More on the Stephen Colbert “Class Day” appearance

While the official video from Stephen Colbert’s “Class Day” segment has not yet been posted (keep your eye on this page for the archived Princeton events), there have been a few more reviews and snippets popping up since Stephen gave his speech yesterday.

From The Times of Trenton (at NJ.com):

Colbert addresses Princeton seniors
Comedy Central talk show host who is usually mired in satire speaks at Class Day
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
BY ALEX ZDAN

PRINCETON BOROUGH — There are two Stephen Colberts, and both of them appeared at Princeton University yesterday.

The first, an aggressive and ego centric conservative talk show host who is immune to irony, delivered the keynote address to university seniors at Class Day. Colbert was presented with an honorary degree and “The Class of 2008 Understandable Vanity Award,” a plaque with a large mirror on it.

. . .

After the ceremony, the second Stephen Colbert walked into the conference room of a university administration building to answer press questions.

Wearing the complementary orange and black Class of 2008 jacket, his normally untouched black hair ruffled by the breeze outside, he ambled in without any swagger. He leaned forward in his chair, puts both palms on the tabletop. He wore an ever-present half-smile, looking as though he was having fun.

. . .

He said the university did not specifically request him to come in character, but that he decided to deliver the speech as his larger-than-life alter-ego.

“‘Cause that’s where the jokes are,” he said, then added more seriously, “Sometimes people are disappointed when it’s just me who shows up.”

Full text of article here

I understand why it’s probably better for Stephen to deliver certain addresses in character, but I’d like to state for the record that I find the out-of-character gentleman compelling (and funny!), too. I don’t presume to know the man, of course, but those parts of his true personality that he lets the public see have never — never! — been a disappointment, IMO.

The Huffington Post has put up its story on the speech, too; read it (and check out the amusing photos) here.