The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

[LoathedVermin72]

How's everyone feeling about this so far? I'm not sure what to think yet. I think it might just need to find its footing a bit. I kind of wish they would jettison some of the Report elements that are still lingering, though his interview with Jeb Bush was hilarious.

[Simple Torture]

I like the Report-y elements, mostly because I miss the Report. I think it'll get better as he begins to drop the "OMG I'm the host oft he Late Show!" stuff (although who can blame him? Everyone his age idolizes Letterman). I'm hoping he sticks with the rhythm of one showbiz guest, one political/broader cultural guest per show, plus a musical guest.

[spike]

band leader bugs me

[Norris]

He's no Alfredo Sauce, that's for sure.

[Monkey_Driven]

It is difficult to judge Late Shows in the first year. Let them finding their footing a bit. Colbert is pretty damn talented, he'll figure it out.

[LoathedVermin72]

Yeah, that band is a problem

[Monkey_Driven]

Yeah, that band is a problem

Who do you hate melodicas?

[LoathedVermin72]

A few thoughts so far:

1. I think Colbert should stick to having at least one guest "of substance" on each episode; his interviews with Jeb Bush and Elon Musk have been easily the funniest things on the show so far. He really has a head for those. Though his interview with Joe Biden was much less successful - too much fawning.

2. Right now he has no interview game with celebrities. The George Clooney and Scarlett Johansson interviews were dull as hell. But that may be more on the guests. Hopefully he hones his skills in this area down the road. I think he will.

3. I really hope he ditches the Colbert Report-lite desk segment after the monologue. I am sooooooooooo tired of liberal punditry in comedy (it's everywhere), and I really don't need it on a late night talk show. On the Report, it had an original angle because Colbert was playing a conservative character, which pushed the writers into clever, unique layers of irony and satire. Without that level of performance art, it's basically just The Daily Show (which I've made my feelings clear on before).

4. As has been mentioned, something really needs to be done about that obnoxious band.

5. I am not a fan of the set, primarily because - like TCR - it's adorned with reds, whites, and blues, which constantly evokes politics while you're watching the show. I really am not into that. Again, I hope this is just a matter of the show growing into itself, finding its tone, discovering what its identity is going to be. Right now it plays like a disjointed mix of a watered down Colbert Report/Daily Show and a compromised late night talk show, which perhaps I should have expected. Once it falls more comfortably in one of the two directions, I think it will improve. I'm hoping for primarily a late night talk show with a subtle political edge that expresses itself mainly in the "of substance" guest interview. And I hope Colbert gets ballsier/sharper/harsher in his jokes and interviews - without Letterman or Ferguson, we badly need someone who will take the piss out of...well, everything.

[Norris]

I miss Craig.

[spike]

A few thoughts so far:

1. I think Colbert should stick to having at least one guest "of substance" on each episode; his interviews with Jeb Bush and Elon Musk have been easily the funniest things on the show so far. He really has a head for those. Though his interview with Joe Biden was much less successful - too much fawning.

2. Right now he has no interview game with celebrities. The George Clooney and Scarlett Johansson interviews were dull as hell. But that may be more on the guests. Hopefully he hones his skills in this area down the road. I think he will.

3. I really hope he ditches the Colbert Report-lite desk segment after the monologue. I am sooooooooooo tired of liberal punditry in comedy (it's everywhere), and I really don't need it on a late night talk show. On the Report, it had an original angle because Colbert was playing a conservative character, which pushed the writers into clever, unique layers of irony and satire. Without that level of performance art, it's basically just The Daily Show (which I've made my feelings clear on before).

4. As has been mentioned, something really needs to be done about that obnoxious band.

5. I am not a fan of the set, primarily because - like TCR - it's adorned with reds, whites, and blues, which constantly evokes politics while you're watching the show. I really am not into that. Again, I hope this is just a matter of the show growing into itself, finding its tone, discovering what its identity is going to be. Right now it plays like a disjointed mix of a watered down Colbert Report/Daily Show and a compromised late night talk show, which perhaps I should have expected. Once it falls more comfortably in one of the two directions, I think it will improve. I'm hoping for primarily a late night talk show with a subtle political edge that expresses itself mainly in the "of substance" guest interview. And I hope Colbert gets ballsier/sharper/harsher in his jokes and interviews - without Letterman or Ferguson, we badly need someone who will take the piss out of...well, everything.

[LoathedVermin72]

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

I miss Craig.

[Norris]

I also miss the horse.

[PHATJ]

I miss Craig.

Kilborn?





Ferguson's show was awesome.

[PHATJ]

3. I really hope he ditches the Colbert Report-lite desk segment after the monologue. I am sooooooooooo tired of liberal punditry in comedy (it's everywhere), and I really don't need it on a late night talk show. On the Report, it had an original angle because Colbert was playing a conservative character, which pushed the writers into clever, unique layers of irony and satire. Without that level of performance art, it's basically just The Daily Show (which I've made my feelings clear on before).

4. As has been mentioned, something really needs to be done about that obnoxious band.

I agree with all of your points actually. I just REALLY agree with these two.

[Strat]

His Biden interview was fantastic.

[LoathedVermin72]

Is it bad that I want Colbert to be less enthusiastic/excited? I think a good late night host needs to be a little darker/more jaded. His excitement level is uncomfortably close to Fallon-level right now.

[LoathedVermin72]

For fuck's sake that band needs to go.

[spike]

For fuck's sake that band needs to go.

[Norris]

Is it bad that I want Colbert to be less enthusiastic/excited? I think a good late night host needs to be a little darker/more jaded. His excitement level is uncomfortably close to Fallon-level right now.

I miss Craig.

[LoathedVermin72]

Is it bad that I want Colbert to be less enthusiastic/excited? I think a good late night host needs to be a little darker/more jaded. His excitement level is uncomfortably close to Fallon-level right now.

I miss Craig.

I saw him on @midnight last night. It was very hard.