Klassic Kolbert: ABC News Special Correspondent ‘Steve Colbert’

While Stephen Colbert is usually cited alongside of Jon Stewart as one of America’s premier fake newsmen, this wasn’t always the case. As no doubt all of our loyal readers know, Stephen Colbert had a brief but storied career (a one-storied career) as a *real* newsman on ABC News. Hat tip to paolo12345 from the TWoP boards for pointing out that the ABC News segment featuring ‘Special Correspondent Steve Colbert’ is now available to view on the ABC site.

Click on the image to watch (opens the ABC media player):

ABC News Special Correspondent

Thanks, paolo12345!

Comments

  1. Murasaki says:

    *LOL* I love him looking at his watch.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  2. EvilDevil says:

    was he really that young?…

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  3. Jennie says:

    Thanks for finding this… I was so disappointed it wasn’t on the video from GMA yesterday… was he blushing when they played it?

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  4. Laaaura says:

    lmao. I love how I found it hilarious, when it probably wasn’t exactly supposed to be. It’s funny him looking at his watch, and how he practically told the kid “explain this complicated machine in 5 words or less” just like his character does. And how his voice sounded kind of funny, how he was making it like a newsman’s voice.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  5. TraceyUK says:

    Aaaaaaaahahahahahahaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

    How has no-one commented on the music that played? Right Said Fred ‘I’m Too Sexy’…. Aaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahaaaaa!!!!!!!

    http://www.dailymotion.com/group/35502/video/x15s5a_im-too-sexy-stephen-colbert_music

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  6. Ahhh! The looking at the watch, the youth, “and the laughter turns to tears” and…STEVE. STEVE COLBERT. That killed me.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  7. Sandra says:

    Why “Steve” and not “Stephen”? What were they trying to get across.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  8. Olivia says:

    It doesn’t get weirder than this.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  9. MadMoll says:

    The watch… I loved it… even then he saw the funny

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  10. Shruti says:

    omfg I haven’t even watched it yet but the rube goldberg contest at PURDUE UNIVERSITY in WEST LAFAYETTE i.e. THE CITY WHERE I LIVE. Stephen was in the same city as me. Stephen was in the same city as me and I didn’t see him. ): But Stephen was in the Same City as Me.

    Uh, unless it turns out to be a green screen or something. I haven’t watched it yet.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  11. Shruti says:

    When did this clip air? I actually didn’t live in West Lafayette until August ’98…would this have been before then?

    Okay, I should stop obsessing over a chance I could have had to meet Stephen Colbert almost a decade ago…

    The clip itself, ugh. They were clearly not utilizing his talents well.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  12. Ms Interpreted says:

    Shruti, this clip aired on ABC News on April 4, 1997.

    Jennie, he was laughing really hard when they played this the other day. When the clip of him came onscreen, he said, “Look at that young fella. He needed a haircut. And a comb. And a tie!

    One of the GMA anchors (sorry, I don’t know who’s who) asked him, “And what happened to your career on Good Morning America?” Stephen responded, “It was cut short, by the fact that I sucked.” They all laughed at that one, and he continued, “I was cut down by my own ineptitude. I don’t know why I ever left; it’s so lovely to be up this early. It’s so conducive to comedy. This is marvelous.”

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  13. Shruti says:

    Wait, there was more to the GMA appearance than the interview with what’s-her-name?

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  14. Ms Interpreted says:

    Yes; ABC only posted the segment showing Stephen’s interview with Diane Sawyer, but there were a few other bits, as well. If I find the clips floating around on the ‘internets’, I’ll post or link to them, but the ABC-provided content is all that I’m currently aware of.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  15. Em says:

    “And are we better for it? Perhaps first we should ask those migrant workers who load CDs, whose jobs are now in danger. Jon?” Whoops, I meant Charlie. :OP

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  16. vigwig says:

    Anybody notice the song on the CD?
    It was “I’m too sexy for my shirt” LOL!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  17. vigwig says:

    Duh, sorry Tracy didn’t see your comment. But it’s still funny.
    And he sounded nervous to me.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  18. Arguman says:

    I can’t tell if he’s “acting” with his voice or if that’s his real voice.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

If you're new to our Zoner community, please read the No Fact Zone Comment Policy before commenting. Thank you!