Stephen Colbert
Un article de Vev.
Modèle:Pp-semi-vandalism Modèle:About Modèle:Infobox Comedian
Stephen Tyrone Colbert Modèle:PronEng (born May 13, 1964) is an American comedian, satirist, actor, and writer known for his ironic style, particularly in his portrayal of uninformed opinion leaders<ref name="avclub"> Rabin , Nathan
. " Stephen Colbert interview " , The A.V. Club , The Onion , January 25, 2006 . Retrieved on 2006-07-10 . </ref> and deadpan comedic delivery.
Colbert originally studied to be an actor, but became interested in improvisational theater when he met famed Second City director Del Close while attending Northwestern University. He first performed professionally as an understudy for Steve Carell at Second City Chicago; among his troupe mates were comedians Paul Dinello and Amy Sedaris, with whom he developed the critically-acclaimed sketch comedy series Exit 57.
Colbert also wrote and performed on the short-lived Dana Carvey Show before collaborating with Sedaris and Dinello again on the cult television series Strangers with Candy. He gained considerable attention for his role on the latter as closeted, gay history teacher Chuck Noblet. It was his work as a correspondent on Comedy Central's news-parody series The Daily Show, however, that first introduced him to a wide audience.
In 2005, he left The Daily Show to host a spin-off series, The Colbert Report. Following The Daily Show's news-parody concept, The Colbert Report styles itself as a parody of personality-driven political opinion shows such as Bill O'Reilly's The O'Reilly Factor. Since its debut, the series has been successful, establishing itself as one of Comedy Central's highest-rated series, earning Colbert three Emmy nominations and an invitation to perform as featured entertainer at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in 2006. Colbert was named one of Time's 100 most influential people in 2006.<ref name="time100"> The Time 100: The People Who Shape Our World
. Time (April 30, 2006)
. Retrieved on 2006-07-07. </ref> He will speak at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Sommaire |
Early life
Stephen Colbert was born in Washington, D.C.<ref name="alum"> Seaman , Marley
. " A Funny Man of Good Report " , Northwestern Magazine , Winter, 2005 . Retrieved on 2007-07-11 . </ref> and grew up in Charleston, South Carolina on James Island, the youngest of eleven children in an Irish Catholic family.<ref name="dowd"> Dowd , Maureen
(November 16, 2006) . America's Anchors . Rolling Stone
. Retrieved on 2006-12-09. </ref><ref name="charlestonian"> Donovan , Bryce
(April 29, 2006) . Great Charlestonian? … Or the Greatest Charlestonian? . The Charleston Post and Courier
. Retrieved on 2006-07-22. </ref><ref name="25questions"> Solomon , Deborah
(September 25, 2005) . Funny About the News . The New York Times
. Retrieved on 2006-07-22. </ref> The Colbert children, in order from oldest to youngest, are: Jimmy, Eddie, Mary, Billy, Margo, Tommy, Jay, Lulu, Paul, Peter and Stephen.<ref name="imdbbio">[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0170306/bio IMDB Bio Page</ref>
His father, James Colbert, was the vice president for academic affairs at the Medical University of South Carolina. His mother, Lorna Colbert, was a homemaker. In interviews, Colbert has described his parents as devout people who also strongly valued intellectualism and taught their children that it was possible to question the Church and still be Catholic.<ref name=TimeOut> Cote , David
(June 9, 2005) . Joyce Words . Time Out New York
. Retrieved on 2006-08-13. </ref> The emphasis his family placed on intelligence and his observation of negative stereotypes of Southerners led Colbert to train himself to suppress his Southern accent while he was still quite young. As a child, he observed that Southerners were often depicted as being less intelligent than other characters on scripted television; to avoid that stereotype, he taught himself to imitate the speech of American news anchors from an early age.<ref name="freshair1"> Gross , Terry
(January 24, 2005) . A Fake Newsman's Fake Newsman: Stephen Colbert . Fresh Air . National Public Radio
. Retrieved on 2007-07-11. </ref><ref name="60minutes"> Safer , Morley
(August 13, 2006) . The Colbert Report: Morley Safer Profiles Comedy Central's 'Fake' Newsman . 60 Minutes
. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. </ref>
Colbert sometimes comedically refers to his surname as French, but his family is actually of Irish descent.<ref name="dowd"/> Originally, the name was pronounced "KHOL-bert"; Colbert's father wanted to pronounce the name "Khol-BARE," maintaining the "KHOL-bert" pronunciation only out of respect for his own father. As a result, James Colbert offered his children the option to pronounce the name whichever way they preferred.<ref name="charlestonian"/> Stephen started using "Khol-BARE" later in life when he transferred to Northwestern University, taking advantage of the opportunity to reinvent himself in a new place where no one knew him.<ref name="dowd"/>
On September 11, 1974, when Colbert was ten years old, his father and two of his brothers, Peter and Paul, were killed in the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 while it was attempting to land in Charlotte, North Carolina. They were en route to enroll the two boys at Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut.<ref name=25questions/><ref name="obit">"
Obituaries " , The Washington Post , September 14, 1974 . </ref> Shortly thereafter, Lorna Colbert relocated the family downtown to the more urban environment of East Bay Street in Charleston. By his own account, Colbert found the transition difficult and did not easily make new friends in his new neighborhood.<ref name="charlestonian"/> Colbert later described himself during this time as detached, lacking a sense of importance regarding the things with which other children concerned themselves.<ref name="ign"> P. , Ken
(August 11, 2003) . An Interview with Stephen Colbert . IGN
. Retrieved on 2006-07-22. </ref><ref name="60minutes"/> He developed a love of science fiction and fantasy novels, especially the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, of which he remains an avid fan. During his adolescence, he also developed an intense interest in fantasy role-playing games, especially Dungeons & Dragons,<ref name="gamespy"> Rausch , Allen
(August 17, 2004) . Stephen Colbert on D&D . GameSpy
. Retrieved on 2006-07-22. </ref><ref name="ign"/> a pastime which he later characterized as an early experience in acting and improvisation.<ref name="avclub"/>
Colbert attended Charleston's Episcopal Porter-Gaud School, where he participated in several school plays and contributed to the school newspaper but, by his own assessment, was not highly motivated academically.<ref name="ign"/> When he was younger, he had hoped to study marine biology, but surgery intended to repair a severely perforated eardrum caused him inner ear damage. The damage was severe enough that he was unable to pursue a career that would involve scuba diving. The damage also left him deaf in his right ear.<ref name="charlestonian"/><ref name="nypostguy"> Remnick , David
(July 25, 2005) . Reporter Guy . The New Yorker
. Retrieved on 2006-07-07. </ref> For a while, he was uncertain as to whether or not he would attend college,<ref name="tiger"> Beazley , Nick
(2003) . Student Meets Daily Show Correspondent With Ties to the Hill . The Hampden-Sydney Tiger
. Retrieved on 2007-07-11. </ref> but ultimately he applied and was accepted to Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, where a friend had also enrolled. There he continued to participate in plays while studying mainly philosophy;<ref name="ballots"/><ref name="ign"/> he found the curriculum rigorous but was more focused than he had been in high school and was able to apply himself to his studies. Despite the lack of a significant theater community at Hampden-Sydney, Colbert's interest in acting escalated during this time. After two years, he transferred to Northwestern University's School of Communication to study performance, emboldened by the realization that he loved performing even when no one was coming to shows.<ref name=ign/>
Career
Early career in comedy
While at Northwestern, Colbert studied with the intent of becoming a dramatic actor; mostly he performed in experimental plays and was uninterested in comedy. He began performing improvisation at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago as a part of Del Close's ImprovOlympic at a time when the project was focused on competitive, long form improvisation, rather than improvisational comedy. "I wasn't gonna do Second City," Colbert later recalled, "because those Annoyance people looked down on Second City because they thought it wasn't pure improv—there was a slightly snobby, mystical quality to the Annoyance people."<ref name="avclub"/> After Colbert graduated in 1986, however, he was in need of a job, and a friend who was employed at Second City's box office offered him work answering phones and selling souvenirs.<ref name="ign"/> Colbert accepted, and discovered that Second City employees were entitled to take classes at their training center for free.<ref name="avclub"/> Despite his earlier aversion to the comedy group, he signed up for improvisation classes, and enjoyed the experience greatly.
Shortly thereafter, he was hired to perform with Second City's touring company, initially as an understudy for Steve Carell. It was there he met Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello, with whom he often collaborated later in his career. By their retelling, the three comedians did not get along at first—Dinello thought Colbert was uptight, pretentious and cold, while Colbert thought of Dinello as "an illiterate thug"<ref name="wiggingout"> Jevens , Darel
. " Wigging Out " , Chicago Sun-Times , April 27, 2003 . </ref>—but the trio became close friends while touring together, discovering that they shared a similar comic sensibility.<ref name="ign"/>
When Sedaris and Dinello were offered the opportunity to create a television series for HBO Downtown Productions, Colbert left The Second City and relocated to New York in order to work with them on the sketch comedy show Exit 57.<ref name="ign"/> The series debuted on Comedy Central in 1995 and aired through 1996. Despite only lasting for 12 episodes, the show received favorable reviews<ref> Roush , Matt
. " Critic's Corner " , USA TODAY , August 18, 1995 . </ref><ref> Lipsky , David . " The new skitcoms: Sketches of pain " , Rolling Stone , January 21, 1995 . </ref> and was nominated for five CableACE Awards in 1995, in categories including best writing, performance, and comedy series.<ref name="ccbio"> Biography of Stephen Colbert at The Daily Show official website . Comedy Central
. Retrieved on 2006-07-22. </ref>
Following the cancellation of Exit 57, Colbert worked for six months as a cast member and writer on The Dana Carvey Show, alongside former Second City cast mate Steve Carell, as well as Robert Smigel, Charlie Kaufman, Louis C.K., and Dino Stamatopoulos, among others. The series, described by one reviewer as "kamikaze satire" in "borderline-questionable taste," had sponsors pull out after its first episode aired, and was cancelled after seven episodes.<ref name="saloncarvey"> Millman , Joyce
(February 15, 1996) . Dana Carvey bites the hand that feeds him . Salon.com
. Retrieved on 2006-11-25. </ref> Colbert then worked briefly as a freelance writer for Saturday Night Live with Robert Smigel. Smigel also brought his animated sketch The Ambiguously Gay Duo to SNL from The Dana Carvey Show; Colbert provided the voice of Ace on both series, opposite Steve Carell as Gary. Needing money, he also worked as a script consultant for VH1 and MTV, before taking a job filming humorous correspondent segments for Good Morning America.<ref name="ign"/> Only two of the segments he proposed were ever produced, and only one aired, but the job led his agent to refer him to The Daily Show's then-producer, Madeline Smithberg, who hired Colbert on a trial basis in 1997.<ref name="mediabistro"> Schneider , Jacqueline
(May 6, 2003) . So What Do You Do, Stephen Colbert? . Mediabistro.com
. Retrieved on 2006-07-22. </ref>
Strangers with Candy
During the same time frame, Colbert worked again with Sedaris and Dinello to develop a new comedy series for Comedy Central, Strangers with Candy. Comedy Central picked up the series in 1998 after Colbert had already begun working on The Daily Show. As a result he accepted a reduced role, filming only around twenty Daily Show segments a year while he worked on the new series.<ref name="ign"/>
Strangers with Candy was conceived of as a parody of after school specials, following the life of Jerri Blank, a 46-year-old dropout who returns to finish high school after 32 years of life on the street. Most noted by critics for its use of offensive humor, it concluded each episode by delivering to the audience a skewed, politically incorrect moral lesson.<ref name="tvgswc"> Fox , Ken
. Review—Strangers With Candy . TV Guide
. Retrieved on 2007-07-11. </ref> Colbert served as a main writer alongside Sedaris and Dinello, as well as portraying Jerri's strict but uninformed history teacher, Chuck Noblet, seen throughout the series dispensing inaccurate information to his classes. Colbert has likened this to the character he played on The Daily Show and later The Colbert Report, claiming that he has a very specific niche in portraying "poorly informed, high-status idiot" characters.<ref name="25questions"/> Another running joke throughout the series was that Noblet, a closeted homosexual, was having a "secret" affair with fellow teacher Geoffrey Jellineck despite the fact that their relationship was apparent to everyone around them. This obliviousness also appears in Colbert's Daily Show and Colbert Report character.
Thirty episodes of the series were made, which aired on Comedy Central in 1999 and 2000. Though its ratings were not remarkable during its initial run, it has been characterized as a cult show with a small but dedicated audience.<ref name="ewswc"> Bierly , Mandi
. " 50 Best TV Shows on DVD " , Entertainment Weekly , November 26, 2004 . </ref> Colbert reprised his role for a film adaptation, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005 and had a limited release in 2006. The film received mixed reviews. Colbert also co-wrote the screenplay with Sedaris and Dinello.<ref name="metaswc"> Strangers With Candy (2006): Reviews . Metacritic
. Retrieved on 2007-07-11. </ref>
The Daily Show
Stephen Colbert joined the cast of Comedy Central's parody-news series The Daily Show in 1997, when the show was in its second season. Originally one of four "correspondents" who filmed segments from remote locations in the style of network news field reporters, Colbert was referred to as "the new guy" on-air for his first two years on the show, during which time Craig Kilborn served as host. When Kilborn left the show prior to the 1999 season, Jon Stewart took over hosting duties, also serving as a writer and co-executive. From this point, the series gradually began to take on a more political tone and increase in popularity, particularly in the latter part of the 2000 U.S. presidential election season. The roles of the show's correspondents were expanded to include more in-studio segments, as well as international reports which were almost always done in the studio with the aid of a greenscreen.<ref name="ign"/>
Unlike Stewart, who essentially hosts The Daily Show as himself,<ref name="baldego"> Poniewozik , James
(November 6, 2005) . The American Bald Ego . Time
. Retrieved on 2006-10-30. </ref> Colbert developed a correspondent character for his pieces on the series. Colbert has described his correspondent character as "a fool who has spent a lot of his life playing not the fool"—one who is able to cover it at least well enough to deal with the subjects that he deals with.<ref name="ign"/> Colbert was frequently pitted against knowledgeable interview subjects, or against Stewart in scripted exchanges, with the resultant dialogue demonstrating the character's lack of knowledge of whatever subject he is discussing.<ref name="ign"/><ref name="steinberg"> Steinberg , Jacques
(October 12, 2005) . The News Is Funny, as a Correspondent Gets His Own Show . The New York Times
. Retrieved on 2006-07-13. </ref> Colbert also made generous use of humorous fallacies of logic in explaining his point of view on any topic. Other Daily Show correspondents have adopted a similar style, and the convention of having more character-driven correspondent segments, with Stewart serving as a kind of straight-man foil, is now generally accepted as a part of the show's format.
Colbert has appeared in several recurring segments for The Daily Show, including "Even Stephven" with Steve Carell, in which both characters were expected to debate a selected topic but instead would unleash their anger at one another. Colbert also commonly hosted "This Week in God," a report on topics in the news pertaining to religion, presented with the help of the "God Machine." Colbert also filed reports from the floor of the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention as a part of The Daily Show's award-winning coverage of the 2000 and 2004 U.S. Presidential elections; many from the latter were included as part of their The Daily Show: Indecision 2004 DVD release. In several episodes of The Daily Show, Colbert filled in as anchor in the absence of Jon Stewart, including the full week of 3 March 2002, when Stewart was scheduled to host Saturday Night Live. After Colbert left the show, the duty of filling in for Stewart was assumed by Rob Corddry until his departure in August 2006. Corddry also took over "This Week in God" segments, although a recorded sample of Colbert's voice is still used as the sound effect for the God Machine. Later episodes of The Daily Show have reused older Colbert segments under the label "Klassic Kolbert." Colbert won three Emmys as a writer of The Daily Show in 2004, 2005, and 2006.
The Colbert Report
Since October 17, 2005, Colbert has hosted his own television show, The Colbert Report, a Daily Show spin-off which parodies the conventions of television news broadcasting,<ref name="freshair1"/> particularly cable-personality political talk shows like The O'Reilly Factor and Scarborough Country.<ref> Lemann , Nicholas
(March 27, 2006) . Bill O'Reilly's baroque period. . The New Yorker
. Retrieved on 2006-07-08. </ref><ref name ="avclub"/> Colbert hosts the show in-character as a blustery right-wing pundit, generally considered to be an extension of his character on The Daily Show. Conceived by co-creators Stewart, Colbert, and Ben Karlin in part as an opportunity to explore "the character-driven news," the series focuses less on the day-to-day news style of the Daily Show, instead frequently concentrating on the foibles of the host-character himself.
The concept for The Report was first seen in a series of Daily Show segments which advertised the then-fictional series as a joke. It was later developed by Stewart's Busboy Productions and pitched to Comedy Central, which greenlighted the program; Comedy Central had already been searching for a way to extend the successful Daily Show franchise beyond a half hour.<ref name="medialife"> Fitzgerald , Toni
(October 20, 2005) . The wit and sense of 'Colbert Report' . Media Life
. Retrieved on 2007-07-11. </ref> The series opened to strong ratings, averaging 1.2 million viewers nightly during its first week on the air. Comedy Central signed a long-term contract for The Colbert Report within its first month on the air, when it immediately established itself among the network's highest-rated shows.<ref name="renewal"> Amter , Charlie
(November 2, 2005) . Comedy Central Keeps Colbert . E! Online
. Retrieved on 2007-07-11. </ref><ref name=newsweek1> Masland , Tom
(October 21, 2005) . Life, The Docudrama . Newsweek . MSNBC
. Retrieved on 2007-07-11. </ref>
Much of Colbert's personal life is reflected in his character on The Colbert Report. With the extended exposure of the character on the show, he often references his interest in and knowledge of Catholicism, science fiction, and The Lord of the Rings, as well as using real facts to create his character's history. His alternate persona was also raised in South Carolina, is the youngest of 11 siblings, and is married.<ref name="Colbertnation"> Gordon , Avery
. STEPHEN'S BIO from Colbertnation.com . Comedy Central
. Retrieved on 2007-06-15.
</ref> The actual Colbert's career history in acting and comedy is often downplayed, however.
2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
On Saturday, April 29, 2006, Stephen Colbert was the featured entertainer for the 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Standing a few yards from U.S. President George W. Bush<ref> Morford, Mark
(May 1, 2006) . Stephen Colbert Has Brass Cojones . SF Gate
. Retrieved on 2006-06-01. </ref>—in front of an audience the Associated Press called a "Who's Who of power and celebrity"<ref name="ap-2006.04.30"> White , Elizabeth
(April 30, 2006) . Bush Plays Straight Man to His Lookalike . The Washington Post
. Retrieved on 2006-06-03. </ref>—Colbert delivered a controversial, searing routine targeting the president and the media.<ref name="editor-and-publisher-2006.04.29"> Colbert Lampoons Bush at White House Correspondents Dinner—President Not Amused?
. Editor & Publisher (April 29, 2006)
. Retrieved on 2006-05-07. </ref> In his politically conservative character from The Colbert Report, Colbert satirized the George W. Bush Administration and the White House press corps with such lines as: Modèle:Cquote2
The performance received a lukewarm response from the audience, and major media outlets paid little attention to it initially. Washington Post columnist Dan Froomkin and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism professor Todd Gitlin claimed that this was because Colbert's routine was as critical of the media as it was of Bush.<ref name="blackout"> Froomkin , Dan
(May 2, 2006) . The Colbert Blackout . The Washington Post
. Retrieved on 2006-05-07. </ref><ref name="nocomment"> Kaufman , Gil
(May 2, 2006) . Stephen Colbert's Attack On Bush Gets A Big 'No Comment' From U.S. Media . MTV News
. Retrieved on 2006-05-07. </ref> Richard Cohen, also writing for The Washington Post, responded by claiming that Colbert did not get media attention because the routine was not funny.<ref> Cohen , Richard
(May 4,2006) . So Not Funny . The Washington Post
. Retrieved on 2007-04-15. </ref> The video of Colbert's performance became an Internet and media sensation,<ref name="cnet"> Sandoval, Greg
(May 3, 2006) . Video of Presidential roast attracts big Web audience . CNET
. Retrieved on 2006-05-08. </ref><ref name="nytimes-2006.05.22"> Cohen , Noam
(May 22, 2006) . That After-Dinner Speech remains a favorite dish . The New York Times
. Retrieved on 2006-05-22. </ref> and ratings for The Colbert Report rose 37% in the week following the speech.<ref name="nypost"> Lauria , Peter
(May 7, 2006) . Colbert Soars . New York Post
. Retrieved on 2006-07-07. </ref> In Time magazine James Poniewozik called it "the political-cultural touchstone issue of 2006."<ref name="death">
Poniewozik , James
(May 3, 2006) . Stephen Colbert and the Death of "The Room" . Time
. Retrieved on 2006-05-08. </ref> Writing six months later, New York Times columnist Frank Rich referred to Colbert's speech as a "cultural primary" and christened it the "defining moment" of the 2006 midterm elections.<ref name="nytimes-truthiness-bums"> Rich , Frank
(November 5, 2006) . Throw the Truthiness Bums Out . The New York Times
. Retrieved on 2006-11-22. </ref><ref name="washpost-bubble-trouble"> Froomkin , Dan
(November 7, 2006) . Bubble Trouble . The Washington Post
. Retrieved on 2006-11-22. </ref>
Other work
Stephen Colbert is co-author of the satirical text-and-picture novel Wigfield: The Can Do Town That Just May Not, which was published in 2003 by Hyperion Books. The novel was a collaboration between Colbert, Amy Sedaris, and Paul Dinello, and tells the story of a small town threatened by the impending destruction of a massive dam. The narrative is presented as a series of fictional interviews with the town's residents, accompanied by photos. The three authors toured performing an adaptation of Wigfield on stage the same year the book was released.<ref> Metz , Nina
. " 'Daily Show' meets Second City in 'Wigfield' tour " , Chicago Tribune , April 27, 2003 . </ref>
Colbert appeared in a small supporting role in the 2005 film adaptation of Bewitched. He has made guest appearances on the television series Curb Your Enthusiasm, Spin City, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and on the improvisational comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway?. He voiced the characters of Reducto and Phil Ken Sebben in the Adult Swim's Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law but was forced to leave the show in 2005 to work on The Colbert Report. His characters were both killed, though he returned to voice Phil for the series finale. Colbert also has provided voices for Cartoon Network's The Venture Bros., Comedy Central's Crank Yankers, and American Dad!, as well as for Canadian animated comedy series The Wrong Coast.<ref> Stephen Colbert Filmography
. Internet Movie Database
. Retrieved on 2007-07-11. </ref> He appeared as Homer Simpson's life coach in the Simpsons episode "He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs". Colbert also voiced the announcer in the 2003 Xbox game Outlaw Volleyball.
Colbert filled in for Sam Seder on the second episode of The Majority Report on Air America Radio, and has also done reports for The Al Franken Show. He performed the opening narration of the play Hedwig and the Angry Inch on a CD compilation of music from and inspired by the play and film. Colbert read the part of Leopold Bloom in Bloomsday on Broadway XXIV: Love Literature Language Lust: Leopold's Women Bloom on June 16, 2005 at Symphony Space in New York City.<ref name="TimeOut"/> He appeared in a series of TV commercials for General Motors, as a not-too-bright investigator searching for the elusive (and non-existent in real life) "Mr. Goodwrench." He also portrayed the letter Z in Sesame Street: All-Star Alphabet, a 2005 video release.
Colbert has completed a new book, released on October 7, 2007 by Warner Books titled I Am America (And So Can You!). Warner Books was also the publisher of America (The Book), written by The Daily Show staff. The book contains similar political satire, but was written primarily by Colbert himself rather than as a collaboration with his Colbert Report writing staff.<ref> Zeitchik , Steven
(March 20, 2006) . Colbert riffs put to paper . Variety
. Retrieved on 2007-07-11. </ref>
Announced 2008 Presidential bid
On October 14, 2007, Stephen wrote Maureen Dowd's column in the New York Times, where, among poking fun at Frank Rich and several presidential hopefuls, he stated he would run for president for the sum of 15 million dollars.<ref> Dowd , Maureen
; Stephen Colbert
(August 14, 2007) . A Mock Columnist, Amok . The New York Times
. Retrieved on 2007-10-14. </ref>
On October 15, 2007, Colbert appeared on Larry King Live to discuss his new book, as well as rumors stating that he was interested in running for president.
On the October 16, 2007 episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Colbert, in character, announced "I am officially considering whether or not I will announce if I am considering running for President of the United States", and would make his announcement "on a more prestigious show." After fifteen minutes of soul searching, again in character, he announced his candidacy on The Colbert Report, saying he will run in the South Carolina primary as a Democrat and a Republican. Filing for election only in South Carolina, he will be a favorite son candidate.<ref name="Presidential bid">"
Colbert Announces Presidential Pursuit " , The Associated Press , October 17, 2007 . Retrieved on 2007-10-17 . </ref> On the following episode of his show, Colbert signed both the Democratic and Republican nomination forms on the air.
ABC News commented:<ref name='ABC-Tapper-2007-10-17'>
Tapper , Jake
; and Avery Miller, Brett Hovell, and Herran Berkele .
"
Presidential Parody? Stephen Colbert Joins the Race
" , World News with Charles Gipson , ABC News
, October 17, 2007
. Retrieved on 2007-10-17
. </ref>
“From what I understand, he does have credible people down here, working to have him placed on the ballot," said Joe Werner, executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party.<ref> Steinberg , Jacques
; Stephen Colbert
(October 18, 2007) . Colbert Consulted Parties Before Announcing Run . The New York Times
. Retrieved on 2007-10-18. </ref> Campaign finance laws and equal time provisions complicate Colbert's campaign, especially as the present host of a television show that his production company owns.<ref> Klein, Rick
(October 24, 2007) . No Joke: Colbert's Campaign May Run Afoul of Law
. Retrieved on 2007-10-25. </ref>
On October 29, 2007, Colbert took to the campaign trail in the South Carolina state capital of Columbia, and was presented with the key to the city by Mayor Bob Coble. Colbert declared to cheering crowds that "I love South Carolina almost as much as South Carolina loves me!", and that his slogan for improving the state in the 21st century will be "First to secede, first to succeed".
On the October 31, 2007 episode of The Colbert Report, Colbert announced that he would no longer be seeking a spot on the Republican Party ballot, primarily because he was unwilling to write a $35,000 check to the Republican Party, but also because spending more than $5,000 on his campaign would make him subject to greater levels of Federal Election Law. On the same episode, Colbert reaffirmed his bid for a Democratic ballot spot by displaying a photograph of himself holding a $2,500 personal check made out to the Democratic Party, as well as a notarized application form for the Democratic ballot.
The following day, November 1, 2007, the South Carolina Democratic Party executive council voted 13-3 to refuse Colbert's application onto the ballot. “The general sense of the council was that he wasn’t a serious candidate and that was why he wasn’t selected to be on the ballot," stated John Werner, the party's director. In addition, he was declared "not viable,"<ref> What We Learned from Stephen Colbert's Presidential Campaign
. Counterpunch.org
.</ref> as he was only running in one state.<ref> S.C. Dems reject Colbert candidacy
. Politico.com
.</ref>
On November 5, 2007, Colbert announced that he was dropping out of the race.<ref> Stephen Colbert drops Presidential Bid
. MSN.com
.</ref>
On November 6, 2007, CNN reported that Obama supporters pressured the South Carolina Democratic Executive Council to keep Colbert off the ballot. One anonymous member of the council told CNN that former State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum had placed pressure on them to keep Colbert off the ballot despite his steady rise in recent polls.<ref> Obama supporters pressed Dems to keep Colbert off ballot
. cnn.com
.</ref>
Personal life
Although by his own account he was not particularly political before joining the cast of The Daily Show, Colbert is a self-described Democrat.<ref name="smirk"> Kurtz , Howard
(October 10, 2005) . TV's Newest Anchor: A Smirk in Progress . The Washington Post
. Retrieved on 2006-08-11. </ref><ref name="EW"> Bierly , Mandi
(July 22, 2006) . "Show" Off . Entertainment Weekly
. Retrieved on 2006-07-22. </ref> In an interview at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard Institute of Politics, he stated that he has "no problems with Republicans, just Republican policies."<ref name="Google Video"> A Conversation With Stephen Colbert
. Harvard Institute of Politics (October 01, 2006)
. Retrieved on 2007-06-06. </ref> He is also a practicing Roman Catholic,<ref name=TimeOut/> as well as a Sunday school teacher.<ref>Interview with Stephen Colbert on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. NBC (June 14, 2006).</ref><ref> Ambinder , Marc
(March 3, 2006) . Colbert Seeks Rapport With GOPers . The Hotline
. Retrieved on 2006-08-13. </ref>
Colbert lives in Montclair, New Jersey, with his wife Evelyn McGee-Colbert, who appeared with him in an episode of Strangers with Candy as his mother. She also had an uncredited cameo as a nurse in the series pilot, along with a credited one (as his wife, Clair) in the Strangers with Candy movie. McGee-Colbert actually met Jon Stewart, later a good friend of Colbert, before she met her husband in 1990. The couple have three children: Madeline, Peter, and John, all of whom have appeared on The Daily Show.<ref name="child"> Milanese , Marisa
(March, 2004) . The King of Comedy . Child
. Retrieved on 2006-08-11. </ref> Colbert prefers, however, that his children not watch his show, The Colbert Report, saying, "Kids can't understand irony or sarcasm, and I don't want them to perceive me as insincere."<ref> The Colbert Report: Morley Safer Profiles Comedy Central's 'Fake' Newsman
. CBS News (2006-08-13)
. Retrieved on 2007-07-30. </ref>
Awards and honors
Colbert was the recipient of three Emmy Awards as a writer for The Daily Show in 2004, 2005, and 2006, along with the rest of the Daily Show writers. He was also nominated for three Emmys for The Colbert Report in 2006, including "Best Performance in a Variety, Musical Program or Special," which he lost to Barry Manilow. Manilow and Colbert would go on to jokingly sign and notarize a revolving biannual "custody agreement" for the Emmy on the Colbert Report episode aired on October 30, 2006. He lost the same category to Tony Bennett at the 2007 Emmys.
In 2005 and 2006 Colbert was nominated for Satellite Awards for his performance on The Colbert Report. He was also nominated by the Television Critics Association for a TCA Award for The Colbert Report in 2006. Colbert received two Peabody Awards for his work on The Daily Show: Indecision 2000 and Indecision 2004.
In January 2006, the American Dialect Society named truthiness, which Colbert featured on the premiere episode of The Colbert Report, as its 2005 Word of the Year. Colbert devoted time on five successive episodes to bemoaning the failure of the Associated Press to mention his role in popularizing the word truthiness in its news coverage of the Word of the Year.<ref name=ADO> Truthiness Voted 2005 Word of the Year
. American Dialect Society (January 6, 2006)
. Retrieved on 2007-04-15. </ref><ref name=newsweek2> Peyser , Marc
(February 16, 2006) . The Truthiness Teller . Newsweek . MSNBC
. Retrieved on 2006-02-18. </ref> On December 9, 2006, Merriam-Webster also announced that it selected truthiness as its Word of the Year for 2006. Votes were accepted on their website, and according to poll results, truthiness won by a five-to-one margin.<ref> Associated Press
(December 8, 2006) . 'Truthiness' Pronounced 2006 Word of the Year . Fox News Channel
. Retrieved on 2007-05-10. </ref>
In June 2006, after speaking at the school's commencement ceremony, Colbert received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree from Knox College .<ref>Modèle:Cite speech</ref>
Time named Stephen Colbert as one of the 100 most influential people in 2006.<ref name="time100" /> In May 2006, New York magazine listed Colbert (and Jon Stewart) as one of its top dozen influential persons in media.<ref> The Influentials: Media
. New York (May 15, 2006)
. Retrieved on 2007-04-15. </ref> On March 3, 2007, Colbert was named "Person of the Year" by the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado.<ref> Osberger , Madeleine
(March 4, 2007) . Comedy Fest Names Colbert Person of Year . The Washington Post
. Retrieved on 2007-03-04. </ref> On March 24, 2007, Stephen Colbert was also given the Speaker of the Year Award by The Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) for his "drive to expose the rhetorical shortcomings of contemporary political discourse."<ref> CEDADebate.org
(March 20, 2007) . Stephen Colbert To Be Presented With Speaker Of The Year Award By The Cross Examination Debate Association . prfree.com
. Retrieved on 2007-03-27. </ref>
Colbert was named "2nd Sexiest TV News Anchor" in September 2006 by Maxim Online, next to Mélissa Theuriau of France. He was the only man on the list.<ref> TV's Sexiest News Anchors
. Maxim Online (September, 2006)
. Retrieved on 2006-11-22. </ref> In November 2006, he was named a "sexy surprise" by People in the Sexiest Man Alive honors.<ref> George Clooney Named 'Sexiest Man Alive'
. CBS News (November 15, 2006)
. Retrieved on 2006-11-16. </ref> In the December 2006 issue of GQ, Colbert is also named one of GQ's "Men of the Year."<ref> Men of the Year 2006
. GQ . Style.com (November 13, 2006)
. Retrieved on 2006-11-15. </ref>
In February 2007, Ben & Jerry's unveiled a new ice cream flavor in honor of Colbert, named "Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream." Colbert waited until Easter to sample the ice cream because he "gave up sweets for Lent."<ref> Freydkin, Donna
(March 6, 2007) . As AmeriCone as ice cream . USA TODAY
. Retrieved on 2007-03-06. </ref> Colbert will donate all proceeds to charity through the new Stephen Colbert AmeriCone Dream Fund, which will distribute the money to various causes.<ref> Associated Press
(February 15, 2007) . Ben & Jerry’s names new flavor for Colbert . MSNBC
. Retrieved on 2007-03-04. </ref>
After the Saginaw Spirit defeated the Oshawa Generals in Ontario Junior League Hockey, Oshawa Mayor John Gray declared March 20, 2007 (the mayor's own birthday) "Stephen Colbert Day," honoring a previous bet with Stephen. At the event, Mayor Gray referred to the publicity the bet brought the city, remarking, "This is the way to lose a bet."<ref> Oshawa Pays Its Debt To Tv Host Stephen Colbert
. oshawa.ca (March 20, 2007)
. Retrieved on 2007-04-15. </ref>
Colbert was honored for the "Gutsiest Move" on the Spike TV Guys' Choice Awards on June 13, 2007.<ref> Jordan , Casey
(June 11, 2007) . Spike TV Holds First Annual Guys Choice Awards Show . AHN News
. Retrieved on 2007-06-15. </ref>
In August 2007, Virgin America announced that one of their airplanes is named Air Colbert.<ref> Bay City News Service
(August 8, 2007) . Virgin America's first flights set to land in San Francisco today . San Jose Mercury News
. Retrieved on 2007-08-08. </ref>
In November 2007, Colbert won, in a three-way tie, an election to the Williamsburg, Virginia Colonial Soil and Water Conservation Board. Colbert and William and Mary students Matt Beato and Benjamin Strahs each won three write-in votes for a seat to the 12-member body. Since two seats were up for election and only one candidate sought a seat, the three write-in votes won by Colbert, Beato and Strahs tied for the second seat. The Williamsburg Electoral Board will draw a name from a hat to determine who will take the seat, but only Beato and Strah's names will be in the hat, because Colbert is not a resident of Williamsburg. <ref> Freedland , Seth
(November 13, 2007) . Colbert ties for spot on soils board . Daily Press
.</ref>
On October 28, 2007, Colbert received the key to the city of Columbia, South Carolina from Mayor Bob Coble.<ref name="keytothecity">« »</ref><ref name="key2"> Cummins , Sydney
(October 28, 2007) . Stephen Colbert Receives Key To City of Columbia . WLTX
. Retrieved on 2007-10-28. </ref>
On December 20, 2007 Colbert was named Celebrity of the Year by The Associated Press. <ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071220/ap_en_ot/ye_celebrity_of_the_year</ref>
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Shock Asylum | Dr. Dewalt | Short film |
| The Daily Show | Correspondent Stephen Colbert | ||
| 1999 | Let It Snow | Happy Successful Guy | Also known as Snow Days |
| Strangers with Candy (television) | Chuck Noblet | ||
| 2000 | Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law | Myron Reducto, Phil Ken Sebben, The Eagle of Truth | |
| 2003 | Nobody Knows Anything | TV Newsman | |
| 2004 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Angry Tourist | Uncredited |
| 2005 | The Great New Wonderful | Mr. Peersall | |
| Bewitched | Stu Robison | ||
| Outlaw Tennis | Announcer | Video game | |
| The Colbert Report | Stephen Colbert | ||
| 2006 | Strangers with Candy (film) | Chuck Noblet |
See also
Notes and references
External links
- General
- Wikiality.com, a wiki dedicated to Stephen Colbert and The Colbert Report
- Audio/Video
- 'Daily Show' Correspondent Readies 'The Colbert Report', All Things Considered. (May 4, 2005)
- Bluster and Satire: Stephen Colbert's 'Report', Fresh Air. (December 7, 2005)
- Colbert interviewed, 60 Minutes (Transcript). (April 30, 2006)
- Modèle:Google video, (Transcript). (April 29, 2006)
- A conversation with comedian Stephen Colbert, Charlie Rose. (December 8, 2006)
Modèle:The Daily Show correspondents Modèle:The Colbert Report
Modèle:Persondata Modèle:DEFAULTSORT:Colbert, Stephenar:ستيفن كولبير bn:স্টিফেন কোলবেয়ার da:Stephen Colbert pdc:Stephen Colbert de:Stephen Colbert es:Stephen Colbert fr:Stephen Colbert ko:스티븐 콜베어 it:Stephen Colbert he:סטיבן קולבר hu:Stephen Colbert nl:Stephen Colbert ja:スティーヴン・コルベア no:Stephen Colbert pl:Stephen Colbert simple:Stephen Colbert fi:Stephen Colbert sv:Stephen Colbert yi:סטיווען קאלבערט zh:史蒂芬·科拜尔
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