Being familiar with Colbert, I think I have a pretty good idea of his act from reading it.

Personally, I think it's damn funny, very smart writing.

I was actually saying to someone earlier this week that for something to be truly funny, there needs to just enough truth in there to make people feel uncomfortable.

If anything Colbert put a little too much truth in there.

As far as Captain Ed goes:

"There were two problems with Colbert's act. The first is that it wasn't funny"

Well, this is certainly a matter of opinion and taste, but I thought it was hilarious.

Especially because...

"and the second was that it didn't keep with the spirit of the evening. The Correspondents Dinner prides itself on making the evening a safe venue for all"

Yes, this is supposed to be the night where everyone of is buddy-buddy, has a few drinks and feels good about themselves.

Where Bush bringing up an impersonator to make fun of how he pronounces "nuclear" is seen as biting satire.

Well, Colbert came in and blew the cover off the place. His act was more along the lines of the content of real roasts. It was real comedy. Important comedy. Comedy that isn’t “acceptable” or “polite.” It wasn’t tame and it was right on the money.

The truth is funny AND the truth hurts. Colbert proved both over the weekend.

Here are some of the highlights:

On Iraq: "I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq."

On Cheney's hunting incident: "To sit here at the same table with my hero, George W. Bush...I feel like I'm dreaming. Somebody pinch me. You now what, I'm a pretty sound sleeper, that may not be enough...Somebody shoot me in the face."

On Bush's response to global warming: "[Talking to Jesse Jackson] is like boxing a glacier...Enjoy that metaphor, by the way, because your grandchildren will have no idea what a glacier is."

To Senator John McCain: "So wonderful to see you coming back into the Republican fold. I've actually got a summer house in South Carolina. Look me up when you go to speak at Bob Jones University."

On Bush's "steadfastness": "The greatest thing about this man is that he's steady, you know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday--no matter what happened Tuesday."

On the press response to the White House shake-up and the metaphor of "rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic": "This administration is soaring, not sinking...If anything, they are re-arranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg."

On Bush's approval rating: "Now I know there's some polls out there that say this man has a 32 percent approval rating. But guys like us, we don't pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in 'reality.'

Pay no attention to people who say the glass is half empty...Because 32 percent means it's 2/3 empty. There's still some liquid in that glass, is my point. But I wouldn't drink it. The last third is usually backwash."

On Bush's response to disasters: "I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers, and rubble, and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message, that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world."

Mark

Thank you so much for putting up this thread.

It is very important for the remaining Bush supporters to be educated in this way. Colbert, with his bitting wit, told the Correspondents & Bush what they needed to hear. To hear the truth can be a painful ordeal but it has to be done, and done again, until it sinks in.

Mark, you are being quite fair, in this instance, in showing both sides and it is appreciated.

Yeah, now I know why Presidents hate those damn things.

Colbert said what had to be said...and he said it to the very people who most needed to hear it!

Maybe it would've been funny on SNL or the Daily Show, but the Correspondents Dinner was not the forum for such biting humor. It was supposed to be an evening of fun, and Colbert showed nothing but disrespect for the office of President.

This is a major problem with the left--respect, along with morality, are off the table when it comes to advancing their agenda.

No comment to you, Tommie, because you're an asshat leftist moron...

As an Australian I though it was a hillarious and well deserved roast. This man Colby has a fantastic sense of humour which would go down a treat here. he is really clever. From the reactions of the press audience there (see the damn rerun before you jump down my throat and you will know what I mean) I don't think most Americans understand much humour other than slap-stick. If Coldby doesn't get run out of the country he should come and live here anyway.

"No comment to you, Tommie, because you're an asshat leftist moron..."

Good to get that "insult a leftie" out of the way early in the day. Now you can start working on that act of kindness.

Keefer,

Then why would they invite someone who is famous for a show and a particular style of comedy?

To me, Colbert did exactly what he would've done anywhere. Anyone who has seen his show would know that.

I'm betting the person who booked him just thought "Hey, big name!" and didn't think of what exactly he would be doing.

bush is irrelevant and the joke is on the Republican Party, which he is rapidly destroying with the help of John McCain. Peace

I suppose if you hate Bush you might think Colbert was hilarious. It was, after all, a litany of lefty talking points. A very relentless one, too -- one attack after another with no respite and no balance. It was all anti-Bush/anti-Repubs. And perhaps the most important thing is that the crowd didn't appear to be enjoying his performance much.

Ricorun, you're telling me you have to hate Bush to think these lines are funny?

On Iraq: "I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq."

On Cheney's hunting incident: "To sit here at the same table with my hero, George W. Bush...I feel like I'm dreaming. Somebody pinch me. You now what, I'm a pretty sound sleeper, that may not be enough...Somebody shoot me in the face."

On Bush's response to global warming: "[Talking to Jesse Jackson] is like boxing a glacier...Enjoy that metaphor, by the way, because your grandchildren will have no idea what a glacier is."

To Senator John McCain: "So wonderful to see you coming back into the Republican fold. I've actually got a summer house in South Carolina. Look me up when you go to speak at Bob Jones University."

Colbert is generally hilarious. At the dinner I think he was a little out of his element and in particular the video bit about auditioning for the press secretary job wasn't funny. Bill Maher's bit on the same this weekend was much better. I wouldn't say Colbert bombed, but I would say he killed either.

If you want to see a funny Colbert piece, check out this mock interview with Bill Kristol. I have to wonder why so many conservatives submit to this.

It's hilarious how liberals are pretending that Colbert's remarks are even serious... talk about being desperate! it was a roast for crying out loud... liberals probably think SNL skits that make fun of politicans are serious discourse too.

Checking in with my 2¢, I can say without any reservation whatsoever, that the Presidents and his "dueling podiums" skit was far, far funnier than anything I've ever seen on SNL in the past 20 years. I could not stop laughing! I hooted! I hollered! I rushed for the VCR!

This President has clearly shown that he knows his detractors like the back of his hand - and he knows how to play them like a fiddle! If anyone ever again accuses the President of "living in a bubble," immediately direct them to this event and they will have to admit that they know not of what they speak...

As for Steven Colbert, I've only seen him a few times on the Daily Show before this event. His biting, off-the-cuff, tongue-in-cheek method of humor leaves me with an ambiguous sense of entertainment. At times, it can be terribly humorous; at others, it falls unexpectedly flat. At this event, he was true to form. I did enjoy it immensely, because he had jibes all the way around. No one was immune. Because of that, I found it to be quite consistent. His "tryout" film for Press Secretary started out strongly, but tended to plod on after a while, overreaching at times, and went on too long. But otherwise, I was pretty impressed with the entire event.

This event is a yearly opportunity for the President and the Presidential Press Corp to get together and lighten up. It was highly successful. The only regret that I have is that for the other 364 days, it often seems like the two parties are locked in some sort of death-battle, charging and counter-charging on the issues in question.

But for a brief few hours, the President sat down with some of his biggest detractors, broke bread, and revelled in the give-and-take...

Matt/Mark - Are you ever going to do something about keefer's relentless violation of your comment policy, or does it only apply to dissenting/liberal comments? I thought calling names like "asshat" and "moron" directly to other posters was grounds for automatic comment deletion. Your inaction here really calls your credibility into question, especially since you admonished the group specifically about this behavior a month ago.

extra,

Keefer takes it as well as he gives it...as long as no obscenity is used in the back and forth between Keefer and lefties, we're going to allow it.

Though if a thread completely degenerates into name-calling, that will require some action...

You know, extramedium, if I came on here, didn't address the topic, then called someone an asshat or a moron, maybe your whining would be justified. I addressed the topic BEFORE I called Tommie-boy any names. I've been on this blog for almost two years now--you moonbat lemmings only come here when the polls dictate.

Maybe it's your brain that's extramedium. Now quit your whining...

If Coldby doesn't get run out of the country he should come and live here anyway.

Yeah, maybe he can do a global warming parody. There's a funny subject--the global war ming myth...

Canadian Observer,

RE: "...Colbert, with his bitting wit, told the Correspondents & Bush what they needed to hear. To hear the truth can be a painful ordeal but it has to be done, and done again, until it sinks in."

No, CO, he was telling "your" version of the truth... "your" version of what "you" and the liberal media wanted to hear -- not the real truth! He was twisting words and presenting them as a "joke", but in fact it just more of the subtle and not so subtle propaganda we here everyday from the liberal left... just like the same "humor" we constantly hear on Jay Leno and liberal leaning talk shows!

Not only do the liberals have the MSM to convey their message, most of the television and movie industry dump tons more on the American public. The sad thing is, the viewers and movie goers unwittingly pay to see and hear the liberal propaganda.

Like candy, however, the liberal agenda sounds smooth and sweet, sells well, tastes good, and goes down easily... but, also like candy that makes a person fat, lazy, and sick, the liberal message also ultimately, leads to sickness and an early death!!!

AAR

The reason I think Colbert wasn't funny is that his "humor" wasn't appropriate for this venue. It was mainly somewhat mean-spirited sarcasm, the sort of thing that would work at a DNC dinner or Move-On convention. But this was a mixed group. And it wasn't all against Bush. He had some uncomfortable quips against the military and really, whether you like or hate Bush, the tentative, new Iraqi government struggling with murders on its members and their families should not be grist for so-called comedy. Some of this was just poor taste and that's why even a large number of the liberal members in the audience did not laugh. It just wasn't that funny. I did think the Valerie Plame/Patrick Fitzgerald part was funny. That kind of clever works. Most of the rest was just sarcastic Democrat talking points serving as a substitute for humor. That's why it bombed.

Keefer, it nice to know that you are taking the day off, from collecting tolls, in solidarity of the illegal immigrants.

Keefer, it nice to know that you are taking the day off, from collecting tolls, in solidarity of the illegal immigrants.

Very good Barney. I think I saw keefer on television in one of the marches, but he was so short I couldn't get a good look.

Colbert was on 60 Minutes last night and seemed to be a very talented and bright guy. He lives in the suburbs, has three kids, and looks every bit as dorky in real life. I love his show.

Was it an appropriate venue for his schtick? Well there is precedent. Don Imus once roasted Bill Clinton and I remember a controversy over his humor at the time.

I guess it boils down to the old adage: It just depends on whose pig is being skewered. (Or something like that).

I find it hilarious that you people think Colbert was aiming at the President. There's a good reason that he wasn't getting laughs: he wasn't trying to be funny. His target audience was the "liberal MSM" in attenendance, and if you don't get that, then you're blind and deaf.
He was sarcastically pointing out the blind fealty that the "liberal MSM" has to this administration.
In essence, his whole spiel was an attack on the media itself, and the memes they were (and are) still so willing to repeat if it gets them more face time with the Prez, and garners them accolades from their corporate, war-profiteering bosses at GE/NBC, Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, etc.

The media is the joke, and without them, we wouldn't have allowed Bush to do what he has to our country.

Some of this was just poor taste and that's why even a large number of the liberal members in the audience did not laugh. It just wasn't that funny. I did think the Valerie Plame/Patrick Fitzgerald part was funny. That kind of clever works. Most of the rest was just sarcastic Democrat talking points serving as a substitute for humor. That's why it bombed.

i think poor taste is best exemplified by bush's video of his oval office search for wmd's at a black-tie dinner for Radio and Television Correspondents' Association in 2004.

I didnt see as much of a real criticism of Bush.. I saw it more of a criticism of the media for not doing their job... Holla at Colbert!

*Shrugs*

Colbert is funny at times and others he's not, just like every comic. I enjoy watching the Colbert Report because of how biting and fun it can be.

See, for me if I can't laugh at myself then I'd have ulcers. If I couldn't laugh at what others think of me I'd worry about what they thought of me. So make fun all you want and laugh as you want, and I'll do the same. They can only get to you if you let them.

I'm sure there are better lines then the ones Tom is quoting because those don't seem as good as I've heard Colbert be. Though I do like the "Shoot me in the face" one. I believe it was Colbert who just kept repeating, "The Vice President Shot someone in the face" line during the event and it was funny then and it's still funny now. Though I will admit it's only funny because the guy lived through it.

@AAR - Fill me in on the 'Twisted' pieces. Just want to know what you feel he distorted.

*guffaw*

"If I can't laugh at myself then I'd have ulcers."

Well put Gozer. I have always said that if I can't laugh at myself, who can I laugh at?

I know I have set myself up here, but despite my often biting criticism, ultimately I laugh at myself and laugh at you and just laugh. That's the only sane way to live.

Banal ... insulting without being funny.

Mike Ostman,

Pick one. How about one of the quotes Tom Shipley's provided: "I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq."

If that doesn't meet your "criteria" pick another.

AAR

Don't bother with them, Mike Ostman - we all know Republicans don't have a sense of humor.

But join Ash, myself, and the rest of B4B in celebrating Happy Mission Accomplished Day!!

Actually, Keefer, first you claimed that it was the left that had no respect for anyone, THEN you called someone an asshat.

Most of Colbert's performance was aimed at the PRESS. The press who let Bush just trundle along and never question anything in any substantive way.

"But for a brief few hours, the President sat down with some of his biggest detractors, broke bread, and revelled in the give-and-take..."

The Press are NOT bush's biggest detractors. They're shills for the corps they work for, and they kiss Bush ass as much as they can get away with.

Very well stated, Florence; this wasn't the venue for Colbert's schtick.

Ash, that wasn't me you saw on television at the immigration protests. And leave those immigrants alone; they come to America to do jobs that you, Barney, and mf53 are too stupid to know how to do...

keefer, it this were Clinton up there, and someone with a talent for humor from FOXNews (I know, I can't think of anyone either!) was up there ripping on him, you would have had a FIELD DAY.

And the Liberals would likely have had a discussion over whether the stuff the "comedian" said was true or not, getting lost in a stupid debate.

But no one seems to be arguing about the content of Colbert's bit. you're just trying to find a way to squelch an unexpected bit of candor and "truthiness".

After reading each of the comments, including the one pretending to be Ash (because the REAL ash would never ever promise to go away and then be back again like this) I have to say that the only thing I saw that was funny was the joke about the "blind fealty" of the media ---to this administration. Now, THAT was funny.

Clearly, our schools have to start teaching analysis of news reports. Anyone with a clue about how to tell if a report is biased or not can tell how slanted the media are AGAINST Bush. Even when they have to report something that is irrefutable, such as the great ecomony, they fudge it, fill the article with disclaimers, caution people not to really put too much faith in it, etc.

BTW, the word "media" is plural. As in 'media ARE'. The singular is 'medium'. The print medium, the entertainment medium, etc. Just an FYI.

But kc's rant on the media was simply hilarious.

Did it bomb? With those in attendance, surely, but their discomfort is the essence of what makes it the great moment in political history.

Outside of the room, and in spite of a media blackout, it is setting records for video downloads because it resonated so strongly with the American people, who have been waiting for a hero.

With a single, devastating performance, Colbert joined the pantheon of American political satirists, Mark Twain, H.L Mencken and Will Rogers.

None of those, however, had the opportunity to stare their quivering, squirming quarry right in the eye at arm's length as Colbert did while he delivered the scolding George has deserved since he first blew up a frog.

Man of the Year does not seem like enough of an honor for Colbert.

Tom,

I've watched a bit of Colbert over the past few years and he's clearly a talented performer...I just have no idea if he bombed on this one or not...plus, it seems like a subject that a lot of people wanted to talk about, and I turned out right about that.

It does seem to me from reading accounts about it that Colbert stepped beyond playful ribbing and into slanderous attacks dressed up as humor...its not that a fine a line, so if Colbert did do that, then he did it on purpose.

The real pity about this is that it shows how truly divided we are...we can't even agree on what is funny anymore.

Alms, I get the feeling you don't much care for me.

BTW methinks Almiranta = dbog

I can't imagine two people on the same blog so anal about spelling and grammar. Or so obsessed with me. Hey I'm married AND straight Alms aka dbog.

On point I truly think Colbert is funny. I also think Don Imus can be funny, even if he is the ugliest human being on earth. Remember his lampooning of Clinton?

Hey maf53, next year on the fourth anniversary of Mission Accomplished Day, lets plan some special activities. Pin the tail on Bush, musical chairs, a pinata full of W.'s favorite toys. Why we could have a fundraiser. Oh the creative juices are flowing now..........

I thought President Bush's skit was extremely funny and original, the hardest I have laughed in a long time. I only watched about half of Colberts routine. I stopped because it was embarrassingly bad and I think the audience was feeling embarrassed for him. I only watched a few minutes after one of Colberts jokes bombed, partly because he misread his joke card and had to repeat the joke. From what I saw his jokes were just unfunny, Bush bashing jokes that no one laughed at. It looked like even President Bush, who was the butt of most of the jokes, felt sorry for him.

Colbert's pseudo-O'Reilly schtick is normally pure genius, but I have to wonder if he was even trying to be funny at the Correspondents Dinner. Of course, deadpan is part of the act, but I agree with those who thought the attacks were more relentless than usual.

But for those of us in the liberal camp, it's just not funny anymore. Bush lied so he could start a war. Bush claims the authority to overrule Congress at his whim. Bush claims the Supreme Court's judicial review powers solely for himself. His policies have been fiscally, diplomatically, and militarily disastrous. And no one in the "liberal MSM" has the balls to say so. They're so afraid of being called "biased" that it takes all the courage they can muster just to mention Bush's falling poll numbers.

Colbert showed them the courage they know they should have, and know that they lack (see the "Write that novel" comment in the transcripts). I don't think he intended to be funny, although of course he had to use the comic act. He came to accuse the press of dereliction of duty, he did so, and they didn't want to hear it. Nor did the president enjoy hearing so many reasons why he should have been challenged all along.

So the reporters were humiliated and now are afraid to admit it - you have to look hard to find any reference to Colbert's performance on anything but a private blog. The "MSM" have been a flock of pussies, they know it, and were called on it. No wonder they weren't laughing.

The "MSM" have been a flock of pussies, they know it, and were called on it."

Amen. With a few exceptions like Seymour Hersh, although almost by definition he isn't mainstream.
Do you read Editor and Publisher? They are a professional magaizine for journalists and have taken the lead in chastising its professionals for lack of gumption. Like ole Helen Thomas gumption!

It seems that most all of you have gotten this wrong. Do you actually think that the President didn't know what Colbert's act would be? Do you really think he's that stupid or naive.

I guess you all misunderestimated him.

What I saw was pretty funny. I give the President credit for the self depricating humor.

From the damn liberal press files:

The New York Times' article Monday on the White House correspondent's dinner failed to include any mention of Stephen Colbert, the deadpan host of Comedy Central's Colbert report, RAW STORY has found

Mark, MSM haters, any idea why?

"Alms, I get the feeling you don't much care for me.

BTW methinks Almiranta = dbog

I can't imagine two people on the same blog so anal about spelling and grammar. Or so obsessed with me. Hey I'm married AND straight Alms aka dbog."

Come back sometime in the future, when you've grown into adulthood and joined the rest of the world, outside of your delusional, parallel universe.

I feel sorry for your wife. She/he must have a real self-esteem problem.

I don't feed trolls...

Thanks for the snack, Alms.

Whoops I meant dbog. Thanks for the snack.

Ash,

Come back sometime in the future, when you've grown into adulthood and joined the rest of the world, outside of your delusional, self-absorbed, parallel universe. In the meantime, go away and let the big boys play. You're not up to the task, based upon what I've seen in your blithering posts...

"I feel sorry for your wife. She/he must have a real self-esteem problem."

What an A**hole. If you're going to talk about someones wife, have the decency to do it in to their face so you can get punched in the face.

Mark, are you going to allow this kind of commenting to go on here?

"The real pity about this is that it shows how truly divided we are...we can't even agree on what is funny anymore."

Well, I don't know if you can say everyone ever agreed on what was funny.

Obviously, those who defend Bush may not like what Colbert had to say. But on a purely comedy/writing level, I think it's good stuff.

Well,
I think it is obvious. Whoever "vetted" Colbert for this show, was the same person in charge of vetting Bernie Kerik, Harriet Myers, etc.

ooops!

Tom,

Given the total nature of the exchange, yes...it was hard hitting, but it was hit and hit back.

OK, Mark, but let it be known that you've condoned erroniously talking about someone else's wife on your site.

I don't know about you, but a line is drawn when talking about other people's family, especially their wife, mother, or sister, etc...

Just in bad taste and completely unnecessary. For someone who wrote an entire post about keeping discourse civil, I would think this is a no brainer.

By the way, this is the only "hard-hitting" post I saw from Ash... addressed to Keefer, not dbogdan.

"Very good Barney. I think I saw keefer on television in one of the marches, but he was so short I couldn't get a good look."

Pretty tame. Other than that one comment, all his posts were on topic and not of a "hit and hit back" nature.

The real funny thing is that Colbert is a REPUBLICAN !!!!

This wasn't Mike Moore roasting Bush folks, it was one of your own !

Colbert had Al Franken on his show once and he basically asked him about 50 times why he hates our troops, then he ripped him.

The point is, the Bush administration is such a disaster, even the BLIND can see the carnage !

Tom Clancy, George Will, Charley Reese....

it goes on and on.

Tom,

We'll review...but I'm at work right now and so not able to do so at the moment.

"The real funny thing is that Colbert is a REPUBLICAN !!!!

This wasn't Mike Moore roasting Bush folks, it was one of your own !

Colbert had Al Franken on his show once and he basically asked him about 50 times why he hates our troops, then he ripped him."

Uh, you know Colbert's whole shtick is a parody the O'Reillys and Hannitys of the world...

It's all an act.

I like Colbert, and I like the idea of sending up O'Reilly et al., but as I'm watching this, I realize it feels like he's calling the President a liar to his face.

And the thing is that attacks on the President, to some degree, are attacks on the Presidency, and there is real damage being done to the Constitution.

The real pity about this is that it shows how truly divided we are

Oh right, and this site is doing a whole lot to ease those divisions. Don't feign sadness when you're part of the problem.

Thanks for noticing Tom. I really don't care what dbog says about me, but it did bother me that he drug my wife into it. She is actually a saint to put up with me.

I think dbog and I have reached an agreement to ignore each other.

And my keefer statement was meant to be funny. I think keefer and I have exchanged friendly barbs enough that he understood it as a LOL statement.

Mark I do appeal to you to curb statements about my wife. I really don't care what dbog says about me, but she really is a wonderful lady.

Ash, I don't Mark cares about inappropriate comments unless they come from liberals, then he can use them as more evidence that there's a "wickedess" inherent in liberalism.

Just look at how he turns a blind eye to Keefer. And how he explained away dbog's comment as part of a "hit and hit back" exchange.

That's true. guess I have to understand that we are in cyberspace and to not take comments like that personally. Well have a good day, Tom.

Colbert absolutely did not bomb.

I guess what people forget is that there are strata to humour. Colbert is a satirist. So yes, he's calling Mr. Bush a liar to face. But without actually calling him a liar to his face. That's funny as hell because it gives the audience an opportunity to wonder how much of it Mr. Bush actually understood.

Anyway, someone said that attacks on the Presidency are damaging to the Constitution? I think they're not only supportive of it but rather needed booster to its health. Especially considering the current Presidency. It has not made itself very immune to criticism by even the most lax of terms. Oh, but that's right. Thinking ahead is not much of a conservative ideal.

Just my two cents.

PS Someone on this blog actually believes Colbert is a liberal?! You do know he's on Comedy Central right? And you do know what satire is, no?