Colbert @ WH Dinner

[noodle]

the man deserves a medal, if for nothing else than to have the ability to actually get up there and say all this with an unwaivering straight face in front of some of the most powerful people in the world.

full thing, split up into three:
part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcIRXur61II
part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN0INDOkFuo
part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJvar7BKwvQ

[RebelFencer]

I was only slightly dissappointed that he didn't put anyone on notice. But damn dude, he and Jon Stewart (Crossfire appearance) have balls of titanium.

[Peach]

Hilarious.

(edited to add that it is about the level of an extended "Tonight Show" spoof and not nearly as controversial as the media seem to think; perhaps it is just that the President's low approval ratings are emboldening people to express mild shock that somebody else noticed all this stuff.)

[lochinvar]

Just remember: Don't drink it. The last third is mostly back-wash.

[rcmatthews]

When he interviews congresspeople for the "better know a district" segment on the show, he is a lot more scathing. that video clip was actually pretty mild compared to the show.

[RebelFencer]

Well I'm sure he didn't want the top 2/3 of his next drink to be POISON!

[mrbiggs]

Stephen Colbert is a genius.

[Peach]

transcript is here.

[rcmatthews]

One time on the show he made some Latina congresswoman from california speak in spanish, and then just completely said something different as a translation.

[mrbiggs]

When he interviews congresspeople for the "better know a district" segment on the show, he is a lot more scathing. that video clip was actually pretty mild compared to the show.

Those interviews are amazing. But the interviews are taped and edited, then shown to his audience directly. This was given in front of a completely hostile crowd, where his only opportunity to get laughs or applause was from the people he was mocking.

This is even better than Jon Stewart's Crossfire thing. And that says something.

[rcmatthews]

Oh i agree, I just think he could have pushed harder. He seemed to have lost a little bit of the haughtiness and condescending attitude that he has on the show. Of course, I don;t think I would be very comfortable making fun of the president when he was about 5 feet away from me.

[Gav]

Who is this Stephen Colbert?

[Inquartata]

I seem to be missing the brilliance, somehow. Maybe it loses something on the printed page ( I just read the transcript ), but it doesn't exactly strike me as Algonquin Roundtable stuff...

I mean, Dr. Smith on Lost in Space did more scathing insults than that. What am I missing?

[RebelFencer]

You really had to see the reaction of the very right wing crowd to get the full effect. It was somewhat uncomfortable.

[RITFencing]

Who is this Stephen Colbert?

A mock pundit who runs a satirical news show. See also The Daily Show with John Stewart.

[Gav]

Thanks.
We get the Daily show so I know who he is.

[Bayou Bum]

Those interviews are amazing. But the interviews are taped and edited, then shown to his audience directly. This was given in front of a completely hostile crowd, where his only opportunity to get laughs or applause was from the people he was mocking.

This is even better than Jon Stewart's Crossfire thing. And that says something.

Actually, he was in front of a crowd that hates Bush more than anyone ... the correspondents. Of course, no one made more fun of Bush than himself, and why not, he has all of us to laugh at. Why shouldn't he make fun of himself ... no one can do anything to him. He will serve the remainder of his term and retire to Texas. He will have a legacy (either good or bad) that will be remembered long after other presidents (ie Clinton or Bush 1) are forgotten. In other words, Bush has accomplished his goals and gets the last laugh.

[Epee_Pox]

I did think it was funny, but let's not give the guy "cojones" kudos here -- after all, the whole POINT of this dinner is to skewer the President and the Media. I hear Colbert is actually a conservative in real life, and uses that to make his skewering even more effective in his TV persona.

The Pres did an even better job skewering himself, by having a lookalike stand next to him translating what he's REALLY thinking when he speaks. Particularly liked his line about "continuing to spread our agenda around the world, and even internationally."

[rcmatthews]

I don't know what his political affiliation is, but I always thought of him as more of a liberal. Though I think his TV personality is target mostly at Bill O'reilly.

[mrbiggs]

Actually, he was in front of a crowd that hates Bush more than anyone ... the correspondents.

You're right, it wasn't a completely hostile crowd. It's still not easy to put on a persona like that in front of the people you're mocking, though.