What We Lose With Stephen Colbert (Unpaywalled)
by playboy
What We Lose With Stephen Colbert (Unpaywalled)
by playboy
8 Comments
Stephen Colbert understands the power of fear. As a character, he used it — built an entire television empire on it, rallied thousands to the National Mall under the banner “[Keep Fear Alive](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX9hbQ5wsyE),” even ran a satirical presidential [campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Colbert_2008_presidential_campaign) powered by it.
He spent a decade playing a man who trafficked fear nightly to expose it, to mock it, to make the people wielding it look ridiculous.
In the fall of 2012, he [sat down with *Playboy*](https://www.playboy.com/magazine/articles/2012/11/playboy-interview-stephen-colbert/?srsltid=AfmBOors3_IzdSPwPl1u7WwAj56qaY82GF6D5xTtIQLIlXmg0O1LOsI0) — one of the rare times he agreed to be interviewed as himself rather than as his character — and explained why fear is such an effective weapon. He quoted Thomas Jefferson: “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” Injecting fear into people, Colbert said, is an attempt to kill their thinking. It’s an act of oppression.
Thirteen years later, his reflection turned out to be a premonition. He couldn’t have known he was foreshadowing his own ending.
Read now: [https://www.playboy.com/read/politics/what-we-lose-with-stephen-colbert](https://www.playboy.com/read/politics/what-we-lose-with-stephen-colbert)
I’m only familiar with Colbert from his earlier satirical show. So please let me know if I’m mischaracterizing his Late Show presentation:
>Fear is a political weapon. Satire is an antidote
This is an awkward narrative to drive the article granted how fear-based the Left had become over the comedian’s career. A strong pivot from hope-based Obama years and even prior (Colbert Report). The last ten years less satirical, more apocalyptic.
I don’t often watch late night talk shows but I’m somehow comforted knowing that they exist. I’ve definitely watched more since Trump was elected. I’m sad that the era of late night talk shows is coming to an end – a bygone format from a different time in media.
I wish they’d continue the show with regular guest hosts. Each and every one of them in turn inviting Colbert in for a chat. Every single episode.
He’s not hosting at all. He’s just there every day 🙂
We lose a comedic genius because President Bone-Spurs can’t take a joke?
Trump and the Ellisons win, while Americans lose again.
Looking forward to your return Stephen Colbert, I hope it’s soon, America needs you.
I’m clicking for the articles.
Any chance he could get a similar show opportunity with another network or some independent platform? I haven’t heard if there are any plans to try.
i mean he is still alive right? sooooo