LSSC: Season One All Episodes Talk

[trow125]

I've been puzzling over the segment with Paul Simon last night -- like, why did they do it as the pretend-cover band instead of simply announcing the real Paul Simon was going to be the musical guest. I mean, it was an amusing gag, but why wouldn't Simon want his fans to know he was actually going to appear on the show?

 

It just occurred to me that Paul is a very close friend of Lorne Michaels -- he's been on SNL a million times -- and Lorne produces Jimmy Fallon's show. So maybe Simon didn't want to annoy his friend by going on the "competition"'s new show.

[thispersonstinks]

There are many things that need to worked out out, but I like Stephen's first week. Already, he has establish a great opening title, great band, a colorful set, the "political" sit-down desk, showing his goofy side and does interviews well with politicians and others.

 

Clearly, his celebrity interviews are his weakest point. I would think it's both Colbert needs to get comfortable about celebrity interviews and that Clooney and Scarlett were not the best guests. If it was Tom Hanks, maybe this discussion would be different. 

 

What I actually don't mind is Stephen's "monologue." He has a personal story and is willing to share it, then does one typical monologue joke. It's close to what Craig Ferguson did. 

 

In the next few weeks, the guest list resembles something from the Sunday Morning talk shows and some believe this is a ratings killer. It might be, but networks care about revenue. We know Fallon is going to be on top, but if Colbert keeps making money like those "sponsortainment ads" and new companies like YouTube and FX, Colbert has time to experiment to make it a better show.

[formerlyfreedom]

Just a gentle reminder that this is for discussion of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert episodes. Many of the posts are fine, and there's been a lot of latitude in here for the first week, but going forward, we're going to ask that you stick with this show and episode discussion.

 

Thanks, and everyone, enjoy the show!

 

[jeansheridan]

I really hate the filmed bits a lot. I've watched two eps and both just fell utterly flat. He needs to either figure out how to do them or do something different.

I think he should just drop the monologue and start at the desk. Why the hell not? What says a network host must do a monologue standing up? He's clearly happier behind his desk.

I do appreciate his sheer joy. Filling an entire hour seems to be a bit of a challenge for him, but I think once he gets in better bits (maybe Martha Stewart cooking or his version of stupid pet tricks), he'll figure it out. He's so very smart. So it was painful to see him bomb with Clooney of all people. Clooney who can tell a dozen stories about whatever you want. Seriously. Just let him talk. Don't make him to a bit. Clooney is one of the few "stars" who CAN deliver a story. I was bummed to see that entire segment just die on the vine. Painful to watch.

Whereas the Amy Schumer interview (while badly edited) was delightfully awkward and slightly edgy. It was mostly loose (except for the odd edits). I don't recall such awful editing on his old show.

[mtlchick]

Not only does Colbert need to figure this out, so does his writing staff as most made the transition with him.  With Fallon and Meyers, they had the "luxury" of working on a show that mixed the topical and pop culture so the jokes and monologues seem to flow better overall.  Colbert's team can cover the political stuff well but there are some kinks to work out on the celebrity/out of left field segments (though I did enjoy the weirdness of the Lizard Man.  And it also scares me this makes local news.)  That said, he's coming in just as the campaigning is chugging along so for now he and his team will be in their element (CNN debate?  Catnip!) and he has Trump next week.  I'm not worried for him.

[Kromm]

I've been puzzling over the segment with Paul Simon last night -- like, why did they do it as the pretend-cover band instead of simply announcing the real Paul Simon was going to be the musical guest. I mean, it was an amusing gag, but why wouldn't Simon want his fans to know he was actually going to appear on the show?

When you get to Simon's level of stardom, he doesn't really need the publicity.  My assumption is that he was contacted about this under the guise of it being a gag, and didn't have any incentive to push for press for it because... he doesn't really have anything to gain from it. 

 

From the standpoint of the show, they clearly considered it a gag, and perhaps a surprise for the viewing audience. They don't really need to rely on single appearances by single celebrities for viewership, short of something special like having the serving Vice President on, or the lunatic Orange Man leading the polls currently. This won't be the last surprise guest the show has on (and technically wasn't even the first, since Mavis Staples "& Friends" encompassed people not specifically announced).

[annabel]

Why does he need to wear a suit? I know it is what hosts have always worn, but he looks very awkward in it when standing. What about some good trousers and a nice pullover?.

And come winter some awesome sweaters?

[LADreamr]

I was looking forward to his "Who Am Me?" segment, but that hasn't come up yet. Maybe next week.

[nowandlater]

I've been puzzling over the segment with Paul Simon last night -- like, why did they do it as the pretend-cover band instead of simply announcing the real Paul Simon was going to be the musical guest. I mean, it was an amusing gag, but why wouldn't Simon want his fans to know he was actually going to appear on the show?

 

It just occurred to me that Paul is a very close friend of Lorne Michaels -- he's been on SNL a million times -- and Lorne produces Jimmy Fallon's show. So maybe Simon didn't want to annoy his friend by going on the "competition"'s new show.

 

 

If a Paul Simon were to go to Colbert's YouTube page, they would've gotten more than they would've from TV, including his performance that was cut off.

 

 

Anyways, anybody notice that Colbert's show kind of mirrors James Corden?

 

They both have the cold open, followed by a monologue that isn't traditional, followed by the opening credits.

[Kromm]

BTW: An update on the Stephen Search in the credits. Some of my previous guesses were wrong and corrected by more observant people than me and/or people who cleared up stills from it. Between myself, people who commented out there on the net in general and Raradra we found a few more hidden Stephens...

 

00:11--00:14 Stephen on top of a building tossing a basketball across to another building.
00:11--00:14 Jon (presumably--its still hard to say 100%) across the street catching/guiding that basketball into a hoop.
00:18--00:19 Stephen in the street playing matador with a red cape, with cars as the bulls.
00:24--00:26 Stephen AND Jon on top of a building, Stephen spinning in a circle and Jon playing a Grand Piano.
00:27--00:29 Jon Batiste in the "Jon Batiste" Roosevelt Island Tram car and Stay Human in the "& Stay Human" Tram car.
00:31--00:32 Stephen on the right side balcony level of Grand Central Station doing the classic tablecloth trick (the one where you pull the cloth out and leave the items behind on the table).
00:40--00:41 Stephen above Times Square (along the right side) doing his best impression of his previous TV-self ("Stephen Colbert: American") by waving a Stars & Stripes around, like crazy.
00:42--00:43 Just in case people didn't see it, there's a HUGE party atop the Ed Sullivan Theater building.

[BW Manilowe]

Agree with this. I think Gore's son was seriously injured in a wreck but did survive. Regardless I think Biden and Stephen share similar grief (although losing a child is different than losing a parent and siblings, but grief nonetheless) and maybe this was a safer venue than a political debate or town hall meeting.

Gore's (only) son, then age 6, was severely injured in a hit & run leaving Memorial Stadium in Baltimore (after an Orioles game) in approximately 1989 (around 3 years before his father received/accepted the Democratic nomination for Vice-President). He spent at least a month in the hospital, but apparently fully recovered. Now in his early 30's, he went on to marry in June of last year (2014).

As for Toby Keith, he also has a chain of restaurants called Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill (I Love This Bar is 1 of his hits/better-known songs); there's 1 in Harrah's Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, among a few other cities. The food's pretty good--friends & I've eaten there a few times.

Edited September 13, 2015 by BW Manilowe

[ABay]

going forward, we're going to ask that you stick with this show and episode discussion.

Will there be weekly threads?

[StatMom]

 That's an act. His "Stephen Colbert" character on his previous show was a right-wing, blowhard narcissist. I think on the first or second show this week he told a guest that he was just a narcissist now.

If you listen to more serious interviews (e.g., on Fresh Air), you can get a better sense of the "real" person. But I think he himself has admitted that he gets a bit of a kick out of the enthusiastic applause/cheering, etc., and that to be an entertainer at this level, you have to be comfortable with, and hopefully enjoy, the spotlight.

[SlackerInc]

The hat segment was great, but it's kind of like BilL Maher's New Rules.

 

 

Very much so.  I was thinking Maher deserves some royalties, or at least maybe some of those desserts.

 

I doubt Biden is going to run, but I do not doubt that his heart is broken beyond belief and I found his entire interview to be incredibly moving.  It's said that in our greatest strength lies our greatest weakness.  Too often Biden is judged on the flip side of that coin in his weakness, but in that interview he was proving the "greatest strength" part of that.  He's too often unguarded, he's not polished, he's animated by feelings as much as by intellectual process (which is not the same thing as being foolish).   

 

Anyway, in an age where I can barely look at any politician without suspecting that they've rehearsed nearly every word and deed beforehand, like an actor for a performance, I found Biden heartbreakingly real.

 

He came across very sympathetically, and he has certainly dealt with some awful tragedy in his personal life.  But I can never forgive him for the way he underhandedly pushed through the RAVE Act--which has had a chilling impact not only on people who throw actual raves, but on any venue owner or promoter involved with any kind of concert or show of a psychedelic nature.  As described on Wikipedia, "Biden attached the legislation as a rider to the bill creating the popular AMBER Alert system, in order to get it passed without debate."  I mean, who's going to vote against AMBER Alerts?  Not cool, Joe.  (And yes, I've been nursing a grudge about this for over a decade.)

[candall]

Well, SC's not the only one trying to get comfortable with his filling an hour-long show, but I am impressed as hell with him as a song & dance man.

 

Staying in tune on the harmony for the national anthem is no gig for sissies, with someone right next to you BELTING OUT THE MELODY.  And he acquitted himself very nicely with freakin' Paul Simon!  (Who will be playing Yoda in the Star Wars movie coming out after this one.  Ack.  I'm going to avoid mirrors today.)

 

His dancing seems so spontaneous and joyful, it makes me want to get up and be-bop right along with him.

Edited September 13, 2015 by candall

[cynicat]

I'm definitely going to give this show a little time to find itself.  Thinking back to the debut of The Colbert Report, I recall hating it, and being both surprised and terribly disappointed because I loved Stephen Colbert so much.  My recollection is that it was awkward, choppy and not particularly funny.  Clearly they just needed to find their groove because I ultimately grieved the loss on CC.

[LJonEarth]

I'm definitely going to give this show a little time to find itself.  Thinking back to the debut of The Colbert Report, I recall hating it, and being both surprised and terribly disappointed because I loved Stephen Colbert so much.  My recollection is that it was awkward, choppy and not particularly funny.  Clearly they just needed to find their groove because I ultimately grieved the loss on CC.

You're right. I actually took a year away from TCR because it was so off. When I came back, it was a great show. I'll have another week with this show and then step away to check out the Daily Show.

 

As far as Stephen breaking things up with his own Stupid Pet Tricks, I wonder how he is with the audience? I know Jon Batiste is good with regular people. But I don't remember much if any audience interaction on his old show.

[ABay]

Laura Linney's random appearance in the coffee ad and, to a lesser extent, the football players reminded me of the way random celebrities would just turn up to do bits. Jeff Goldblum, John Lithgow, so many others.

 

For me the problem with early TCR was that Stephen was too much like O'Reilly, really shouty and harsh. Once he toned that down, the show was much better.

 

I wonder if we'll see a corporate version of the Girl from Ipanima technical difficulties cutaway followed by a lawyer making Stephen sign something. The Mentalist switch was similar but not as funny (to me). And again, my apologies to Doris Kearns Goodwin.

[stillshimpy]

The coffee sketch with Laura Linney was the funniest bit of the week, IMO.

 

I thought Laura Linney got the funniest moment of the week award, full stop, for the what she did after saying, "I'm going to go lie down" and then....did, but in one of the best physical moments of comedy I've ever seen.  We were howling with laughter.  

 

I have purses that are roughly the size of Paul Simon, as it turns out.  I never knew he was knee-high to a Lilliputian before.  

Edited September 13, 2015 by stillshimpy

[StatMom]

Well, SC's not the only one trying to get comfortable with his filling an hour-long show, but I am impressed as hell with him as a song & dance man.

 

Staying in tune on the harmony for the national anthem is no gig for sissies, with someone right next to you BELTING OUT THE MELODY.  And he acquitted himself very nicely with freakin' Paul Simon!  (Who will be playing Yoda in the Star Wars movie coming out after this one.  Ack.  I'm going to avoid mirrors today.)

 

His dancing seems so spontaneous and joyful, it makes me want to get up and be-bop right along with him.

You may enjoy this clip from his Strangers With Candy days:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oASYa-Wkroc

[possibilities]

Re the Paul Simon gag, it might just be their sense of humor, but they also might think if people know there are sometimes surprise guests, that it will draw audiences hoping for unexpected headliners. I think at this point, everything they are doing is a combination of "how can we grab viewers?" and "our own quirkiness leaking out between viewer-bait."

[formerlyfreedom]

Will there be weekly threads?

 

Not at this point - we'll be watching the posting to see where it levels out at after the first month or two, and if it looks like it can sustain weekly threads, we'll switch to that, but for starters,we'll just have the one thread.

[formerlyfreedom]

Let's keep the credits discussion in the Late Show In The Media thread going forward from here, please and thanks!

[mariah23]

You're right. I actually took a year away from TCR because it was so off. When I came back, it was a great show. I'll have another week with this show and then step away to check out the Daily Show.

As far as Stephen breaking things up with his own Stupid Pet Tricks, I wonder how he is with the audience? I know Jon Batiste is good with regular people. But I don't remember much if any audience interaction on his old show.

He takes questions from the audience before the show. If it's your birthday, he may sing to you in Latin, and he may ask you what the Latin word for birth control and if you get it wrong, he may lovingly call you a "Catholic Slut." Best Birthday Ever!

[Clanstarling]

This crossing the stage thing for the guest looks really awkward to me, too.  I always thought it made more sense for the guest to come from the other side.   I liked the setup that Dave had.

I read an interview with Colbert, and though I can't recall all the details, what stuck out was that he'd asked David Letterman what he regretted about his show, and Letterman responded that he should have had the desk on the other side. So Colbert changed it to the left side of the stage. But I totally agree that it seems awkward to have the guest come out that way.

Edited September 13, 2015 by clanstarling

[Clanstarling]

Ooooh, okay.  Now I get what you're saying, Padma and it's a fair enough point, I think.  I thought Stephen was trying to give Joe Biden a chance to tell the world his "my son was a great man" stories though.  The parts that were killing me when was when Joe said he hoped he didn't sound like "just some proud dad" (or something to that end, suggesting that he feared other people wouldn't think it was with good reason outside of being his father).  I truly don't think Stephen was doing that though.   

 

When someone dies, a lot of the times people say things like, "Oh my God, I'm so sorry.   What happened?"  and that's often the last thing people want to detail again, but they do long for the chance to talk specifically about the person when they were alive and detail the reasons they miss them and why.  So that's the way I perceived it.  Stephen never asked, "Were you with him...." or "How long did you know..." or any of those "dig at the wound" type of questions.  Just the "what was he like"  "talk about his life" things.

 

Ha!  See, I thought the two tech interviews were just near face-plants all around.  Interesting read though!  Although, I actually really like the furry hat thing.  I may just have weird taste :-) 

 

ETA:  Wow, so Donald Trump next week and Ted Cruz?  I may have to compression wrap my head so that it is less likely to explode. 

I agree. We often get uncomfortable talking about the person who died, and yet talking about them is many times exactly what their loved ones want to do - to remember the living person, not the lost promise. And from what I can tell, the loss of Beau Biden was a loss for us all. I thought Stephen handled it well, knowing from his own experience what to ask. I really felt for Biden, and thought it was a beautiful interview. I thought Stephen let slip a few details of his own past that maybe weren't out there before (taking care of his mother, etc.)

 

I also agree about the tech interviews. Elon Musk was not particularly riveting, though his technology is. The uber guyjust seemed like a smug little shit.

 

I thought the furry hat was going to be terrible, I even cringed. But ended up enjoying it immensely.

 

Edited because Musk may be a smug shit, but that wasn't who I was talking about.

Edited September 13, 2015 by clanstarling

[Kromm]

For me the problem with early TCR was that Stephen was too much like O'Reilly, really shouty and harsh.

That's because he was parodying O'Reilly.

[ABay]

Yes. I know.

[kib]

I read an interview with Colbert, and though I can't recall all the details, what stuck out was that he'd asked David Letterman what he regretted about his show, and Letterman responded that he should have had the desk on the other side. So Colbert changed it to the left side of the stage. But I totally agree that it seems awkward to have the guest come out that way.

I'm not so sure the blocking is the problem since Jimmy and Conan are set up that way.  I think it's more about that shipping container sized desk of his that the guests need to traverse in front of... 

[peeayebee]

I was going to say that other talk shows do that too. Carson had it set up that way. Honestly, I haven't noticed anything awkward about it.

[roseha]

The desk setup doesn't bother me either. And I like the suits. I was wondering if he'd stay with Brooks Brothers and I guess he did.

[trow125]

The desk setup doesn't bother me either. And I like the suits. I was wondering if he'd stay with Brooks Brothers and I guess he did.

He talked about his suits on one of the podcasts. He is definitely loyal to Brooks Brothers.

[Athena]

I think Stephen is a man that genuinely enjoys wearing suits or business casual styling. In his more casual appearances, he's often wearing slacks and a shirt, no tie. Contrast that to Jon who has worn jeans or sweaters more when "off-the clock" as it were.

 

Stephen appreciates the tailoring and quality of the suits he wears. IMHO he's probably the best dressed late night show hosts.

[ABay]

No Atone Phone this year, I guess. Maybe I'll call 1800KEYMOPS for old time's sake.

 

Wait...it's 1800MOPSKEY. Now I need to call to atone for that mistake!

Edited September 14, 2015 by ABay

[Hanahope]

I'm not a huge fan of the typical late night shows, TDS and TCR were always fun because of the satire and comedy.  SC's new show certainly still has some of that, but its not quite the same.  And the interviews have just been ok, and agree that the non-celebrity ones were better than the others.  If SC can keep up with some good pertinent questions, I might stick around for them.  Frankly, just stroking someone's ego is boring. 

 

The interview of Jeb was ok, but then, he's probably one of the more moderate Rep candidates, I'll at least watch some of the interviews with Trump and Cruz to see if we get some good questions there too, though I'm not thrilled with giving them such a stumping ground.

[possibilities]

Looks like he's trying to have one serious guest and one celebrity entertainer type per show. It's a good strategy in a way, because it draws from both types of audiences. On the other hand, it may mean that for every show, a lot of viewers think at least half of it is boring. I know that's where I am, so far. And yet, I do expect to tune in for Breyer, Sanders, Warren, Malala, and some of the others. I might start taping it and FF 90% of the show, though.

[lookeyloo]

I think Stephen is a man that genuinely enjoys wearing suits or business casual styling. In his more casual appearances, he's often wearing slacks and a shirt, no tie. Contrast that to Jon who has worn jeans or sweaters more when "off-the clock" as it were.

 

Stephen appreciates the tailoring and quality of the suits he wears. IMHO he's probably the best dressed late night show hosts.

I agree with your assessment based on candid photos on the inter webs of Jon and Stephen, but I do think Seth Meyers looks very well put together on his show.  Not the greatest show but he has his entertaining moments and we have a FF button.  And I am not going any more off topic!!

[bmoore4026]

I'd love it if Colbert were the new Captain America.  Provided Steve Rogers is given is youth back because I hate him as an old man.  Oh, and if Bucky/Winter Soldier is killed off.

Edited September 15, 2015 by bmoore4026

[Gemma Violet]

I enjoyed tonight's show, especially the interview with Justice Breyer, but I feel that Stephen cut him off short at the end.  I wanted to know what else the Justice was going to say.

Edited September 15, 2015 by Gemma Violet

[candall]

You may enjoy this clip from his Strangers With Candy days:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oASYa-Wkroc

Four times in a row.  Thanks!

[amsel]

Decent show tonight.

Another Trump sketch. But it worked.

I rewound the puke take at least five times. That made me laugh so hard. And just like Blunt, I've loved Colbert's pretend puking.

I thought the religious sketch didn't work. Seemed like an afterthought.

[LADreamr]

I was happy to see the In Your Faith piece, because I've been missing This Week in God for so long.  Also, that he kept the high-fiving hand under the desk, and the twist that it refused to high five him if the joke was bad.  I wonder if there's any chance of some version of The Word?  That was too brilliant to completely trash.

[Milburn Stone]

That "Strangers" clip reminds me...Not a big thing, but if I could give Colbert one "note," it would be to taper off on the "dancing 'cause he just can't help it" when he comes out on stage. He's actually good at it, which is part of the problem. If he looked like a total klutz, it'd be comedic. Instead, he's just good enough to make me think that he thinks he's pretty good, which is a touch of not-kidding vanity (not my-character-called-"Stephen-Colbert" is vain, but I-the-real-Stephen-Colbert am pretty hot stuff, aren't I) that is off-putting. And maybe also the fact that he's good at it, but not good enough, is adding up to not a pretty sight. That's my mileage, anyway.

[Chippings]

I also liked the Stephen Breyer segment, Gemma V.  I thought it was a little snarky when the intro included the fact that only 3% of the American public knew who he was ..  But oh well.  He spoke so well about what it's like to be on the Court - he's just very well-spoken basically..  And it was too bad that the time limitations fell as they did.  

[StatMom]

Emily Blunt is lovely. Has she ever seen a Stephen Colbert show, asking if he sings? Yes. Yes, he does.

 

Grandpa Breyer was nice as well, if not exceedingly entertaining. It is comforting to hear his description of the thoughtful behind-the-scenes process of SC decisions, Although the civil disagreement he talked about doesn't always come across in the written opinions.

[peeayebee]

I thought it was a very good show. I was esp pleased with the interviews. Stephen was so relaxed and natural with Blunt. It probably helped that the interview contained non-interview parts -- the singing and the gagging -- but I have no complaints about it.

 

I also liked that Stephen did the intro to the Breyer interview. It was funny and actually sets things up pretty good. The interview was good, too.

 

And I love that he's bringing more stuff from TCR to this show. 

[futurechemist]

I think Stephen's settling in nicely.  I'm still not drawn to the interviews, but will at least watch through midnight.  I'm glad Stephen's keeping so much political humor.  Poor Larry WIlmore, I haven't watched the Nightly Show in weeks.

 

I'm a bad Jew, I didn't even realize it was Rosh Hashanah until my parents called.  And now I'm sad we probably won't get an Atone Phone next week.

 

I have noticed that each segment feels short to me.  The Better Know a Breyer segment wasn't that long, but it led into a commercial rather than an interview.  I'd have preferred if they gave Breyer at least 1.5 interview segments.

[Hanahope]

Kind of surprising Breyer saying that in the Justice's conference, no one says any insults, even in jest, considering some of the very biting, and almost insulting, dissents Scalia has penned.

[trow125]

I also liked that Stephen did the intro to the Breyer interview. It was funny and actually sets things up pretty good. The interview was good, too.

 

And I love that he's bringing more stuff from TCR to this show. 

The Breyer intro was so Report-y that it could have been called "Better Know a Justice."

And I actually watched the entire Emily Blunt interview with pleasure. The part where Stephen started singing "On the Street Where You Live" did feel spontaneous to me (unlike the puke take, which was obviously planned). More of that, please!

[possibilities]

Kind of surprising Breyer saying that in the Justice's conference, no one says any insults, even in jest, considering some of the very biting, and almost insulting, dissents Scalia has penned.

I agree. It kind of lends weight to the idea that if there were cameras, there'd be grandstanding, though. If they are actually civil in private, and then he goes and writes scathing dissents, imagine the kind of behavior he'd show if he was being filmed for an audience.... Also I found it interesting that Breyer was saying the oral arguments aren't even close to the most significant part of the process, that they base their decisions mostly on other things. I know many other arguments are made in writing, but I wonder if that's what he was implying, or if the Big 9 rely on their own legal thinking, research, and analysis, or what. Juries are supposed to base their decisions only on with what gets said in the courtroom, so the Supreme Court not really considering that part of the case to be even the majority of what they base things on is kind of an interesting thing to hear him say. Basically, they have the freedom to do whatever they want, I guess? It sounded to me like he was saying there's a lot going on that's not filmable, like them reading supplementary materials. If it was just discussions of the evidence, they could conceivably film that, so it doesn't seem like that's what he was saying.