Is 'The Colbert Report' becoming a variety show?

hkzqxlcaj hozlgcri Fri, Jan 2, 2009 at 01:41 PM EST

brezwi zxilchm ckbtvspg gpqh gtjchn ewpcb wtzkjea

Joe Mon, Jul 28, 2008 at 03:56 PM EST

Mark, it is clear that you have never watched the Colbert Report before this. This is what these guys do. They don't mean to seriously offend anyone. It's all part of the joke.

Vincent Clement Sun, Jul 20, 2008 at 02:57 PM EST

@Mark from Chicago: If you truly are a big RUSH fan, then you know that the guys have a sense of humour. RUSH is my favourite band, and loved the entire episode. The lads wouldn't have it any other way.

thorswitch Sat, Jul 19, 2008 at 08:43 PM EST

Mark, I have no doubt the guys were in on the "long song" joke with Colbert - they've never had any problem poking fun at themselves - and as a Rush fan for almost 30 years myself, I found it hilarious!

thorswitch Sat, Jul 19, 2008 at 08:38 PM EST

If Stephen Colbert can get Rush (the band, not the idiot) to show up on my TV screen more than once every 33 years, then let him get as close to doing a variety show as he wants! What a treat it was to not only get to see the band on TV, but the interview was great and the guys looked like they were just having a blast! What more could a Rush fan ask for (other than a few more appearances like that now and again, eh?) :D

Jeremy Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 10:42 PM EST

Variety show? All because of three music guests it's now a variety show. I shouldn't be amazed anymore at the stupid things people say but somehow they keep it coming. Oh yeah and with The Daily Show it kind of bugs me now that they don't have the correspondents doing that much anymore. That makes the show real "hit or miss" now. But Rush on Colbert was awsome.

Kathleen Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 02:40 PM EST

Where has America's sense of humor gone? I read some of these comments and, actually, hear the whinners!!

Get a life, get a sense of Humor. Stephen and Jon are the perfect close to anyone's day - laughing at the silliness of live. Having spent 15 years as a rock publicist, the bands never take themselves that serious and LOVE A GREAT JOKE! Stephen was perfect for Rush and his Neil Young show is still one of my favorites.

Weird how "fans" are always the whinners.

cpreynolds Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 11:43 AM EST

I absolutly love Stephen's show. He always makes me smile.

Marc in Halifax, NS Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 11:05 AM EST

Unlike the Daily Show (where Stewart can catch a breather while his 'correspondents' deliver their own pieces), the Colbert Report is pretty much all Colbert. Given the nature of his character, that makes perfect sense, but that's also a pretty big burden to shoulder 4 nights a week. So I'm not surprised that the show is looking to expand its 'programming' with the odd musical act. Mind you, I don't really think it fits well with the show, but I do understand why they might be leaning that way.

Letapjar Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 09:27 AM EST

I totally agree - there was no insult intended - Seems like CR messed up the timing for a commercial break - but who cares? The comment about being influence by your own work in their long songs was hilarious!

Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 08:25 AM EST

Come on, RUSH has a sense of humor, always has. Any REAL fan knows that! Sot complaining and enjoy RUSH on TV.

LadybugVB Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 07:19 AM EST

I din't think Colbert was making fun of Rush at all! The guys all looked like they were having a great time, and Neil Peart was so funny!

Craig Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 01:14 AM EST

Please, all of that was planned. Rush loves to goof around, and it was rather obvious that they were in on the joke. They might have been surprised by the jump in at the drum solo, but pleasantly. He was by no means making fun of them in any way that they don't make fun of themselves.

Mark from Chicago Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 12:44 AM EST

That was HORRIBLE! After 33 years of not being on American TV, I wish RUSH picked a different show to be on. I'm a big RUSH fan, and the Colbert Report slapping them in the face. Colbert interrupted them thinking the song was ending, then went to commercials in the middle of the song, then pretended like he was going to sleep in the middle of the song. He make a comment earlier about how long some of their songs are. And then he mocks them for it. WOW!! I am never watching that crappy show again.

Roger Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 06:27 PM EST

They only ever do it once in a blue moon and for special occasions, I don't really see what the fuss is about.

Cynthia Gill Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 06:22 PM EST

Well, for those of you who want more politics on the show, he'll be featuring Elizabeth Edwards and someone from "The Wonk Room" political blog on the show this evening.

I still maintain that 'The Colbert Report' has booked musicians heavily this past month in anticipation of a SAG strike that could have taken out a lot of the actors and other people who might normally come on the show. I think once the fear of that strike has passed, the guests will again become more political in nature.

KimB Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 06:08 PM EST

I guess it is, since Stephen was Emmy-nominated again today for "Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program"
Go Stephen! :)

Coyote Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 05:19 PM EST

To RD: What is this "jump the shark" you speak of? Did you orginate this colorful term? Does anyone know what the icon is for dripping sarcasm?

Stop with that re-dunk-u-lous phrase.

Winona Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 03:24 PM EST

I thought it was awesome - but within the context of Colbert? Probably not - but who cares, it was great!

R.D. Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 03:00 PM EST

I thought that "The Daily Show" jumped the shark when I saw R.E.M. with Jon Stewart, so I wasn't totally surprised when I saw Rush on Colbert. I am disappointed though. I agree with Green Gummi Bear. I watch TDS the way I watch NBC Nightly News & Countdown with Keith Olberman, they aren't my only sources of news, but I expect them to stick to the format. I watch Leno, Letterman and Ferguson for the "variety show" format.

Martha Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 02:41 PM EST

That is awesome. I especially liked Jimmy's questions. My husband is a huge Rush fan - he saw them in Boston last month for the 4th or 5th time - and would probably get the guys to autograph my arm if he could... As for whether Colbert should become a variety show, if the segments are as entertaining as that one, why the heck not?

Sara Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 02:41 PM EST

I totes agree with your assessment of Stewart, Green Gummi Bear. I feel like the edginess is lacking - rather than conducting intense interviews of his guests and needling the administration, he's content to stick to fairly innocuous questions and criticize the media (which is fine, I'm all for knocking the media...but he's still PART of the media).

Green Gummi Bear Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 02:37 PM EST

While I respect the Genius that is Cobert, as well as The Daily Show, I do wish they backed off of the music. To me, that's Conan and his ilk’s territory. They do a couple of jokes for yucks, you do lob some softballs at the celeb pushing their movie (AKA interview), and wrap up with a musical or standup act. TDS and CB are better than that. I liked it when they had people coming on who pushed their books, I would supplement my reading list with something substantial (i.e. something from Fareed Zakaria). But lately…well, maybe Stewart is lobbying for Letterman’s chair or something.