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The real report
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I think conservatives like Stephen Colbert because, well, for the same reason conservatives like Ignatius Reilly of A Confederacy of Dunces. While both Colbert and Reilly seem to be lampooning conservatism with their satire of it, they’re actually revealing what’s good about it, and what’s bad about the other. When Colbert, on his show, offers a “tribute to the ladies” by inviting Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem on the show to bake apple pies, he’s not just saying something about sexism. He’s saying something about the paradox of feminism, too.
But what’s Colbert really like?
This profile at Vanity Fair gives a pretty fair and balanced picture. Colbert says he likes being normal in his off time.
“That’s why I drive myself home at night,” adds Colbert, who lives on a cul-de-sac in suburban Montclair, New Jersey. “The network would happily-they don’t want me tired; they don’t want me running off the road-they’d happily send me home in a car. But I’d work the entire way home, and I need more than the 30 seconds from the car to the front door to become a dad and a husband again. So I drive home and I crank my tunes. And by the time I get there, I’m normal again.”
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Off-key
I think he’s just funny, and conservatives who are ashamed at laughing at themselves will look to intellectualize their reaction by inventing some kind of “subconscious conservativeness” in his performance.
LOL Harrison — I think Colbert’s satire demonstrates just what an empty shell conservatism as become.
Of course, I have been there from day one, watching “The Colbert Report”. When the show goes on hiatus, I’m bummed.
I go back and forth between “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report”, as far as which I like better. They both make me laugh, which is really important when one considers the state of politics especially.
I just finished reading his book “I Am America”, which was quite hilarious.
If you can stay up until 11:30 ET, it’s worth watching.
The article was excellent, Harrison, so why’d you have to ruin your description by saying it was “fair and balanced”?
The Colbert Report and The Daily Show are the only two shows I subscribe to with Tivo. Must see tv.
Agreed, CB.
I think liberals are bothered by the fact that so many conservatives enjoy the Report.
Well, I’m a liberal that’s not bothered Graceland. I think it’s good for everyone to have their inconsistencies and hypocrisies pointed out. I can laugh at both sides foibles.
“I think liberals are bothered by the fact that so many conservatives enjoy the Report.”
Why would that bother us? No really, tell me. Say, “I think liberals are bothered by the fact that so many conservatives enjoy the Report, because __________.”
I do think that liberals somewhat over-rated Colbert’s performance at the WHPC dinner; he was definitely funny and scathing, but when a left-leaning friend of mine unironically invoked the sacred “speaking the truth to power” clause, I knew that people were taking this for more than it was. The fact that he was picking on Bush seems to me to be incidental; if it’d been a Dem president, there would’ve been something scathing for them as well. Satire is definitely an art, and so its political impact is as art, not a defining political statement.
Anlir,
Glad to hear you’re not bothered, and I too can laugh at both sides’ foibles (as there are many!). And I should not have generalized, because you are evidently an exception.
My point is that a lot of liberals who I hear going on and on about the brilliance of Colbert like to claim him as their own–as if he’s pinned the conservatives for the fools they are.
I think it surprises and frustrates (many) liberals when conservatives are just as entertained by the Report. You see, I find his show hilarious and brilliant because it captures how foolishly liberals view conservatives, rather than how foolish conservatives actually are.
And Luke, sorry I didn’t phrase this exactly as you asked, but hopefully I answered your question. Thanks for asking.
I only wished I lived in S. Carolina so I could vote for Colbert. Did you see the filing fees? It’s $25,000 for the Republican ballot, but only $2,500 for the Democratic ballot. Colbert had a field day with that one
My husband and I both get a real kick out of the Colbert Report and the Daily Show. We have “I Am America” on order from Amazon. We like Colbert because he is really funny.
Graceland
you’re trying too hard. Colbert ridicules the right mercilessily end stop nothing more
Anlir, and the Dems will waive the fee if you get so many signatures (300?) while the Republicans tack on an additional $10,000 late fee. Sad, but infinitely amusing.
“You see, I find his show hilarious and brilliant because it captures how foolishly liberals view conservatives, rather than how foolish conservatives actually are.”
Well if you are going to laugh at Colbert and not with him, I think you can be forgiving to a left that claims him as our own. It’s hardly justifiable to laugh at what you think the show is missing, and then assert a right to me considered part of its corp demo.
I don’t think Gloria Steinem bakes pie, unless she’s pretty sure she’s on a leftist project.
Cudo’s to HRW.
I frequently enjoy Colbert’s schtick.
While both Colbert and Reilly seem to be lampooning conservatism with their satire of it, they’re actually revealing what’s good about it, and what’s bad about the other.
Oh, brother. Yeah, that’s what Colbert’s all about alright. Man, what are you smoking, Harrison? Anyone who thinks that Colbert is actually praising conservatism is out of his mind.
When Colbert, on his show, offers a “tribute to the ladies” by inviting Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem on the show to bake apple pies, he’s not just saying something about sexism. He’s saying something about the paradox of feminism, too.
Right. Dude, you haven’t got a clue as to what Colbert is about.
Maybe he should invite WoW’s own Sarah Rode on the program to bake apple pies. Of course, she couldn’t make it, being tied down with her combat training for the Marines, but I’m sure that says nothing about the hypocrisy of the “paradox” of evangelicalism.