The critics weigh in on the pundit exchange

The reviews are coming in, fast and furious. Here are some of the stories about the historic summits between Stephen Colbert and Bill O’Reilly that took place on Thursday, January 18, 2007.

Mainstream Media gives tepid reviews

• ‘Papa Bear,’ Colbert play lame game – Newsday: “How did the ‘Report’ go? Actually, a little better. O’Reilly came out – applause, one or two boos – and Colbert went to full faux sycophancy mode.”
• A Talking Head Meets His Comic Doppelgänger, and Sparks Fail to Fly – New York Times: “[H]is time with Mr. Colbert provided Mr. O’Reilly with a chance to show that he has a sense of humor. Mostly, he proved he could take a punch.”
• When Stephen Met Bill… – New York Magazine: “It was perhaps the greatest face-off of two titans since Ali last met Frazier: Last night Stephen Colbert appeared on the O’Reilly Factor, followed by Bill O’Reilly’s appearance on the Colbert Report.”
• O’Reilly vs. Colbert: More fizzle than sizzle – MSNBC: “Referencing the similarities during his show, O’Reilly asked, ‘Don’t you owe me an enormous amount of money?’ Colbert didn’t flinch, as usual, and said, ‘Well, if I were imitating you, Bill, I would, but there’s a difference between imitation and emulation.’”
• O’Reilly and Colbert talk the talk – USA Today: “Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly and Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert traded gentle barbs — but no punches — on crossover appearances on each other’s shows Thursday.”

Blogosphere (Editor’s note: Read the comments if you’re looking for truly passionate responses)

• Stephen Colbert Defeats Bill O’Falafel in Round One & Two – Daily Kos: “Stephen shows ‘papa bear’ his framed portrait on the wall and then the gloves come off.”
• Colbert/O’Reilly Showdown: Both Sides Got What They Paid For – Huffington Post: “It’s unfair to compare the two segments — one is a comedy show, the other is an opinion show that is regularly, shall we say, contentious — but it was far more enjoyable to watch the second version, and not just because it was stocked with gags (the 30% off sticker on O’Reilly’s “Culture Warrior” was pretty awesome).”
• Bill O’Reilly Meets Stephen Colbert – NewsBusters: “Strangely, the segment on ‘The O’Reilly Factor’ was actually much funnier than ‘The Colbert Report,’ as Stephen began, ‘I want you to know that I spend so much time in the world that is spinning all the time, that to be in the no spin zone actually gives me vertigo.’”
• Colbert on the O’Reilly Factor – Crooks & Liars: “Stephen Colbert stepped into the ‘no-spin zone’ tonight to chat with his mentor, ‘Papa Bear’ Bill O’Reilly.”
• ‘Papa Bear’ O’Reilly on the Colbert Report – Crooks & Liars: “Returning favor, Bill O’Reilly joined Stephen in the real ‘no-spin zone’ known as the Colbert Nation.”

I think what I find most interesting about this is where this story is running (namely, everywhere). The AP story that we linked here last night has also been reprinted in France, Canada and the United Kingdom. That the meeting between Stephen Colbert and Bill O’Reilly is considered newsworthy even in the U.K. – where The Colbert Report isn’t aired – speaks volumes for the state of the news media.