Who’s Honoring Stephen Now? The Associated Press!
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WHOO HOO! We did it! USA! USA! USA! I just love this time of the year – and by “this time” I mean Best Of list time. Because that means that Stephen Colbert is about to be honored sexy and hard by every Best Of list around.
From the Associated Press:
Colbert Chosen AP Celebrity of the Year
While most TV characters remain boxed inside the frames of our sets, Stephen Colbert has routinely injected his on-screen persona into everything from the presidential race to ice cream.
In 2007, the mock pundit on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” exceeded the influence of most real pundits, orchestrating an ill-fated (and Doritos-sponsored) run for president and topping the best-seller lists with his book “I Am America (And So Can You!).”
Colbert failed to get onto the primary ballot in his home state of South Carolina, dooming his hopes for the White House. And his show went 0-for-4 at the Emmy Awards, including an especially painful loss to Barry Manilow.
But Colbert did win one honor: He was voted AP Celebrity of the Year by newspaper editors and broadcast producers who said Colbert had the biggest impact on pop culture in 2007.
He finished just a nudge above J.K. Rowling, who authored the final book in her enormously popular “Harry Potter” series. Finishing third was Al Gore, whose year included an Oscar, an Emmy, a Nobel Peace Prize and the global concert Live Earth.
Voting was otherwise spread out across many entertainers, including pop star Britney Spears, “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus, rapper Kanye West, comedy director and producer Judd Apatow and country singer Kenny Chesney.
But it was the slight, bespectacled Colbert — his hair never ruffled, suits forever pressed — who dominated the year. Even from the relatively small stage of late-night cable TV, his satire spread into all corners of media and society — and for a few weeks made a mockery of the democratic system.
Colbert has declined interviews during the writers strike that has shuttered his show, but he told The Associated Press by e-mail:
“In receiving this award, I am pleased that I was chosen over two great spinners of fantasy — J.K. Rowling and Al Gore. It is truly an honor to be named the Associated Press’ Celebrity of the Year. Best of all, this makes me the official front-runner for next year’s Drug-Fueled Downward Spiral of the year. P.S. Look for my baby bump this spring!”
Also LAST year is when Stephen lost to Barry Manilow (MANILOOOOOOOOOOOOW!) This year, he lost to Tony Bennett. Which still sucks, but hey, when one has a chance to correct an AP article, one does.
EDIT:
Video of some of Stephen’s more remarkable acts this year.
(hat tip to Jennifer H for the story and vid!)
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9 Comments
December 20th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
I admit it, I flailed when I read his message to the AP. Either I’m starved for Colbert, or I’d (gasp!) forgotten just how funny that man is. Stupid strike.
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December 20th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Well, the video didn’t do justice to the bundle of exuberance that is Stephen T. Colbert, but the story and quote were just loverly. Congratulations, Stephen!
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December 20th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Can’t wait for the drug-fueled downward spiral! Watch out Britney, here comes Stephen T. Colbert, DFA.
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December 20th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
“P.S. Look for my baby bump this spring!”
Oh dear Lord…. :lol:
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December 20th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Finally, it looks like the AP can join the rest of us It-Getters, who’ve known all along. (What is that tag-line that DB says every now and then? “All hail…” Sorry, I’m forgetting…I think it’s tres appropriate now!) Way to go, Stephen! Congratulations!
I dare say the run for President was probably the best joke that I think I’ve ever seen. He couldn’t have captured the process of running for President any better than for those 2 weeks between when he declared he was running, until November 1st. And allowing the viewers and fans to participate in the joke (in addition to many others along the way) really makes you feel like you’re a part of the show and of the character’s life.
I smell an Emmy…
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December 20th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
“Finishing third was Al Gore, whose year included an Oscar, an Emmy, a Nobel Peace Prize and the global concert Live Earth.”
lol, I love that line. Like, sorry Al, but you really needed an ice cream flavor to push you over the top, nice try. :)
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December 20th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
This will probably be the first thing on the docket for 1/7.
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December 20th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
“Best of all, this makes me the official front-runner for next year’s Drug-Fueled Downward Spiral of the year.”
LOL! Poor Stephen! I think the stress of the strike is getting to him, this award is very good fodder for his return.
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December 21st, 2007 at 1:47 am
“P.S. Look for my baby bump this spring!”
@TraceyUK: It will be twins, a boy and a girl. Ever since Julia Roberts had Phinnaeus and Hazel, it’s become the hot new trend in planned pregnancies.
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