Rolling Stone charts the pre-’Colbert Report’ career of Stephen Colbert

Nice! Props to DB for pointing out that Rolling Stone, in addition to releasing a Q&A teaser and cover shot, also did a walkthrough of Stephen’s pre-Report days.

From Rolling Stone:

Before the Report: Stephen Colbert’s Rise From Sketch Shows to America’s Hero
Watch early appearances on “The Dana Carvey Show,” “Strangers With Candy” and more
CHRISTOPHER R. WEINGARTEN
Posted Sep 02, 2009 11:00 AM

Martin Schoeller 'Rolling Stone' photo - Stephen Colbert

Before Stephen Colbert was a beloved political satirist and Peabody-winning grizzly bear detractor, he was an actor and comedian shuffling his way through various sketch shows and under-the-radar cameos. His stoic deadpan and occasional bouts of bluster were already present in the roles he would take on before The Colbert Report premiered in 2005, revealing an actor with Hartman-esque range aching for a breakout role. Rolling Stone takes a look back at the pre-fame Colbert with some classic clips waiting to be dredged up for his next Green Screen Challenge.

. . .

Click through to see clips from Exit 57, Harvey Birdman, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and much, much more!

Nice job, Rolling Stone. You missed a few clips (that one from Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn is hard to get hold of, and I suppose Bewitched should have been included if The Great New Wonderful was), but this is pretty comprehensive. I kind of wish they’d linked Stephen’s “real newsman” Good Morning America report, though — it’s so funny watching him trying to be serious.

Comments

  1. Zoe says:

    I consider Rolling Stone to be awesome for releasing 3 Stephen related things in two days. I’m very happy.

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  2. luvtcr says:

    Rolling Stone has really helped during this three week vacation!

    (I can’t believe Comedy Central isn’t showing reruns–they should follow No Fact Zone’s lead and air “classic” or “best of” eps during such a long hiatus)

    Can’t wait for the magazine to come out!

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    • Erika says:

      I always wished they’d do that with The Daily Show too, classic episodes when Stephen was a correspondent!

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  3. MaryLovesColbert says:

    Oh, these were so fun to watch! I love his role on “Harvey Birdman” – cracks me up every single time. :P

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    • Silvarius says:

      Harvey Birdman was a great cartoon. I miss it. But what always got me with that show was the inside jokes (like the bus that had the TCR ad on the side, it was so Stephen).

      HAHA! (Pretend that is Phil’s voice.)

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      • MaryLovesColbert says:

        Lol!! Really? There was a bus in the series that had a TCR ad on that sign? That’s hilarious!

        HAHA – dislocation. :P

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  4. Arianne says:

    Weren’t there eight episodes of The Dana Carvey Show?

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  5. Charlene says:

    “…And laughter turns to tears.” They really should have included that – so, so classic.

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  6. ColbertGirl27 says:

    I don’t believe I’ve ever seen the clip of Stephen on “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn.” As a Zoner, I must find it! Any tips?

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  7. Lilbirdy says:

    Is it me, or is that the most frightening picture of Colbert ever? Maybe its the faux scale. Its spooking me out, man.

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  8. warsucks says:

    Awesome photo and story!!! Thank You NFZ

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