It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
Who else would have the guts to make fun of a president sitting on the same dais at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner? And actually manage to do it without going over the top? The only ones who ended up offended were the correspondents because they took the brunt of his jokes. The non-press loved his routine.
What other comedian could appeal so easily to politicians at opposite ends of the spectrum? Colbert plays a caricature of himself, a narrow-minded, self-serving conservative who is actually socially liberal in real life.
Any politician with a sense of humor is happy to appear with him. 2008 Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee even asked him to be his running mate.
What other liberal comedian could have a U.S. military that absolutely adores him?
It was Colbert who felt badly about the “forgotten” troops in Iraq and arranged to have his show taped there for a week. Not only did he have the top military brass appear as guests on his show, but he arranged to have President Obama on a live satellite feed order him to have a military haircut.
Witnessing Colbert’s brand of humor is something to behold. It’s almost hard to describe. His shtick demands the combination of a quick wit, a keen intelligence, and the ability to keep a straight face. With his guests he has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of history and current events. He has a way of keeping them honest without embarrassing them. It’s little wonder that even the most controversial figures will make repeat visits on his show.
How Colbert became an American icon is intimately captured in Lisa Rogak’s new biography of him, “And Nothing But the Truthiness: The Rise (and Further Rise) of Stephen Colbert.” Although he came from a very large and loving family he had to overcome tragedy and career failures before achieving success. His greatest attribute has been to always stay grounded. Colbert has maintained a sense of humility and treated his peers and underlings with respect. It’s hard to find anyone who has a bad word to say about him.
His cleverness and popularity has led to some innovative ideas on his show. He has a regular segment called “Better Know a District” where he tapes interviews with congressmen and women from around the country. It has produced some of the funniestmoments on his show, especially if the representatives aren’t sure if he’s serious or not.
When he heard the government of Hungary was having a naming contest for a new bridge over the Danube River he mobilized his viewers to bombard the website with so many votes for himself that he won. The Hungarian government changed the rules midstream to avoid giving the bridge his name, but tried to make amends by having the Hungarian ambassador to the United States appear on his show.
The same thing happened when NASA sponsored a contest to name a new module on the International Space Station. They also nixed the Colbert name on a technicality although it did lead to his “training” by NASA as an astronaut.
Sometimes his brainstorms have a positive effect. Colbert came to the rescue of the 2010 U.S. Olympic speed skating team after their sponsoring bank went bankrupt, volunteering to have Colbert Nation (i.e., his viewers) sponsor the team through donations. His appeal netted the $300,000 needed to make up the shortfall. Other inspirations have raised money for many different charities, mainly in public education.
Stephen Colbert is an enigma as well as an icon. His arrogant, blowhard alter-ego has a way of appealing to the masses, but his true persona he is one of a humble guy who keeps his ego in check. After experiencing “And Nothing But the Truthiness” you realize that Colbert’s successis well deserved and couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
Book Notes
Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
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Book Notes: Baseball book features local contributors
Baseball is part of the nation’s fabric. Most kids have a memory of the game either from playing Little League, attending a major league contest or meeting a favorite player. In Cooperstown that feeling is magnified since we are the official home of baseball. We get to see firsthand what has made the sport the national pastime.
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Book Notes: Living the magic of ‘Hoosier’
A lot of people consider “Hoosiers” the best sports film of all time. The 1986 classic follows the exploits of a fictional small town Indiana high school basketball team in 1952 as it attempts to achieve the impossible dream of a state championship. The story is inspired by the true life achievement of the 1954 Milan team, who with an enrollment of only 161 students shocked big city power Muncie Central on a last second shot to win the state title. It’s the kind of sports story that represents something that is hard to grasp unless you live in a small town.
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Book Notes: Kennedy: a unique individual
It’s been almost 50 years since the Kennedy assassination shocked the nation. Since then much has been written about President John F. Kennedy and whether he would have achieved his destiny (whatever that may have been) if he had lived. It is said he inspired young people in a way that has never been equaled. And there is the notion of Camelot, espoused by his widow Jackie, that there will never be a time of hope and promise like that again.
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Book Notes: Garner’s memoir: never a dull moment
It isn’t easy for an actor to have one successful television series, let alone two. And it’s even more difficult to combine those with a thriving movie career. Usually someone succeeds at one medium, but not the other. But, then, James Garner is not your typical actor.
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Book Notes: Feinstein’s latest is sheer enjoyment
Most people who follow sports have probably heard of John Feinstein. As a nationally known author, sportswriter, pundit and broadcaster, he has brought a unique angle to sports journalism. His groundbreaking book on Bobby Knight’s 1986-87 Indiana University basketball team, “A Season on the Brink,” still resonates today as an all-time classic.
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Book Notes: No Trekkie should miss Shatner’s books
It would be hard to find a television phenomenon as popular as “Star Trek.” Even though it was only on television for three seasons and 79 episodes (1966-69) it attracted viewers and devotees that still follow it passionately 45 years later. The fanatical supportspawned several movies and television spinoffs. Star Trek conventions continue to this day. There has never been anything like it.
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Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
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Book Notes: Grisham doesn’t disappoint
John Grisham is one of this country’s most popular authors. Every time he publishes a book it’s an instant best-seller. He appeared on the scene about 20 years ago with his tense legal thrillers, “A Time to Kill” and “The Firm,”and hasn’t stopped producing top-notch novels since.
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Book Notes: Ebert biography worth experiencing
Roger Ebert is probably the best known film critic in the country. Back in the 1970s he appeared with fellow Chicago-based critic Gene Siskel in a syndicated television program called Sneak Previews that launched the duo into stardom. Their banter about upcoming movies proved extremely popular and they appeared everywhere from talk showsto conventions.
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Book Notes: A tasty tale through culinary college
Anyone who is familiar with the Hudson Valley knows it is one of the most beautiful areas in the state. Among its most appealing attractions is Hyde Park, home of the Franklin D. Roosevelt home and museum. And even more appetizing than the FDR exhibits is a visit to the Culinary Institute of America, where you can wine and dine on delicacies from the next generation of great chefs.
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