So what if no one laughed?

[BobcatJH]

I'd just like to take a few moments to discuss Stephen Colbert's performance at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Having seen clips and read the transcript of Colbert's address, I must say that it was, in a word, amazing.

Those who think Colbert bombed break down nicely into two groups. One, Republicans, who not only wouldn't know humor if it cut their taxes, but also don't much like it when someone criticizes the king. Seriously, these are the kind of idiots who think people like Carrot Top and Brad Stine are funny. And two, media who should know better. Colbert, in many ways, took it to them as hard as he took it to President Bush. Needless to say, they didn't appreciate it.

On both accounts, the appropriate response is this: Tough shit. Republicans up-in-arms about Colbert's performance, when they weren't avoiding it altogether to instead marvel over Bush's tired routine, fancied themselves comedy experts. In the reality-based community, however, Republicans know humor about as much as they know governing. Hint: Not well. What's more, there was a lot of anti-Colbert sentiment not because he wasn't funny (he was), but because he wasn't funny and had the nerve to criticize their Dear Leader.

Much like the Republicans, the media fawned over Bush's unfunny bit, largely avoiding Colbert. The lesson to be learned here is that the media don't like being raked over the coals, either. The same people who embarrassed themselves during President Clinton's second term have a very thin skin when they appear in someone's sights. Like the president, the media may not have wanted to hear what Colbert had to say. But they both needed to hear what Colbert had to say.

Though he couched it in his usual hilarious, O'Reillyesque persona, Colbert discussed things - a failing president, an accomplice media - that were deathly serious. Delivery aside, the message at the core of the jokes has been one largely undelivered to either the Decider-in-Chief or the servile press corps since Bush took office. Where better to drive it home than in the presence of both?

Though Colbert's routine came under far different circumstances than Coretta Scott King's funeral, the Republican response has been quite similar. To paraphrase, criticisms at both came at the wrong place and at the wrong time. But just as critical comments were appropriate at an activist's funeral, they were appropriate at an event like the Correspondents Dinner.

Sure, it took wit to do what Colbert did. But it also took guts, something sorely lacking in our public discourse these days. Guts and a sense of speaking truth to power. Not only speaking truth to power, but taking power and using it to to make a bold statement. A statement that couldn't have come at a better time.

And if you're upset about what Colbert said, either you've got no idea what's funny or you don't appreciate being confronted with the truth. You ought to try slumming in the real world, the one we inhabit. If you ever did, you'd discover that few, if any, of us are happy with the current state of affairs. If that's hard for you to swallow, then again, tough shit.

[AndyA]

1. Colbert was perfection; he did what he always does.

Colbert is Colbert. What he did shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone. If it's news, it's fair game for Colbert.

I think the people who weren't laughing were in shock that he was so dead on with his presentation. Or they knew that what they were hearing, as ridiculous as it sounded, was the honest to God truth.

When you get caught with your pants down, you better hope you're wearing clean underwear. Lots of people got caught with their pants down that night.

Colbert did an awesome job, as he always does.

[BobcatJH]

2. Agreed

You're exactly right.

[liberal N proud]

3. The republicans didn't laugh because the were too shocked

They all thought the Colbert was a conservative talk show host.
:rofl:

[underpants]

4. My take on what you wrote

First you are right about the Republicans not understanding him and the press not appreciating having their obedience thrown back in their faces. It was more about the press than it was about W in that he established that they wouldn't report that he had no clothes and then Colbert dressed W down to prove it.

Republicans didn't think it was funny not because he dared point out the softspined mushyheaded golden idol that they praise but because conservatives simply don't GET irony or satire. Seriously they do not process information in a way sufficient to get such humor. Maybe John Carpenter was right-they really aren't one of us. I have no idea why they don't understand that kind of information but they don't.

Lastly it is very clear that the word came from on high (Rove) to not dare mention Colbert's name or excerpts of the speech. The usual M.O. will apply here- they got the short and simple "He panned/bombed/wasn't funny/was over the top" and when it is mentioned again a few months from now that will be the conventional wisdom and will be mentioned without a hint of objection from any of the DC punditry and press crowd sitting there not talking about it. THAT is the irony. They will never speak of it which is exactly what Colbert was pointing out.

[underpants]

7. Let me add this

It was sort of like watching a guy at a typewriter repairman's convention telling jokes about how irrelevant they were. No one laughs because they are the only ones who don't get how irrelevant they are. I know I know most people still watch the TV and see the newspaper guys on there (noticed I skipped a step in that process) but more and more it is the internet that is the source for people. Their news when and often how they want it.

[madmark]

11. i agree that the prime target was the press; sc's broadside of bush

was a just a necessary set up for his excortiation of the servile press.

[madmark]

12. i agree that the prime target was the press; sc's broadside of bush

was a just a necessary set up for his excortiation of the servile press.

[Dervill Crow]

5. That was what made it so funny.

There were nervous titters here and there, but Colbert's timing was perfection and he continued on without missing a beat. It was awesome. The shots of the faces around the room reminded me of watching hydrogen peroxide bubble the dirt out of an owie.

I am SO glad they didn't laugh. It's not like we're laughing with them, we're laughing AT them. And we're only laughing at all because it keeps us thinking folks sane.

It's wonderful and hilarious that he was even invited. I can't stop smiling.

[jedicord]

6. "criticisms at both came at the wrong place and at the wrong time"

Exactly when IS the right place and the right time to criticize * and his administration?

Last I checked, this is still America, and we still have the right to free speech, and there is nothing in the Constitution that says "free speech, but only when no one can hear you".

Although, I wouldn't fall down if I woke up tomorrow and found that as the next Amendment. Nothing shocks me any more.

[underpants]

8. You can criticise the Bush administration anytime except these

The following outlines when it is acceptable to criticize the Bush administration

You can criticize Bush* at any time other than the follow:

BEFORE he completely screws up. That is being an "obstructionist".

WHILE he is completely screwing up or WHILE he is covering up the screw up. That is "not offering positive alternatives"

AFTER he screws up. That is "Monday morning quarterbacking" or "revisionist history"** take your pic.

___________________________________________

*let's assume that, for brevity, that he has an actual function and is actually in charge***.

** see "Links to terrorism/WMD/a threat" changing to "freedom is on the march".

**** relax, we know he isn't at least we PRAY**** he isn't.

****even evil godless communist liberal types are willing to say a few words on bended knee just in case. OH PLEASE GOD NO... that sort of thing.

[BobcatJH]

9. I see where you're going

No criticism allowed on days ending in "y".

[Jade Fox]

10. For most of Colbert's routine ....

the audience DID laugh. On the ABC video making the rounds you can hear significant amounts of laughter.

[ArkySue]

13. Why no one laughed...

Colbert pointed out that the Emperor has no clothes. That's it in a nutshell.