Our Mirror is Dead: a Eulogy for Stephen Colbert

[Derek V]

(Edited from original version.)

The man, of course, will live on, taking over The Late Show from David Letterman next year. But the host of The Colbert Report no longer exists, and that is a tragedy for our country.

Jon Stewart of The Daily Show is, to be certain, a valuable national asset who, four nights a week, provides a valuable service to America. But Stewart is a gatherer and transmitter: He absorbs, in a very gifted way few others can match, the national zeitgeist, then coalesces it into a very coherent, very funny message, which is then broadcast to the nation. Jon Stewart tells us what's going on.

Not Colbert. Instead, through irony, satire and, yes, deliberate sarcasm. he showed us what we're doing as a people. For nearly a decade now, the cipher named Stephen Colbert, created by the artist named Stephen Colbert, has been our collective national mirror.

In Oliver Stone's Nixon, there's a scene late in the movie that I find myself reminded of: The Supreme Court has just ruled against him, and the House Panel has just voted Articles of Impeachment. The now-disgraced President, with a drink in his hand, gazes at the portrait of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who bested him in electoral battle, and continues to do so in the hearts of most Americans. Speaking directy to the portrait of his handsome, beloved predecessor, Sir Anthony Hopkins, in the title role, delivers one of the most searing lines in the history of cinema:

"When they look at you," says the half-drunk President, "they see what they'd like to be. When they look at me, they see what they are."

It is precisely this kind of scathing self-reflection that The Colbert Report has been providing to this country lo these many years. TCR never once flinched from showing America to America. This service will be sorely missed.

Derek Vanderxxxxxx

[Cha]

1. Yes, The Colbert Report will be missed so much! However, it's going to be so

Interesting to see him as the host of The Late Night Show.. I can't even believe that's happening!

Our country is fortunate that Letterman has been a good voice for Democracy in his Late Night venue all these years.. and we've lucked out again with Stephen Colbert.

Thanks Derek V We'll see if his Colbert Report seeps into his Late Night Show.

[Derek V]

17. I hope you're right, my friend

But broadcast networks are even more damn corporate than cable ones.

[Avalux]

45. Hi Cha!

I agree with you that it will be interesting, but I will miss the persona he created with The Colbert Report. As host of the Late Show he will most likely be himself, without the "truthiness" lol. We'll have to see what happens. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised!

[Cha]

53. Aloha Avalux! Pics of some of the last Colbert "truthiness" @George Washington University..

TheObamaDiary.com @TheObamaDiary
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President Obama with Stephen Colbert at George Washington University
12:04 PM - 8 Dec 2014 46 Retweets 21 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/08/chat-away-459/



http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/08/the-presidents-day-26/

[billhicks76]

65. It's Like Waking From A Dream

Having something coming to an end that we wanted to last forever. BUT maybe it's part of the metamorphosis. He won't be in character any longer but if he is an obvious liberal now and not a liberal pretending to be a faux news smug fool maybe it will burst the bubble of some of the idiots that never caught on to the act. Believe it or not some still don't get it so this can be a nice, natural transition.

[TNNurse]

2. We are losing a treasure in The Colbert Report.

However, over the last few years, Letterman began to speak up with opinions, sort of like Jack Paar (Telling my age there). To have such a voice again on a major network is a good idea. I believe Stephen Colbert can fill that roll. He can entertain, interview and also speak his mind. Oh, how I hope he speaks his mind.

[pipoman]

3. Carson got more punditly in his later years too...

My problem is that I really don't find political satire/comedy very funny regardless the political bent of the comedy. At best it sometimes makes me smile, almost never actually a laugh.

I grew up with Letterman. Loving him on Carson's show, then in the 80's watching him every night while falling asleep. I remember belly laughing while watching. ..Larry Bud Melman, and the host of bit actors....just the comedy in general, always some political satire, but not the whole monolog. I haven't watched with any regularity for at least a decade when the show went wildly political. ..again, it isn't that i disagree with his politics, just don't find it that funny..

[Derek V]

19. Might I ask a personal question, TNNurse?

In going over the preprovided avatars here, I haven't seen (or must have missed) yours, which I've now observed in various threads.

Is that actually you in that photo? If so, I hope you'll allow a 49-year-old Danish-American boy to say, "You're a cutie!"

[dixiegrrrrl]

21. Derek..that is pic of Molly Ivins.

Altho I am sure that TNNurse is also a cutie...........

[Derek V]

23. Molly Ivins was badass

I still remember when Pat Buchanan (why on Earth is he still on the McLaughlin Group???) gave his "cultural war" speech at the 1992 GOP convention. She was asked what she thought of the speech and she replied, "I liked it better in the original German." You probably already know that, but I just thought I'd mention it anyway.

[TNNurse]

42. I loved that quote, she was brilliant.

[TNNurse]

41. How kind, Derek.

I wish Molly Ivins was still around to read what you said about HER photo. She was a woman I admired greatly. I am a white haired 65 yo woman.... not been called a cutie in quite awhile.

[Derek V]

46. Yeah. Sure!

I bet you're still saying "Love to, but I have to wash my hair!" every night!

[Feral Child]

4. Extremely well written post.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us so elegantly.

[Derek V]

24. Thank you!

I've never written any nonfiction professionally, but have written (and been paid for) a few pieces of short fiction.

[Feral Child]

27. Cool!

I got a note-length article published in an academic journal once. I doubt it was read by a Multitude, probably only a casual scanning by a few folks specifically interested in the subject, which was quite obscure.

An actual pay-check published piece is very cool.

[Derek V]

47. The grand, sum total I've been paid thus far?

$316.80

Still, it's nice to be able to say I'm officially a pro.

[Hotler]

5. The PTB will make Colbert tone down his satire and sarcasm.

He has his money and that is all that matters.

[randome]

6. A good night's sleep can often make you feel better.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[onecent]

8. Hi Hotier, I am not disputing your post...you are probably right...

however, I have a strange and good feeling about this change. Colbert is difficult to ignore....he really is a master...and the best part is he doesn't give a shit what anyone cares about him..and that's one reason I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. If he doesn't like it, I am sure Jon will take him back in a heartbeat!!!!

And the best part is, "Colblert GROWS ON YOU"....I wasn't impressed at first, but now I see how ridiculous some of his stuff is and YOU CANNOT HELP BUT almost become mystified by the genius in him.

I also think there is no one YET to follow Carson....but I believe Colbert will do this job and I cannot wait!!!!

I suspect when he takes over the Letterman show he will be a force to be reckoned with..at least I hope so. I don't think there is anyone that can make Colbert just change like that....
Hugs to you

[mountain grammy]

11. Exactly, he does grow on you. I too wasn't an early fan

but soon caught on. The man's a genius. I think Stephen is far beyond Carson and more on par with the great Jack Parr (sorry, I couldn't resist.)
I am looking forward to Larry Wilmore's new show and will continue to be a faithful Colbert watcher!

[Derek V]

25. Again, I hope you all are right

But I'm worried. I mean, CBS???

[derby378]

16. Notice how those same PTB effectively muzzled Colbert at the WH Correspondent's Dinner in 2006

As in, no, they didn't. Colbert skewered The Decider right there on the podium only feet away from Bush, and the Secret Service never bundled him away.

Glorious.

[SalviaBlue]

32. ^^^ This ^^^^

I agree, derby378, they will never know what hit them. I know people that thought he was a real republican when his show first started.

Colbert's brilliance goes right over their head.

[arcane1]

35. That was one of the most beautiful tings I have ever seen.

I may have to watch it again tonight

[colorado_ufo]

63. A thing of beauty and a joy forever, that was!

[Cleita]

34. Not to worry.

He'll get his point across while the PTB think he's propping them up.

I know many a Fox News Kool-Aid drinker who love Steve. They don't realize he's making fun of them with his sly delivery.

[City Lights]

7. Excellent post!

The Colbert Report will be sorely missed in my house. Best of luck to Stephen though. He is bursting with talent.

[Derek V]

48. Let's hope that bursting continues

With CBS I have my doubts. But I hope that I'm wrong.

[freebrew]

9. Best thing is...

I get to see him again!

I've been strictly airwaves for 3 years now.
Only satellite interwebs, not TV.
I use my assigned bandwidth for Jon and here(DU).

Can't wait.

[matelize]

10. Satirical Truth Telling

Stephen Colbert is a true genius. He was always able to tear away the facade, and make us think about all the warts on our Nation. I will miss the Colbert Report, but know he will do a great job hosting The Late Show. I' m Looking forward to the show tonight from Washington. It should be interesting to watch the banter between him and the President.

[mountain grammy]

12. Meantime, he's in DC this week and will host President Obama tonight..

[Cha]

15. Really? I did not know that.. mahalo mountain grammy

[greiner3]

13. 'The King is dead';

'Long live the king'!

[bvf]

14. I'm sure he'll give an occasional nod

to his nation in his new gig.

He may have to fly below the corporate radar (how far probably depends on his contracts) to do so, but solid fans will see it, I'm sure.

He and his writers were wily enough in the first few years of TCR to garner some conservative fans even as it was openly mocking them.

Glad to see him about to reach a much wider audience, but I'll miss TCR.

[Baitball Blogger]

18. .

[onecent]

20. I am sick I missed the Kennedy honors show...PBS, I assume. Anyone know where I

can get a repeat of this?
Thanks

[mcar]

26. It airs on Dec. 30

They always air it the week between Christmas and New Year's. Don't know what network.

[onecent]

44. Thank you so much...usually on PBS. Public Broadcasting. Thanks!

[librechik]

22. …it will still be Stephen Colbert

the leopard doesn't change his spots. He will still NAIL hypocrisy and get away with it, because he's adorable.

[randome]

39. I think he will, too, but we won't recognize him once he settles in.

He will be closer to the 'real' Colbert, someone we've seen very little of.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font][hr]

[librechik]

43. can't wait!

[Initech]

28. As much as I am sad that we'll no longer have the Colbert Report..

I am very interested to see what he will be bringing to the Late Show table. I wonder if he'll be allowed to bring any of the same material like Prescott Pharmaceuticals with him.

[Lolita46]

29. Good article

Link?

[arcane1]

36. It's not an article n/t

[Lolita46]

37. No article?

What then?

[arcane1]

38. It's a post. It is what it is.

[Lolita46]

50. Know it's a post. Just want the link.

Where's it from?

[arcane1]

51. It's from Derek V's mind :)

[Lolita46]

52. Oh. Okay.

Got it. Finally. Sorry to be a pest. Really am not that dumb. Honest.

[sadoldgirl]

30. Yes, he will be missed,

but I can understand that he might want to broaden the role he
plays. After 9 years he deserves a bigger audience and a change.

I forgot the name of the person, who will take over that time
slot, but he seems to have enough humor as well as sarcasm
to give us a good show as well from a somewhat different
perspective.

We will see.

[Octafish]

31. A hearty welcome to DU, Derek V!

Thanks to the great DUer MinM, an important scene missing from Nixon, Tricky Dick visits CIA and Richard Helms:

Helms portrayal may've been more symbolic than the director wanted, so it got edited out from general release, unfortunately.

[brooklynite]

33. eh.....

Never found him that appealing. In my opinion, there's no value in satirizing someone who's effectively a satire already.

[Derek V]

55. Uh, brooklynite?

That's. The Whole. Damn Point. The Colbert Report is, IN ITS ENTIRETY, a sarcastic joke! Okay?

[brooklynite]

58. I know, but since O'Reilly can't be taken seriously to begin with, what the point of satirizing him?

[WorseBeforeBetter]

59. Is that why Obama agreed to interviews with O'Reilly...

because he can't be taken seriously? What level chess is that?

[Inkfreak]

40. Great OP!!

[Derek V]

66. Thank you!

I did my best.

[KamaAina]

49. To this day, there are wingnuts who believe that Colbert is one of them!

[pacalo]

54. "When they look at me, they see what they are" is the perfect analogy for Colbert's CR persona.

Outstanding OP!

[Derek V]

67. I truly appreciate your very kind words

I am a marginally-successful writer of short fiction, having had published (and been paid for) three stories, with a fourth in a literary mag (translation: no payment).

In writing this "editorial" piece, I tried to pour the same dedication into how I used the words to express myself as I have via fiction, and am very honered to see that you thought of it so highly.

[pacalo]

68. Keep posting because outside-the-box OPs are particularly appreciated.

I'm not surprised to learn you're a writer; I can see that you have a talent for original thought & for expressing yourself well.

I loved your OP.

[annabanana]

56. I so seriously hope he'll revisit the character somehow. NO ONE does satire like him, and no one has

since Jonathan Swift.

The skill with which he wields that scalpel fillets his opponents while they think he's complimenting them. Heady stuff...

Perhaps he'll bring "Stephen Colbert" back as a formidable opponent..

[Manifestor_of_Light]

57. I hope he has Lewis Black on.

Because i love Lewis Black and he's on The Daily Show sometimes.

Lewis Black can appear on a TV show and not drop f-bombs every fifteen seconds. I've seen him do it on Rachel's show.

[cherokeeprogressive]

60. "...a tragedy for our country."

Um, no. Lots of things can be seen as tragic, but to call Colbert's move "tragic" is simple hyperbole.

[Samantha]

61. Extremely perceptive take on the man

and an extremely well-written thread. Thanks for posting it.

Sam

[Spitfire of ATJ]

62. Looking forward to when you can do the same for FOX "News".

[TeamPooka]

64. Colbert is not taking over for Letterman next month.

Letterman's last day has not been chosen or announced yet so Colbert's start date on CBS is yet to be announced too.
It will be sometime in 2015 but we don't know if will be in Feb, June or Sept. yet.

[Derek V]

70. Kicked After Edit