The Repor
I just watched the premiere of the Colbert Report. It was highly enjoyable, but I have concerns for its future as a daily program. It seems to me that the show's format severely limits the pool of potential guests. It takes a journalistically-respected but sharp-witted individual to stand up to Colbert's ridiculousness. Stone Phillips did a dynamite job but I can't imagine that there are too many people like him within Comedy Central's reach. The format is fertile ground for comedy, but can envision the Report quickly becoming as redundant as the disposable news magazines it's meant to spoof. I guess it will all depend on who they can book in the coming weeks and months, but I won't be surprised if we see Fareed Zakaria become a weekly visitor.
Comments
Well, I hear they plan to invent some recurring characters -- in particular a fake liberal radio host (played by a famous comedian they haven't yet named) who will be Stephen's recurring foil. If they stock the show with fake guests, I could see them getting some more mileage.
But yeah, I share your basic concern about their ability to crank episodes out on a daily basis. I'd still watch if it was just a test pattern, though, so long as they keep that shrieking eagle intro.
Posted by: tom | October 18, 2005 06:35 AM
The eagle was solid - definitely had me both proud and horrified to be an American. I've never seen the Factor or any such shows... do they have equally ridiculous CG intros?
Posted by: jeff | October 18, 2005 08:25 AM
I also clearly need to make some changes to the comment and trackback color schemes.
Posted by: jeff | October 18, 2005 08:26 AM
A flag theme, I hope. "These comments don't bleed."
Posted by: Kriston | October 18, 2005 09:42 AM
Dude, where's my comment?
Posted by: Kriston | October 18, 2005 09:43 AM
Where's your comment, dude?
(But honestly, is there comment problem? I imagine there's still lots for me to fix around the site. The water damage in the basement was unbelievable.)
Posted by: jeff | October 18, 2005 10:15 AM
It was a little sluggish to post the comment, even after refreshing, that's all. Unacceptable, obv.
Posted by: Kriston | October 18, 2005 11:06 AM