (given the normally distributed IQ curve). The problem is that the average seems to continue dropping. :think:

[ProfessorPlum]

61. Yeah, that was sort of a joke n/t

[reichstag911]

68. Yes, I know; I got it.

Bringing up a serious point, that the average must be dropping, is not precluded, though, is it?

[lastliberalintexas]

60. Adlai Stevenson

When told he had the vote of "every thinking person" responded with "That's not enough, we need a majority!"

[hyphenate]

103. Yeah--pukes fall more on the left side

of the bell curve. :)

[Beelzebud]

14. "Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke!"

[underpants]

16. The Future is very bright

IT is a great show. On TiVo you can watch the whole thing in about 12minutes but it is a very good 12 minutes.

He just got a book deal too.

[Ladyhawk]

119. Alpha Squad 7: Lady Nocturne: A Tek Jansen Adventure? n/t

[BoneDaddy]

17. Funny

you write this up, I asked my wife the same thing last week. I wondered if right wing idiots thought he was a serious character.

[patrice]

18. I wonder about this too.

It works better for SC than it does for Al Franken (maybe because Franken tries to mix it in along with straight stuff - and when he's joking, it ends up just being confusing).

When I was teaching highschool AP Psychology, "average" intelligence was considered to be from 85 to appx. 105, so you are right that there are many many people out there who don't know that SC is joking.

Maybe these guys should consider proportions of straight:joke, or what/when, exactly, you say when you're doing one or the other.

It's an interesting question . . . .

[Deep13]

20. I loved his Michael Brown interview.

He told him that he was doing a heckava job as the president's scape goat. Then asked why he was defending himself in the press since a scape goat doesn't do much good if it wanders back into town.

[ProfessorPlum]

24. Brown was really weird and creepy in that interview

Almost buoyant, laughing like he was talking to a fellow traveler. His whole demeanor was odd.

[Beelzebud]

26. I've noticed Brown is weird and creepy in EVERY interview he's done.

[patrice]

31. Stoned.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

157. Sedated. Think about it.

[JohnKleeb]

21. I havent met anyone who doesnt realize he's joking around

He does break character sometimes when he debates himself.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

22. I watched him last night and had similar thoughts. He never

breaks characters and is funny but quite frankly, his shtick is getting old for this viewer. The reichwing guests on his show don't seem to realize that they are being pandered to so I wonder how many repug viewers realize it is high campy humor at their own expense and buy everything that Colbert spews in humor? Sometimes Colbert is just too good at staying in character.

When he has reichwing bushbots and Colbert mirrors their views I think many people miss the sarcasm. JMHO.

Last night, at the end of TDS, Stewart talking with Colbert before the jump was hilarious - Colbert speaking in typos was pure genius.

[gorbal]

161. I wonder if he'll get as many right-wing guests now?

I imagine a few might have looked up "irony" in the dictionary after they couldn't find "gullible".

[Gregorian]

25. You aren't the first to have this concern.

I was somewhat distraught when I mentioned to my 80 year old, Democrat, mom how brilliant Colbert is. This was about a week after the show started. She was rather concerned that he was so in character that people may not get it.
You know what I have to say? Republicans don't "get it" when they're slapped with subpoenas and thrown in jail. They never will look over the fence.

To be honest, I don't watch the Colbert Report. And it's for the very reason you mention. I want to knock Republican heads. I want some action. We get enough from Fox.

And he's fucking brilliant.

There is one thing that crosses my mind. And I believe the Daily Show has this in mind as well. We've tried showing our side of the discussion. If these shows can be centrist enough to gain a Republican audience, AND if they can use their own talking points, just maybe then they might see the folly in their logic.

[CAcyclist]

28. But don't you notice how he throws in statements that make the

interviewee pause? Like when he interviewed that woman who wrote a book about women staying home and taking care of their husbands and he asked her about women whose husbands abuse them? Or how he'll take the argument to the most extreme logical conclusion?

I don't know why people worry about the Colbier Repoir (as it's pronounced,hint,hint) when he is just one of a stable of similar characters from the the Daily Show.

[Gregorian]

40. This supports my comments above.

I had an extremely aware friend as I grew up. A very rare kind of person. He could play you back, but with a twist of irony that would always wake you up to your fault. Colbert is, not unlike TDS, trying to get rightwing viewership, so he can open their eyes through the use of their own talking points.

As an example, my friend was a carpenter. He went to his bank to cash his paycheck, and being grimy, they would not cash it. So he ran to the nearest second hand shop, and got a suit and tie and sunglasses, and even a mustache. He came back to the bank. He went directly to the same manager who would not cash his check. When he was given his cash, he slowly started pulling off his suit, and mustache. The bank manager nearly dropped over.

[DURHAM D]

29. I can't watch the show. I know he is bright and clever but

he comes off to me as just another loud-mouth bully.

I watched part of the Sam Harris segment last night and had to turn it off. Sam was not allowed to respond and it made me very uncomfortable.

The only folks I know that seem to really like his show are men, so maybe it is some sort of gender thing.

To me Stephen is just another right wing propagandist.

[Beelzebud]

32. another right wing propagandist? you really don't get it do you?

jeez..

I'm glad I was blessed with a sense of humor...

[SemiCharmedQuark]

88. Not a sense of humour, the ability to READ (like say, the word)

[ProfessorPlum]

39. I love the show

He did let Harris speak a bit at the end, but you're right he did interrupt him quite a lot. As would Bill O'Lielly.

But I find the show incredibly hilarious. Especially the way he calls out vendettas against people/animals/objects, just like Papa Bear Bill. And the way it points out the idiocy of right wing logic - he is certainly no right winger.

I'm just worried he's a little TOO good.

[stanwyck]

41. Listen to what he's saying

he's mocking the rightwing. His questions are intended to show the absurdity of the rightwing mouth-foamers.

[etherealtruth]

65. ...and he highlights the absurdity brillianlty.

[The2ndWheel]

48. Laugh a bit

It's on Comedy Central at 11:30pm.

[radio4progressives]

50. I missed the Sam Harris interview..

But for several shows Colbert has been on some sort of bent that this nation is founded on Christianity and he's driving that point home relentlessly.. Folks, the joke is not on the RW, he is actually doing their bidding.. I had the impression when he was on TDS that Colbert was agnostic or at least a secularist - he actually poked fun at the vatican and other religious fundelmentalist.. but ever since he got his own show he's being doing the opposite.

The joke it seems to me is on Progressives.

fuck Colbert.

if his aim is to "confuse" the audience.. by over playing the charachter - then it's worthless to any audience imo.

[ProfessorPlum]

58. Colbert is very religious in his own life

but also extremely brilliant and able to laugh at the foibles of his own sect (Catholicism) as well as those of others.

That's why he can recite the creeds so quickly off the top of his head, for one thing.

Again, I don't think he is trying to further the fundie cause, quite the opposite.

[tatertop]

77. Colbert should learn when to turn off the fountain of babble

Sam Harris is an excellent speaker with a vital message.
You never would have known that from this
guest appearance.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

90. His show isn't the news...it's ENTERTAINMENT.

And even so, Sam Harris still got his point across. That is, that the specific god that people worship to encourage war, as stephan said the "my god is better than your god mentality", is dangerous.

What part of Stephen saying "I can just say things without supporting it, that's what the Bible does" is too subtle?

[kittenpants]

63. It's just another talking point he's spouting, imo

Like is Bush a great president or the greatest president. He always raises the standard republican objection to any issue so that his progressive guests can shoot it down.

[tatertop]

73. Nasty interview and the waste of an excellent guest

He wouldn't let Harris talk.
Colbert thought he was funny with his continued insistence on
Christianity being the only religion. He also, incorrectly,
thought he came off as erudite. What an idiot.

He also managed to bash Muslims during the brief segment.

[stanwyck]

109. He was playing a bigot

showing the arrogance and small-mindedness of actually being a bigot.

[frankenforpres]

136. are you trolling, or being serious

think of colbert as the biggest troll of all time, and then it will make sense

[Media_Lies_Daily]

162. You're clearly not getting "it", are you?

[TankLV]

177. Some people are aparently clueless - even some here who I usually

respect.

Go figure.

[RaleighNCDUer]

74. That's Colbert's character, not Colbert himself.

I have no doubt that he sees in the modern Know Nothings the same people that a hundred fifty years ago persecuted people of his own faith.

As another poster upthread noted, there may be a gender gap here - most the people here who don't care for the show seem to be women, and I know my own solid dem liberal sister and her partner both don't watch him. They know it's satire, but he just makes them too uncomfortable. I, on the other hand, have liked him from day one.

[kittenpants]

79. I'm a girl & I love it (just to chime in) n/t

[Ladyhawk]

123. I'm a woman and an "it-getter." n/t

[Sabriel]

135. He's HOT, and I'm an IT getter. n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

80. I'm a girl. I get it. and I love it

it's SATIRE people!

[etherealtruth]

107. A woman that adores him, chiming in. n/t

[Kixel]

132. Me too!

[etherealtruth]

144. Welcome to DU Kixel

:hi:

[juajen]

180. Me, too

Welcome to DU Kixel.

[Zynx]

153. Some people don't pick up on satire at all.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

57. Clearly you don't get it....

Stephen is simply satirizing right wing propagandists like Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh.

And he does it brilliantly. So much so he fooled you. :)

And my all-female family loves his show and watches it religiously.

[DURHAM D]

92. I was not fooled - I am just not amused.

I repeat - he makes me uncomfortable. I don't like bullies in any form, including when they are saying and doing things I might agree on.

[Zynx]

154. The whole show is a joke.

Everything is satirical from beginning to end.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

163. You were clearly fooled. Admit it.

[Zookeeper]

81. Not sure about the gender thing...

Mr. Z. didn't like it at first, while I liked it right away. He has started appreciating it lately, though.

[Ladyhawk]

121. Oh my god! We have non "it-getter" right here???

Please tell me you're kidding.

[DURHAM D]

140. What's with the name calling? I get it and I repeat - it makes

me uncomfortable to watch a bully, any bully and that includes you since you called me a name.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

159. Waaaaaahhh!! Call the Waaaahhhhmbulance!!!

[TankLV]

178. Waaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

Oh, boy have we got one today!!

[Frank Cannon]

172. I wouldn't call Colbert a bully...

so much as the kid who gets tired of the bully and knocks him flat in front of the whole cheering school.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

158. Oh my goodness. Please restrain me PLEASE!!!

[PassingFair]

169. Sam Harris was unable to return Colbert's serve.

Colbert was setting him up for punchlines and
bon mots, and Harris was too slow to "get" it.

...and I'm a Freethinker who LIKES Sam Harris!

Colbert was a bit too quick for him, that's all.

[blonndee]

171. But that's the point!

And I'm a woman and I think Colbert is genius. I've never seen such a thing before, it's unlike anything else out there.

I guess it takes a certain kind of sense of humor to really appreciate it. :shrug:

[TankLV]

176. You've got to be kidding, right?

Did you even read ANY of the comments here, or other threads?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me you're being sarcastic here and tweaking us all!

"To me Stephen is just another right wing propagandist."

Okaaaaaayyyyyyy (he said, stepping aside quietly, hurridly, hoping she would not notice...)

[etherealtruth]

34. The Colbert Report is brilliant

Stephen Colbert is extremely smart and funny.

I adore when he breaks character for a second and that little smirk forms on his lips.

I can't imagine how this could pose a problem ... ?

[mdmc]

37. i thought that it was the right wing daily show

:shrug:
kinda like alex p keaton.

[JohnKleeb]

46. Nah the daily show is more of a news show

Stewart is more like what Walter Cronkite and Peter Jennings were, an anchor but Colbert is more like Papa Bear O'Reilly, a pundit not someone you expect objectivity from. He's a funny bastard Colbert is. His obesssions with bears are great.

[mdmc]

71. i can take him or leave him, although sometimes i lol

peace, kleeb

[Avalux]

42. The show is genius; a study in subtlety

Of course there are right wingers who think he's serious; the joke's on them. Colbert does extremism so well it's hilarious. I love the intro with the Eagle and him flying the flag.....there are words that flash on the screen behind him. My favorite: Megamerican. :D
It's just soo over the top.

Anyone who thinks Colbert is being serious needs to take a deep breath and relax. ;)

[The2ndWheel]

49. It's Lincolnish now

I love the On Notice board. Some of the things he has on that, goddamn.

[Avalux]

62. Yeah, that cracks me up.

I wish I could remember what he said to the ACLU guy last week - it was incredibly absurd and the guy didn't catch it; funny.

[Ladyhawk]

125. Also, this might help.

[Inland]

43. By all means, no entertainment that the stupidest could misconstrue.

I mean, first we assume that someone who couldn't figure out The Colbert Report could still muster the intel to turn on a tv, then worry that they remembered it and learned valuable conservative lessons.....and then what? Somebody finds them their pants on the first tuesday in Nov so they can go vote?

That's the six idiots who miss Fox's exact same blather.

TV is bad enough without making it politically correct for the Hypothetical Dumbest Man in America.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

94. It's not even subtle...but Im surprised by some of the responses in the

thread.
"Delay is a tool"
"my god can kick your god's ass"
"fuck partnership im the husband"
the chia head wetlands
"why start now"--in regards to the truth
"the duke-stir"
"im not a fan of facts"
etc. etc. etc.

I just don't get it. How can people be so...how can they MISS it?

[Beaverhausen]

51. Colbert in his own words about his 'character'

"Colbert says he drew inspiration primarily from Geraldo Rivera ("Who can turn just about anything into a crusade") and Stone Phillips ("For his delivery and gravitas"). "(My character) is not unintelligent, he's just idiotic," says Colbert. 'It's garbage in, garbage out. He's uninformed, and perfectly happy about that. What's most important to him is what feels right, not what's true."

This was from yesterday's Variety - can't link it online. sorry. It's a great story.



I love the show and will also call it brilliant!

[Zookeeper]

85. Stone Phillips was one of his first guests...

and, like his other first few guests, didn't really seem to "get it."

[Beaverhausen]

87. He was his first guest - they did a "gravitas" contest

It was hilarious!!! Phillips seemed to be a good sport about it.

[Zookeeper]

96. Yes, he was a good sport.

Colbert's other early guests seemed more bewildered than Phillips.

[Beaverhausen]

99. I agree - some still are

It took Colbert a few weeks to really get the pace of the show and his character but once he did...he just amazes me how fast he comes up with comebacks IN CHARACTER!!!

[annabanana]

89. He sometimes breaks character!

Every once is a blue moon, something tickles him and he will smile a REAL smile. You can tell it's him, because there is nothing of a sneer in it.. just sheer enjoyment. (It is, btw, a very nice, warm smile).

[rniel]

104. Randi Rhodes doesn't get him

either. I remember a while back her complaining about his show.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

160. That's Randi's problem, isn't it?

[Buzz Clik]

53. "The Word" tells it all.

You said he doesn't break character, but the sidebars during The Word are strictly left wing.

[jbnow]

93. Yes, The Word

I was waiting for someone to bring that up. Sometimes the word goes amazingly far. My favorite part.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

143. Absolutely!

The Word is the best part of the show, and usually leaves me in pain from laughing so much.
(If it really was a right-wing show, they'd have fired the commentator who does the sidebars.)

[tatertop]

55. Why does he insist on talking over non political guests with his blather?

He has some interesting guests and he does not let them speak.
Every time a woman who researched the physiology of life after death tried discussing her book he interrupted with childish bullshit.
Sam Harris, author of "An End to Faith,"
was on recently. Colbert just could not give it a break.
Republican f-stick Hugh Hewitt, on the other hand,
was allowed to ramble his hate all over the airwaves
largely interrupted while Colbert agreed and agreed and agreed.
Yes, there were a few very subtle jabs. So subtle
many would have missed them completely.
If he wants to let republicans talk, so be it.
I wish he had the common sense to STFU when an intelligent
guest is attempting to make intelligent conversation.

[RaleighNCDUer]

82. That IS a flaw in the character concept. Or rather, the character

concept demands that. Just as a RW blowhard would interrupt and obfuscate with such guests, so does he -- only his interruptions are such obvious non-sequiturs and absurdities that it is still in keeping with poking fun at that type of pundit. And seriously, would Sam Harris have been able to say much more than he did if he was on Jon's show with its 45 second interviews?

He still gets the guests' names out there so viewers can follow up themselves -- any publicity is good publicity. And besides, after this show has run as long as it has I suspect his guests know what to expect - at least his non-RW guests.

But yeah, I did want to scream "Shut up and let him talk!" Much the same as I do when I inadvertantly wander into the No Spin Zone.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

84. That's not true

I watched both shows and while he did rib Sam Harris more, Sam Harris got more time. The Hugh Hewitt interview was very short. For the most part, he ribs all his guests. Again, it's ENTERTAINMENT.

[lectrobyte]

86. Yeah, that's irritating. The interviews just seem to always be a

waste of time. Maybe that's part of the humor, but most of his guests seem to be very interesting, like the woman who tried all the different jobs, and was basically reduced to sitting there while he ate a sandwich. Stewart can work in a joke, but also have some serious conversation. I love The Word part of the show, but I find myself not watching much after that lately.

[Finder]

100. They are promoting their books usually...

and know the gimmick.

[Jane Austin]

56. He does break character occasionally.

He smiles when his character says something especially egregious.

[Beaverhausen]

83. I love it when that happens

He almost loses it, but usually manages to catch himself.

[Ladyhawk]

128. Does anyone have a video link to Stephen just being his real self?

I can tell there's someone interesting and genuine in there and I'd like to see that person for once. :) (I do like the show, however...oh yeah, should be obvious because of my avatar.)

[jeebie]

133. SC videos

Here's a clip of him on Letterman:
http://www.zippyvideos.com/5474019122813446/letterman12142005colbert/

TDS clip:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lKDAtzjlmk4&search=stephen%20colbert

[Ladyhawk]

147. ROTFL...Both he and Jon completely LOST IT on that TDS report.

Too funny! Thanks! :D :D :D :D

[Beaverhausen]

149. LOL!!! That was great!

[NYC Liberal]

167. I met him once...he wasn't totally like he is on the show, but he

was still pretty "in character."!

[Jara sang]

67. The faux patriotism and Bush adoration is the best.

In the intro when he waves the American flag around it's like he's using it to fend off hoards of invisible liberals coming to attack him and his fake adoration of Bush hit's the freeper mentality right on the mark. I have bee noticing that he sometimes flubs his lines, but I can live with that, it's a new show and he's not used to being on for a whole half an hour. That show is classic.

[MuseRider]

69. Love it.

I think he is brilliant and oh so funny. I love the way he seems so pleased with himself. If, as others have suggested, he is really a RWinger then I guess I will just end up laughing at myself but I seriously don't see it. Satire, oh so funny.

[SoCalDem]

70. Freepers thought he was "for real" for a long time..some probably still do

:)

[stanwyck]

111. And why not?

he's not nearly as whacked-out and wild-eyed as most of the rightwing hate-talkers. Plus, he's more knowledgeable and informed.
No wonder they're confused.

[TankLV]

179. And a few here do too, aparently.

Satire and irony is lost on some.

So sad.

[ieoeja]

72. I agree with you.

As John Stewart said shortly after the 2000 selection, "political satire is dead".

I got an email showing that famous Abu Gharib pile of naked bodies with the tagline, "this is not torture, this is a bunch of frat boys on a Saturday night". I laughed at what was obvious sarcasm at Limbaugh's sad attempt at excusing this behavior. Then I continued reading the message and found it full of RW talking points. I had to accept that the idiot sending me this email actually accepted the above excuse for torture.

Last Wednesday Colbert had a RW housewife/New Yorker magazine columnist on selling her anti-feminist book. She repeatedly stated a housewife's job is to spread her legs -- she used the old fashioned "nookie" word about 20 times in the course of the interview after being assured by Colbert that they would bleep the word, ha!. Colbert tried coming up with reasons a wife might not want to be dependant on her husband. He finally had to go with a wife-beater. Her reply was something along the lines of...

"I know you trying to stretch a point here. But the truth is, yes, that woman would be better off staying with the husband, taking care of his house and kids, and giving him nookie on demand."

Colbert just shrugged his shoulders and gave up. How can you make a parody of someone when no extreme is more extreme than the reality? And this is a New Yorker columnist! Not some out-of-the-mainstream nobody.

[Quiet_Dem_Mom]

75. Recent LA Times article said people are trying to get on the show.

The Report has become "the cool show" for people who are looking for a wider exposure than they would normally get. I guess the idea is that the exposure they get from being on the show outweighs the risk of getting skewered by Colbert. So, the invited guests are definitely in on the joke.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-humor27mar27,1,234837.story?coll=la-headlines-entnews

(Registration may be required to read the article. Hope this is OK, still haven't learned all the posting protocol)

[peacetalksforall]

78. Sure it rubs when he talks over someone, but that's the point. Mimickry.

I'm glad he chose O'Reilly/Hannity to mimic.

I only have one complaint - I cannot do two things when he is on - as someone says - he is brilliantly subtle. And 'The Word' has to be watched.

The idea that people are contradicting each other about his religion means that he has been successful. Raised Catholic. I say he now belongs to the same 'church' I belong to - the one that wants to save our country by exposing our country (what is being done to it).

Anyone who has never watched Fox, CNN, or NBC won't get 'it'. The same for the opening of TDS.

It's not fun to end a day in right wing America without some comedic reality.

[Zookeeper]

95. "Anyone who has never watched Fox...won't get it"

After my kids had seen the Colbert Report a few times, I turned on O'Lielly one evening. They all exclaimed, "Colbert really IS imitating that guy!"

I must admit that the few times I've seen O'Lielly since the Colbert Report started, I've found O'Lielly hilarious as well. (Now, if only O'Lielly's fans could start seeing him for what he is...)

[seabeyond]

106. hence my confusion. the word told me one thing. but i wondered about

colbert. though his extreme is soooo far out there that to me it was an obvious, wake up, but so consistant he had me wondering. also the jabs at dems are the worst of repug and i saw it as a good lesson for people to see what repugs blatanly did. even though job at dem, still sounded like a jab at repug

confusion: i never watch fox

[Zookeeper]

110. I only watch Fox while channel surfing...

and stay there just long enough to roll my eyes once or twice, which is usually less than a minute.

[DrBloodmoney]

97. 11 - 12 pm ET on comedy central is the best hour on TV

these days.

Love it. I don't care who gets it. I do and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone.

[insane_cratic_gal]

98. Colbert's act is part O'Reilly,with a dash of Hannity

He's self admitted he's watched Bill and tried to emulate his act, which he pulls off perfectly.
I say part Hannity for all of that swagger and winking finger point he does.


You'd have to be dumb as a rock to not get it. There is laughter in the background after every joke.

[Ladyhawk]

130. "You'd have to be dumb as a rock to not get it."

Gotta agree. I can't believe anyone could take him seriously.

[Protagoras]

101. The people who watch it pretty much "Get it"

the people who don't "Get it" don't watch it.

I'm a lot more scared about us censoring or discouraging satire than I am in some people not "getting it".

[jane_pippin]

108. Clearly, he's hughly series:

From his unpublished novel, "Alpha Squad 7: Lady Nocturne a Tek Jansen Adventure:

"...my job was to report to the 34th floor of the Planetary Government and Social Protection Programs building, to the offices of the Solar System Security Force, colloquially known as the Galaxy Police. I had to go past the reception area, with its shiny chromium fixtures and holovidaudio screens explaining the layout of the building to tourists, through the busy public hallway, carefully avoiding the litter-sweeping custodimatons humming along their routes, into the restricted zone, past an ID card reader where I swiped my SSSF key card, and then past a different ID card reader, where I swiped my SSSF digital fingerprint tag, into a secure elevator, where a quick retinal scan and DNA screen activated my trip three floors up, past a cyberwire fence, which did a quick biometric scan before it opened, around a corner and through a door marked "Private: Elite Storage Only" into a storage closet where by pressing the reset button on the Fire Abatement Spray I would open the secret door into Alpha Squad Headquarters—my headquarters, run by the steely efficiency and decisive femininity of Alpha Squad Commander Joanna Valentine.

When Valentine said "jump," the Squad Force asked, "in which jump boots?" Her take-no-prisoners attitude and tough-as-nails exterior was only softened by her incredibly sexy voice and body.

I stepped through the secret door into Alpha Squad HQ and saw Tracy, the beautiful young Alpha Squad receptionist, sitting at her desk. She was dressed to the nines as usual in a form-fitting Lumi-silk dress that left just the right amount to the imagination.

"Hi, Tracy." I declared warmly. "It's me. Tek Jansen."

more: http://www.colbertnation.com/colbertnation/novel_1.jhtml

As to him or the show being somewhat cultish, that's part of the joke. It's part of the spoof of O'Riley's "cult of personality" swagger. If people don't get it and the rest of the show, that's their problem. It's a side effect that those who do get it get to laugh at. That may seem cruel, but if someone can't tell it's a joke this far into the show's existence, well sorry, but that's just funny in and of itself. In an interview on NPR's Fresh Air a few months back, he explained that he wanted the show to be, while topical, a show that stands on its own two feet and has its own personality. Part of that cult-y feeling stems from that--from the "rapor" he's inventing between himself and the audience, the Colbert Nation. Everything about the show is a joke. Everything. It's brilliant. I recommend listening to the NPR interview. It's probably still on the NPR site if you search for it.

Really, I wouldn't worry about it. I think those who don't get it are in the minority and will probably figure it out eventually anyway.

I'm going to go eat a BLT and brush up on Bear Attack Survival Skills. Have a good day. :hi:

[seabeyond]

112. BLT

another play on the absurd, though, i do really like my blt's with alvacado

[jeebie]

116. NPR Interview

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5040948

[SeveneightyWhoa]

113. You've only seen "a bunch of clips"?

That's what you're basing this ridiculous post on? Very interesting. Perhaps if you actually WATCHED the show, you'd understand that its the greatest (and perhaps only) thing to happen to the "liberal media" since Keith Olbermann.

If some Americans really can't discern satire from reality -- especially when every right-wing propaganda talking point spouted by Colbert is met with uproarious audience laughter -- they can continue to live in their unique state of Republican ignorance. No need to worry for such people, because the education system has already failed them. Fortunately, only people who've only viewed "clips" of the show (ahem), or the stupidest of the Freepers, will take Colbert seriously.

Really, before you criticize the show, WATCH IT instead of relying on "a bunch of clips."

If this "stupid" audience that you speak of really thought Stephen was serious -- even when BEARS are consistently cited by him as the biggest threats to America -- then there is no helping them. They should be in a mental institution anyway.

And people who criticize satire because of the fear of having it misinterpreted by the most-dimwitted, really should just sit down and learn how to enjoy life.

[Ian David]

127. You know, you're missing the big picture in all of this. Two words:

Craig Kilborn

[FlaGranny]

114. LOL, it's really

funny reading this thread. Some people just cannot get satire even when they KNOW it is satire. Perhaps they need to watch right wing satire to "get" the joke and hear left-wing "views." O'Reilly comes to mind - sometimes it's hard to tell it's not satire. I think the Colbert show is great, when I can stay awake long enough to watch it.

[etherealtruth]

120. It is interesting ....

...it's a comedy show. If you don't think its funny don't watch.

[Ian David]

126. Only freedom-hating rejectionist enemies of America don't own a Tivo

You can also watch the show online at ComdedyCentral.com

Look, man...

You're either with Stephen Colbert, or you're with the grizzly bears.

And they are godless eating machines that want our honey.

[FlaGranny]

134. I finally got my "tivo"

but do you believe I haven't gotten around to setting it up it yet? I've been busy since I got it, getting ready to go back to work, after a too-short retirement. If I stay awake long enough for the show to come on, the show itself keeps me awake through the end of it.

I wouldn't want to miss another Stone Phillips-type interview. That was one of the best "interviews" I've ever seen.

[Salviati]

129. If you want to hear the real Stephen Colbert, here's his NPR interview

Fresh Air from WHYY, April 8, 2005 · Colbert is the senior correspondent on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Colbert started his comic career with Second City in Chicago. He wrote and performed sketches on The Dana Carvey Show. He is also the voice of Ace for Saturday Night Lives's animated shorts Ace & Gary: The Ambiguously Gay Duo. This interview was originally broadcast on Jan. 24, 2005.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4583007


I wonder when radioactive mutant communist bears are going to make the threatdown...

[Ian David]

137. I have that one on my iPod. He's great! n/t

[pointblank]

131. Anyone who doesn't get

that he is mocking the right should (insert derogatory comment here)

[Ms. Clio]

139. Lots of times he smiles at the absurdity, or laughs

It seems to me he does that at least once, every show. So he does break out of the character quite deliberately, sometimes -- perhaps even to ease some of that tension for his audience.

[conflictgirl]

142. I'll admit it - I didn't get it AT FIRST

At first the show kind of pissed me off. But the more I watched it, I realized it was a parody of RW shows, and once I figured that out, I looked for more examples and realized it was genius.

I'm not stupid, either - I'd give the credentials to prove it, but that would just be obnoxious. Colbert is really good at staying in character. I don't know if in the first weeks of the show, it hadn't been as obvious, or if I was just missing it. But I do think it's possible for intelligent people to miss that it's a joke, especially if they're not paying close attention. "The Word" segment was where I really started to get it - but you have to actually be watching the screen or you miss most of it. I would knit while watching it and therefore miss a lot of the visuals.

I don't think any of this means that there's anything wrong with the show. I think it's brilliant! But I can understand how someone could miss that it's a parody.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

164. Think about why he was invited to talk last night....he had those...

...people TOTALLY fooled! TOTALLY!! They thought he was one of THEM!! LOL!! :-)

[Libby2]

145. The best damned comedy on tv!!

And sooooooo easy on the eyes!!

[iamthebandfanman]

150. well

ive seen him break character on the show for a short period of time a few times (by short period of time i mean measured in seconds)

i think hes funny.
i get the joke.
as do most people that watch it id say.
maybe i give people to much credit though when it comes to humor and intelligence concerning it


oh, and i didnt get it at first ... but after a couple episodes ...and with a segment like "The Word" like someone else said above, it became obvious that the show was making a mockery of right wing pundits and talk show hosts

[jdelullo]

151. When the Colbert Report first started.....

I took the entire show as one big rip on the O'Reilly Factor. The format of the shows were almost identical, and since everything Colbert said concerning his own pseudo-conservative ideals was done in a tongue-in-cheek manner or with the liberal "Word(s)" written out to the side, I took the show as one big joke. However, now that it has been around for a while, I find myself watching the entire Daily Show, then sticking around for the first 7 minutes of the Colbert Report then going to sleep. I find his second segment and guests usually cannot even begin to compare to those of the Daily Show. However, I think his "Tonight's Word" segment to lead off the show (an obvious jab at the beginning of the O'reilly Factor) is usually pretty funny.

So even if the show overall isn't as good as the Daily Show, and he probably is too convincing with some of his conservative jargon, the show does have somethign to offer.

[JVS]

156. Kick, because of today's theme

[kath]

170. Speaking of satire so brilliant that it has been thought by many to be the

real thing, check this out:

http://objectiveministries.org/ (used to be "Objective: Christian Ministries)

In particular, the 3rd story down on this page, about Apple computers, caused quite an uproar when many didn't realize the site is satire:
http://objectiveministries.org/creation/propaganda.html

(the Apple Compurter brouhaha is even mentioned on Wikipedia :-)

I especially like the page about the "creation science fair":
http://objectiveministries.org/creation/sciencefair.html

And one of the important "Objectives" of this Ministry is the shutdown of Landover Baptist:
http://objectiveministries.org/shutdown/

[The Doctor.]

174. Odd...

Your links seem broken to me.

[kath]

175. The links are working now, but a few minutes ago they weren't - the site

must be having problems tonight.

[raysr]

173. I remember when he

first came on a poster at "freerepublick" was praising him until another poster informed the first "he's making fun of us you idiot!" LOL

[EstimatedProphet]

181. Well, clearly you're no liberal, and you just want to dumb down his show

KIDDING!

I say this though, because if you talk abouth the fact that Colbert is too smart for a lot of the viewership to get, you're likely to get jumped on. IMO you're right-I think that Colbert is doing a great job, but he's doing it mostly for the choir. The average person may or may not get it, and if they don't, the right wing talking points will come off as serious and reinforce the idiocy of the idiots.

I think the best solution is to have both Colbert and also to have someone who does the hard-hitting interviews we used to see out of Jon Stewart. Stewart didn't parody the right wing, he eviscerated it straightforward, and there was no confusing what he had to say for kowtowing to the right wing. He still does those interviews, but nowhere near as often as he used to. In that way, we'd have someone to explain it to the people that are oblivious, and we'd also have someone to lampoon it for the people that can see what is going on.