Goodbye, Colbert Report

 Last night, I watched the final episode of "The Colbert Report". It was a great end to one of my all-time favorite shows:

The Colbert Report
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,The Colbert Report on Facebook

I've been watching The Colbert Report since the very first episode. Having already been a fan of the Daily Show, I was was eager to see what kind of humor Stephen Colbert would bring on a nightly basis.

In many ways, Colbert surpassed Jon Stewart & his former gig at the Daily Show. The brilliance of his performance cannot be understated. Night after night, he has exposed the absurdities in our culture, politics, entertainment, & all aspects of our lives.

Even though I didn't get to see actually see him there, one of the most interesting events of my life was "The Rally to Restore Sanity" that he and Stewart organized in Washington DC. The crowd was, by far, the biggest mass of human beings that I've ever encountered. My brother and I went with our friends and had a truly memorable time.

The Monkey Buddha Archives:

Rally to Restore Sanity

Our Lord & Savior, St. Stephen

This is one of the "protest" signs I made for the rally

Stephen Colbert is simply the greatest satirical mind of our generation. His spot-on parody of a self-absorbed, corporate boot-licking, blindly patriotic ignoramus was pure genius. His persona allowed him to openly mock the viewpoints of idiotic, right-wing blowhards who are so wrong about everything in the world- like Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly & America's stupidest pundit, Sean Hannity.

What I give both Stewart & Colbert the most credit for is providing sanity through humor, amidst the madness and chaos of the world we live in.

This was especially true during the Dark Ages of the Bush/Cheney presidency. All these conservatives who now think life under Obama is so terrible... they completely forget the constant horror the world faced while Dubya & his Dungeon Master caused havoc in America and around the globe.

In this light, I believe Stephen Colbert's most historic contribution to comedy was his speech at the 2006 White House Correspondents Dinner. It was the ultimate example of speaking truth to power, and took giant balls of red, white, & blue steel.  It was especially satisfying for those of us who deeply disagreed with Bush's policies at the time, yet risked being called 'anti-American' or 'terrorist sympathizers' for daring to speak out against the War Monkey and the morons who unquestioningly supported his regressive agenda.

Thank you Stephen Colbert, for providing nightly laughs and comic relief to your Nation for almost a decade.

The Satirical Genius of Stephen Colbert

 Stephen Colbert transferring his "Colbert SuperPAC" money to Jon Stewart.

I've been a regular viewer of The Colbert Report since the first episode. He was one of the funniest 'correspondents' on The Daily Show, and (in my opinion) has far surpassed Jon Stewart has the greatest political satirist alive... maybe ever.

The NY Times magazine had this great article that gives a look behind the persona that he has meticulously crafted.

NY Times Magazine:

How Many Stephen Colbert's Are There?

His roast of Dubya in 2006 was a legendary performance & guaranteed him a place among the Gods of Comedy.

Google Video

2006 White House Correspondents Dinner

However, since then he has continued to bring an insane amount of wit & cutting insight to every show. His character is a consistently brilliant parody of the know-nothing plutocratic jerks who can usually be found on right-wing media like Fox News, as either guests or pundits.

Recently on his show, he has been masterfully utilizing all the great comedic material being provided by the buffoons running in the GOP primaries.

He has also been busy exposing the ludicrous process & laws behind elections in our country. At the forefront of his crusade to highlight the absurdities of our political system has been the 'Citizen's United' decision by the Supreme Court.

NYT:

Justices, 5-4, Reject Corporate Spending Limit

Basically, it ruled that current election law allows corporations to be considered "people" when it comes to political speech.

Therefore, through supposedly unconnected groups known as Super PACs, unlimited money can be raised by supporters of candidates. There is no requirement to disclose how much has been raised or where it came from.

Therefore, he started Colbert SuperPAC to show the process behind forming these legal entities which are having such a detrimental effect on the democratic system.

This week he made a surprise move to hand over the operation of his Colbert SuperPAC to Jon Stewart. By doing this, he has opened himself up to exploring a run as a candidate in the South Carolina primary election!

This should be very interesting... & hysterical!

The Colbert Report: January 12, 2012

Full Episode Link

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Colbert Report: "Not a Game" Government Shutdown Game

The Colbert Report is one of the few shows on TV that I consider required viewing. I've been watching since the 1st episode, & Stephen delivers consistently brilliant satire on the current state of affairs.

As can be expected, he's had a field day with all the absurdity surrounding the 2013 Government Shutdown.

The other night, he had this awesome segment that combined some of my favorite topics- politics, humor, and games!

He introduces some 'Government Shutdown' board games, such as
• "Operation: Denied Due to Pre-Existing Condition"
• "Not Sorry!"

Then, he plays the patently ridiculous, yet depressingly accurate, "Not a Game: The Government Shutdown Home Game" - based on the shenanigans surrounding the standoff around 'Obamacare' & the government shutdown.

Colbert Report: 

"Not a Game" game

 

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Video Archive

Glenn Beck's Dream... My Nightmare

The figureheads of America's Moron-ocracy.

I was outside eating breakfast at the park & the weather is beautiful. I figured Glenn Beck's rally (starring Glenn Beck & Sarah Palin) was already underway to Restore America's Honor™.

Of course, we've lost our Honor™ to the communist black guy that I & everyone else in the country elected President- in order to stop the slide into Beck's regressive brand of conservatism. Therefore, Glenn Beck feels the need to have a rally on same steps & the anniversary as Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. This way, his suckers... I mean Goldline customers, I mean fans... can "reclaim" whatever the hell they're trying to reclaim from Obama's bloodthirsty tyranny.

NYT:
"Thousands Hear Beck
and Palin at Washington Rally"

I admit it's possible that Glenn has honest intentions that are based solely on concern for the well-being of America's people.
...It's also possible that today I'll get a big tattoo of Glenn Beck's face on one side of my butt & Sarah Palin's face on the other.

Glenn's melodramatic, self-righteous performance art is directed toward the most impressionable, uninformed, & easily incited of Fox News viewers. I try to watch a few segments of the show when I can stomach it & am absolutely astounded that anyone can take that dork seriously. His followers must think The Pasty One is delivering an inspired revelation revealing the hidden secrets of politics & government. However he has been proven repeatedly to either make misleading, nebulous connections or just make crap up entirely.

Media Matters:
Search "Beck+False"

I'm not going to comment any further than agree w/ my brother who texted me yesterday with a simple message, "Glenn Beck is such an a-hole douchebag." He must have been watching a news report about the rally or reading about it. It's the feeling any normal person should get watching Beck's self-serving antics.

The masters of political comedy, Stewart & Colbert, have already whipped this one to death...

Daily Show:
"I Have a Scheme"

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
I Have a Scheme
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Colbert Report:
"Glenn-Livid"

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Glenn-Livid
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election Fox News

Monkeys vs. Bears

 I saw this classic Stephen Colbert rant on my Facebook feed, about the dangers of monkeys intermingling with bears - nature's 'godless killing machines'.

Colbert Report

Bears Eat Monkey

 

 

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Bears Eat Monkey
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Then on Picture is Unrelated, I came across this crazy animated GIF with a cymbal monkey surrounded by angry bears. It made total sense to post these 2 items together... so here they are!
 

       

Stephen Colbert tries to occupy the Occupy Movement

I've talked before about the Occupy Wall St. protests. Personally, as long as it remains generally non-violent I think the overall goals are eminently reasonable & are helping to guide the national discussion toward relevant issues.

The 99 Percent Declaration

Of course, nothing is sacred when it comes to the satirical genius of Stephen Colbert. This segment was really unfair to the motivations of the movement, but it's hysterical.

He demonstrated the power of absurdity & cynicism to these young idealists- by expertly playing the part of the self-absorbed, plutocratic a-hole.

Colbert Super PAC - Stephen Colbert Occupies Occupy Wall Street

   

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Colbert Super PAC - Stephen Colbert Occupies Occupy Wall Street Pt. 1
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

     

Stephen Colbert's SuperPAC & the FEC

Stephen Colbert is simply the greatest American political satirist. His merciless exploitation of political theatre is sublime, but also hysterical.

I've been following his recent efforts to form a PAC (Political Action Committee), although I'm not going to bother joining on the website:

Colbert PAC
"Making a Better Tomorrow...
Tomorrow."

Last nite I was laughing my ass off, watching the footage he showed of his trip to the FEC. He is making a brilliant mockery of the whole corrupt political process, that overwhelmingly favors money & power over sensible ideas.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Stephen Files Super PAC Request
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Highlighting the arbitrary & sometimes ridiculous nature of Law, he is trying to bypass certain restrictions (due to being employed by Viacom) on his ability to form a PAC- by forming a nominally different fundraising entity, called a "SuperPAC".

Washington Post:
New 'Super Pacs' Bringing Millions Into Campaigns

Besides showing the absurdity in our election & political processes, Colbert really just wants that sweet, sweet cash being made by all the other professional politician/entertainers!

Business Insider:
If The FEC Denies
Stephen Colbert's Super PAC Request
Sarah Palin And Karl Rove Could Be In Trouble

Colbert Has Lost His Mind

Comedy Central late nite w/ The Daily Show & Colbert Report is nightly viewing for me. Their irreverent look at the day's news continually unmasks the absurd aspects of human nature.

Stephen Colbert is consistently great... just last nite, he invented Meat Goggles!

Tonite's show, though, was probably the most stunningly sardonic things I've ever seen. He ruthlessly mocked race, religion, politicians, the banking system, and federal law in a barrage of satire that rivaled his 2006 roast of President Bush...

The Colbert Report
December 2, 2010

The Weiner & The Hot Dog

The ease with which our news media becomes completely engrossed in the most inconsequential stories is one manifestation of our absurd national discourse.

Anthony Weiner has been one of the most vocal 'liberal' Congressmen. He can come across as obnoxious, but he's been fighting the fight for the middle class that the Democratic Party-at-large should be engaging in more aggressively.

The Republicans in DC consistently fight against the common good and are shamelessly beholden to their corporate masters. I'm under no illusion that the Democrats don't have similar vested interests. Since the last election cycle, though, the GOP House and the newest batch of right-wing governors have declared outright war on anyone making less than $1 million.

Weiner has been one of the best at battling the 'conservative' ideologues. However, he has now completely screwed his reputation, at least in the short term, by lying about a personal pic he mistakenly tweeted.

Only in our sexually schizophrenic country, could pictures of a man's crotch in underwear cause a national media hysteria.
Of course, I understand that he lied horribly about the whole thing & that has a wife whom he betrayed. He is a fool for engaging in that type of behavior as a Congressperson, especially with right-wing attack dogs always frothing at the mouth to take him down. He should probably step down - if anything, so people can start talking about much more important issues (like preventing further economic collapse) sooner than later. If he was smart, he'd get a job on cable news, like Eliot Spitzer, and get to spout off as much as he wants. He'd also help balance out Fox New's stable of politician/entertainer/pundits.

However the media circus surrounding this story is just crazy, & it's mostly Weiner's fault for trying to cover it up in such a ridiculous way.

The culmination of the Weiner circus was his press conference this week, in which he admitted his involvement. First, he was pre-empted on the podium by his nemesis- the raging, vindictive A-hole Andrew Breitbart who has been unfortunately been vindicated in this. Then, the entire embarrassing scene escalated when reporters were allowed to ask their idiotic, childish questions.
To top it all off, madman Benjy Bronk from the Howard Stern Show got in there to ask an off-color question.

photo from Newsweek

Besides The Weiner, there's also The Hot Dog who's taking up the rest of the news cycle.

I am obviously referring to The Alaskan Banshee herself, Sarah Palin. She is gallivanting around the country, using hard-swindled PAC money to visit historic landmarks.

Media Swarms Aimless Palin Bus Tour

As she casually acts like she's trying to get some American history into that vacuous skull of hers, her trip is pretty much pissing everyone off: the press, the Republican party, & people who actually understand history.

To be a true Sarah Palin fan requires the most pervasive ignorance that can befall a human being.

Palin is always wrong, refuses to engage in any self-reflection whatsoever, & babbles on so incoherently that many of her interviews are indistinguishable from this:

She produced a doozy this week- with her recounting of Paul Revere's midnight ride. Even after being later called out on her lack of knowledge by her own pals at Fox News, she laughably blames the "gotcha media" in her (now predictable) self-righteous manner.

Last nite, Stephen Colbert rode all over this story, on his toy horse, as he recounted Paul Revere's ride according to Sarah Palin.

The Colbert Report
Tags: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

I also saw this great cartoon below, about her revisionist accounts of American events. I'm glad there are more people with the sense to mock this unscrupulous & exploitative woman than those people with no sense at all... the people who actually admire her.

seen on BoingBoing

At this point, I welcome all The Madness. It lets me know I'm still a part of this wonderfully insane world. It's not like there's critically important issues facing the nation, right?....

Obama: Won't Enslave the White Race!!!

Jon Stewart on the Daily Show has been giving a so-so performance lately. It seems like he expects unfunny things to be funny just because he's saying it. It's a stark contrast to Stephen Colbert's sharp character-driven wit. Both shows are great in their own way, though.

However, the iconic Mr. Stewart made up for any recent mediocrity with the single most absurdly poignant question of the campaign to Barack Obama, that comes toward the end of the 1st part of the interview. He exposes the ridiculous undercurrent of perceived racial implications of a non-white person leading the country.

JS: Sir, we are concerned that ultimately, at the end of the day, if you are fortunate enough to get the Democratic nomination, fortunate enough to become President of the United States, will you pull a ‘bait and switch’, sir, and enslave the white race? Is that your plan? And if it is your plan, be honest, tell us now.

BO:That is not our plan, Jon. But I think your paranoia might make you suitable as a debate moderator.

The Daily Show w/ Barack Obama

Where the interview completely fails is
1) his request for Obama to "add hope" to stupid phrases.
I could absolutely write better segments than that.
2) Stewart's obnoxiously self-indulgent recommendation of some unknown restaurant near Pittsburg. wtf cares?

Sen. Obama was also on the Colbert Report where he acknowledged "The #1 Threat to America"...

Colbert Report w/ Barack Obama

The Circle Trademarked

This post is hereby a notice that The Monkey Buddha has trademarked & copyrighted the form known as "The Circle".

The newspaper USA Today is first in line to get sued by my extensive team of high-powered lawyers, since they had the audacity to simplify their corporate logo into a plain blue circle.

Stephen Colbert had some fun with this provocative decision on his show:

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

*Okay, obviously, this is a joke... since a general shape, like the circle, cannot be claimed as intellectual property.

However, it's meant as a thought exercise in what it means to "own" an image or creation.

Clowning on Glenn Beck

The Daily Show & Colbert Report both had a little fun this week with the Minister of Teabagging Propaganda, Glenn Beck.

In my opinion, cynical self-serving bullshit artists like The Prophet Glenn & 'Grizzly Momma' Sarah Palin deserve all the mocking scorn they invite. Despite their delusional self-assurance that impresses the more gullible segments of the population, they are demonstrably wrong about so many things. "Drill Baby Drill!" ...stupider than ever.

On the Daily Show, Lewis Black expertly diagnoses Glenn Beck's case of "Hitler Tourette's":

Daily Show, May 12, 2010:
"Back in Black -
Glenn Beck's Nazi Tourette's"

Then, the clowning continued as The Master himself, Stephen Colbert, unloaded on Glenn Beck's apparent aspiration to be an albino jackass version of Martin Luther King:

Colbert Report, May 12, 2010:
"Glenn to the Mountaintop"

Thank goodness for the giants of political humor pointing out the absurdity of these dopes.

Stephen Colbert is Great

Well, I didn't think it was possible, but I think the Colbert Report on Comedy Central has matched, if not exceeded, the standard of the Daily Show. This performance by Stephen Colbert at the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner takes it to another level, though. I can't imagine the balls it takes to ridicule the President of the United States right to his face. Even if it is supposed to be in jest, the issues and the stinging humor Colbert presents have to be uncomfortable for many, especially the War Monkey himself.

Colbert, who spoke in the guise of his talk show character, who ostensibly supports the president strongly, urged the Bush to ignore his low approval ratings, saying they were based on reality, “and reality has a well-known liberal bias.”

Stephen Colbert Eats an Ewok

I haven't had a chance to post anything lately, but I saw this a few nights ago & got a laugh out of it.

The Colbert Report:
"A Rare Correction - Stephen Eats an Ewok"

Star Wars is my all-time favorite movie series, but the primitive teddy bears called 'Ewoks' were one of George Lucas's very transparent toy-marketing ploys.

Therefore, I found it very amusing when Stephen Colbert decided to 'eat an Ewok'. Having eaten bear meat before, I can imagine one of the furry inhabitants of Endor's Green Moon might taste similar.

Despite their cuteness & their heroic role in crippling the Galactic Empire, I would probably have to try a juicy Ewok steak if it was placed in front of me...

'Rally To Restore Sanity' Signs

So, I've been planning on going to Washington DC for The Rally to Restore Sanity with my brother & some of our friends. The hotel rooms have been booked so now it's on!

I have been watching The Daily Show since Jon Stewart became host, & I've watched The Colbert Report since the first show. In a weird way, I've always considered their comedic, absurdist outlook on politics & current events to be more credible than the polished facade that characterizes the 24-hour news networks.

Organizing a huge event solely to highlight the need for reasonable political discourse was a stroke of genius for this crazy election season. The reactionaries in politics & the media have become so nuts that we actually need to demonstrate that there are still sane people left! Even though society's chaotic multitude of perspectives is what keeps life interesting, too much chaos can tear things apart.

Since I probably won't have a chance to post anything before the rally, I'll share some fun posters I created last weekend that we're getting made into signs. There's definitely going to be alot of people wearing costumes and carrying all kinds of crazy signage. Hopefully it will be a good time, to say the least. There will be a full report if & when I get back.

Dean Kamen on The Colbert Report

The other night Stephen Colbert interviewed prolific inventor Dean Kamen. His creations include the Segway transport, the insulin pump, a mobile dialysis system, & an all-terrain gyroscopic wheelchair.

Colbertnation.com:
Dean Kamen Interview

On the show, Kamen was showcasing his robotic artificial arm, appropriately called the "Luke Arm" after Luke Skywalker.

Dean Kamen's "Luke Arm" Prosthesis
Readies for Clinical Trials

As unnatural cybernetics may seem, Kamen gave the connection between man & technology a very emotional dimension. Even though he started out slow in the interview, by the end of it his deep passion was evident for scientific innovation that improves humanity.

Many people are weary of mankind becoming inhuman cyborgs through such robotic prosthesis. I think Kamen displayed that using these 'artificial' tools does not necessarily diminish our humanity, and in fact, may enhance it.

Rally to Restore Sanity!!!

No sooner did I finish writing about the craziness of the extreme right-wing ideologues & Tea Party candidates dominating the national political discourse... than I turned on The Daily Show to see the big announcement.

Rally to Restore Sanity

Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert have been hinting at some kind of event, a la Glenn Beck. Tonight, Jon Stewart revealed the planned "Rally to Restore Sanity" which is probably going to make Beck's facetious 'Rally to Restore Honor' look like a little picnic.

This is so great. I am absolutely going if it's humanly possible. The Daily Show's political humor & reverence for The Absurd helped me smile through the years of incompetence/malfeasance of the Bush Administration. I've been watching The Colbert Report since the first episode and now both shows are required viewing for me.

Despite the satirical nature of the event, my fellow Daily Show viewers are actually the most accurately informed news consumers. You have to know the people, facts, & context of current events to understand all the jokes on the shows. It's hard to follow the humor if you're an ignoramus.

Anyway, I'm psyched, & if it goes according to plan it should be an awesome day.

The Gods of Comedy are Back

Despite the ongoing writer's strike, the Jon Stewart & Steven Colbert were back on the air tonight.

I'm not sure exactly how the show production is functioning at this point, but they are doing exactly what makes the shows & their hosts so great. The program is being used to advocate for the cause of the creative staff vs. the corporation - on the company's own airwaves!!!

The irony & effectiveness of this use of the situation is absolutely brilliant, which is why I watch the Daily Show & Colbert Report every night.

Jon Stewart is the Most Trusted Newsman

A year ago, the NY Times asked

Is Jon Stewart
the Most Trusted Man in America?

Jon Stewart is definitely great, but even I wouldn't go quite THAT far, even rhetorically. However a recent Time poll showed a result that I can agree with, even though Stephen Colbert might disagree:

"Who is America's
Most Trusted Newscaster?"

(Hint: It's not Katie Couric)

The Daily Show & The Colbert Report are the only shows that I try to watch every night.

I almost never watch the network news, and I'll change the channel if the cable news is airing what I consider to be worthless content.

The world we live in is often absurd & approaching the news from a strictly serious, respectful angle only gives a false sense that the many clowns (<Warning: Clicking here may cause nightmares) in public life are "serious" & should automatically be given respect.

Comedy Central's political comedy lineup is a great because there are plenty of smart, funny people who appreciate an irreverent look at current events. Satire is a sublime form of information that can have a powerful effect on public opinion. Although he tends to play the simple goofball alot, Mr. "Stewart" is in a very unique position to expose, humiliate, & scorn the most powerful people on earth with no real consequences. He's the modern political court jester for the entire country. It's a pretty awesome thing when you think about it....

Unending Palin Madness

UPDATE!: I saw this story & can barely believe the audacity of this crazy fame hound. Bring it on, you loon. She's either going to guarantee Obama's re-election... or she will bring out all the stupid that America can muster & actually win - bringing about a thorough regressive dismantling of this country and ushering in Armageddon. Either way, it'll make a hell of a show!... PALIN 2012!!!!

ABC News:
"Sarah Palin Says She Could Beat Obama"

-----------------------------------------

I don't know why this guy was arrested. Wasn't he reacting how a normal person should when faced with someone from the Palin family on the TV?

TMZ:
"Man Shoots TV Over Bristol's 'Dancing' Routine"

I hate adding to the people talking about this woman, but Stephen Colbert did a great take-off of her "reality" show, Sarah Palin's Alaska.

Stephen Colbert's Report

My family was watching the opening part of that show while we were at my parents' house. The only redeeming quality was the nature shots, which looked great in HD.

However, the calming beauty was soon shattered by the shrill shriek of The Alaskan Banshee herself.

Like everything else, the irony of the situation is lost on her as she screams:

"How come we can't ever
just be satisfied with
TRANQUILITY?!?!?!?"

>:-O

I became totally annoyed and changed the channel, refusing to watch any more of that insufferable show.