The Nation: why DC doesn't think Stephen Colbert is funny

[Enrique]

This whole article is great, I recommend the whole thing, but this part here is especially true:

http://www.thenation.com/blog/155019/why-dc-doesn%E2%80%99t-think-stephen-colbert-funny

(...)

Afterwards, the press mobbed Colbert, and we heard one male reporter ask, “Are you worried about trivializing a serious issue?” Colbert’s answer, if any, wasn’t audible, but here’s mine: Would you even be here (or would I even be writing this), about a hearing on immigrant farm labor conditions, if he didn’t “trivialize” this issue?

(...)

[Cirque du So-What]

1. That shit is now in frequent rotation right here on DU

The line that Colbert 'trivialized' the issue. Do a search on that word to see what I mean.

[blondeatlast]

13. And the dismissal of him as a "hipster" and "limousine liberal" within a MINUTE

of the conclusion of his live testimony.

I wish I were kidding.

[Hello_Kitty]

15. You would be talking about me.

As I asked you before, how are you enjoying our AZ election season? Feels great to look forward to getting our asses handed to us over immigration, doesn't it? Might it be time to come up with some better talking points that don't make us sound like elitist snobs who disdain American workers?
O

Or put another way, do you think Colbert's stunt would make Arizona voters MORE or LESS likely to support Dems? Think about it, blondeatlast. Really hard.

[baldguy]

22. Telling Congress that we should help the people who put food on our table really sucks.

:sarcasm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu9SSxe5bz0

Rep. Chu: Mr Colbert, why are you interested in this issue?

Mr. Colbert: "I like talking about people who don't have any power. And this seems to be ... among the least powerful people in the United States are migrant workers who come and do our work but don't have any rights as a result. And yet we still invite them to come here, and at the same time ask them to leave. That's am interesting contradiction to me. You know, "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers...", and these seem to be the least of our brothers right now. A lot of people are "least brothers" right now 'cause the economy's so hard and I don't want to take anyone's hardship away from them or diminish them or anything like that, but migrant workers suffer and have no rights."

What an elitist snob!

[Hello_Kitty]

27. That's not the part voters are going to take away.

Rep. King may be a Republican hypocrite and tool of the highest order, but Colbert (and the rest of the idiots who thought this stunt was a good idea) handed him a cudgel to use against Democrats.

Oh, and wasn't it great how Colbert really took it to those wealthy farm owners who exploit and abuse migrant workers? Except, oh wait, he didn't. Nope, Colbert talked about how the poor dears have labor shortages and will take their farms to Mexico if they don't get an endless supply of exploitable serfs. The solution is obviously the need for more visas, not to stop the abuse and exploitation immediately. Clearly, Colbert's few hours spent on a farm (where the supervisors were undoubtedly on their best behavior) really shifted his perception of the capitalist system. :sarcasm:

[northoftheborder]

2. Stephen Colbert is a genius.

I now have a fail-proof way to personally judge someone's character in my own world view: does he/she "get" Stephen Colbert?

[grantcart]

3. how do you classify someone who loves both O'Reilly and Colbert

I like Colbert but can only stand the talking points (even in sarcasm) for a few minutes.


MY SIL told me that her two favorite people on TV were Bill OReilly and Steven Colbert. My response was an open jaw stare that lasted a couple of minutes. I was at a complete loss for words.

[Warpy]

4. It takes a certain type of intelligence to appreciate things like

sarcasm, satire, and irony. People who are completely literal minded will miss them every single time.

Colbert has a lot of conservative fans. They completely miss the fact that he's goofing on them.

[HillbillyBob]

8. I tend to be literal, but even I got Colbert after several

watched episodes. I was not really a fan until yesterday.
I thought he was funny in his poking at the repukakkkons.
I have the same problem about being able to only stand the talking points for a few minutes.

This takes him far beyond the normal satirists.
I am now a fan.

[valerief]

6. I'd classify her as Dumb As a Stump. nt

[bleever]

20. As having an "irony deficiency".

Common symptom of RW-type thinking.

Best of luck in your interactions with her.

[young_at_heart]

5. Fox "News" was despicable in their comments about him

Gretchen Carlson, in particular, must have called him 'ridiculous' at least ten times, along with all the others. THEY are the ones who are ridiculous!

[Historic NY]

7. He is only ridiculous to those that know he is right....we get him they don't

[felix_numinous]

9. Colbert is light years ahead of any insult they can think up ....

they are sooooo out of their league.

:popcorn:

[glitch]

12. Their insults only contribute the his performance art.

IOW, they are suckers.

[Enrique]

26. yeah, the exchange with Steve King was pure gold

Colbert should pay King. :rofl:

[Octafish]

10. Colbert stood up to the Presstitutes when he slammed Smirko the Warmonkey.

Showed them up for the well-paid liars they are.

[malletgirl02]

11. Colbert

If people actually listen to what he said, there was quite an intelligent statement hidden under his persona.

[blondeatlast]

14. The last Colbert quote in the article is PERFECT. I won't quote it here because the

whole article bears reading.

But--Damn Skippy. Colbert nailed it in two lines. Wow.

[WinkyDink]

16. It's like some people were born without the "satire" gene, FGS! Swift would love this Congress.

[Hello_Kitty]

19. Some people were born with a "politically tone-deaf" gene

They seem to have a drive to lose public opinion and elections that is almost congenital.

[tritsofme]

17. I can't believe anyone thinks this was a smart idea. nt

[Hello_Kitty]

18. They're too clever by half. eom

[Norrin Radd]

21. Love Colbert.

[sendero]

23. There are only a handful of people left..

... willing to say anything. Colbert is one of the best.

[bvar22]

24. DC and the MSM don't think Colbert is funny because...

...they are still hurting from the righteous reaming he gave these self-important gas bags at the Correspondents Dinner.

[sfpcjock]

25. ...presumably because Bill O'Liely is almost *never* funny.

But his testimony was effective and great IMHO. It certainly brought attention to the issue from an atrophied press.