‘GW Hatchet’ and ‘Daily Colonial’ review Stephen Colbert’s DC appearance
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You’ve probably read our unofficial reviews of Stephen’s Friday night book signing at Lisner Auditorium, but the official reviews are just rolling in now. Both The GW Hatchet and The Daily Colonial are out with stories on the event today:
The real Colbert talks at Lisner
Comedian plans to get name on ballot in S.C. primaryby Andrew Ramonas
Campus News Editor
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News
Stephen Colbert is the latest 2008 presidential hopeful, but the satirist told a packed house at Lisner Auditorium Friday night that his goal is not the White House.
“If in Denver someone was forced to say into a microphone South Carolina … casts one delegate for native son Stephen Colbert, I would say I won the entire election,” Colbert said.
Three days after launching his presidential campaign for the South Carolina primary, the comedian candidly discussed his life, career and new book, “I Am America (And So Can You!) in an interview with NBC’s Tim Russert at Lisner.
Colbert said there is a distinct difference between the conservative, flag-waving news pundit he portrays on his show, Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” and the person that he is in real life.
“My character loves power,” Colbert said. “I have no desire for power.”
He added, “I have affection for him because I get to cash his check.”
Colbert, who worked on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” for six years before starting “The Colbert Report.” Colbert said Jon Stewart, the host of “The Daily Show,” was a major force behind his political comedy.
Colbert said he stayed away from political comedy when he started at The Second City comedy club and did not satirize politics until he worked with Jon Stewart at “The Daily Show.”
“I wouldn’t do anything political,” Colbert said. “The Daily Show made me … more political.”
The comedian said his character on his show is an amplification of the senior Washington correspondent he played on “The Daily Show.”
“I want to be like all kinds of pundits,” Colbert said. “I want to be as concerned about broken borders as Lou (Dobbs). I want to be as shiny as a dime as Anderson Cooper. I just want to be as incurious as Sean Hannity.”
Colbert said Bill O’Reilly, host of Fox News’ “The O’Reilly Factor,” is the primary inspiration for his show.
“You want to be the king,” Colbert said.
Colbert steps out of character
Posted Monday, October 22 2007 02:44:33 amBy: Emma Zayer
Editor-in-ChiefSatirist Stephen Colbert stepped out of his well-known television persona Friday night to give insight into mock punditry before a packed Lisner Auditorium.
In a discussion moderated by NBC’s Tim Russert, the host of “The Colbert Report” talked about his work on Comedy Central, his infamous appearance at the 2006 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and his relationship with the over-the-top political commentator he plays on TV.
But Colbert said his entrance into comedy was only by chance.
. . .
Before he was running for president, Colbert famously roasted one at the 2006 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The Lisner audience cheered when talk turned to his scathingly satirical routine, which was delivered only a few yards away from its main targets – President George Bush and members of the media.
After the performance, Bush “said ‘well-done,’ which could have been the burner setting,” Colbert recounted.
The response may not have been much of a surprise. When preparing the speech, he said that he and his writers intentionally thought about going to extremes.
“We have such a rare opportunity here to do satire right at the epicenter of the bullshit…let’s err on the side of – too much.”
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2 Comments
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:32 pm
It’s interesting that Stephen’s sitting on that side of Russert. It seems that usually in interviews he’s seated with his good ear facing the interviewer.
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October 26th, 2007 at 8:35 am
I enjoyed the recent interview between Stephen Colbert and Tim Russert on his program, “Meet The Press.” The show highlighted Colbert’s ability to continue a conservative character who does not typically set limits. That’s why his comedy is hilarious! Can you imagine any other broadcaster being so blunt or let alone run as 2008 Presidental Candidate? It would likely never happen, until there was Colbert. Another funny aspect is that many people take him seriously. America needs to laugh at itself sometimes. Thanks for taking the time to write this article.
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