Colbert report report: conservatives don't get the joke

A revealing study from Ohio State finds that liberals and conservatives are equally fond of Comedy Central's Colbert Report but conservatives were more likely to believe that Stephan Colbert "only pretends to be joking and genuinely mean[s] what he [says]..."

(In case you're not a cable subscriber or a Republican, Colbert plays an outrageous, egomaniacal, right-wing news talk host- modeled, it is said, after Billo Reilly).

HuffPo's Jason Linkins points out that many conservatives "are going to [be] pissed when they realize that Stephen Colbert's performance at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner was not, in fact, an awkward and ineffective attempt to praise President George W. Bush, but actually a bitter and satiric criticism of his incompetence!"

He's referring to the White House annual dinner attended by every Washington who's who and known
for roasting and ribbing government and media biggies alike. That year, Colbert, invited to perform, stayed in his right-wing teevee character, and lampooned the hapless President Bush seated only a few feet away.

As always with Colbert, the jokes that rained down, were deadly accurate, and way too close for the comfort of the presidential table, and most everybody else in the room. It was an Internet sensation.

The folks that hired Colbert, didn't get the jokes, and had no idea that he's never out of character, and his tongue is always firmly imbedded in his cheek

He spoke with studied admiration for The President:

    I stand by this man. I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers, and rubble, and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message: that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound—with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world."

There was plenty more like that, and it shook Washington for a week, the staid, and stodgy town that it is.

As Republicans navel-gaze and grind on about defining themselves after all their recent disasters, we suggest: try getting up to speed in the humor department. There are systems that are reliable, durable yet... affordable, even in this economy.

First: install filters and receivers so you can at least get the jokes. Later, after you get the hang of knowing a joke when you hear one, you can add generators to start making your own; then add  transformers to turn liberal jokes into conservative ones. ("An evangelical, a welfare queen, and a spotted owl go into a bar..." )

Humor won't ensure your political redemption but you'll feel so much better when people are laughing at you when it's because of something you said on purpose!

Comments

[HoChiMinh]

Is it a joke when nearly 59,000 Americans die in VN (and millions others). Is it a joke that lies were told (and relied upon) to initiate and further that "war".
Should those associated with the decisions of that time (if they are still living) be held accountable.
Finally, is it a joke for our current President to authorize AF1 to scare the hell out of New Yorkers for a photo op. Where's the compassion and forethought in that stupid stunt.

[Puget Sound]

uhhh, you gotta be kidding me. Colbert is on the Comedy Channel.

I saw that dinner and it wasn't bad but not particular funny. Not like the Don Imus one with Bill Clinton.
The Colbert skit with Helen Thomas stalking him was a little drawn out.

When Republicans want a laugh in a similar vein (you know, something in which many liberals don't get the joke) they just turn on Keith Olberman. Man, that dude is spot on funny with his bombastic Ted Baxter take on things. And then we find out that people actually take Olberman seriously. Like when he does the Edward R Murrow furrowed brow look or those 'Special Comments' when he use to say things like 'Mr. President...'

[I Like Dennis ... (Kucinich)]

So anyway - back in the world of talk radio, the last Arbitron diary is tabulated and buried. How will the portable people meter impact the KIRO, KVI and KRKO? Will KIRO's move to FM save it from the same fate KGO suffered with the PPM? Is Talk doomed on whatever frequency it's on?

Discuss.

[Puget Sound]

So anyway, back to the topic thread.

Go back and hit the reviews for the Colbert Dinner. People got 'it' at the time.
People pretty much get 'it' now that Colbert is someone who mocks W and is a send up on O'Reilly. I love the joke Colbert tells about W,
'He's a man who believes the same thing on Weds as he did the prior Monday, no matter WHAT happened on Tuesday.' Funny. Accurate.

The fact that Olberman isn't as widely perceived as being a send up on himself by true believers is quite funny.

I do agree with you about the need for people to develop a sense of humor and an ability to laugh at yourself. Otherwise, you'll likely end up alone and angry. A cautionary tale posts here on a regular basis.

[Bill]

Olbermann knows he ripe for parody...I think he even complimented Affleck on his take off on SNL.

[Mack]

Colbert is one of the best things that has come out of Comedy Central, and that's aside from the fact that O'Reilly couldn't tell that Colbert makes fun of the worn out ideals of the GOP, especially O'Reilly's. That latest spoof he did on the anti-gay marriage ad was hilarious, but not nearly as funny as knowing that republicans think he's "one of them"

[HoChiMinh]

We understand tough to answer when persons involved have a D after their name. So obvious.

[Mandy]

CNN Reports:

"Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party, multiple sources tell CNN."

Hot Dog! We will become veto-proof! We will overcome! Health care for all.

[Mack]

Uncle Ho- you need to go back and reread the notes you took to learn English when you entered our country

[HoChiMinh]

Just as we all suspected, avoidance and evading is your modus operandi. Your moniker should be changed to smack cause thats all you have to offer.

[Mack]

Yes, Mandy VICTORY IS OURS!!

Uncle Ho- I did answer the question. It's starting to look like you are having difficulties reading our language, as well as writing it. I think you should be deported.

[Tony]

Ooo! Ooo! I LOVE Vietnam jokes! Here's one for you:

A man was being interviewed for a job.
"Were you in the service?" asked the interviewer.
"Yes, I was a Marine," responded the applicant.
"Did you see any active duty?"
"I was in Vietnam for 2 years and I have a partial disability."
"May I ask what happened?"
"Well, I had a grenade go off between my legs and I lost both testicles."
"You're hired. You can start Monday at 10 am."
The somewhat surprised applicant asked, "When does everyone else start? I don't want any preferential treatment because of my disability."
"Everyone else starts at 7 o'clock, but I should be honest with you," explained the interviewer. "Nothing gets done before 10 o'clock because we just sit and scratch our balls trying to decide what to do first."

I'm afraid I don't have any Air Force One photo op jokes. Would a generic racist or homophobic rant do the trick for you?

[Tony]

Ooo! Ooo! I LOVE Vietnam jokes! Here's one for you:

A man was being interviewed for a job.
"Were you in the service?" asked the interviewer.
"Yes, I was a Marine," responded the applicant.
"Did you see any active duty?"
"I was in Vietnam for 2 years and I have a partial disability."
"May I ask what happened?"
"Well, I had a grenade go off between my legs and I lost both testicles."
"You're hired. You can start Monday at 10 am."
The somewhat surprised applicant asked, "When does everyone else start? I don't want any preferential treatment because of my disability."
"Everyone else starts at 7 o'clock, but I should be honest with you," explained the interviewer. "Nothing gets done before 10 o'clock because we just sit and scratch our balls trying to decide what to do first."

I'm afraid I don't have any Air Force One photo op jokes. Would a generic racist or homophobic rant do the trick for you?

[Coiler]

We'll have 61 seats counting Franken' Others may join our side soon, we cannot fail...

[Smack]

Mandy already reported that at 09:20. Can you f'in read.

[Puget Sound]

"We'll have 61 seats counting Franken' Others may join our side soon, we cannot fail...

Posted by: Coiler | April 28, 2009 at 10:47 AM"

It will be a rousing success no doubt. kind of like Washington State with one party control, eh Coiler?

[Tony]

Evidently this has already stung the cons pretty hard. The Empire of Darth Cheney is dying.

[thothman]

That conservatives believe that Colbert is "one of them" is nothing new. The people who created All In the Family thought that they would be able to show how idiotic bigotry was with the over the top bigotry of Archie Bunker. They were suprised to learn that the bigots watching didn't get the parody and were cheering on Archie and thought he won all the arguments with Meathead. Talk about being closed minded.

[Mack]

Putzzz, there's always Texass. We plan on making it your new enclave of the Isolationist Right. I'd move now, before all the good trailerparks and shacks are taken.

[Mandy]

The Cons' beliefed Spector was one of them too, how far did that get 'em. Hahahahahahahaha

[Coiler]

You can always move, eh Putz?

[Mack]

And now the cons are trying to throw him under the bus, and they're finding he's already slipped from their grasp. Some people in the media are even asking if McCain is next to abandon ship. LMAO

[Coiler]

I doubt Mc Cain, he is too crazy. Snowe, Collins, could be next. New England has lost a lot of gop voters.

[Mack]

No, McCain will stay on board and help bail. It's funny to watch.

[nevets]

Looks like Spector is the first to go through those re-education camps huh Coiler. Can a Senator be recalled?

[Coiler]

Spector will help us with the selection process. A senator could be recalled (only 18 states and the DC allow this) but since he has done the right thing, no need for further action.

[Mack]

He has come over from the Dark Side. We should be planning a Welcome Home parade. We can use some of Texas' refused stimulus money. Palin said we can use some theirs to.

[Brian]

Yawn.

Spector jumped ship because he was going to lose the primary to an actual conservative.

Good, the Dems can take control so everyone can see once again that their liberal methods aren't worth shit. It will be like 1980 all over again. I doubt it will take long before the citizens see what what is really being done: borrow, spend, tax, spend, tax.

Hey how about that economy? It's really looking up! 100 days and 100 mistakes.

[sparky]

I hate to throw cold water on all of it, but Specter the Defector isn't a shoe-in for always voting Democratic. He could be another LieberDem. But for now, it is good that we move toward the number that would give us a filibuster-proof majority. And the faces on the Repubs as they announced their reaction to his cross-over...well that was just crunchy goodness.

[nevets]

"A senator could be recalled (only 18 states and the DC allow this) but since he has done the right thing, no need for further action."

Coiler, stick to the HOs. ROFLOL.

[sparky]

Hey Brian, you should really give Rupert's Rag, the New York Post credit for that little slogan...that they came up with last week.

Meanwhile, the famously liberal newspaper Wall Street Journal has this to say:

And 61% of people approve of the job Mr. Obama is doing as president, better ratings than George W. Bush or Bill Clinton had at the 100-day mark. Even more -- 64% -- see him in a positive light, though on this measure of popularity, he's lost some ground with both independents and Republicans.

But it offers its highest grades on personal matters like honesty and values, versus leadership or professional questions such as being firm and decisive, or appointing qualified people. More than eight in 10 people surveyed say they like him personally.
Mr. 81%..
Mr. 81%

[M.Steele]

The viewership of “idiotic bigotry …. of Archie Bunker…”by “bigots watching didn't get the parody and were cheering on Archie”.

thothman is right, after all, this is the type of thinking that brought us Michele Bachmann.

[nevets]

And when will you Libs realize there is no Superman

[M.Steele]

See what I mean?....

Ok steven, who is the superman and what lib label him so?

[M.Steele]

Sorry..

See what I mean?....

Ok steven, who is the superman and what lib labeled him so?

[joanie]

Well, superman is obviously Randi in ass-backwards mind. Can't you tell? Everything gets back to SUPERWOMAN RANDI.

[M.Steele]

you know, the cons here seem to talk about Randi alot. I think I'll tune in to see what all the fuss is all about.

[M.Steele]

I guess steven is craven and won’t answer.

[nevets]

M.S. Where have you been. You need to get out. Walmart had those posters for sale for $9.99 not long ago and they sold out fast.

[M.Steele]

Huh? what posters? For 9.99? did they sell much? Steven, are you so out of ammunition you have to come up with ambiguities?

[joanie]

Wow! I'm listening to the tapes on Thom Hartmann of LBJ telling Everett Dirksen that Nixon and the Republicans are committing treason by intevening in Nam and asking them to wait until the election and they'll make a better deal with them. Dirksen is agreeing that his party is committing treason intervening in a time of war.

It is tense and fascinating to hear these two men agreeing that treasonous acts are being attempted by the Republican Party.

Hartmann is making the case that what he is calling the "abused wife syndrome" started back at that time. His "abused wife syndrome" is based on an article by Robert Parry at Consortium News which suggests that the Democrats are like abused wives in a relationship with abuser husbands - the Republican Party. He thinks this started during the campaign between Humphrey and Nixon. I'm hearing the voices of Clark Clifford, Dirksen, LBJ, others calling this not only treasonous but shocking.

It is more than interesting. Fascinating.

The Dems let Nixon get away with it. The integrity of our political system went downhill from then on. Then there was Nixon who did get caught at Watergate and Reagan - Iran-Contra. What a party of corruption. Treason? Wow!

In recent years, the Washington political dynamic has often resembled an abusive marriage, in which the bullying husband (the Republicans) slaps the wife and kids around, and the battered wife (the Democrats) makes excuses and hides the ugly bruises from outsiders to keep the family together.

Obama is the latest to clean up the mess while the stumbling, bumbling drunk-with-power rethugs snort and bully while they're sleeping it off.

[Coiler]

Indeed, I see an Obama revolution much like Reagan had. Good times ahead.

[M.Steele]

Colbert will take the conservatives for a ride...and they will love him for it. woooweee!!!

[M.Steele]

hey Joanie, I don’t know if I agree with Hartman totally, is this a mp3 from today? I have one of his books and I like his take.

[Puget Sound]

Hmm, a bunch of Dems on the phone calling Republicans treasonous. How precious.

Read -or better yet- listen to the Michael Beschloss LBJ bio books available on audio. About 60 percent is of the actual tapes made by LBJ. Fascinating. But hey, you're buddy Bill Moyers doesn't come off looking too well when his history during the LBJ years is looked at in depth.

Using a real tragedy, Spousal Abuse, to score a cheap political shot isn't very becoming of Thom Hartman.

And ph(J)oanie, it's clear you're not too bright. The mixed metaphor ie you can't snort/bully while sleeping it off doesn't work.
You really aren't a school teacher, right?

[joanie]

So Dirksen is a Dem? I always thought you were a fraud.

[joanie]

Mr. Steele, it is a repeat of Hartmann's program this morning. I'm listening online to KPTK.

[Puget Sound]

" I'm hearing the voices of Clark Clifford, Dirksen, LBJ, others calling this not only treasonous but shocking."

two things: first off, I said 'a bunch of Dems'. that would be Clifford, LBJ, and others. I didn't mention Ev Dirkson.
second, I always knew that despite your denials you read my posts. what a ph(J)oanie.

[chucks, not some liberal piss-ant]

"I'll have those ni**ers voting Democrat for the next 200 years".
Lyndon B Johnson
Another of joanie's hero's

[Puget Sound]

really, she's not too bright.
no one here thinks she is a school teacher, right?