# Colbert Report revisited **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2006, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539 "2006-01-25T10:24:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/41 "2006-01-26T04:48:24Z")
That was a great interview for the 8th district. His bad Marlin Brando impression was painfully funny. Jim ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/42 "2006-01-26T05:08:09Z")
When I saw Colbert doing his thing in the “interview” with Conan O’Brian (where he gets shot for calling Rosa Parks overrated), I had a thought. I was reminded of Andy Kaufman during his later days when he would appear on talk shows, playing various characters and saying inflammatory things, in some form of comedy no one but he really understood. When Colbert is a guest, is he Steven Colbert the actor, or Colbert the character? Are they gradually becoming one and the same? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/43 "2006-01-26T05:33:42Z")
> [@av8rmike](#): > > When Colbert is a guest, is he Steven Colbert the actor, or Colbert the character? Are they gradually becoming one and the same? He’s willing to play the character to promote the show, but he’s been upfront about the fact that it’s just a character. I think he’s still definitely trying to amuse other people, while Kaufman - if he was trying to be funny at all - was just trying to amuse himself. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/44 "2006-01-26T07:00:11Z")
As a long time of TDS I feel almost like a traitor for saying it, but I actually enjoy the Report more than TDS. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/45 "2006-01-26T07:01:24Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > As a long time of TDS I feel almost like a traitor for saying it, but I actually enjoy the Report more than TDS. That should say “long time \*fan of TDS” ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/46 "2006-01-26T08:35:58Z")
> [@av8rmike](#): > > When I saw Colbert doing his thing in the “interview” with Conan O’Brian (where he gets shot for calling Rosa Parks overrated), I had a thought. I was reminded of Andy Kaufman during his later days when he would appear on talk shows, playing various characters and saying inflammatory things, in some form of comedy no one but he really understood. When Colbert is a guest, is he Steven Colbert the actor, or Colbert the character? Are they gradually becoming one and the same? To be fair, Paul Rubens did the same thing for many years, without the same level of obnoxiousness. Kaufman knew exactly what he was doing. It wasn’t the fact that he was playing a character that was annoying; the character itself was intentionally annoying. Sandra Bernhard comes to mind too. ---
**Author:** ![Brainiac4](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brainiac4/32/3534_2.png) [@Brainiac4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac4)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/47 "2006-01-26T12:27:44Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > To be fair, Paul Rubens did the same thing for many years, without the same level of obnoxiousness. Kaufman knew exactly what he was doing. It wasn’t the fact that he was playing a character that was annoying; the character itself was intentionally annoying. Sandra Bernhard comes to mind too. IMO, the fact that Kaufman (and Bernhard) never stop(ped) playing the character is a part of it as well. Giving the audience a moment to appreciate the gag by stepping away from it could have provided the moment of funny. In Colbert’s case, he’s providing the separation between him and his character, and commenting on the character. I think that provides enough separation to ease the tension. I don’t find myself disliking Colbert, although his character is intensely dislikable. Plus, he’s come close to breaking character a couple of times, and that’s really entertaining to watch. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/48 "2006-01-26T12:55:55Z")
Hey, he did my District–the NY 17–last week, with Eliot Engel! I am on the map! I loved how he fixed Canada in 77 days. They so desperately needed it. ---
**Author:** ![AndyPolley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@AndyPolley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyPolley)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/49 "2006-01-26T13:24:16Z")
Did he break character Tuesday night when his lamp wouldn’t work? I think the line he used was “F\*\*\* me in the A\*\* with a lit cigar!” Sheesh! The ending of the show where he actually had the lamp working was gold though. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/50 "2006-01-26T14:34:32Z")
I loves me some Jon Stewart–but oh, you Stephen! IMO, the Word is just about the most brilliant bit I’ve seen in a long time. I also love TDS’s bit about the bloviating senators–can’t recall the title, but wicked! It’s great to see sharp edged satire making a comeback. Do you think that O’Reilly truly enjoys CR or is he just saving face? (or is his ego that large that he is oblivious to the savaging?) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/51 "2006-01-26T14:46:29Z")
I was very dubious that the show would hold up: it seemed too one-note to last. I feel a lot better about it now, though I still have some reservations. The Word changed so that the comments on screen obviously mock whatever Colbert is saying and he lets those be the humor, which is funnier than his blowhard act. The guests have mostly learned what to expect in the interviews and can play along better. I still hate him playing to himself, in the ever-longer runs to the guest and the Formidable Opponent sthick, which plays like an overdone SNL sketch, but he’s making the show more comfortable to watch and more consistently funny. He does need some new ideas, though. And having a foil to play off of would be great. Overall, TDS is superior, but I watch them as a block. Now, to do something about the other 23 hours a day of Comedy Central programming… :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![batsto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b2d939/32.png) [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/52 "2006-01-26T14:50:03Z")
I’ve been behind this show from the beginning, but I was worried it wouldn’t last. Glad to see now that other people are enjoying it as much as I did. (And I’ve also been to a taping, and I’d agree that it was a lot funnier for some reason seeing it with all those people . Stephen was also very polite–he was late to the taping because of his appearance on Letterman that night, and he was quite apologetic to the audience for making us stand outside in the freezing cold longer than usual. I’m planning to go see another taping when I get the chance). ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/53 "2006-01-26T15:05:51Z")
> [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > Now, to do something about the other 23 hours a day of Comedy Central programming… :dubious: Yes. I lunge for the TV on/off switch (can’t find remote) as soon as CR ends. And I will watch anything, ANYTHING, other than Comedy Central just prior to TDS. Comedy Central is an oxymoron. Adam Corolla? blech. Drawn Together? what’s the point? Redneck comedy–too true to be funny, IMO. Isn’t there more intelligent humor out there? Why is it all fart and pussy jokes? Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![liberty3701](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@liberty3701](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liberty3701)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/54 "2006-01-26T19:02:07Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > I think Colbert is a very funny man. And DAMN if “truthiness” didn’t catch on. It was in the headline of Frank Rich’s column in the Sunday Times, and Rich credited Colbert. I am proud to say that as a member of the [American Dialect Society](http://americandialect.org/), I voted for “truthiness” to be word of the year, and it’s my lexicography prof who got the E Street Band knocked offa the “On Notice” list. Ah, to be famous 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/55 "2006-01-26T21:32:14Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Do you think that O’Reilly truly enjoys CR or is he just saving face? (or is his ego that large that he is oblivious to the savaging?) I wondered that too when Colbert showed the article where O’Reilly claimed to be a fan of the show. My first thought was, “Does O’Reilly realize it’s a parody? Does he realize it’s a parody of HIM?” I wondered for a moment if O’Reilly was just completely missing the irony and thinking Colbert was his kind of guy. But no, he’s not an idiot, he has to know he’s the butt of the joke. Since he’s never shown that he’s capable of any sense of humor about himself, I’m guessing he just feels like he has to say he likes it so he doesn’t sound like a whiney dick. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/56 "2006-01-26T21:52:14Z")
In O’Reilly’s last Daily Show appearance, he was razzing Jon about how ‘you guys [Comedy Central] have some French guy making fun of me.’ So he does know Colbert is parodying him, that’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Citizen\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Citizen\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Citizen_Bob)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/57 "2006-01-26T22:48:25Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Yes. I lunge for the TV on/off switch (can’t find remote) as soon as CR ends. And I will watch anything, ANYTHING, other than Comedy Central just prior to TDS. > > Comedy Central is an oxymoron. Adam Corolla? blech. Drawn Together? what’s the point? Redneck comedy–too true to be funny, IMO. > > Isn’t there more intelligent humor out there? Why is it all fart and pussy jokes? > Ugh. I must admit, I am fan of Chappel and South Park! I just can’t get enough of either of those. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/58 "2006-01-26T23:58:32Z")
> [@Citizen Bob](#): > > I must admit, I am fan of Chappel and South Park! I just can’t get enough of either of those. Me too. I love both. Along with TDS & Colbert Report. The Rest I can live without. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2006, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/59 "2006-01-27T12:24:44Z")
Just popped into my head. If anyone is a big Colbert fan, rent/buy season 1 of Strangers With Candy. I really, really love it - think it’s probably the best comedy in the history of TV - and Colbert does the best dramatic overacting I’ve sever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2006, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539/60 "2006-01-27T12:33:32Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > I wondered that too when Colbert showed the article where O’Reilly claimed to be a fan of the show. My first thought was, “Does O’Reilly realize it’s a parody? Does he realize it’s a parody of HIM?” I wondered for a moment if O’Reilly was just completely missing the irony and thinking Colbert was his kind of guy. But no, he’s not an idiot, he has to know he’s the butt of the joke. Since he’s never shown that he’s capable of any sense of humor about himself, I’m guessing he just feels like he has to say he likes it so he doesn’t sound like a whiney dick. Sometimes I wonder if O’Reilly is just doing the exact same thing with the exact same self-awareness, but just hides it. When Colbert was doing the interview with the guy from New Jersey two nights ago he showed him that totally silly doctored picture of the senator with Jack Abramoff. I paraphrase: “This is you and this is Jack Abramoff’s head, right?” “Yes” “Have you taken contributions from Abramoff?” “No, and that is a doctored photo.” “Yes, but would it be so easy to doctor if there wasn’t something there?” Hilarious when the guy couldn’t name an Italian with a name not ending in a vowel. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-report-revisited/341539.md?page=4)