The Official Happy Fourth Birthday to No Fact Zone post!!!

Wow. Four years. Four years of blogging, four years of shows, four years of being part of the best fandom ever – the Colbert Nation! Holy cow! Wanna see how we’re doing so far?

In four years, we’ve gotten:

Balloon Drop

    UNIQUE VISITORS - 2,812,950
    PAGE VIEWS – 5,131,820
    POSTS – 5,743
    COMMENTS49,783

And I bet by the end of the day, we reach over 50,000 comments from the Zoner community! Holy friggin’ cow!

I like to take time during these big anniversaries to thank all of you who help make this site possible. First and foremost, I would like to say a special thanks to the man who makes it all possible, Stephen Colbert. When people tell me how great the site is, I always say “We are the cone, Stephen is the ice cream.” We wouldn’t be here without his laughter, his joy machine. It takes a special kind of person to instill this kind of loyalty and passion into a fanbase. We here at No Fact Zone have always said our sole purpose is to praise him, to honor Stephen Colbert, blessing and peace be upon his name. We hope we have lived up to our mission, and will continue to do so for a long, long time.

I also want to take this opportunity to say Thank You to all of you Zoners who come back, day after day, month after month, many who have been here since 2006, and support me and my wacky passion and blogging hobby. A good friend said it best the other day on Twitter – Stephen Colbert made us fans, but No Fact Zone made us friends. Our community is so amazing here, and I can promise you that four years ago, when I was talking to my husband about maybe starting a little blog, I could have never imagined what the site would become.

I’d like to especially thank the Completists – MsInterpreted, Jennie, Ann G, Gratefull, Katt, Justine Marie, nerdygirl, Val and wren – who make my job a whole lot easier and hella more fun! I say this all the time, but I’m going to say it again because I think it’s important to remember – not one of us gets paid a dime for doing this site. You know those donation buttons at the bottom of the site? Those funds go directly to our host for serving fees. We have no ads. The Completists can work hours on a single post (I’m looking at you, wren and Katt), and many of us spend hours a week blogging, and corresponding about site business (and this time I’m looking at you, MsI). On our staff, we’ve got a lawyer, a professor, a librarian, a couple of students, and writers from at least three separate continents, but none of us are professional web designers or content creators. Hell, I work 40+ hours at an 8-5 office with an hour’s commuting a day. And yet we all make time to make sure that we keep the standards that the No Fact Zone readers have come to expect. We love it here, and we want this place to continue to be the best damn Stephen Colbert site on the web. Period.

Whether you’re a Completist, a Zoner, or even a closet lurking Zoner, we’re glad that you’re here. We have all found each other and found this common passion, and I cannot state enough how much it means to me that you all are willing to play in my sandbox with me.

As kind of a “You’ve come a long way, baby” moment in our thoughts and reflection on the site, I thought I’d post the video where Stephen actually mentions No Fact Zone on the show. Because let’s face it, even a year and a half later, it’s still cool as hell.

Comments

  1. Here’s to NFZ! Cheers! Big hugs to all! *balloondrop* *fireworks* *confetti*

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +4

  2. Tish says:

    FELICEM NATALEM DIEM!

    Thanks to all the contributors and posters for making the No Fact Zone such a lovely place. I love the enthusiasm and joy around here! <3

    This video is relevant, even if it is 84 years early for the Zone. Oh, and also the fact that the Zone is not Stephen's mum…
    http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/209946/november-06-2008/happy-88th-birthday–mom-colbert

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  3. Oh DB! con-freaking-grats!
    i just want to say THANK YOU! i know i wouldn’t be completely lost without this blog, but i for sure wouldn’t be as happy. i love that you’ve laid the foundation for a place where fans can come together and feel accepted. i’ve “met” and gotten to know so SO many good people because of this blog. friends that i turn to sometimes before i even contact the real ones near me. i always feel so silly trying to explain my appreciation for Stephen and the report to others, but here that knowledge comes standard.
    thank you completist who work so hard, you honestly brighten my day with posts that hold both interest and squeel-worthy updates. :)
    i’ve never been an active member of any online community, but i sure am lucky to have gotten stared here! i don’t know everyone that participates in discussions, but i do know what the common interest is that brings us together, and i’m glad he exists. times aren’t getting any better, but it sure eases the pain when Stephen Colbert is the one making you laugh at the end of the day.
    sorry to have rambled on, but i am proud to be a zoner and squeely fangirl to a truley remarkable man. :) thank you again DB for keeping us ‘it-getters’ together! .

    <3

    Difference makers: Thumb up +9

  4. Rein says:

    Wow! FOUR YEARS?! Happy Birthday NFZ!!!

    Thanks to all the completists! This blog is awesome! Or should I say, massive!

    Difference makers: Thumb up +5

  5. Neufel says:

    As we say in some places and times :
    FOUR MORE YEARS ! FOUR MORE YEARS !

    Thanks for all your great (and i believe) hard work. Maybe you are the cone to Stephen’s cream (this sentence is awkward), but you really are a crunchy tasty one.
    That’s not really common. This site is perfect and i thank you for that.
    Celebrate in the name of Swiss Zoners !

    Difference makers: Thumb up +5

  6. nerdygirl says:

    Happy 4th birthday, NFZ, and many happy returns!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +2

  7. Wow…4 years already!! Happy birthday NFZ!!!

    Thank you to everyone who contributes to this site. All your hard work is appreciated! I’ve met so many awesome people on this site! I don’t know what i would do without you guys!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +2

  8. nie says:

    Congratulations and Thank You!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  9. Karenatasha says:

    Happy anniversary, DB! Thank you for creating such a wonderful site, and to the Completists and everyone else who joins in for helping to make this such a smart, happy, and friendly place..

    And many more years of NO FACT and Stephen!

    By the way, it think it’s awesome that Stephen gives his shout-out to NFZ in one of his very best sequences. Achmadinejad on the matzoh box always makes me crack up.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +2

  10. Gratefull says:

    DB ROCKS!

    Happy Birthday to NFZ and the very best returns to all Zoners everywhere! Keep up the love and stay strong!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +2

  11. Lilimich says:

    Happy Birthday No Fact Zone!!! *massive balloon drop*

    I have to say, when I fell in love with all things Stephen, I tried to seek out other fans in my little world. There were some folks who’d heard of Stephen, or seen the show once or twice, but nobody to squee or laugh with about pretty much anything Stephen said or did on the show or other professional endeavors. But, I found that all here, in all of you, and I couldn’t imagine there is a happier, shinier, kinder, more wonderful group of folks than those I’ve met through this Blog. You are all wonderful, beautiful people, and I’m very thankful to have met and become friends with you all.

    And to DB and all of the NFZ staff, you are all the glue that holds us all together, and even though we probably don’t say it often enough, thank you ALL for all your hard work, long hours, and dedication to enrich our lives with all things Stephen. All of us deeply appreciate all of the exclusive story breaks, thoughtful commentary on Episode Guide posts, and of course, Urgent Fangirl Bulletins. : )

    I think this Blog really a model for the saying, “If you build it, they will come.” You did, DB, and four years later, here we are. : )

    *champagne glass clinks*

    Difference makers: Thumb up +9

  12. Ann G says:

    Happy anniversary, NFZ!!! *another massive balloon drop because you can never have too many balloons*

    Out of the four years of this blog’s existence, I’ve been reading it for about 3 1/2 years, and I’ve been a completist for somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 months. I simply cannot imagine my life without NFZ to enrich it. I’ve met so many great people here, online and in person, and I’ve enjoyed celebrating the wonder of Stephen Colbert with all of you. I’ve also learned a lot by being a completist, including some brand new cuss words at those times when WordPress refused to cooperate with me. :-D

    DB, you deserve some very special thanks for making this community possible. You’ve done the Colbert Nation a great service, and for that we owe you our gratitude, and maybe a drink or three in return for all the work you put in behind the scenes. I know I’m grateful for not just a fantastic place to indulge my Colbert obsession with like-minded fans, but also your patience in dealing with a very inexperienced blogger. Thank you for not making me feel stupid when I ask the inevitable stupid questions. ;-)

    And for everyone else, thanks for making this such a cool place to hang out! The Zoners are the best fans anywhere!

    Difference makers: Thumb up +6

  13. Ms Interpreted says:

    Howdy, DB, and a tip of my hat to you for creating this playground for all things Stephen.

    There have been times when I’ve wanted to scream from frustration at spending time on posts that then blow up (or from not *having* time to spend on posts I want to create), but blogging here for the past 3 1/2 years has really been a fantastic outlet for me.

    The correspondence you and I have offline has been even better. We’ve had some truly wonderful moments and shared some mindbendingly cool memories, and it’s been a treat to be able to do it.

    Thanks again, to you, and to everyone who continues to make this fun (even when my “day job” sucks most of the life out of me)!

    P.S. Loving the day’s header!!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +4

    • DB says:

      MFLI – Best memory EVER!!

      Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

      • Ms Interpreted says:

        Hahahahahahahaha!!

        And, with those four letters, an idiotic grin has pasted itself across my face. Awesome!!

        :D

        :D

        Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

        • DB says:

          There are 4 or 5 memories of working with the site that I treasure more than any other, and that one is #2 (the package I got in January is #1). It always makes me smile. And I can’t believe how long it’s been!

          Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +1

        • Ms Interpreted says:

          That package must have been nine kinds of awesome to get — I’m not surprised it was your #1.

          I’m just glad I have some personal memories to rival it, ’cause jealousy might start nibbling away at me otherwise. ;)

          And yes, it’s been a while. I really, *really* need to get back up to NYC for a taping.

          Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +1

        • DB says:

          And you do have some AMAZING memories to balance it out. Actually, one of your memories is in my Top 5 too (“Hey, nice to see you again!”). Hell, two of my five faves don’t even involve me! But it makes me so happy that you have happy memories too. As hard as you’ve worked on the site, you’ve earned every one of them!

          Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  14. W&M_NU says:

    I know I haven’t posted in quite some time, but I ALWAYS drop by to read the latest Colbert news and discussions.

    To DB and the Completists, congratulations on 4 wonderful years! Thank-you for creating and maintaining the platform for what has to be the nicest and most interesting Stephen Colbert community on the interwebs.

    Here’s to many more successful years ahead *clinks glass*!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  15. Arrow says:

    Congratulations! Even as a relatively new fan, I have to say I am in awe at the sheer effort and brilliance that goes into this site! It’s a great community, a great news source, and an all-around massive place to hang out. :) Looking forward to many more happy years, thank you so much to all of you who contribute (and to Stephen and the fans who made this possible, of course)!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +4

  16. Katydidnt says:

    Happy birthday, NFZ! Four years–that is wonderful!

    I discovered this site early this year when I was looking for reviews of the Second City reunion show. This made me (more than a little) late to the party, but before I knew it, I’d gone back into the archives and read every single post! There is no site like this one, and I love that there is a place where I can share my love for the show and Stephen Colbert with other fans. There is such a sense of community here, and you and the Completists have done a wonderful job building it. Congratulations!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  17. whatsername says:

    Congratulations to DB and all the completists.

    I’ve appreciated your hard work since ‘colbertnation.com’ was a weird little site that looked like someone was running it from his mom’s basement. Meanwhile, the No Fact Zone had info on current shows, guests and books, and other fans to discuss things with!

    Colbert Nation has improved a lot since then, but I still come here first. I just stray over there when I need to catch up on a video, or see something official that Stephen is promoting…

    reCaptcha: The Loyaler. Yes. Yes I am.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +1

  18. MaryLovesColbert says:

    Wow! Happy Fourth Anniversary to No Fact Zone! :D

    I have to take a minute to thank DB for all the work that she does. You mentioned, DB, how much you work each week and you are still able to keep up with this site. I admire that greatly and, of course, I’m so glad you’re able to keep up with the flow of news here. If I’ve heard some breaking news about Stephen, I’ve definitely heard it here first. You guys are great! And on that same note, thank you to all the Completists! You guys help keep us up to date on everything Stephen!

    And thank you to all the Zoners here, you guys are fantastic and I can always count on you to squee and celebrate things Stephen-related when no one else in my life particularly cares. :) I guess what I’m trying to say is that I love No Fact Zone!

    Lastly, “Stephen made us fans, NFZ made us friends” – that’s a great tagline for the site, I’d say. :) Happy Anniversary! <3333

    One last thing, sorry! I have to thank you again for publishing my account of the Colbert Report panel from when Stephen and his writers were at Second City in Chicago. Hearing from you when the report had been Tweeted by Peter Sagal and then linked to by that New York website…that was amazing. Thanks for the opportunity, DB! <333

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +4

  19. Mrs Colbert the 2nd says:

    Congratulations to all at NFZ! I’m so glad you’re here, even if I don’t post very much (can be found down at Colbert Nation’s fangirl lounge!).
    If it wasn’t for you guys, I would never have found out about the The Two Rivers Theatre night last year and I would never have met Stephen! Thank you!
    You are an invaluable companion!
    Long may you reign!
    Yeah, and Stephen’s not so bad either!!! xxx

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  20. mori says:

    party hard!!!! wooo!!!!!!! good job nfz!!! \o/

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +1

  21. lockhart43 says:

    Happy birthday No Fact Zone! You have no idea how happy I am to be a Zoner…okay you do. Because I’ve totally mentioned it before. But damnit, it bears repeating, because both this site and everyone involved are all so wonderful. So a BIG congratulations and an even bigger Thank You! :D

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +4

  22. Daydream says:

    Happy Friggin’ Birthday! You guys do a great job!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  23. Eris says:

    Thank you for everything! And great banner!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  24. GabbyD says:

    happy birthday! :)

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  25. friedthing says:

    Thank you, DB and everyone else, for fostering such a positive and welcoming community! Not to mention for all your hard work in providing and organizing such a massive amount of Stephen-related info. I love it here and am SO happy I stumbled in! :) Happy birthday!!!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +4

  26. Michele says:

    Happy birthday to No Fact Zone and a huge thank you to DB and the NFZ staff! You guys do a fantastic job and this blog makes me smile on a daily basis.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +4

  27. juice says:

    Happy 4th Birthday!! DB and Completists, thank you again and again for making this my absolutely favorite website. I found NFZ once I realized I had a fully-bloomin’ crush on Stephen Colbert, and it’s been wonderful to share in the love fest. The intelligence, humor, and enthusiasm of my fellow Zoners keeps me coming back.

    Difference makers: Thumb up +6

  28. Yahtzee says:

    Happy 4th Birthday, NoFactZone! May you continue to be awesome, informative and just a fun place to come to daily. And thanks so much, DB and all Completists for all the work hard you do that makes this place so wonderful. I wish you many more birthdays.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  29. wildlymissingthemark says:

    Thank you DB, Completists, Zoners…
    I know this site is a lot of work, but I don’t think I could enjoy TCR half as much without NFZ as a companion. I always look at DB’s episode guides to corroborate my own feelings about each show.
    I also appreciate the fact that everyone here is respectful of one another and attuned to what’s going on in the world.
    I think I have contributed hugely to those 5,000,000 + page views!
    Well it’s been a great four years, here to four more!

    Difference makers: Thumb up +6

  30. marleygirl84 says:

    I can’t say it enough, but thank you so much for this site!!!!! Other than that, I want to echo everything all the zoners have been saying. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  31. dentry says:

    Happy Birthday NFZ!!! And I want to thank DB and the Completists, you guys do an amazing job with this site, to keep all of us fans up to date with all things Colbert.

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  32. SusieBlack says:

    Happy Birthday!!! And thank you for working so hard all these years to make No Fact Zone the *very best * site for Colbert fans!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +4

  33. jbirdNZ says:

    Happy happy Birthday, NFZ! Four years young (how do you do it?) and a big congrats to all the hard working Completists that make this amazing place so much fun, and a shout out to the frequent posters that also make this such a great board -all for the glory and wonderfulness that is Stephen Colbert!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +3

  34. Mr. Arkadin says:

    Happy birthday NFZ! You don’t look a day over two years old! Um. Wait a minute…
    And a special shout out to all the friendly Zoners who’ve interacted with me since I first started posting here. (You know who you are!) *Waves* Your great!
    You’ve really filled the gap left in my life, now that my imaginary friends have stopped speaking to me. *Shakes fist* Those b@stards!
    ;)

    Difference makers: Thumb up +5

    • lockhart43 says:

      “You don’t look a day over two years old! Um. Wait a minute…”

      HA! Nicely done. :)
      Pssh. Imaginary friends. Mine left me too. Jerks.

      Difference makers: Thumb up +5

  35. ColbertGirl27 says:

    I haven’t posted as much these days, but I still check NFZ daily. DB, thanks for everything and I really loved this line that you chose to highlight in your post: “Stephen Colbert made us fans, but No Fact Zone made us friends.” Aw, so sweet and true. Stay strong!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +4

  36. Arkadina says:

    4 years – good stuff! Like Lilimich said earlier, at first I thought I was the only person who thought “mmmmmmmStephen”, but there’s more of us out here than I ever imagined! I’m new to posting, but I’ve been checking out the site for a while and love it. Addicted, even. What I particularly like is that it’s all really well-written – none of that ridiculous text language and usual blog slaggings off and idiocy. Long may it continue!

    As a Brit living in the Middle East who’s just had Comedy Central yanked off her cable channels ["Showwwtiiiiiime!" *shakes first*], it’s also a good place to catch up on what I might have missed – or not got round to watching yet online. And of course, it’s always good to talk Stephen….oh yeah. Mmmmmmm!
    x

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +2

  37. “Whether you’re a Completist, a Zoner, or even a closet lurking Zoner, we’re glad that you’re here.”

    How about a lurking Completist? :D

    I have been a Colbert fan for almost 4 years now too, and I’ve been an NFZ fan since day 1. I’m so blessed to be a part of it! Now, everyone go sign up for calendar notifications: http://tinyurl.com/nfzcalendar

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +1

  38. TruthPower says:

    OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    WOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up 0

  39. Roseha says:

    A little late but very happy 4th to you DB and to all of the Completists! You are all doing such a wonderful job of creating this Stephen fan site.

    And it just gets better. Congrats!

    Shout Out (Hey!): Thumb up +2

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