In this Discussion
- agentnumone October 2007
- circlenepal20 November 2007
- doctor5cap October 2007
- dollarflame6 October 2007
- okraparrot5 November 2007
- suit6lion November 2007
- tune1shade October 2007
- walk2sock October 2007
I Am America (And So Can You!)
I just bought Stephen Colbert's new book, I Am America (And So Can You!) and right from the very cover, to the back, to the jacket flaps- it's brilliant. People always point to Swift's "A Modest Proposal" when reaching for an example of satire, but really, Colbert is the ultimate paragon.
Just to add to his unparalleled awesomeness, he is running for president...or is he? He announced that he was, and nobody seems to know if he's joking. Watching CNN analyze and carefully dissect his campaign in order to determine if it is or is not in fact a joke- well, that's just the funniest thing ever. I saw him last week on one of those pundit shows and my sister said, "He's not in character." But then, it seems she was wrong- "wait," I said. "He is in character."
Colbert, in a rare out of character interview, once said that he doesn't let his kids watch his show. And he said that that's because he doesn't want them to associate him with his character- he doesn't want them to think he's joking when he says he loves them, for example. I think that shows, really, the power of this man's satirical skills.
What does a political satirist do? He recognizes what's wrong with our government and what's wrong with the administration and he emphasizes it, mocks it for all of us to see and understand. Colbert is obviously extremely intelligent and knows what needs to be fixed. So if he is really running, he has my vote.
Just to add to his unparalleled awesomeness, he is running for president...or is he? He announced that he was, and nobody seems to know if he's joking. Watching CNN analyze and carefully dissect his campaign in order to determine if it is or is not in fact a joke- well, that's just the funniest thing ever. I saw him last week on one of those pundit shows and my sister said, "He's not in character." But then, it seems she was wrong- "wait," I said. "He is in character."
Colbert, in a rare out of character interview, once said that he doesn't let his kids watch his show. And he said that that's because he doesn't want them to associate him with his character- he doesn't want them to think he's joking when he says he loves them, for example. I think that shows, really, the power of this man's satirical skills.
What does a political satirist do? He recognizes what's wrong with our government and what's wrong with the administration and he emphasizes it, mocks it for all of us to see and understand. Colbert is obviously extremely intelligent and knows what needs to be fixed. So if he is really running, he has my vote.
Comments
Just as a note: he's joking. He was a guest contestant on NPR's "Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me" out of character and when asked [after he said he would crush Giuliani "beneath [his] iron heel"):
"How does the road then play out to the White House for Stephen Colbert?"
"It doesn't. It ends in South Carolina."
Answer!
I'll still miss the "Even Stephven" segment on The Daily Show
That is heart-breaking. Saturday I was at an anti-war rally and I talked to some ppl who said they'd vote for him too. A few days before that I went to an Obama rally (it was awesome. Obama is awesome) and while I love Obama a LOT, I'd still have a tough time deciding between him and Colbert.
Well, thanks for posting this. When was the interview aired? Is it available online? Thanks!
I'm canvassing for Obama in NH in a few weeks- ~whispers~but I'll miss hearing about Colbert
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/21/c...re_n_69262.html
It turns out he's seriously on the ballot in SC, or will be soon.
http://www.npr.org/programs/waitwait/archives.html
He comes on somewhere in the middle. The show itself is fantastic and I highly recommend listening to it all the way through. NPR is fast becoming one of my favorite things in the world.
2.) America is one of my soul children.
3.) I spent a good two hours at my local Barnes and Noble "skimming through" I Am America, but then realized I didn't have enough cash on me. Boo.
But I will get it soon, though. Then I'll have soul twins.
I love you
I didn't even think about that, but you're absolutely right. Pooh.
but... yeah his comedic career would be done... isnt there a law saying something about equal representation in the media while champaining? Wouldnt that mean that he would have to stop his show?! oh my that would suck!
edit: undefined yup...
Good God let's hope not.