Colbert Plans Persian Gulf Tour

Conservatives actually think comedian is conservative, too

(NEWSER) - If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “Geez, why do Republicans keep letting Stephen Colbert interview them?” some Ohio State researchers might have the answer: They don’t realize he’s making fun of them. According to a new study, conservatives “were more likely to report that Colbert only pretends to be joking, and genuinely meant what he said.” Just wait until these guys see his 2006 White House Correspondents Dinner show," writes Jason Linkin of the Huffington Post. That's some great pretend joking, there. More»

(NEWSER) - Stephen Colbert has taken up the cause against gay marriage, the Huffington Post reports. A recent web ad from the National Organization for Marriage—which apparently was serious—featured a “rainbow coalition” of actors solemnly declaring, “A storm is coming.” That, and New York's move toward legalizing same-sex marriage, motivated Colbert to start a rainbow coalition of his own. More»

Stephen tries too hard in special, but fans will enjoy it

(NEWSER) - Stephen Colbert fans will find much to love in his parody of old-time Christmas specials, though critics carp that the gags are too long and chuckles too few. “Colbert is delightful,” writes Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times, but “the show is too long and more than a little strained, much like the holiday specials it mocks.” Still, this "felicitous hoax," which debuts tomorrow night on Comedy Central, is destined to become a perennial rerun, notes Tom Shales of the Washington Post. More»

Grier counters Comedy Central's 'vanilla' news satires

(NEWSER) - Comedy Central may have found a Dave Chappelle-worthy replacement in David Alan Grier, Paul Farhi writes in the Washington Post. His Chocolate News is a “wholly inappropriate—and riotiously funny” 60 Minutes-style program in which Grier offers the news in “Lou Dobbsean rant” and mocks such figures as rappers and Maya Angelou, he observes. The “wittily produced” sketches echo Chappelle's “shockingly honest commentary on racial mores.” More»

Spat was unplanned and awkward, say audience members

(NEWSER) - Tycoon Richard Branson one-upped Stephen Colbert when he threw a glass of water at the fake news anchor on last night's Comedy Central show. Branson was miffed that he didn't get to plug his new airline on the Report, even after christening an airplane for the host. Colbert, always thinking on his feet, retaliated by requesting his own bottle of water and tossing it at the mogul, but viewers say the spat seemed ad hoc and unpleasantly tense. More»