Colbert Report (lost some edge lately?)

[TeighVaux]

Is it just me or has The Colbert Report lost its edge lately? Not even so much "edge", but just its sharp comedy. Seems as for the past few months, it just isn't as funny. He'd have a few weak shows every now and then, but now it seems like the weaker shows are the rule.

Perhaps he is distracted since he has gained fame. Maybe they lost their rhythm after the writers' strike.

Also, I am surprised he can't get more well known people for his interviews. I'd say I have never even heard of the majority of his interviewees. Maybe the politicians are afraid to come on, they are pretty much boycotting Better Know a District.

Anyone else notice this?

[MickeS]

I haven't watched it since I canceled cable a couple of months ago, but I just found out that it's on Hulu:
http://www.hulu.com/the-colbert-report

I'll watch the latest episode right now and will let you know. ;)

[LoadStar]

Also, I am surprised he can't get more well known people for his interviews. I'd say I have never even heard of the majority of his interviewees. Maybe the politicians are afraid to come on, they are pretty much boycotting Better Know a District.

Well, in response to this, with The Daily Show, Jon Stewart often interviews authors and such that are probably not household names, but they've written something that fascinates him. I expect that The Colbert Report is probably very similar at this point.

Plus, The Colbert Report _is_ probably a harder show to book interviewees for, because of his interviewing style on the show. He varies wildly how closely he sticks to his "conservative TV pundit" character through interviews. Sometimes he goes all in 100%, other times not at all. I'm sure potential interviewees have seen this and may not want to go on the show because they can't deal with that sort of uncertainty. Additionally, the level of seriousness to the interviews varies just as wildly. Sometimes he seems to be dead serious, other times he goes for laughs. And often times, Colbert's levity seems to be inversely proportional to how earnestly the guest wants to get a serious point across, which isn't particularly a great way to treat guests.

[ElJay]

I thought the appearance with Cookie Monster was hilarious.

I haven't noticed a difference, but they did lose writer Eric Drysdale (aka "Bobby") after the strike, so maybe that's part of the equation.

[Mike Farrington]

Here's a post I made about the writers in a recent thread...

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=6263353#post6263353

[TeighVaux]

Here's a post I made about the writers in a recent thread...

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=6263353#post6263353

Thanks for the link, Mike. I like when he does his ongoing routines- BKAD, Formidable Opponent, The word, Threat Down, On Notice/Dead to Me.
I haven't noticed him doing those too often lately (except The Word).

I agree that people are more hestitant to be interviewed because he interviews in character. I think TDS gets better guests and Jon is a better interviewer, although I like Stephen's comedy better.

[4inziksych]

I think they've both lost some edge, get tired of the fake interviews when they don't allow people to actually speak. It gets old. But they're both still funny at times. I watch them sometimes, they just aren't required watching any more.

I wish Stewart would come down harder on some of his guests (Scott McClellon for one). He should do to their faces what he does when they're not there to answer/defend themselves. I think Stewart's a sissy (but a funny smart sissy).

[TeighVaux]

I think they've both lost some edge, get tired of the fake interviews when they don't allow people to actually speak. It gets old. But they're both still funny at times. I watch them sometimes, they just aren't required watching any more.

I wish Stewart would come down harder on some of his guests (Scott McClellon for one). He should do to their faces what he does when they're not there to answer/defend themselves. I think Stewart's a sissy (but a funny smart sissy).

That's about where I am. I no longer watch TDS at all unless I see ahead of time that there is an interesting guest. Then I will just tune in for the interview or stream it.

I don't watch Colbert in real time but go on to the comedy central web site the next day and stream the segments.

[MickeS]

Well I watched that one with the cookie monster, and I though it was fun. I agree the guests seem to be less and less well known, probably hard to book them for reasons mentioned here already.

[Cindy1230]

I thought the appearance with Cookie Monster was hilarious.

Well I watched that one with the cookie monster, and I though it was fun.

:up: Me too!
I have no reason to stay up to date with seasme street, but was glad to see they are teaching kids it is not okay to eat cookies all the time.

And the green screen contests usually turn up some funny stuff.

I agree, depending on the guest will detemine if I watch the whole interview, otherwise, I only watch the first 15 mins of TDS and Colbert. But I think it's hilarious when Colbert breaks character and cracks up.

And the funniest moments end up making the rounds on YouTube anyway.

[4inziksych]

The cookie monster one was cute, but I have a feeling Adolph Hitler would look appealing and charming next to Cookie Monster. No matter how old you are, CM is bound to make you feel good!

[Bananfish]

The cookie monster one was cute, but I have a feeling Adolph Hitler would look appealing and charming next to Cookie Monster. No matter how old you are, CM is bound to make you feel good!

To sum up:

C is for Cookie Monster, and that's good enough for me.

[MickeS]

The cookie monster one was cute, but I have a feeling Adolph Hitler would look appealing and charming next to Cookie Monster. No matter how old you are, CM is bound to make you feel good!

Adolf. I don't know why people insist on spelling it with ph.

Sorry, pet peeve of mine. :p