Hey you guys,
I want to start out by apologizing in advance for writing about "The Colbert Report". I know I've blogged about him before and I don't want this blog to devolve into the Stephen Colbert fan club but I really must say that "The Colbert Report" is reaching new pinnacles of awesomeness scientists previously never imagined possible.
As of late "The Colbert Report" hasn't just been funny and consistent; at best it's damn near exhilarating. It's one of those rare shows where anything seems possible, and not just because Colbert has been able to rope George Lucas into playing second fiddle to him as the runner-up contestant in his Green Screen Challenge. Or because he got Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem to spoof their iconic images by getting interviewed during a cooking segment (Is it just me or did Fonda and Colbert seem on the verge of making out? Good Lord she spontaneously kissed him no less than three times)
At the beginning of "The Colbert Report" I worried that having to stay in character would severely limit Colbert but just the opposite has happened: it seems to have liberated him. Like MF DOOM, Colbert seems most comfortable when wearing a mask. And how fucking awesome are the new Tak Jansen adventures?
I apologize if someone's already said something to this effect but I kind of feel like my relationship with "The Daily Show" is like a really good marriage: solid, dependable and deeply satisfying but the mystery, wonder and freshness are gone. I still think "The Daily Show" suffers from the absence of a Colbert or Carrell or even Cordry-like standout (John Hodgman's the closest but the impact of his appearances bear a direct relationship to their infrequency) but it's weathered a rough patch and remains one of the two or three funniest shows on television.
"The Colbert Report" on the other hand, is like the giddy infatuation of new love. Anything seems possible. The sky's the limit. Who knows if I'll feel the same way ten years from now but at this point who the hell cares? I'm enjoying this while it lasts.
What do you guys think? I know "The Colbert Report"'s the victim of hype overload but it's been a long time since a television show has made me this consistently happy. Also I officially vow to stop blogging about Stephen Colbert right about now.