Colbert's Comedy -- The Early Reviews Are In
Comedy Central's effort to satiate the public's limitless thirst for fake news entered a new chapter with last night's premiere of "Daily Show" alum Stephen Colbert's own experiment in satirical news broadcasting, "The Colbert Report."
Colbert opened the show with a Bill O'Reilly-like commentary called, "The Word." Last night's word: "Truthiness." Here's some of Colbert's monologue:
"I don't trust books. They're all fact and no heart. And that's exactly what's pulling our country apart today. 'Cause, face it, we're a divided nation. Not between Democrats and Republicans or conservatives and liberals or tops and bottoms. No, we are divided between those who think with their heads and those who know with their hearts."In case anyone missed the less-than-subtle message in that statement, Colbert went on to discuss Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers and the war in Iraq. But the administration wasn't the only target on the show, the media was on the receiving end of a good chunk of the barbs. Coming into a segment detailing the top five stories that should induce fear, Colbert said: "Like any good newsman, I believe if you're not scared, then I'm not doing my job."
And the first guest, NBC's Stone Phillips, sat through an interview with Colbert that appeared awkward at times and concluded with the newsman unable to answer this question about his network: Name three nights on NBC where there's neither a "Dateline" or a "Law and Order." But Phillips and Colbert got it together with an anchor face-off to prove almost anything can sound important if it's said right.
Said TV Newser: "If 'The Daily Show' is a satire of the news, 'The Colbert Report' is a satire of the news-about-the-news." If the early returns from blogs are any indication, Jon Stewart may soon have some competition for all those magazine covers he graces.
"Sort of reminds me of Saturday Night Live's Weekend Report, but in a half hour format. Lately SNL hasn't been funny at all, but Colbert is. I was laughing throughout."Primetime TV
"Colbert's deadpan delivery as a right-wing, self-important, patriotic-to-a-fault news show host really hits the mark. I was literally laughing out loud."Wonkette didn't hate it:
"The Colbert Report's shtick will be familiar to any Daily Show viewer -- Colbert's fatuous, arrogant character deadpans nonsense and near nonsense in the exact low tones of our most trusted (or, uhm, at least highest-rated) news anchors."Media Girl wondered if Colbert might usurp Jon Stewart's position as King of Satirical News Broadcasting:
"By all means, tune in tomorrow. If he keeps this up, Jon Stewart is going to wind up being the opening act."But a few wondered if Colbert could keep up the act beyond the premiere:
"The premiere, while funny, lacked any real substance. It works as an introduction, but there is no gauging the show at this point. Stephen Colbert is funny, and he is a perfect choice for poking fun at celebrity journalists who mask opinion as fact, but can he maintain what already looks like a one-trick pony?"Chicago Tribune'sThe Watcher:
"The biggest question hanging over "The Colbert Report" is whether the show's sendup of the pomposity and fear-mongering of cable news blowhards will be as appealing in the long term as 'The Daily Show's."But Stefan Koski's faith didn't waver:
"Let me be the first to say it was absolutely hilarious. Anyone who had any doubts about whether or not Stephen could hold his own with his own television show needs to now whip themselves as penance for their lack of faith."