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Old 04-10-2014, 10:29 PM
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Science In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

So, Stephen Colbert will be replacing David Letterman as host of The Late Show after Dave's retirement in 2015. It's come up in Miscellany already, but it needs its own thread so we can bump it in a couple of years and brag about how right we were.

I think this is an awful idea. I very much hope I'm wrong and that Colbert finds a way to make the cheeseball interview network late night format fresh and interesting. If he does, it won't be because of anything that make him great on the Report, though. Obviously the character is out. Vast swaths of satire will be out too because no matter how much lip service they like to pay to cutting edge comedy, the politics of network TV require that these hosts be fundamentally toothless.

I've only seen Colbert being himself in interviews, most memorably the warm, moving and delightful ones with Henry Louis Gates. Jr. for his genealogy series Faces of America. He seems like an awesome guy on a personal level, gentle, pensive and erudite as fuck. If I were to pick a show for that person to host, it would be something on CSPAN or PBS.

I know why CBS picked him, even at the cost of having to pay Craig Ferguson a multi-million dollar penalty. It's because of Colbert's coveted youthful demo. But what's in it for Stephen? I have to assume he has some kind of plan, a way to make this work, because he doesn't strike me as the type to just do it for the money.

What say you?
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Old 04-10-2014, 10:38 PM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I am really surprised he accepted the job. Why give up his own successful show?
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Old 04-10-2014, 10:50 PM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I totally think Stephen Colbert makes a great host for strings of guests who have to hawk things for various reasons. He's totally smart and can ask the wrong and cutting questions in a way that entertains and informs. But also, like livius states, there's no way a major network will allow those kinds of shenanigans on a post primetime late show. Just about everything else that makes Colbert endearing and valuable will be sapped away by the great desaturator that is primetime major network politics.

What's in it for him? Well, money and recognition and maybe a platform for his charities and such. We already know what's in it for CBS. A bright shining star that can rejuvenate their late night line up.

I think it's good for him even at the same time I lament the loss for us.
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Old 04-10-2014, 11:00 PM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I like his character but the few time's I've seen Colbert as himself he's a pretty interesting and awesome guy, his interviews are always nice to the guests but prodding in a way that is often lacking in late night fluff. This has the bonus of meaning there's a chance Neil deGrasse Tyson might become a standard guest on a primetime latenight show.

I quite like Craig Ferguson too but his absurdist comedy seems more fitting for a later time slot.
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Old 04-10-2014, 11:14 PM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

There were two things in the AV Club article and comments that made me feel pretty good about this. In the article there a link to an interview with Jon Stewart in which he says that Colbert has all sorts of levels we haven't seen yet and he thinks he' be great at one of these shows. The second is someone in the comments pointing out that Colbert and his lawyers are smart enough not to sign the deal without significant creative control.

So, yeah, I"m pretty good with this. But I am curious as to whether he'll go back to the real pronunciation of his name.
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Old 04-11-2014, 12:21 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I said it in Miscellany, but yeah, I think he will do good work in that format, I just think it is a waste of his talents.

The late night TV format just needs to die, IMO. Ari brings up a good point, in terms of him bringing in great guests. He could end up elevating what those shows have become. I have a bad feeling, though, that guests for those shows are determined more by whatever that network's giant media conglomerate family wants to promote that day. Shows of that ilk have become nothing more than interviews advertise whatever other media they want to sell us. They don't really cover interesting cultural topics, it is just another stop on the press junket for entertainers.

We have the internet now, we don't need that. I am not sure that either network is going to get young people to watch those shows by just getting younger hosts. If anything, The Colbert Report and Daily Show were already elevating that format to what it needs to become. They have more choice in selecting guests being buried at the bottom of the dial.
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Old 04-11-2014, 12:25 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I'm good with it. When Letterman announced his retirement last week, I speculated to my wife that Colbert would make a p. good replacement. It's his rappor [SIC] with the guests, the stabbing... er, probing questions. I think he will do fine. He probably will draw me away from the silly Jimmy Fallon.

We all lose though, unless he somehow continues the Colber Repor on the side.
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Old 04-13-2014, 01:42 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

Quote:
Originally Posted by livius drusus View Post
I know why CBS picked him, even at the cost of having to pay Craig Ferguson a multi-million dollar penalty. It's because of Colbert's coveted youthful demo. But what's in it for Stephen? I have to assume he has some kind of plan, a way to make this work, because he doesn't strike me as the type to just do it for the money.

What say you?
I agree that they picked the wrong Stephen Colbert.

It seems like CBS requested that he drop his character, and that seems like a corporate conspiracy to buy out the loudest liberal mouth piece in show business and repackage him as a mortal man rather than the satrical character we know and love. What does Colbert get? Money and success; and maybe a platform that will further what he has accomplished with The Report. I remember watching the first episode in 2005, as I was already a Stewart fan (I used to do babby homework during that time slot and watch TV) and I can't imagine him coming back weaker, but better. Knowing him, he probably agreed to drop his character as a ploy. I mean, how can anyone tell Stephen Colbert apart from Stephen Colbert? He's still (almost as) equally free to speak his mind as he was working for Viacom, and the age of conservative late night talk shows is dead. Not that Letterman was a straight face in his prime, but these days he is stale bread. Someone with blood in their skin is nice. I wonder also, if they wanted not an actor (as Colbert really is) but a TV personality, why not Jon Stewart? I would much rather see Jon Oliver in Stewart's chair, Stewart in Letterman's chair, and Stephen where he has always been. Looking forward to see what Comedy Central invents to fill the black hole left behind, regardless.
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Old 04-13-2014, 01:45 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I also love Craig, but I'd rather he switches places with Drew Carey and do the Price is Right all the time. Let me just get my hands in there, CBS. (Central Bile System)
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Old 04-13-2014, 02:52 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

His character is extremely funny over an extended period of time (really hard to do), we will see if he is funny outside of that environment. Dave was 'edgy' back in the day, that was fun .. now kinda' stale, agree that it was time to go.
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Old 04-13-2014, 04:04 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I was listening to the Barber Shop on NPR past night and they had an interesting take.

Pablo mentioned that he actually agreed with Limbaugh. Big shock! Limbaugh said that while late night TV has always been subversive against the All American Family Values, Colbert is an overt attack. An attack against all the holy of holies.

If that is what they bring into production I will cheer. The Barber shop's other front runners were Chris Rock and Tina Fey, before Colbert. How awesome would that have been?
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Old 04-13-2014, 04:10 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

Quote:
Originally Posted by livius drusus View Post
Vast swaths of satire will be out too because no matter how much lip service they like to pay to cutting edge comedy, the politics of network TV require that these hosts be fundamentally toothless.
This is my greatest fear as well. Network TV has always been notoriouly tame. (That being said they did allow Bill Hicks on Letterman...). I love all the optimism in this thread and hope he has the chops to pull it off. He's truly one of my favorite TV personalities and I'd hate to see it go badly for him.
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Old 04-13-2014, 08:12 PM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I'll be sad that The Colbert Report is ending, but I also think Stephen is one of the few people who could really shake late night up in a good way.

Certainly should be better than Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel or Seth Myers.
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Old 04-14-2014, 12:57 PM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

erimir is very smart (not to mention good-looking) and I agree with everything he says.

Better than Conan?
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Old 04-14-2014, 09:59 PM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I left out Conan because I'm not certain Colbert will be better than Conan at his best. But probably.
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Old 04-16-2014, 12:17 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

Well, Colbert can beat anyone not named Conan at the late night game with his eyes closed. I don't think that's even a question here. The only thing I'm worried about is whether or not they make him check in his fangs before he goes on air, because he could be amazing if they don't put a big leash on his ass.
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Old 04-19-2014, 06:28 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I'm sure he will keep at least some of his writers. Ferguson is pretty raunchy but like Colbert, his best jokes are clever innuendos. If anything I think Craig kicked it up a notch since he heard the news, his monologue in response to it was pure genius in that he clearly said everything he wanted to say in such a hackneyed and silly way that no one could possibly take it serious enough to take offense to it.
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Old 04-25-2014, 03:29 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gonzo View Post
I also love Craig, but I'd rather he switches places with Drew Carey and do the Price is Right all the time. Let me just get my hands in there, CBS. (Central Bile System)
Don't get me started on Drew Carey doing the Price is Right. The man has about as much charisma as a block of stone. He is both totally unfunny and completely boring as a host. Bob Barker has his flaws, but at least the man was entertaining and capable of carrying a show. He's absolutely terrible as a host.

On the issue of Colbert, I think he can definitely be successful as a late night host on network television. While I've never been able to catch his show due to working nights, I have seen clips of some of his segments which are always well done. I also remember his stint at the White House Correspondents Dinner. It was probably one of the best performances I've seen and definitely memorable.
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Old 04-25-2014, 03:55 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I love Stephen Colbert and I agree with everything he says, wherever he says it.
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Old 04-25-2014, 06:15 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

:narrow: Doesn't that mean you're a conservative Republican?
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Old 04-25-2014, 11:43 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

Only ironically.
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Old 04-25-2014, 02:01 PM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

Maybe Larry Wilmore could take over the Colbert Report time slot.
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Old 04-25-2014, 03:02 PM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

I would really like that. Larry Wilmore is one of my favorite correspondents and tragically underused.
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Old 04-29-2014, 04:54 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

Well now we know why Craig Ferguson didn't take the contracted spot.
Craig Ferguson announces he will leave ‘Late Late Show’ in December
Ferguson decided to leave before Dave's retirement was announced and certainly didn't want that show/time-slot.
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Old 04-29-2014, 05:18 AM
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Default Re: In Which We Opine Over Colbert's Move to CBS

Quote:
Originally Posted by viscousmemories View Post
I love Stephen Colbert and I agree with everything he says, wherever he says it.
What if he said Natalie Portman was a hideous, talentless beast of a woman who has no business being in front of a camera? Would agree with him then?
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