Anybody watching any Colbert shows?

[op2]

One problem with it is a common one with these shows now, which is that the audience goes absolutely crazy at the smallest provocation. I'm watching for the show, not to hear people screaming.

But that aside, it is pretty darn good. His bit at his desk each night, after the monologue but before any guests have come out, is must watch TV.

ETA: Okay, while his first bit is really good each night, I just finished watching him interview Ted Cruz and he got way too political for that show (as opposed to his show on Comedy Central). There's a way you can challenge a guy while being a jokey and friendly and a way where it comes off serious and he was too far towards the latter.

He said to Cruz that Reagan raised taxes and I thought that Reagan lowered taxes when he got in and then raised them later but not nearly to the level they were when he came in. But Cruz didn't challenge that. So now I'm thinking either I'm wrong about Reagan or else Cruz missed an easily rebut-able point. But anyway, for network TV where you want to entertain everyone, it was too politic-y.

But his first bit after the monologue each night is still great.

 

[wvu2007]

No doubt that Colbert was going to bring his liberalism into his show. Just compare how he interviews a GOP candidate compared to a Democrat. As for Cruz, that is my main issue with him. There were times during the debate as well where he had the opportunity to challenge an assertion by Tapper and failed to do so.

 

[Mntneer]

I stopped watching the Daily Show when Stewart got angry with his tone and became more partisan and bitter. Therefore I never watched Colbert much, and never watched his own show on Comedy Central. He's a funny guy however, so I may check out The Late Show now. I still watch Conan though, so switching completely would be impossible.

 

[countryroads89_rivals]

He said to Cruz that Reagan raised taxes and I thought that Reagan lowered taxes when he got in and then raised them later but not nearly to the level they were when he came in. But Cruz didn't challenge that. So now I'm thinking either I'm wrong about Reagan or else Cruz missed an easily rebut-able point.

Here's a good article talking about Reagan's tax policies. Being non-partisan, some of them were good ideas (broadening the base).

http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/08/news/economy/reagan_years_taxes/index.htm

 

[WVUCOOPER]

One problem with it is a common one with these shows now, which is that the audience goes absolutely crazy at the smallest provocation. I'm watching for the show, not to hear people screaming.

But that aside, it is pretty darn good. His bit at his desk each night, after the monologue but before any guests have come out, is must watch TV.

ETA: Okay, while his first bit is really good each night, I just finished watching him interview Ted Cruz and he got way too political for that show (as opposed to his show on Comedy Central). There's a way you can challenge a guy while being a jokey and friendly and a way where it comes off serious and he was too far towards the latter.

He said to Cruz that Reagan raised taxes and I thought that Reagan lowered taxes when he got in and then raised them later but not nearly to the level they were when he came in. But Cruz didn't challenge that. So now I'm thinking either I'm wrong about Reagan or else Cruz missed an easily rebut-able point. But anyway, for network TV where you want to entertain everyone, it was too politic-y.

But his first bit after the monologue each night is still great.

I think Colbert knows he can't compete with the Jimmys in a "viral" war and is trying to be different. A little more grown up than the other late night shows. He is definitely going after a different guest list.

 

[COOL MAN]

I admit to having previously been a fan of Colbert's old act......though for all intents and purposes, I never watched his Show.

That said, his new gig thus far hasn't really done much of anything for me. Part of the problem is that he seems to be trying to update the look and feel of the 1130PM time slot versus his direct competitors; perhaps a fair and reasonable idea, but the old fart that I am means I'm honestly not looking for anything new from that standpoint.

I'm still test-driving LNSC; and I don't want to throw out a guy I theoretically like with the bath water too early. Plus, every new host should be granted by his viewers an opportunity to gain a comfort level....one I think from which Colbert remains some distance at this point...... while ascertaining what works and what really doesn't.

But if I had to make a final decision today on who to watch full-time at 1130PM, it'd probably be Jimmy Kimmel. Meanwhile, the first thing I'd recommend Colbert change is to tell that Jon Batiste guy to sit the hell down over by his band where he belongs.

 

[COOL MAN]

I think Colbert knows he can't compete with the Jimmys in a "viral" war and is trying to be different. A little more grown up than the other late night shows. He is definitely going after a different guest list.

Why not ??

And I'm not disagreeing with your assessment, Coop.....you may be 100% correct.....but I just don't understand your perspective as to why he can't (or shouldn't) compete in that way. Is it because you feel he'd simply be following a form the others have already more-or-less perfected (and he's therefore just being a "me-too") ??

 

[op2]

It's annoying when Colbert and Batiste dance around at the beginning. In general, and maybe I'm saying this because I'm becoming an old man, the "big show" aspect of these things, with extended music intro and the audience WHOOP-ing and all that stuff doesn't do anything for me. I find Colbert interesting and funny when he talks and tells jokes. I'm not there for lights and the music and the crowd yelling and in fact when it gets too over the top it detracts from things for me.

When Letterman was in his final weeks I was reminiscing by going onto Youtube and looking up some of his clips from the 80s and things were so much more subdued then. All these shows, Kimmel, Fallon, Colbert, Daily Show, etc, are much more about putting on a BIG SHOW than they used to be.

 

[WVUCOOPER]

Why not ??

And I'm not disagreeing with your assessment, Coop.....you may be 100% correct.....but I just don't understand your perspective as to why he can't (or shouldn't) compete in that way. Is it because you feel he'd simply be following a form the others have already more-or-less perfected (and he's therefore just being a "me-too") ??

I think it's partly he'd be seen as a copy cat and partly because he's not as good at that kind of "humor". Colbert's humor is more dead pan, dark whatever and the Jimmys are more sunshine out their *** humor. Mostly I'd guess his show is different because this is the show he wants to do. It won't look the same in 6 months, 12 months, etc

 

[COOL MAN]

If you weren't aware (and I was not until a few minutes ago), Trump is scheduled for LNSC tonight......so all you whackos take a night off your typical second viewing of the O'Reilly show and tune in for the first time [banana]

 

[COOL MAN]

I think it's partly he'd be seen as a copy cat and partly because he's not as good at that kind of "humor". Colbert's humor is more dead pan, dark whatever and the Jimmys are more sunshine out their *** humor. Mostly I'd guess his show is different because this is the show he wants to do. It won't look the same in 6 months, 12 months, etc

Fair enough; it's clear you've watched his Show thus far with a more careful eye (and listened with a more careful ear) than yours truly.