The Telegraph introduces the UK to ‘The Colbert Report’
By
Finally! The Telegraph introduces Great Britain’s audience to Stephen Colbert and The Colbert Report with the thorough overview both man and show deserve.
From The Telegraph:
Stephen Colbert: the second most powerful idiot in America
Last Updated: 12:01am BST 18/05/2008His attacks on greens, pinkos and people who want to destroy Christmas have won him friends across the States – and enemies in the White House. Meet Stephen Colbert, host of a satirical news show that tells it like it is – sort of.
By Steven Daly
. . .The Colbert Report is news parody of the first order. The show’s titular host offers a funhouse-mirror reflection of the bellicose Right-wing opinionisers of Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News channel (among others) who dominate and dictate the political discourse in the States with lengthy and obnoxious opinion-slots that are somehow passed off as ‘news’. Since this particular day happens to be Earth Day, it is Stephen Colbert’s duty – his patriotic duty – to belittle the event in a similar manner. Colbert’s production staff discuss the practicalities of giving the host a little balloon globe to wave at the end of a stick as he rants against America’s tree-hugging contingent.
Upstairs, past various ludicrous portraits of Stephen Colbert – including an oil painting of him as Napoleon on a rearing white steed – the boss-man sits behind his desk under a framed poster for Richard Nixon’s 1972 election campaign. The host of The Colbert Report (both words pronounced à la Français) is thrilled that he got show guest George McGovern, Nixon’s defeated opponent, to sign the poster. ‘I’ve always been a news junkie,’ says Colbert, 44, whose formative memories include after-school television programmes such as The Munsters being interrupted by the Watergate hearings.
It’s mildly disconcerting to find America’s favourite faux-conservative dressed not in his trademark preppy Brooks Brothers armour, but in black T-shirt, black shorts and Hi-Tec trainers. Colbert has just driven in from his home in suburban New Jersey, where he dropped the kids off at school (he has three) before doing a session at his local gym. Still, even in his baggy gym gear, he somehow maintains the immovable Republican hair that makes him so perfect for his strident on-screen role …
I highly recommend that you go read this (three-page!) article now; it’s filled with fabulous Stephen quotes about the show, his guests and all sorts of related goodies. Enjoy!
Related posts
55 Comments
May 17th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Hehe. This is, like, the third interviewer to express a vague feeling of disappointment over the revelation that Stephen doesn’t wear a suit and tie ’round the clock.
That’s a great article.
Reply
May 17th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
‘We just played a handful of little local gigs for beer,’ Colbert recalls. ‘I can’t remember what song we did; maybe Jumpin’ Jack Flash… to be honest I was a little…’ – Colbert makes the gesture of toking on a joint.
Hehehehe. And Stephen calls the Colbert Nation ‘his strange little group of fans.’ Awwwwwww. I feel loved.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I love it that he calls the Nation his “strange little group of fans.” He obviously gets us. :-)
Excellent article. Awesome picture too.
Reply
May 17th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
“Ironically enough, the guest booked for that evening’s show is Susan Jacoby, the author of The Age of American Unreason, a new book that addresses the same pathology that Colbert embodies.”
Apparently British journalists don’t need to know the actual meaning of the word “ironically” any more than Americans do. (N.B.: that statement was ironic.) A better word there would have been “fittingly” or “appropriately” but is the Telegraph paying me to be their copy editor?
Reply
May 17th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Great interview! I see potential for the British to be counted among the “it-getters”.
One more thing, I am glad to be a member of “his strange little group of fans”.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 5:11 am
*salutes*
Long-time it-getter right here :)
Nice article… I love the description of the WHCD: “[He was] expected to administer a good-natured ribbing to members of the political elite. Colbert had other ideas: he was going to remove their ribs one by one, with no anaesthetic.”
:D
(reCAPTHA “agent Lancelot”)
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Given the way the article so appreciated and captured the essence of TCR, I have the feeling there will be a new *nation* of it-getters to add to the internet savvy viewers such as yourself. I did not mean to ignore our current British Heroes.
It sounds like reCAPCHA has knighted you “agent Lancelot” :)
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I did not mean to ignore our current British Heroes.
Oh, I know… I was just saying… *high fives*
And I quite like ‘agent Lancelot’. I think all of us in the UK should have such titles – a nice mix between the UK and US :)
(But ‘awkward Homicides’ is just weird o_O)
May 18th, 2008 at 12:05 am
‘So I get to actually talk to someone who will take me seriously when I talk about religion – albeit I have to find somebody who’s seven to take me seriously.’
I love him. So much.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I totally take him seriously when he waxes philosophical and I’m 25!
In the way that Stephen is a “news junkie” I’m a religion junkie. I pay closest attention whenever he taps a spiritual vein and find it very enlightening to see how he can simultaneously prop up the fundamentalist mindset, show the flaws, and even reveal a little bit of his personal beliefs with sincerity. He’s a believer, and he sees the heart of humor within his faith. I admire and love that part of him. So much.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Very well put, Caitlin. I’m almost always fascinated by what he has to say about religion, particularly when he gets into Catholicism. But I do have to admit feeling a little twinge of guilt when I laugh at the pope jokes.
I’d love to sit down and have a theological discussion with him some day. I’d certainly take him seriously (and I’m not seven years old!).
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Hi Caitlin,
“He’s a believer, and he sees the heart of humor within his faith. I admire and love that part of him. So much.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
I find it fascinating that, unlike many comedians, he still seems very connected to his faith and channels this into his work. Not putting down other comedians here. I just find this a very distinctive trait of Stephen.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 12:17 am
I’m loving the tableau illustrating the article – It’s striking, no?
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 12:25 am
yeah, that was a great idea for a picture. kudos to the whoever thought of that.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 3:25 am
Very, very nice (*saved*).
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 3:54 am
I had just found that picture a couple of days ago and made it my wallpaper. Great choice!
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 12:50 am
When I read page 3 of the article a fundraising ad for the WSPCA came up, featuring a photo of a caged bear.
Oh sweet irony.
(hope I’m using that correctly rab!)
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 4:45 am
I haven’t read the article yet (I’m on my way) but I think that’s the best title I’ve ever read! Add my voice to the chorus who love the picture too.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 6:37 am
I’ve sent my minions out to buy it right now. Anybody want scans? :P
The British invasion begins…
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I vote for scans!
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I read this post just before I went to work this morning. So glad I did, it meant I was able to pick up a copy :)
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
ooh, yes please!
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Actually no point to scans, it’s pretty much the same as the article and no other pictures.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Aww, cheapskate Telegraph!
May 18th, 2008 at 6:37 am
The article mentions the similarity between Colbert on the Report and Chris Morris on The Day Today. I’d recommend anyone who hasnt seen clips of The Day Today to check it out on youtube. It was like a mid 90s British version of the Report. The Day Today didnt have the cuddly atmosphere of the Report – its style was more brutal.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I recommend it too, and you’re right. The Day Today was harsh as hell, but so, so daring. It makes me very happy that Stephen has seen even a little bit of it.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
The title of this show reminded me of Stephen’s running joke about “today’s The USA Today.”
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 8:23 am
It’s mildly disconcerting to find America’s favourite faux-conservative dressed not in his trademark preppy Brooks Brothers armour, but in black T-shirt, black shorts and Hi-Tec trainers
Pics or it didn’t happen!
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
The idea of him in shorts actually scared me.
Reply
May 20th, 2008 at 5:42 am
Not me… on the contrary, I can’t get that image out of my head… ;)
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I love pix, esp. how the “WHITE HOUSE” sign is askew – symbolism?
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 11:55 am
ARGH!!! I saw this too late to buy the paper!! :(
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
“Even with guests who ‘get’ the joke and come to play along, Colbert has more than enough improvisational skills to keep the show afloat; there’s just one thing that will kill an interview, he says, which is when the guest insists on ‘dropping joke bombs’.
‘There was one person who did completely shut me down,’ he recalls. ‘Jane Fonda. She got on my lap and nibbled on my ear. She was playing a virago, you might say; she took control with a character that was more powerful than my character at that moment. Never underestimate the power of a woman. She used her feminine wiles, albeit her septuagenarian feminine wiles – pretty impressive, I’ve got to say – to grab the status away from me.”
I love this. Hearing Stephen talk about characters and power struggles is always great. (And I had to look up septuagenarian hahah)
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
i had to look up “virago,” hehe.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Wonderful quote! We’ve added it to our entry on Jane Fonda at Colbert U:
http://colbertuniversity.nofactzone.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=17&Itemid=68#fonda
I had to look up “virago” too! Love all the smart, eloquent quotations and reflections from Stephen in this interview.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
It’s because he’s talking to a Brit…
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
ok, first thing, i did NOT know Jane Fonda was over 70. good lord, she looks at LEAST 15 years younger.
also, i wonder, how much does the average Brit keep up with American politics? I wonder if people in the UK will understand as many of the jokes? I know I’d be totally lost if I were to watch a Peabody award-winning news satire show about UK politics.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
A few months ago, the Washington Post ran an article about how the current American presidential election is being viewed around the world. According to this story, the US political process has become an obsession for many Europeans, almost in the same way someone would follow an important sports tournament. If this is true, then it’s a perfect time to introduce TCR to the UK.
The reCAPTCHA is “atNewsfront”.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Speaking as a Brit, your elections are all over our news right now and big politics stories are always on our news too, like the Spitzer scandal, and everything else can be picked up pretty much from TDS and TCR, and if I really don’t know what’s being talked about, which is very rarely, there’s always the internet. Plus the jokes can carry it anyway.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Not just Europe, either. Here in Costa Rica, there’s always something about American politics on the news. Everybody knows about Hillary and Barack, everybody enjoys making monkey faces while blasting Bush, most of the sex scandals get at least a couple of minutes of airtime (especially Larry Craig, I remember), and most people consider McCain a threat. If it’s important in the US (by normal people’s standards, not Paris Hilton etc), it’s important here. Remember – if the US sneezes, the world gets the flu! And nobody more so than Latin America…
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
That’s a nice adage, I’ll remember that~
May 18th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
that’s really cool to know. i didn’t realize how much news we made, haha. i guess we’re attention magnets after all.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Oh yeah, you make so, so much news. Actually Stephen-wise, I remember the Correspondents Dinner being in the paper(s) over here eventhough to the vast majority of people (including me) he was a complete unknown then. I don’t think they even showed The Daily Show back when he was on it, and when they did start to show it they used to cut off the toss. Thank God they sorted that out~
May 18th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Yeah, personally I think I know more about American Politics than I do UK Politics! I just seem to find American Politics more interesting…Gordon Brown bores me to death.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
no way! i saw what i assumed to be a Parliament session on c-span and it was like two speakers, one being gordon brown, trading off passionate arguments and their posses cheering them on behind them. i was like, “this is intense!” compared to the dry filibustering of our Congress.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Here, here! I love watching Parliament on C-SPAN. They’re far more dynamic…and possess a better vocabulary:)
May 18th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Glad I’m not the only one!
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
The Telegraph gives good diction:
“…soaking up the audience’s noisy approbation”;
“…bellows forth the victorious non-sequitur, ‘I accept your apology!’”
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Well, we did invent the language, so it’s our duty to use it wisely…
Is it me or does Stephen use more complex language when speaking to a British journalist than an American? He knows we can take it. ;)
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
We can take whatever he wants to give us… ;)
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Just don’t let “Stephen” catch you saying that!
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
‘Stephen’ loves us! We are the land of Camilla.
May 18th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Based on a few experiences hearing Stephen speak and seeing what gets reported, I would hypothesize that he speaks the same to everyone, but a lot of what he says sails over the head of a lot of reporters. Not this one, happily.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
“‘We just played a handful of little local gigs for beer,’ Colbert recalls. ‘I can’t remember what song we did; maybe Jumpin’ Jack Flash… to be honest I was a little…’ – Colbert makes the gesture of toking on a joint.”
hehe. Awesome article! I love the title.
Reply
May 18th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I thought the title was hilarious, then it made me sad. It **will**, dare I say, be so great to have a president who is not an embarrassment. VERY SOON.
Reply