LSSC: Season One All Episodes Talk

[Hanahope]

I didn't even understand what "dome" was missing from the ceiling wheel that made it nonfunctional -- the thing did spin -- but there was still no need to explain it. Just bring out the small wheel to start with.

 

 

My guess is that while the dome wheel turned, they didn't have the "clicker" graphic up or the ability to make it stop on the specific piece they needed for their bit.  I agree ti was almost funnier with the small wheel.

 

I'm going through these episodes a lot faster with two segments devoted to random celebrity.   I don't know how people could stand having to sit through a whole hour of this stuff before DVRs (and video recorders).

[ChelseaNH]

If I'm taking it by the tablespoon, why would I care if it's added to cheese.

 

You wouldn't.  But I'm guessing you're not the only person who buys cheese.

[Tunia]

It never occurred to me before, but watching the clip of the Casey Affleck interview, it suddenly flashed to me that his parents must have been fans of old medical TV dramas.  Ben...Casey - Man Woman, Birth, Death, Infinity.  Too long ago?

[ABay]

We'd know for sure if they had another child named Zorba.

[Arcey]

The Casey Affleck interview was awkward. Worried that it was going to turn into another Bill Maher type interview. Now that I think of it, it was kind of a more good natured Maher interview. That Casey is quite a cutie. I guess the "thanks for getting dressed up for this interview" shtick is growing a bit stale. SC uses it pretty often, and I never really thought about it much, but Casey gave him some well deserved shit for it, I think.

What the hell was up with Richard Dreyfus? That was weird. Was he already at the desk because he has trouble walking? Weird segment, and short, and intense. I thought it was going to be a normal segment where the guest and host get to wax nostalgic about his well known and iconic roles, or even the Madoff one, but it was just weird. And so abrupt.

Anyway, I agree that the format is getting tiresome, and the wonderfulness that was the old Stephen is mostly just not there in the new Stephen. Makes me very sad. :(

Edited February 23, 2016 by Arcey

[zxy556575]

The Dreyfus interview was on tape; not sure why the show even bothered to try to pass it off as live.

 

I don't like any talk show hosts making fun of their guests, and the "glad you dressed up" sarcasm is particularly unwarranted. Why does Stephen care if his middling celebrity guests show up in tracks suits vs business suits? The celebs are aware of how they market their own images, good or bad, but it's not the host's job to call them on it.

 

If Stephen believes it cheapens the tone of his show, let me disabuse him of that. Some of his own purposefully silly/juvenile skits do that on their own.

 

I could also stand to see fewer hosts fawn over their female guests who wear sexy clothes, especially cleavage-baring: "Wow! I'm really trying not to look!" Grow up.

Edited February 23, 2016 by lordonia

[ChelseaNH]

Yay, science!  Now I kind of understand all the woo-hoo about gravitational waves.

[Blergh]

Pardon my dissenting re the Casey Affleck interview but IMO , Mr. Colbert was right to address his casual attire and profanities due to this being a network [not cable] show that viewers have invited into their homes. If Mr Affleck wants to dress that way while chatting that way with his pals at a sports bar, fine. However; he's not a homeless person who has no access to more formal attire AND he's not ignorant of non-profane terms so he shouldn't be surprised that Mr. Colbert didn't act as though the emperor was clothed but actually called him on that so he can understand that there are consequences to not attiring and conducting oneself as though one has at least token respect for one's host or audience. Oh, and I don't care how cute others  view him.

Edited February 26, 2016 by Blergh

[ABay]

The local affiliate interrupted to alert us that it was RAINING! And WINDY! so I missed almost all of the gravitational wave stuff and now I'll never understand it.

[roseha]

The local affiliate interrupted to alert us that it was RAINING! And WINDY! so I missed almost all of the gravitational wave stuff and now I'll never understand it.

 

I don't know if you've found it yet ABay, but the whole mind-blowing segment appears to be included on Youtube.

 

It was really cool not only to watch it but to hear Brian Greene explain that the waves could go places that light could not.  Loved that Stephen had him on the show.

 

Also loved the Hillary segment "I want to make Stephen Colbert happy" (!)

[Grommet]

"So God is Bugs Bunny?" made me laugh. That was a great segment.

[opus]

If it's not going to be new on Fridays, maybe Friday Night Fights isn't the best bit to have.

[SomeTameGazelle]

If it's not going to be new on Fridays, maybe Friday Night Fights isn't the best bit to have.

They seem to be in a pattern of one Friday repeat, next Friday new. But that does seem a little bit confusing if people tune in hoping to see the results the following week. Maybe it's like rats in a maze, who try harder to get the pellet if it only comes out sometimes (instead of every single time so they know they can count on getting it whenever they press the bar).

[kib]

They seem to be in a pattern of one Friday repeat, next Friday new. But that does seem a little bit confusing if people tune in hoping to see the results the following week. Maybe it's like rats in a maze, who try harder to get the pellet if it only comes out sometimes (instead of every single time so they know they can count on getting it whenever they press the bar).

New coordinating producer: B.F. Skinner

[peeayebee]

Yesterday I took the show off my DVR schedule. Although there are parts I enjoy -- basically the comedic interstitials like Hungry for Power Games -- Stephen's interviewing style has not improved enough for me. The last straw was Mike Birbiglia's interview Tuesday night. A really funny guy, a good storyteller, but Stephen kept interrupting, stepping on punchlines, providing his own. Ugh.

 

I so miss The Colbert Report, but LSSC is no substitute.

[galaxygirl76]

I really enjoyed the Spike Jonze opening(I want Grover to be my friend too!), and especially enjoyed what Jon and the band did to the opening music. That was great.

[JustaPerson]

I loved the music too. It took me a second to realize it was the show's theme. I feel like the film could be used at as suicide prevention PSA or something. It was oddly beautiful

[zxy556575]

Yesterday I took the show off my DVR schedule. Although there are parts I enjoy -- basically the comedic interstitials like Hungry for Power Games -- Stephen's interviewing style has not improved enough for me. The last straw was Mike Birbiglia's interview Tuesday night. A really funny guy, a good storyteller, but Stephen kept interrupting, stepping on punchlines, providing his own. Ugh.

 

I'm sorry it was ultimately a failure for you.

 

I record all the late night talk shows, plus Ellen, but only end up watching maybe 10-20 minutes from each. Unless the guest is someone I really like/admire, the interviews generally get a pass because it's the same old celebrity small talk over and over. I did make an exception for Birbiglia because I haven't seen him much, but I couldn't finish because Stephen kept stealing focus. I have to think that anyone who strives and sweats to put him- or herself in the public eye must have a healthy ego, so I can't really hold Stephen's against him, but he has to learn to sublimate it in service of his guests. Has to.

[brgjoe]

I thought last night's "Road to the White House" piece featuring Mittens laying the smackdown on his former BFF was utterly brilliant.  Great, great stuff.

[Hanahope]

I find myself fast-forwarding through the celebrity interviews too, or most of them, as well as whatever 'bit' they try to do with the celebrity.  I just have no interest in that stuff whatsover.  I'm reminded as to why I didn't watch/record late-night shows  before Stephen took over, I'd just watch the occasional good bit on line.  And Stephen's show is not really different in that respect.  The occasional good bit, perhaps some better political humor than most, but the interviews are just 'meh.'

 

I'll keep it on my DVR for a while, it doesn't take me long to see what I like.

[TV-junkie]

Wow. Totally forgot about that Horse-Prancer and Dog-Strapper-in-Chief with that magic underwear. Please, Mittens, run again. It will be a feast for Annoying Orange who already responded to Romney's fake outcry. What were the spindoctors thinking when choosing Mittens? That all those notorious video clips floating around will magically disappear? The campaign gets better and better. Yeah, this is reality TV. ;-)

[opus]

They seem to be in a pattern of one Friday repeat, next Friday new. But that does seem a little bit confusing if people tune in hoping to see the results the following week. Maybe it's like rats in a maze, who try harder to get the pellet if it only comes out sometimes (instead of every single time so they know they can count on getting it whenever they press the bar).

 

Another rerun tonight. I'm starting to think I'll never find out who would win in a fight: an Apple Genius w/ a switchblade or a Walmart greeter w/ a crossbow?

[Arcey]

I hope the woman in the band isn't permanently gone. I love watching her. They introduced the new guy by name, and then I noticed she wasn't there anymore. She was with the band when they came out of the closet during Jon's wardrobe video though, so I figured that was taped earlier.

I was disappointed that Chris(topher) Meloni's interview was so meh. I wish SC would have at least mentioned Oz, L&O:SVU, and his silly role in the Harold and Kumar movie. We haven't heard much of Chris since leaving SVU, I think.

The Mike B interview was painful. It seemed like SC wasn't being very "yes, and" with him, and kept sabotaging his stories. I personally thought MB was pretty weird and uncomfortable, but SC made it even worse for the poor guy.

I stll tape and watch each show, but I'm not really sure why anymore. It's just not "must see" for me anymore. :(

Edited March 5, 2016 by Arcey

[zxy556575]

Another rerun tonight. I'm starting to think I'll never find out who would win in a fight: an Apple Genius w/ a switchblade or a Walmart greeter w/ a crossbow?

 

Right? If the show is going to have regular recurring bits, they should be ... not irregular.

[FartyPants]

I hope the woman in the band isn't permanently gone. I love watching her. 

 

Not sure if she is not part of the band anymore -- Here is the wikipedia page for her -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Kelly_(musician)

[amsel]

Has he announced on the show that they will show reruns on most Fridays? Since I'm skipping large parts of the show these days, I might have missed it. And it's disingenuous to have a segment named "Friday Night Fights" and not have a show on Fridays regularly.

 

 

I agree with the above posters that the show is increasingly hard to watch. The main reason why I'm losing interest is that he always seems like he's playing a character. And I don't mean the character from the Colbert Report, but some kind of character that isn't himself. And it's not that playing a character is inherently bad on a show like this, but it's that he's not convincing to me. His walk, his voice, his laugh, and his entire demeanor on the show seem forced to me. It's distracting. And it affects interviews, the monologue, and almost everything else negatively. The political bits he does don't suffer from it, but that's only one small part of the show. It's difficult to explain, but it's tiring to watch him regularly. On The Colbert Report, the exaggeration was the essence of the show. But on a show like this, I want some realness, even if it's fake, but I want to be convinced that this is a real person I'm watching. And I always get the feeling he's compensating for something. 

Edited March 8, 2016 by amsel

[possibilities]

This week I saw there were some guests I was interested in, but when I realized it was this show I decided to skip it. I just can't stand his interviewing style and his whole persona irritates me to the point that I just don't want to bother anymore. There is enough good tv, and enough mediocre late night interviewing, to skip this and wait for interesting guests to show up somewhere else.

[Kindred Spirit]

The blanket fort bit was adorable! I'd be okay with it becoming a recurring bit, as long as any other denizens are as cute as Will Arnett.

[monakane]

Has he announced on the show that they will show reruns on most Fridays? Since I'm skipping large parts of the show these days, I might have missed it. And it's disingenuous to have a segment named "Friday Night Fights" and not have a show on Fridays regularly.

 

 

I agree with the above posters that the show is increasingly hard to watch. The main reason why I'm losing interest is that he always seems like he's playing a character. And I don't mean the character from the Colbert Report, but some kind of character that isn't himself. And it's not that playing a character is inherently bad on a show like this, but it's that he's not convincing to me. His walk, his voice, his laugh, and his entire demeanor on the show seem forced to me. It's distracting. And it affects interviews, the monologue, and almost everything else negatively. The political bits he does don't suffer from it, but that's only one small part of the show. It's difficult to explain, but it's tiring to watch him regularly. On The Colbert Report, the exaggeration was the essence of the show. But on a show like this, I want some realness, even if it's fake, but I want to be convinced that this is a real person I'm watching. And I always get the feeling he's compensating for something. 

 

I agree.  I think that Stephen is a brilliant actor and the Colbert Report was an act.  It seems to me that he is trying to act like a late night host.  I think stand up comedians are better at this kind of gig because good comedians are open and vulnerable with an audience.  Actors like to hide behind characters.  Think of DiNero.  He's a great actor but is a horrible interview because he doesn't like to be himself on camera.

[Muffyn]

I want to join Stephen and Will Arnett in a blanket fort.  I loved the plate of twinkies and their reactions to eating them.

 

I understand people’s frustrations with the show.  It is not very different from the other late night shows on the major networks.  I still find Stephen more enjoyable than his competition.  Even if someone I like is on one of the other shows I would be hard-pressed to watch.  I skip some of Stephen’s interviews mainly based on time and whether the person interests me.  I enjoy when he features non-actors. 

 

It is tricky because he is switching from playing a role to being a public presentation of himself.  I loved his old show.  I enjoy this show enough to stick with it.  It is not appointment TV. Late night shows never are for me.

Edited March 10, 2016 by Muffyn

[zxy556575]

Dang, Jerrod Carmichael was doing himself no favors in that interview. I guess he was tossing in some riffs from his stand-up? If so, he needs to put more thought into the venue and audience. I just watched Season 1 of The Carmichael Show and liked it a lot, but wouldn't have bothered if I'd seen this first.

[Queena]

Dang, Jerrod Carmichael was doing himself no favors in that interview. I guess he was tossing in some riffs from his stand-up? If so, he needs to put more thought into the venue and audience. I just watched Season 1 of The Carmichael Show and liked it a lot, but wouldn't have bothered if I'd seen this first.

He was such a turn off, that I won't bother watching his show. I can't believe the things that he said, and I don't think Colbert was too fond of him either. Not a good interview, not at all.

[TV-junkie]

Carmichael must be taking drugs or something. Maybe he takes the same stuff the Drumpfinator is using.

Edited March 10, 2016 by TV-junkie

[mtlchick]

Helen Mirren and now Sally Field...Colbert is turning into late night cougar bait.

[JustaPerson]

If anyone wants the remixed version of the theme song, it's here.

 

Edited March 11, 2016 by JustaPerson

[Cyranetta]

It's strange to me that the Kendrick duet with Colbert has been mentioned online all over the place, but I have yet to see a word about the DonorsChoose funding accomplishment, even on the Late Show page on CBS.com.

[ABay]

The DonorsChoose funding bit was on the local news because some CT schools received funding.

[bybrandy]

I miss Friday Night Fights.   

[trow125]

I miss Friday Night Fights.   

ONE single fight last night! They really rushed through that bit. Boo.

[opus]

ONE single fight last night! They really rushed through that bit. Boo.

 

And with the NCAA basketball tournament looming for the next 2 weeks, it should be awhile before the next one.

[roseha]

It's strange to me that the Kendrick duet with Colbert has been mentioned online all over the place, but I have yet to see a word about the DonorsChoose funding accomplishment, even on the Late Show page on CBS.com.

 

I was away last week and didn't notice that; it's a shame.  It was great to see all those people assembled on the show to help out the students.  They did end up extending the donor match an extra day on the 11th.

[Gemma Violet]

I think this was the first night there was no chanting of Stephen's name.  He had the open with Steve Martin in the woods, but I thought there would be chanting at his desk as sometimes happens. None.  Kinda sad.  I wonder if the audience was told to tone it down.

[brgjoe]

Stephen, I love you.  I still watch the show despite some of the lame bits.  But I'm sorry...that "Life Hacks" sketch was terrible.  Something I would expect Jay Leno to do or something.  And that ain't a compliment.

 

The funniest part of that thing was Stephen laughing at messing up his lines due to his cold medicated state of consciousness.  Other than that, "Life Hacks" should be hacked to bits.  Ugh.

[TV-junkie]

At least there will be another Hungry for Power Games soon because Rubio dropped out. I hope they devote at least 20 min for that.

Yes, the 'Life Hacks' bit always sucks.

Edited March 16, 2016 by TV-junkie

[Enginerd]

I hope the "Stephen" chanting is gone forever, because I hated that. I usually try to FF until it's over. Waste of time. I want jokes; I have no time for inane adulation of someone who is not me :).

 

And "Life Hacks" is always terrible. Scrap it. 

 

Still Love Hungry For Power Games and I want those bits to be more long and elaborate. We need more alter egos like Esteban and whatnot; Colbert is usually better when he's playing a character and when that character is not "Stereotype of Late Night Talk Show Host".

[ABay]

The fake ad that was not at all like a viagra ad had a lot of Cheating Death/Prescott Pharmaceutical side effects, which I really appreciated. I'd like to see a Spanish-language one with Esteban.

 

Life Hacks is not my favorite bit. I do enjoy Big Furry Hat quite a bit and continue to say "Hail, Sneezer" if anyone near me sneezes. My favorite part of Hungry for Power Games is seing what district the tribute represented (Ben Carson: District ZZZZZ)

[roseha]

I think this was the first night there was no chanting of Stephen's name.  He had the open with Steve Martin in the woods, but I thought there would be chanting at his desk as sometimes happens. None.  Kinda sad.  I wonder if the audience was told to tone it down.

 

 

I've read elsewhere that the warm-up comedian has been asking the audience to drop the chanting for awhile now.   Apparently sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.  I did like it awhile back though when they would just break into spontaneous chants like "Santa! Santa!" and "Warlock Warlock!"

 

 

The funniest part of that thing was Stephen laughing at messing up his lines due to his cold medicated state of consciousness.

 

He seems to be feeling pretty bad all this week, it looks like the week off is coming just in time, though it's probably due to the NCAA I guess.

I did think his Daylight Saving Time rant on Monday was hilarious.

Edited March 17, 2016 by roseha

[Gemma Violet]

I've read elsewhere that the warm-up comedian has been asking the audience to drop the chanting for awhile now.   Apparently sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. 

 

 

I thought this was the first time, but I think I've fast-fowarded through a couple of monologues lately so I could have missed it if it happened before.  I didn't mind the chanting.  Then again, I didn't mind the high kicks.  He totally stopped those.

[LADreamr]

So good to see Edie Brickell on the show. I wish she could have talked more. We went to the same performing arts high school, and she and the New Bohemians were the first breakout stars. It's great to see she's still doing really well.

ETA: Stephen messing with everyone's Amazon Echo tonight was hilarious.

Edited March 17, 2016 by LADreamr

[nowandlater]

I hope the "Stephen" chanting is gone forever, because I hated that. I usually try to FF until it's over. Waste of time. I want jokes; I have no time for inane adulation of someone who is not me :).

 

I watch a lot of late-night shows, and there are 3 in particular where it takes seemingly forever for the audience to shut up: Conan, Larry Wilmore and Stephen Colbert.

 

In Conan and Colbert's case, it's like the audiences are in 1964 and the they're seeing the Beatles for the first time. It just goes on and on and on. And the hosts totally embrace all that adulation. Except it gets tiresome when it happens night after night.

 

Colbert is really bad because they have two openings. So twice you have to wait for the audience to calm down, or 10 times a week.