Apparently, Bush performed a comedy routine himself that night. Why didn't Salon publish that one too? Both Colbert and Bush are among my favourite current comedians and I'd love to see them spar.

Wow. Never has anyone used farce so skillfully and brilliantly to simultaneously expose the sins of this president and our complicit and sohistic media.

Thanks to Salon for drawing attention to this video.

Mr Colbert derves our gratitude and respect

Wow. Never has anyone used farce so skillfully and brilliantly to simultaneously expose the sins of this president and our complicit and sophistic media.

Thanks to Salon for drawing attention to this video.

Mr Colbert deserves our gratitude and respect

It was incredible! If it had been someone ranting and raving, the press and White House would have attacked back. Since Colbert sliced and diced them all with humor, what could they do? Nothing! They had to sit there and take it, or god forbid, let everybody see what self-important nothings they actually are. They all know what happened there, and they're probably embarrassed to look each other in the eye. They are also thanking god that it took place on C-SPAN and not SNL. But then of course it never would have, would it?

Helen Thomas is a doll.

I am amazed to read pundits, analysts, and journalist say that he wasn't funny. I thought his performance was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. The satire was so powerful, mabye it was the truth of it all that sobered everyone. I am amazed how his performance has been buried. This performance will endear him to his loyal fans, and in an underground way grow his popularity and position to continue to interview important people. I think he is slowly becoming a force in politics. This performance will strengthen his credibility with 20 and 30 somethings. He has a wonderful way of taking all the unseemly things in this world (homosexuality, wiretaps, unknown reasons for going to war) and making you deal with it.

Bravo!

All is not lost. There is hope for America. Stephen Colbert for president.

But this:

No Name Given: ... "He has a wonderful way of taking all the unseemly things in this world (homosexuality, wiretaps, unknown reasons for going to war) and making you deal with it."

So, homosexuality is right up there in your mind with the war and wiretapping huh?

It's like one of those grade school questions right? Which one of these things does not belong? Unless you were being serious?

Uh oh...

I agree with just about everyone here, Colbert's "performance" was astoundingly brave, subtly enacted, devastatingly delivered. To have pulled it off, all the while within spitting distance of the smouldering target(s), is the most incredible element of it.

People have been saying most everything he said for many years now, if not longer. But none of them have had the opportunity to say it face to face, and surrounded. And honestly (though this was the first time i've ever seen Colbert... I'm vaguly aware he was spawned from Stewart's show, but I don't want it either), I don't think there are many who could have pulled it off in the way he did, in the *place* he did.

That being said, I think a lot of you here owe brother bob an apology. I personally disagree with a lot of what he's said, and think he is missing the point (the point of place and time) in many ways. But his perspective was fairly thoughtful and even decently written. The misunderstanding and abuse he's received in many responses is pretty shameful, in my opinion.

But bob, in your analysis of Colbert, I think you do need to take into consideration the context more. Also (oddly) take into consideration the somewhat venomous responses you've received here. I will go so far as to agree with you (risking much ire here, it would seem!) that the "depth" of Colbert's script was not extremely profound, nor really outstandingly witty (though it did have its moments). But the context in which he delivered it did not require such things (I'd even argue that that sort of jousting would have not been as effective as the rather beautifully bare-fisted approach we beheld). You can see by the defencive response of many here, that Colbert was very effective indeed. You may argue that the defences here are just as shallow as Colbert's act. But then I'll argue again that you misjudge both (while possibly at the same time being right about both), not taking enough into consideration the various contexts involved.

No, Colbert's "act" was incredible. I don't know if it was consistant with his "character", or a one-off thing. I have no stake in liking or disliking Colbert (though I must say I tend to like him after seeing the video). I'd also like to remind everyone, while heaping the much deserved honours upon Colbert, not to forget other satirists of stature who have equally, if not more, bravely ripped the bush administration and the largely cowed press a collective new one at every opportunity, like Al Franken (I highly recommend his books!)...

But this is Colbert's spotlight, and he has proved himself extremely worthy of it. Colbert took his character, with his ironically acute observations, out from behind the relative comfort and safety of the camera... and... well, he was just heroic in the eyes of many, as people are saying.

Bob's argument has largely been that Colbert's "behavior" and treatment of "truth" are not so ironic as in harmony with Bush's methodology. The simple difference is, however, that Colbert is a satirist, while Bush is not supposed to be. It's in Colbert's job description. The very fact that the way he does it, as a satirist, resembles so closely to bob the Bush mentality is what makes it so powerful when it hits.

And it did hit.

If it was a matter of Colbert simply not being funny, as some seem to think is the case, then the man was truly monumentally unfunny. And it does not explain why so much of the press is being so strangely silent: you'd think they'd love to point out to everyone how badly he stumbled, for the entertainment of all.

Bob, step back a bit. I respect some of your points, which are worthy of consideration. But also try to see what some of the people here are saying. Really, it was a historic moment (in the history of comedy, journalism, and politics!) of sorts. It is worthy of being held up as such.

Or maybe I'm just blabbering on to avoid going back to work...