The Colbert Report (TV series)
The Colbert Report is a satirical comedy news program that aired on Comedy Central from 2005 to 2014, created and hosted by Stephen Colbert. The show is a spin-off of The Daily Show and features Colbert portraying an exaggerated version of a right-wing conservative, drawing inspiration from popular cable news personalities, notably Bill O'Reilly. The format includes interviews with politicians, celebrities, and cultural commentary, covering various political and entertainment topics. Over its nine-season run, the series garnered critical acclaim and built a dedicated fan base known as the "Colbert Nation," receiving multiple accolades including six Primetime Emmy Awards and two Peabody Awards.
Colbert's interviews included high-profile guests such as President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and celebrities like Jane Fonda. The show's impact extended beyond entertainment; it encouraged political engagement among younger audiences and even involved a satirical fake presidential campaign in 2007. The Colbert Super PAC, launched in 2011, raised notable funds and highlighted the intersection of entertainment and politics. After 1,447 episodes, The Colbert Report concluded its run on December 18, 2014, leaving a lasting mark on American culture and the landscape of political satire.
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The Colbert Report (TV series)
Identification: Satirical news program hosted by faux conservative Stephen Colbert
Executive Producer: Stephen Colbert (b. 1964)
Date:October 17, 2005–December 18, 2014
Impact
The Colbert Report, a spin-off of the popular comedy news program The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, featured interviews with politicians and celebrity guests as well as commentary from faux-conservative host Stephen Colbert.
After developing his character on The Daily Show, Colbert got his chance to host his own comedy news program in 2005 when Comedy Central started airing The Colbert Report. While creating his on-air persona—an extremely patriotic, right-wing conservative—Colbert and his staff looked to popular cable news hosts for inspiration. The television personality that had the most influence on Colbert was Bill O’Reilly, the conservative Fox News host of The O’Reilly Factor.
While news and politics were the main focus of the show, Colbert also discussed cultural and entertainment headlines. The show, which was a companion to the popular Daily Show, quickly became a hit with critics and fans, the latter of which became referred to as the Colbert Nation. Colbert also managed to attract many high-profile guests from various fields. His political guests have included US Representative Barney Frank, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and even President Barack Obama. Colbert has also interviewed legendary newscasters, such as Tom Brokaw and Charlie Rose, as well as many celebrities, including Jane Fonda and Conan O’Brien. Even the man who inspired Colbert’s character, Bill O’Reilly, appeared on the show. Although the show is a satire, Colbert and his team received several major awards, including six Primetime Emmy Awards and two Peabody Awards.
The Colbert Report had a real impact on American culture and politics during the decade. Colbert ran a fake campaign for the 2008 presidential nomination in 2007, but it only lasted a few weeks. The Colbert Super PAC, formed in 2011, raised more than $1 million according to its January 2012 filing with the Federal Election Commission. The satirical show’s influence was felt in many arenas. Colbert found success in the literary world when his book I Am America (And So Can You!) spent thirteen weeks at the top of the New York Times Best Sellers list in 2007. The show and its host have been the subjects of multiple scholarly essays, and The Colbert Report has even been credited with encouraging young people to take an interest in politics. After 1,447 episodes, The Colbert Report aired its final episode on December 18, 2014.
Bibliography
Colbert, Stephen. I Am America (And So Can You!). New York: Grand Central, 2007. Print.
Daly, Steven. “Stephen Colbert: The Second Most Powerful Idiot in America.” Telegraph [London]. Telegraph Media Group Ltd., 18 May 2008. Web. 10 Aug. 2012.
Kain, Ed. “Stephen Colbert’s Real Advantage: Free Air Time.” The Atlantic. The Atlantic Monthly Group, 17 Jan. 2012. Web. 7 Aug. 2012.
McGrath, Charles. "How Many Stephen Colberts Are There?" New York Times. New York Times, 4 Jan. 2012. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
Saraiya, Sonia. "Colbert's Pitch-Perfect Finale." Salon. Salon Media Group, 19 Dec. 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.