The Colbert Report
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{{Infobox Television
| show_name = The Colbert Report
| image = [[Image:Colbert Report logo.png|center|250px]]
| caption = ''The Colbert Report'' logo
| show_name_2 =
| format = [[Late night television|Late night]] [[talk show]]
| genre = [[Comedy]]<br>[[Satire]]<br>[[News]] [[parody]]
| creator = [[Stephen Colbert]]<br>[[Ben Karlin]]<br>[[Jon Stewart]]
| director = Jim Hoskinson
| developer =
| presenter =
| starring = [[Stephen Colbert]]
| voices =
| narrated =
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer =
| country = [[United States|U.S.]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| num_seasons = 4
| num_episodes = 417 <!--(as of [[June 26]], [[2008]])-->
| list_episodes = List of The Colbert Report episodes
| executive_producer = [[Jon Stewart]]<br>[[Ben Karlin]]<br>[[Stephen Colbert]]
| producer =
| asst_producer =
| editor =
| location =
| camera =
| runtime = 22 minutes
| network = [[Comedy Central]]
| picture_format =
| audio_format =
| first_run =
| first_aired = [[October 17]], [[2005]]
| last_aired = present
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| related = ''[[The Daily Show]]''
| website = http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/index.jhtml
| imdb_id = 0458254
| tv_com_id = 45593
}}'''''The Colbert Report''''' ({{IPA|/koʊlbe:ɹ ɹəpo:ɹ/}}—the Ts are silent in "Colbert" and "Report") is an [[United States|American]] [[news satire|satirical]] [[television program]] that airs from 11:30 p.m. to 12:00 midnight [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)]] each Monday through Thursday on [[Comedy Central]] in the [[United States]] and on both [[The Comedy Network]] and [[CTV Television Network|CTV]] in [[Canada]]. In the [[United Kingdom]] it airs at 11.00 p.m on [[FX (UK)|FX]] each Tuesday through Friday. It stars political humorist [[Stephen Colbert]], a former [[correspondent]] for ''[[The Daily Show]]''.
''The Colbert Report'' is a [[spin-off]] and [[counterpart]] of ''The Daily Show'' which, like ''The Daily Show'', critiques politics and the media. It [[satire|satirizes]] personality-driven [[pundit (expert)|political pundit]] programs, particularly [[Fox News]]' ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/060327fa_fact|title=Bill O'Reilly's baroque period.|first=Nicholas|last=Lemann|publisher=[[The New Yorker]]|date=2006-03-20|accessdate=2006-07-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/44705|title=Stephen Colbert interview|first=Nathan|last=Rabin|publisher=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=2006-01-25|accessdate=2006-07-10}}</ref> The show focuses on [[Stephen Colbert (character)|Stephen Colbert]], a fictional anchorman character played by Colbert. The character, described by Colbert as a "well-intentioned, poorly informed, [[social status|high-status]] [[idiot]]", is a caricature of televised political pundits.<ref name="NYTIMES25Q">{{cite news|first=Deborah|last=Solomon|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/magazine/25questions.html|title=Funny About the News|work=[[New York Times Magazine]]|date=2005-09-25|accessdate=2006-10-23}}</ref><ref name="NewsweekTruthinessTeller">{{cite news| first=Marc| last=Peyser| url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11182033/site/newsweek/| title=The Truthiness Teller| work=[[Newsweek]]| date=2006-02-13| accessdate=2006-03-25}}</ref>
''The Colbert Report'' was nominated for four [[Emmy]]s each in 2006 and 2007, two [[Television Critics Association]] Awards, and two [[Satellite Awards]]. It received a Special Recognition award at the 2007 [[GLAAD Media Awards]]. It has been presented as non-satirical journalism in several instances, by the [[Tom DeLay]] Legal Defense Trust, and following [[Robert Wexler]]'s interview on the program. ''The Report'' received considerable media coverage following its debut on [[October 17]], [[2005]], for Colbert's popularizing of the term "[[truthiness]]", which [[dictionary]] [[publisher]] [[Merriam-Webster]] named its 2006 "Word of the Year".<ref name="mw">{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/info/06words.htm|title=Merriam-Webster's Words of the Year 2006|publisher=[[Merriam-Webster]]|accessdate=2006-12-08}}</ref>
''The Report'' has had cultural influence in a number of ways. In 2006, after Colbert encouraged viewers to vote online to name a [[Hungary|Hungarian]] bridge after him, he won the first round of voting with 17,231,724 votes.<ref name=First_round>{{cite web| url = http://index.hu/gazdasag/magyar/colb060822/ | title = A seggfej Zrínyi előtt amerikai humorista nyerte a hídnévversenyt | accessdate = 2006-09-04 | date = 2006-08-22 | work = Index.hu | language = Hungarian }}</ref> [[András Simonyi|The Ambassador]] of the [[Republic of Hungary]] presented Mr. Colbert with a declaration certifying him as the winner of the second and final round of voting, though it was later announced that the bridge would be named the [[Megyeri Bridge]]. In 2007, the Democratic Caucus chair instructed freshmen not to appear on the show's '[[Better Know a District]]' segment.<ref name="The Hill">{{cite news | last =Kaplan | first =Jonathan E. | title =Emanuel tells freshmen to avoid Stephen Colbert | publisher =[[The Hill]] | date= 2007-03-13 | url = http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/emanuel-tells-freshmen-to-avoid-stephen-colbert-2007-03-14.html | accessdate = 2007-08-05 }}</ref> ''The Report'' has also coined several [[neologism]]s, such as "freem" and "truthiness".
==Production==
[[Image:thecolbertgang.jpg|thumb|right|[[Stephen Colbert|Colbert]] on "''The Colbert Gang''"]]In 2004, ''[[The Daily Show]]'' won [[Emmy Award]]s, and Comedy Central wanted to expand the franchise.<ref name="NYMag1016">{{cite news|url=http://newyorkmetro.com/news/politics/22322/ |title=Stephen Colbert Has America By the Ballots |publisher=[[New York Magazine]] |date=2006-10-16 |last=Sternbergh |name=Adam |accessdate=2006-10-10}}</ref> Stephen Colbert had been a correspondent on, and co-writer for, ''The Daily Show'' for six seasons. [[Jon Stewart]] and [[Ben Karlin]] (''The Daily Show''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s executive producer) supposedly came up with the idea for ''The Colbert Report'' after watching coverage of the [[sexual harassment]] lawsuit filed against [[Bill O'Reilly (commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]]. Jon Stewart's production company, [[Busboy Productions]], developed ''The Report''. Colbert, Stewart, and Karlin pitched the idea of the show (reportedly with one phrase: "our version of ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]'' with Stephen Colbert") to [[Comedy Central]] chief [[Doug Herzog]], who agreed to run the show for eight weeks without creating a pilot.<ref name="USATodayLevin">{{cite news| title=First 'Stewart,' now 'Colbert'| last=Levin| name=Gary | url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-10-13-colbert_x.htm| publisher=[[USA Today]]| date=2005-10-13 |accessdate=2006-08-01}}</ref>
''The Colbert Report'' first appeared in the form of three [[television commercial]]s for itself which aired several times on ''The Daily Show'', although the themes that form the basis for ''The Report'' can be seen in the reports of Colbert's correspondent character on ''The Daily Show''. The show debuted [[October 17]], [[2005]], with an initial contract for an eight-week run. On [[November 2]], [[2005]] based on the strong [[Nielsen Ratings|ratings]] for the show's first two weeks, Comedy Central and Colbert announced they had signed for an additional year, through the end of 2006.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,17706,00.html?tnews| title=Comedy Central Keeps Colbert| first=Charlie| last=Amter| date=2005-11-02| publisher=[[E! Online News]]| accessdate=2006-03-23}}</ref>
===Program format===
{{see also|Recurring segments on The Colbert Report}}
Typically, Colbert starts each episode with teasers regarding the show's topics and guest, followed by a verbal [[metaphor]] that promotes the show — for example, "Go out ten yards and [[American football plays#Hook|button-hook]] to the left. I'm going to hit you with a perfect spiral of the truth. This is ''The Colbert Report''." The show's opening title sequence begins with images of flag waving, Colbert striking poses and words describing Colbert flying by. Originally, the last word was ''grippy'', but it has changed to ''megamerican'', ''Lincolnish'', ''superstantial'', ''freem'', ''eneagled'', ''flagaphile'', ''good'', ''gutly'', ''warrior-poet'', ''President Bush have a hotdog with me'', and ''Self-Evident'' (for the week of [[April 14]], [[2008]], in honor of the show's broadcast from Philadelphia, returning to ''President Bush have a hotdog with me'' afterwards). The sequence ends with a computer-generated shrieking eagle swooping toward the foreground.
Following the opening sequence, Colbert proceeds a run-through of the day's headlines, similar to that of ''The Daily Show'' but with a pseudo-[[right-wing politics|right-wing]] spin. The program proper then begins with Colbert addressing a specific topic. That topic will usually lead into a "The Wørd" segment, which juxtaposes Colbert's commentary with satirical bullet points on-screen, a parody on ''The O'Reilly Factor'''s "Talking Points Memo;"<ref>{{cite news | first = Ryan | last = Nolan | title = Mock News Becomes Very Real Success | url = http://www.longislandpress.com/?cp=224&show=article&a_id=10293 | publisher = [[Long Island Press]] | date = 2006-11-16 | accessdate = 2006-12-30}}</ref> though on occasion he will conduct a short interview with someone having to do with the topic. The format of the middle segment varies, but it is normally a visual presentation or skit. Often, these skits are parts of [[Recurring segments on The Colbert Report|recurring segments]], which may include "[[Better Know a District]]", in which Colbert interviews a [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] from a certain district of the United States; "Tip of the Hat/Wag of the Finger", in which Colbert voices his approval or disapproval of prominent people and news items; "Cheating Death with Dr. Stephen T. Colbert, D.F.A.", a health segment; "The ThreatDown", in which Colbert lists the five greatest threats to America, and others.
Sometimes, there is a "''Colbert Report Special Repor-t''" (final "t" pronounced with special emphasis), in which Colbert devotes a section of an episode, and sometimes the entire episode to a special subject. The third segment is almost always an interview with a celebrity guest, often an author or government official.<ref>{{cite news | author = [[Associated Press]] | title = 'Colbert Report' to Get Best-Of DVD | url = http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/wire/sns-ap-tv-colbert-dvd,0,387970.story?coll=sns-ap-tv-headlines | publisher = [[Newsday]] | date= 2007-07-29 | accessdate = 2007-07-29}}</ref> The interview is, unlike ''The Daily Show'', conducted at a different table on the set. Viewers applaud as Colbert hammily jogs from his desk to the interview area, where his guest awaits. This is different from the traditional format, in which the guest enters to applause and joins the already seated host. Afterwards, Colbert ends the show by giving some parting words to the audience.[[Image:Colbert report.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Stephen Colbert|Colbert]] on the set of ''The Colbert Report''. Note the three instances of the show's title.]]
===Set===
The studio in which ''The Colbert Report'' is taped was used for ''The Daily Show'' until July 2005. The set for ''The Colbert Report'' is called "The Eagle's Nest" and reflects and facilitates Colbert's self-aggrandizing style.<ref name="Linda">{{cite news | last =Tischler | first =Linda | title =Telly Visionary | date= November | year =2006 | url =http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/110/telly-visionary.html | accessdate = 2007-07-29 }}</ref> The set has two main areas: the desk, from which Colbert hosts most of the show, and the guest interview area to camera right, where his guest for the evening is interviewed. On one wall, above an artificial fireplace, is a portrait of Colbert; it originally showed Colbert standing in front of the same mantel with another portrait of himself. On the show's first anniversary, the portrait was replaced by one of Colbert standing in front of the mantel with the first portrait above it; the original was auctioned off at a charity event<ref name= "Anniversary"/> and currently hangs in the [[Sticky Fingers (restaurant)|Sticky Fingers]] restaurant in Colbert's native Charleston.<ref name="StickyFingers">{{cite news |last = White |first = Neil |title = Colbert runs; S.C. smiles |publisher = [[The State (newspaper)|The State]] |date = 2007-10-18 |url = http://www.thestate.com/news/story/203919.html}}</ref> Colbert stated that the portrait will be changed every year to add another level of depth. On [[October 17]], [[2007]], the portrait was removed and replaced with a new one that followed an identical pattern, but changed Colbert's placement in the foreground.[[Image:Colbertportraitpicture.jpg|thumb|left|175px|The Colbert Portrait hanging on display near the bathrooms of the [[National Portrait Gallery (United States)|National Portrait Gallery]].]]
On [[January 16]], [[2008]], the "3-deep" Colbert portrait was placed on display "right between the bathrooms near the 'America's Presidents' exhibit" at the [[National Portrait Gallery (United States)|National Portrait Gallery]] in [[Washington, DC]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Colbert earns 'appropriate place' at Smithsonian | publisher =[[CNN]] | date =2008-01-17 | url =http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/17/people.colbert.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch | accessdate =2008-01-30}}</ref> After first being rejected by the National Museum of American History, Colbert petitioned the Smithsonian to display his portrait, who agreed to "go along with the joke", though they stress that it is only temporary. Colbert said "I don't mean to brag, but as it contains three portraits, my portrait has more portraits than any other portrait in the National Portrait Gallery!" The portrait was then put on display at the Smithsonian until [[April 13]].[[Image:Colbert Report studio.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Outside the studio.]]
The graphics used throughout the show and the studio itself are saturated with [[United States flag|American flags]], [[bald eagle]]s, [[Captain America]]'s shield, and other patriotic imagery.<ref>{{cite web | publisher =Studio Daily | title =Verb! brands The Colbert Report | date= 2005-10-28 | url =http://www.studiodaily.com/main/news/f/projects/5614.html | accessdate = 2007-07-29 }}</ref> The set contains many references to Colbert, and on the show's first episode he pointed out several examples: his name, initials and the name of the show appear on the desk's plasma screen, on the rafters above the desk, and the desk itself is shaped like a giant "C".<ref name="Linda"/> In an interview with ''[[The A.V. Club]]'', Colbert explained that much of the design for the set was inspired by [[Leonardo da Vinci]]'s ''[[The Last Supper (Leonardo)|The Last Supper]]''. "All the architecture of that room points at [[Jesus]]' head, the entire room is a [[halo (religious iconography)|halo]]", Colbert said. "On the set, I'd like the lines of the set to converge on my head. And so if you look at the design, it all does, it all points at my head...there's a sort of [[solar deity|sun-god]] burst quality about the set around me."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/44705| title=
Stephen Colbert Interviewed by Nathan Rabin| publisher=[[The A.V. Club]]| date=2006-01-25| accessdate=2006-03-23}}</ref> On the floor to the front stage right of his desk there is an Eagle's nest, and a tape outline of where he injured his wrist, akin to those seen at murder scenes.
For the week of [[April 14]] through [[April 17]] [[2008]], the program was taped at the [[Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts]] at the [[University of Pennsylvania]] campus, in advance of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] primary in that state on [[April 22]]. This is the first time the program has been taped outside its regular New York City studios.<ref>{{cite news|last=Weprin|first=Alex|title=Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report Hitting the Road|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6542273.html?rssid=193|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=2008-03-18|accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref>
===Writers' strike===
Production of new episodes was suspended on [[November 5]], [[2007]] due to the [[2007-08 Writers Guild of America strike|Writers Guild of America strike]], although a live untaped performance called ''The Colbert Report - On Strike!'' took place on [[December 3]], [[2007]], with proceeds going towards show staffers.<ref name="On Strike!">{{cite news|last=Weprin|first=Alex|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6509106.html?industryid=47168|title=WGA Strike Coverage: Colbert Report Plans Live Performance|publisher=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|language=English|date=2007-12-04|accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref> The show returned on [[January 7]], [[2008]], without the writing staff. Upon the show's return, Colbert modified the pronunciation of the show's name, using hard 't's ({{IPA|/koʊlbɵɹt ɹəpɔɹt/}}); a similar move was made by ''The Daily Show'' which returned to air as ''[[A Daily Show]]''. On [[February 13]], in honor of the end of the strike, the original names of both shows were restored.
During the strike, Colbert stopped performing the customary "table of contents" that usually precedes the opening titles, as well as other regular written segments such as The Wørd. As a member of the [[Writers Guild of America, East|Writers Guild of America]], Colbert was barred from writing any material for the show himself which his writers would ordinarily write.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |title=Daily Show to return in January |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7155335.stm |publisher=''[[BBC]]'' |date=2007-12-21 |accessdate=2008-02-01}}</ref> As a result, Colbert conducted more guest interviews, although several people turned down invitations to cross the picket line to appear on the show, including [[Katrina van den Heuvel]] and [[Naomi Klein]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Felix Gillette | publisher =[[The New York Observer]] | title =Author Naomi Klein Says 'No' to The Colbert Report | date= 2008-01-04 | url =http://www.observer.com/2008/author-naomi-klein-also-says-no-colbert-report | accessdate =2000-02-16 }}</ref> At one stage, pitched as an effort to fill time on the show, Colbert lashed out at fellow late night host [[Conan O'Brien]], who had also recently returned to air without his writers, for claiming to have made presidential candidate [[Mike Huckabee]]. In response, [[Jon Stewart]], Colbert's former ''Daily Show'' colleague, claimed that he had introduced O'Brien to the public on [[The Jon Stewart Show|his earlier show]], and thus, by his logic, ''Stewart'' was responsible for Huckabee's success. This sparked a briefly recurring [[The Colbert/O'Brien/Stewart feud|mock feud]] between Colbert, O'Brien, and Stewart — during which they appeared on each other's shows — which culminated in a three-way brawl on ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'' on [[February 4]], [[2008]].<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |title=Who Created Huckabee? Conan, Stewart, and Colbert Fight it Out|url=http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/02/06/who-created-huckabee-conan-stewart-and-colbert-fight-it-out/ |publisher=''[[Fox News]]'' |date=2008-02-06 |accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref>[[Image:Colbertreport.jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[Stephen Colbert]] as the [[Stephen Colbert (character)|fictional Stephen Colbert]].]]
==Stephen Colbert (character)==
{{main|Stephen Colbert (character)}}
The Stephen Colbert character is a semi-fictional character portrayed by comedian and actor Stephen Colbert. The character is a caricature of news pundits such as [[Stone Phillips]], [[Bill O'Reilly (commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]], [[Sean Hannity]], and [[Geraldo Rivera]], whose shows focus on "bluster and personality".<ref name="USATodayLevin"/><ref name="NewsweekTruthinessTeller"/> Colbert's character, a "well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idiot", is [[right-wing]], [[egomania]]cal, fact-averse, God-fearing, and super-[[patriotic]]. He claims to be an [[independent (voter)|independent]] who is often mistaken for a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], but uniformly despises [[Modern American liberalism|liberals]] and generally agrees with the actions and decisions of [[George W. Bush]] and the Republican Party. This is evidenced by one of the questions that he asks of many of his guests: "George W. Bush: great President, or the ''greatest'' President?"<ref>{{cite news | publisher =[[The Boston Globe]] | title =Interview with Barney Frank | date= 2005-11-10 | url =http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/11/10/the_interviews/?page=2 | accessdate =2007-07-29 }}</ref>
The character's self-aggrandizing style includes frequent promotion of an extensive range of fictional merchandising and products, including perfumes, [[science fiction|sci-fi]] novels, medications, his own "[[semen|man seed]]", and other products, all of which are either produced or endorsed by Colbert. He has also convinced his viewers, whom he addresses as "the Colbert Nation", to vote for him in various public naming polls: the mascot of the [[Saginaw Spirit]], an [[Ontario Hockey League]] team has been named after him.<ref name="ABC12Spirit">{{cite news|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=hockey&id=4615914 |title=Spirit notch victory, unveil mini-mascot |date=2006-10-01 |accessdate=2006-10-11 |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC12.com]]}}</ref>
Colbert's character has been described as a "caustic right-wing bully".<ref name="NYMag1016"/> On the interview segment of the show, Colbert frequently attempts to "nail" his guest by using various [[rhetorical device]]s, and often [[logical fallacy|logical fallacies]], to prove them wrong.<ref name="nprgross"/> Despite his bluster, Colbert's character suffers from [[wikt:arctophobia|arctophobia]], the [[phobia|fear]] of [[bear]]s, which he refers to as "giant, marauding, godless killing machines."<ref name= "Fox News">{{cite news | publisher =[[Fox News]] | title =Stephen Colbert Enters the No Spin Zone name | date= 2007-01-19 | url =http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,244882,00.html | accessdate =2007-07-29 }}</ref> This bear phobia was inspired by Colbert's real-life fear of bears as a child.<ref name="nprgross">{{cite interview|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5040948| title=Bluster and Satire: Stephen Colbert's 'Report'| last=Colbert |first=Stephen |interviewer=[[Terry Gross]] |program=Fresh Air | date=[[2005-12-07]] |callsign=WHYY| accessdate=2006-05-18}}</ref> Colbert refers to Bill O'Reilly as "Papa Bear", a title with a double meaning, considering Colbert's hatred of bears.<ref>{{cite news | last =Sheppard | first =Noel | title =Bill O’Reilly Meets Stephen Colbert | date= 2007-02-19 | url =http://www.newsbusters.org/node/10248 | accessdate =2007-07-29 }}</ref> Colbert displays fear and suspicion of nearly any animal and is quick to declare they are "training" to attack humanity. He is also highly distrustful of technology, particularly robots.<ref name= "murph"/> Over the months of May and July in 2007, Colbert begged [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] to give him a free [[iPhone]], and finally received one in July. Once he received it, however, he claimed the phone knew so much about him that he had become virtually dependent on it, and that the iPhone itself was a threat.<ref name= "murph">{{cite web | last =Murph | first =Darren | title =Stephen Colbert gets an iPhone, warns of impending iEye release | date= 2007-07-20 | url =http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/20/stephen-colbert-gets-an-iphone-warns-of-impending-ieye-release/ | accessdate =2007-07-29 }}</ref> Colbert also despises the liberal media, ''[[The New York Times]]'' in particular, but applauds conservative media such as [[Fox News]] on a regular basis.<ref name="Peyser">{{cite news| last =Peyser | first =Marc | title =The Truthiness Teller | date= 2006-02-13 | url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11182033/site/newsweek/page/3/ | accessdate =2007-07-29 }}</ref>
==Recurring themes==
''The Colbert Report'' presents various recurring themes that help define the show.
===Truthiness===
[[Image:colbert-truthiness.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Stephen Colbert]] announces that "[[The Wørd]]" of the night is ''[[truthiness]]'', during the premiere episode of ''The Colbert Report''.]]
{{main|Truthiness}}
In "The Wørd" segment of the first episode of the ''Report'', Colbert featured the term ''truthiness'', defined as "the quality by which one purports to know something emotionally or instinctively, without regard to evidence or intellectual examination." Colbert said that, "I don't trust books, they're all fact, no heart. And that's exactly what's pulling our country apart today. Let's face it folks, we are a divided nation…between those who think with their head and those who know with their heart."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=24039|title=Truthiness|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2005-10-17|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> In December 2005, ''The New York Times'' selected ''truthiness'' as one of nine words that captured the [[zeitgeist]] of the year, and in January 2006, the [[American Dialect Society]] announced that ''truthiness'' was selected as its 2005 Word of the Year.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.americandialect.org/Words_of_the_Year_2005.pdf|date=2006-01-06| title=Truthiness Voted 2005 Word of the Year by American Dialect Society| format=PDF| accessdate=2006-03-23}}</ref>
Colbert has made frequent reference to the spread of the word ''truthiness'' since he introduced it, while carping on media accounts of ''truthiness'' that neglect to identify him as its source.<ref name="Peyser"/> ''Truthiness'' has since been discussed, sometimes repeatedly, in ''[[The New York Times]]'', the ''[[Washington Post]]'', ''[[USA Today]]'', the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'', ''[[The Chicago Tribune]]'', ''[[Newsweek]]'', [[MSNBC]], [[National Public Radio]], the [[Associated Press]], ''[[Editor & Publisher]]'', ''[[Salon.com|Salon]]'', ''[[The Huffington Post]]'', [[ABC NewsRadio]]'s ''Word Watch'' with Kel Richards and ''[[Chicago Reader]]'', and on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Nightline]]'', [[CBS]]' ''[[60 Minutes]]'', and ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]''. In January 2006, ''truthiness'' was featured as a Word of the Week by the website of the [[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan]] English Dictionary.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.macmillandictionary.com/New-Words/060213-truthiness.htm| title = Word of the Week Archive:Truthiness| last = Maxwell|first= Kerry| accessdate = 2007-07-29| work = Macmillan English Dictionary|publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers]]}}</ref> In December of the same year, [[Merriam-Webster]] announced that "truthiness" had been voted by visitors to its website to be the #1 Word of the Year for 2006.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.m-w.com/info/06words.htm| title = Merriam-Webster's Words of the Year 2006| accessdate = 2007-01-01| work = Merriam-Webster Online|publisher=[[Merriam-Webster]]}}</ref> On [[August 27]], [[2006]], the ''[[Global Language Monitor]]'' named ''truthiness'' and ''wikiality'' — both coined by Colbert on ''The Colbert Report'' — as the top television buzzwords of 2006.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=televisionNews&storyID=2006-08-27T165048Z_01_N27277446_RTRIDST_0_TELEVISION-EMMYS-WORDS-DC.XML | title="Truthiness", "Wikiality" named TV words of year|publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=2006-08-27 | accessdate=2006-08-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.languagemonitor.com/wst_page11.html | title='Truthiness' and 'Wikiality' Named Top Television Buzzwords of 2006 Followed by 'Katrina', 'Katie,' and 'Dr. McDreamy' | publisher=[[Global Language Monitor]] |date=2006-08-27 | accessdate=2006-08-28 }}</ref> It was used in [[The New York Times crossword puzzle]] in June 2008.
===Relation to ''The O'Reilly Factor''===
[[Image:colbertoreilly.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Stephen Colbert]] appears as a guest on ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]''. [[January 18]], [[2007]].]]
The Stephen Colbert character and ''The Colbert Report'' are generally parodies of [[Bill O'Reilly (commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]] and ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]''. New episodes of ''The Colbert Report'' are scheduled in the same time slot as rebroadcasts of ''The O'Reilly Factor'', while ''Colbert'' rebroadcasts are scheduled during new ''O'Reilly'' shows.<ref name=showing>{{cite news | first = Nicholas | last = Lemann | title = Fear Factor | url = http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/060327fa_fact | format = Free | work = [[The New Yorker]] | date = 2006-03-20 | accessdate = 2006-09-03}}</ref> When O'Reilly appeared on ''The Daily Show'' before the second episode of ''The Colbert Report'' aired, he commented, "Before we get started, somebody told me walking in here, you got some French guy on after you making fun of me?", and made several references in the following interview to 'the French Guy'.<ref name=dowd>{{cite news|first=Maureen|last=Dowd|authorlink=Maureen Dowd|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/jon_stewart_stephen_colbert_americas_anchors/page/3|title=America's Anchors|publisher=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=2006-11-16|accessdate=2006-12-09}}</ref><ref name="charlestonian">{{cite news|url=http://colbertsheroes.org/articles/CharlestonPost-Apr29-06.shtml|title=Great Charlestonian? ... Or the Greatest Charlestonian?|first=Bryce|last=Donovan|publisher=The Charleston Post and Courier|date=2006-04-29|accessdate=2006-07-22}}</ref> In a subsequent ''[[Newsweek]]'' interview, O'Reilly said that he "feels it's a compliment" to have Colbert parody him because Colbert "isn't mean-spirited" and does not "use [his] platform to injure people." Later, Colbert replied on-air, "I like you too. In fact, if it wasn't for you, this show wouldn't exist."<ref name="NewsweekTruthinessTeller"/>
''The Colbert Report'' features a commentary segment called "The Wørd", similar to O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo". Like the "Memo", "The Wørd" features the commentator asserting a political point of view with a text screen graphic next to him. However, while O'Reilly's text serves to emphasize his points, Colbert's text generally serves as an ironic counterpoint to his character's position. Other segments that can be juxtaposed with ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]'' are The Colbert Report's ''Inbox'' (compared to O'Reilly's "Factor Mail"); ''Stephen Colbert's Balls for Kidz'' which, unlike The Factor's "Children at Risk", tends to portray messages and lessons typically considered unsuitable for children; and ''That's The Craziest F#?king Thing I've Ever Heard'', which is comparable to O'Reilly's "The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day". Additionally, Colbert parodies O'Reilly's references to his program as the "no spin zone" by inviting viewers of his show to "take a spin in the no fact zone."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nofactzone.net/?page_id=2|title=About Us|publisher=No Fact Zone|date=2006-06-16|accessdate= 2007-07-29}}</ref> O'Reilly and Colbert each appeared as a guest on the other's show on [[January 18]], [[2007]]. O'Reilly seemed to regret this "crossover" before his time on ''The Colbert Report'' was through, stating as the audience reacted badly to him that it was "a huge mistake, me coming on here."<ref name= "Fox News"/> (As a souvenir, Colbert "stole" a microwave from the O'Reilly green room—in fact, he informed O'Reilly of his intention to take the microwave beforehand—later displaying it on his own show. He later sent over a replacement microwave, emblazoned with ''The Colbert Report'' logo.)
===Greenscreen challenges===
On the [[August 10]], [[2006]] episode, Stephen Colbert was shown wielding a [[lightsaber]] in front of a [[chroma key|green screen]], a parody of the [[Star Wars Kid]] internet phenomenon.<ref>{{cite web | last =Wu | first =Annie | title =Stephen Colbert's green screen challenge has a winner! | date =2006-10-12 | url =http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/10/12/stephen-colberts-green-screen-challenge-has-a-winner/ | accessdate =2007-07-28 }}</ref> This was done as part of the "Better Know A District" segment, when Colbert visited [[California's 6th congressional district]], the home of [[Star Wars]] creator [[George Lucas]]. The greenscreen footage was subsequently edited by fans and their results were posted on the [[Internet]], primarily the website [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite web | last= McCarthy | first=Caroline | title =Colbert announces Green Screen Challenge winner | date =2006-10-13 | url =http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-6125803-7.html | accessdate =2007-07-28 }}</ref> Colbert featured some of these clips on the [[August 21]] episode and issued the "Greenscreen Challenge" to the public — a contest to create the best video from footage shown in the [[August 10]] episode. Lucas himself made an appearance on the [[October 11]] episode to showcase his entry.<ref name= "Anniversary">{{cite web | author =[[The Associated Press]]|publisher=[[MSNBC]] | title =‘Colbert Report’ celebrates first anniversary | date =2006-10-16 | url =http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15317952/ | accessdate =2007-07-28 }}</ref>
When [[indie rock]] band [[The Decemberists]] shot a [[music video]] for their single "[[O Valencia!]]" in front of a green screen and asked fans to complete the video, Colbert accused them of copying his idea, and started his second green screen challenge, which called for fans to edit Stephen Colbert into The Decemberists unfinished music video. In response, The Decemberists challenged Colbert to a [[guitar]] solo challenge.<ref>{{cite web | author=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=[[MSNBC]] | title =Colbert, Decemberists rattle their light sabers | date= 2006-12-06 | url =http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16057198/ | accessdate =2007-07-28 }}</ref> For a few weeks, the upcoming contest, which Colbert titled "Rock and Awe: Countdown to Guitarmageddon" ("The I-Rock War: Cut and Strum" and "The Axeman Cometh: Mourning Becomes Electric" were announced as alternate titles; Colbert added that he would find and fire the English major on his staff who created the latter title), became a focus of the show. On [[December 20]], [[2006]], [[Chris Funk]], lead guitarist for The Decemberists, came on the show for the guitar solo challenge. Once Funk finished playing, Colbert arrived on stage with a five-necked guitar belonging to [[Rick Nielsen]] of [[Cheap Trick]]. Colbert played two notes, pretended to cut his hand, and insisted that he could no longer play, so [[Peter Frampton]] played a solo in Colbert's place. A panel of three judges, then [[New York]] [[governor]] [[Eliot Spitzer]], Rock critic [[Anthony DeCurtis]], and chairman of the [[Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music]] at [[New York University]], Jim Anderson, voted to determine the best solo. DeCurtis voted for the Colbert/Frampton team, Anderson voted for Funk, and Spitzer withdrew himself from judging as Colbert tried to [[bribe]] him during the commercial break. The deciding vote was given to [[Henry Kissinger]], who had briefly appeared earlier in the show. Kissinger said that the [[United States|American]] people had won, at which point Colbert declared himself the winner.<ref name= "USAtoday">{{cite web | author =[[Associated Press]]|publisher=[[USA Today]] | title =Colbert slays Decemberists in Shred Off | date=2006-12-21 | url =http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-12-21-colbert-contest_x.htm | accessdate =2007-07-28 }}</ref> As a prize, Colbert received ''[[The Crane Wife]]'', The Decemberists' new album, saying "The Crane Wife by the Decemberists? I love the Decemberists, they rock. In your face, Funk!"
On [[June 12]], [[2008]], Stephen announced his third green screen challenge, "Stephen Colbert's Make McCain Exciting Challenge!," in which he invited viewers to replace the [[chroma key|green screen]] behind [[John McCain]] during one of his speeches with something more exciting.
===Wrist violence and fictional addiction===
On [[July 26]] [[2007]], Colbert broke his left wrist while performing his warm-up for the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.jhtml?ml_video=90524|title=Stephen's Wrist|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-07-26|accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref> Following the accident Colbert launched a new section of the show entitled "Wrist Watch", featuring news stories about wrists during which the character attacks what he sees as [[Hollywood]]'s glamorization of "wrist violence".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=91798|title=Steven Seagal and Wrist Snuff|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-08-20|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> On [[August 8]], Colbert debuted the "Wriststrong" [[wrist band]], based on [[Lance Armstrong]]'s "[[Livestrong wristband|Livestrong]]" wrist band, in a hope to increase wrist awareness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.jhtml?ml_video=91153|title=Wrist Watch - WristStrong|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-08-08|accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref> The wristbands were made available for purchase online and Colbert ordered those wearing the bracelets to give them to anyone they meet who is more famous than they themselves. Colbert has subsequently attempted to pass on bracelets to well-known media figures including [[Katie Couric]], [[Brian Williams]] and [[Matt Lauer]]. All proceeds raised by the sales of the wrist bands are given to the [[Yellow Ribbon Fund]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=91799|title=WristStrong Bracelets|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-08-20|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> On [[January 23]], [[2008]], Colbert interviewed to the head of the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Marie Wood, and presented her a check for the money raised by WristStrong bracelet sales to date, totaling US$171,525, the profits of over 30,000 bracelet sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=147829|title=Marie Wood|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2008-01-23|accessdate=2008-01-24}}</ref>
Colbert had a number of well-known figures autograph his cast, including [[Michael Bloomberg]], [[Mayor]] of [[New York City]]; ''[[CBS Evening News]]'' anchor [[Katie Couric]]; Bill O'Reilly, host of [[FOX]]'s ''The O'Reilly Factor''; [[Nancy Pelosi]], Speaker of [[U.S. House of Representatives]]; [[Tim Russert]], host of [[NBC]]'s ''[[Meet The Press]]''; [[Tony Snow]], former [[White House Press Secretary]]; and ''[[NBC Nightly News]]'' anchor [[Brian Williams]]. On [[August 23]] the cast was removed on air,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.jhtml?ml_video=91489|title=Rove Resigns|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-08-13|accessdate=2007-08-14}}</ref> and it was announced that Colbert would auction off his cast for the Yellow Ribbon Fund on [[eBay]]. The auction began after that evening's show.<ref>{{cite web|last=Luczak|first=Renata|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/press/press_releases/2007/082207_colbert_yellowribbon_fund.jhtml|title=Stephen Colbert to announce the eBay auction of his celebrity-signed cast|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-08-22|date=2007-08-23}}</ref> Within minutes of the auction's start, bidding quickly rose to over [[United States dollar|US$]]71,000. However, many bids were canceled because bidders failed to get pre-approved by the seller (which is required in the auction). It was sold for US$17,200.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290153546119|title=Stephen Colbert: Exclusive Cast|publisher=[[eBay]]|date=2007-08-23|accessdate=2004-08-24}}</ref>
While Colbert's wrist was in the cast, the character began taking (and subsequently became addicted to) painkillers to deal with his injury, frequently taking absurd doses and displaying exaggerated [[withdrawal]] symptoms of irritability and [[hallucination]]s when they were denied. Colbert's addiction is apparently a reference to right-wing [[AM radio]] talk show host [[Rush Limbaugh]]'s addiction to the prescription [[opioid]] [[analgesic]]s [[oxycodone]] and [[hydrocodone]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Candiotti|first=Susan|title=Limbaugh mostly mum on reports of drug probe|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=2003-10-03|url= http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/News/10/03/rush.drugs/}}</ref> Following the removal of the cast the show went on a brief hiatus, and following its return on [[September 10]], Colbert claimed that, with help from a court order and rehab over the break, he had kicked his addiction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=102500|title=Updates|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-09-10|accessdate=2007-09-11}}</ref>
===Recurring characters===
{{main|List of The Colbert Report characters}}
While the show is largely dominated by Colbert, there are a number of recurring characters who appear periodically. Colbert will frequently address the show's director, Jimmy - a reference to real-life ''Colbert Report'' director Jim Hoskinson - and will sometimes converse with him. On the rare occasions Jimmy has appeared on screen, he has been portrayed by staff writer [[Peter Gwinn]]. Building manager Tad, portrayed by [[Paul Dinello]], has appeared on the show multiple times to host special segments. Other recurring members of Colbert's fictional staff have included Meg the intern (played by [[Meg DeFrancesco]]), Bobby the stage manager (played by Eric Drysdale) and Killer (uncredited). Colbert himself has portrayed his character's Cuban alter ego, Esteban Colberto, and voiced [[Wilford Brimley]] in false phone conversations.
==Reception==
''The Colbert Report'' drew an unusual amount of media attention prior to its premiere. It was featured in articles in ''[[The New Yorker]]'', [[NPR]]'s ''[[All Things Considered]]'' and ''[[Fresh Air]]'', [[CNN]], and ''[[The Washington Post]]''. ''[[The New York Times]]'' alone ran three articles on the ''Report'' before its debut, and has made repeated references to ''The Colbert Report'' since then.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/04/arts/television/04come.html| title='Daily Show's Personality Gets His Own Platform| first=Jacques| last=Steinberg| date=2005-05-04| publisher=[[The New York Times]]| accessdate=2006-03-23}}</ref> [[Maureen Dowd]], for instance, referred to Colbert's "Dead To Me" board as a metaphor in her column, saying that [[Oprah Winfrey]] "should take a page from Stephen Colbert and put the slippery [[James Frey]] on her 'Dead to me' list".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://select.nytimes.com/2006/01/14/opinion/14dowd.html| title=Oprah! How Could Ya?| first=Maureen| last=Dowd| date= 2006-01-14| publisher=[[The New York Times]]| authorlink=Maureen Dowd| accessdate=2006-03-23}}</ref>
''The Colbert Report'' drew 1.13 million viewers for its premiere episode, 47 percent greater than the average for that time slot over the previous four weeks, and 98 percent of the viewership of ''The Daily Show'', which has Comedy Central's second-largest viewership.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecomedynetwork.ca/servlet/an/comedy/2/20051108/TCN_PR_20051108/?hub=ComedyReleases| title= "Canada, You're on Notice!"| date=2005-11-08| publisher=[[The Comedy Network]]| accessdate=2006-09-14}}</ref> Averaged over its opening week, ''The Report'' had 1.2 million viewers per episode, more than double the average for the same time the previous year, when the time slot was occupied by ''[[Too Late with Adam Carolla]]''. The premiere week of ''The Colbert Report'' also coincided with the second-highest-rated week of ''The Daily Show'', behind the week leading up to the [[2004 U.S. presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1%2C1002%2C271%7C98227%7C1%7C%2C00.html| title=
'Colbert,' Cartoons Break Big for Comedy Central| date=2005-11-24| publisher=Zap2it| accessdate=2006-03-23}}</ref>
''The Colbert Report'' rapidly became an internet phenomenon, with a vast number of clips from the show being posted onto [[YouTube]] by fans. Subsequently references to YouTube were made in jokes on the show, which also launched the first "[[#Greenscreen challenges|green screen challenge]]". On [[October 27]], [[2006]], however, [[Comedy Central]] asserted its copyright over ''The Colbert Report'' clips, and YouTube removed all clips over 5 minutes in length. In February 2007, at [[Viacom]]'s request, they removed all remaining ''Colbert Report'' clips.
==Presented as non-satirical journalism==
====Tom DeLay Legal Defense Trust====
In May 2006, the [[Tom DeLay]] Legal Defense Trust posted a video of ''The Colbert Report'' on its website and sent out a mass email urging DeLay supporters to watch how "Hollywood liberal" [[Robert Greenwald]] "crashed and burned . . . when promoting his new attack on Tom DeLay."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/delay.JPG|title=Defend DeLay|publisher=Think Progress|date=May 2006|accessdate=2007-08-07}}</ref> The video featured Colbert asking questions such as, "Who hates America more, you or [[Michael Moore]]?"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thinkprogress.org/2006/05/24/delay-colbert/|title=Desperate for Supporters, DeLay Turns to Stephen Colbert|publisher=Think Progress|date=2006-05-24|accessdate=2007-08-07}}</ref> The Trust's email describes its content as "the truth behind Liberal Hollywood's" [[The Big Buy: Tom DeLay's Stolen Congress|film about DeLay]], and characterizes the ''Colbert Report'' clip with the headline, "Colbert Cracks the Story on Real Motivations Behind the Movie." On [[June 8]], [[2006]], Colbert responded by conducting an "Exclusive Fake Interview" on his show with DeLay. Three different interviews with DeLay on different networks were spliced for humorous effect, and Colbert ended the "interview" by saying "I do hope you enjoyed my manipulation of your words." DeLay has since appeared as a guest on the program.
====Robert Wexler====
On [[July 25]] [[2006]], Colbert responded to television networks — specifically [[Fox News]], NBC's ''[[Today (NBC program)|The Today Show]]'' and ABC's ''[[Good Morning America]]'' — which took comments made by [[Florida]] Congressman [[Robert Wexler]] on ''The Colbert Report'' out of context (e.g.: "I enjoy cocaine and the company of prostitutes because they are a fun thing to do."). Wexler, who ran unopposed in the then-upcoming election, made the comments in response to urging by Colbert that he "say some things that would really lose the election for [Wexler] if [Wexler] were contested."<ref>{{cite news |author =[[Associated Press]] |title =Rep. Wexler Vows He Was Joking When He Made Cocaine Remark |date= 2006-07-24|publisher=[[Fox News]] |url =http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,205314,00.html |accessdate =2007-07-29 }}</ref>
==Awards==
In 2006, ''The Colbert Report'' was nominated for four [[Emmy]]s, one more than its parent, ''[[The Daily Show]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.org/downloads/images/2006emmys/PrimetimeNoms.php |title=The 58th Primetime Emmy Awards and Creative Arts Emmys Nominations |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts and Sciences]] |accessdate=2006-10-11 |date=2006-08-27}}</ref> However, ''The Colbert Report'' lost two of its Emmy opportunities to ''The Daily Show'' — Colbert received one as a then-member of ''The Daily Show'''s writing staff. Colbert also lost Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program to [[Barry Manilow]], who was nominated for a one-time [[PBS]] special, as Colbert jokingly noted while presenting an Emmy later that night. Manilow later appeared on the show to sign a peace treaty with Colbert, in which they agreed to [[joint custody]] of the award. The two then sang a duet of Manilow's classic "[[I Write the Songs]]".
The show was nominated for:
*Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program, Episode #110
*Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program, Stephen Colbert
*[[Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series]]
*Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program
Additionally, the show was nominated for two [[Television Critics Association]] Awards:<ref name=awards>{{cite web| url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458254/awards |title=Awards for "The Colbert Report" (2005) | publisher=[[Internet Movie Database|IMDb]] |accessdate=2006-10-16}}</ref> Outstanding Individual Achievement in Comedy (Stephen Colbert), and Outstanding New Program of the Year ''The Colbert Report'' was also nominated for [[Satellite Awards]] in two categories in 2005 and 2006:<ref name=awards/> Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical (Stephen Colbert), and Television Series, Comedy or Musical. It was also given a Special Recognition award at the 2007 [[GLAAD Media Awards]].<ref name="GLAAD award">{{cite web| url = http://www.glaad.org/media/release_detail.php?id=4006 | title = Jennifer Aniston, Martina Navratilova, Ugly Betty, Brothers & Sisters, Grey's Anatomy Honored at 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles | publisher = [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation]] | date = 2007-04-15 | accessdate = 2007-08-07}}</ref>
In 2007, ''The Colbert Report'' was nominated for four Emmys for the second consecutive year, in the same categories as in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.tv/awards/2007pt/59thnominations.php|title=Primetime Emmys, 2007 nominations|publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts and Sciences]]|accessdate=2007-08-14}}</ref> Not only did none of the nominations result in an award for the second straight year, that year's winner for Outstanding Individual Performance was another singer, [[Tony Bennett]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Wolf|first=Ian|url=http://www.sitcom.co.uk/news/news.php?story=000277|title=Ricky Gervais wins Best Comedy Actor Emmy|publisher=British Sitcom Guide|date=2007-09-17|accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> Likewise, Bennett eventually sung with Colbert on the program. In 2008, ''The Colbert Report'' won the [[Producers Guild of America|Producers Guild of America Award]] for "Best Live Entertainment/Competition Show".<ref>{{cite news|last=Kilday|first=Gregg|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3iade5585233ac6180d9045068cae0c307|title='No Country' tops PGA Awards|publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=2008-02-02|accessdate-2008-02-03}}</ref>
In April 2008 The Colbert Report received a [[Peabody Award|George F. Peabody Award]] recognizing its excellence in news and entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holston|first=Noel W.|url=http://128.192.29.189/news/pressrelease.asp?ID=151|title=Complete List of 2007 Peabody Award Winners|publisher=[[Peabody Award]]s|date=2008-04-02|accessdate=2008-04-03}}</ref>
====Other honors====
Colbert has received several other honors and distinctions. Colbert announced on his [[March 29]], [[2006]] show that he had been contacted by [[San Francisco Zoo]] officials seeking his permission to name an unhatched [[bald eagle]] after him.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/31/DDGU9GJ5T21.DTL |title=Leah Garchik |last=Garchik |first=Leah |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=2006-03-31 |accessdate=2006-10-16}}</ref> The eagle, affectionately dubbed "Stephen Jr." on ''The Report'', was bred to be reintroduced into the wild, as a part of the zoo's California Bald Eagle Breeding Program. Colbert celebrated the chick's birth on the [[April 17]], [[2006]], program, and has since given updates on the bird's development. He has criticized the bird for migrating to Canada, and has attempted to lure him back to the U.S., but as of June 2007, Colbert claims the two are still estranged. Colbert received an honorary doctorate in fine arts from [[Knox College, Illinois|Knox College]], [[Illinois]] on [[June 3]], [[2006]];<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.knox.edu/x12553.xml |title=Peter Bailey |last=Bailley |first=Peter |work=Knox College News|publisher=[[Knox College, Illinois|Knox College]] |date=2006-06-09 |accessdate=2006-11-13}}</ref> his credit as producer has been listed since that time as "Dr. Stephen T. Colbert, D.F.A."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0170306/ |title=Stephen Colbert |publisher=[[Internet Movie Database|IMDb]] |date=2006-06-09 |accessdate=2006-11-13}}</ref>
On [[September 30]], [[2006]], the [[Saginaw Spirit]], an [[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]] hockey team in [[Saginaw, Michigan|Saginaw]], [[Michigan]], named its co-mascot "Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle" in honor of Colbert, despite the fact that [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFJlLFaFdfk it was spotted holding a Canadian flag] during the anthem.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.saginawspirit.com/ss/home.nsf/public/F1B124E7E7059E19852571FD0041E8B7 |title=The Colbert Report Spotlights Spirit |publisher=[[Saginaw Spirit]] |date=2006-09-30 |accessdate= 2006-11-13}}</ref> Before the introduction of the mascot, the team record was 0-3-0-1, but once the "Steagle" was introduced, the team improved their record to 44-21-0-3 by the season's end,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=standings&subType=0&season_id=29&league_id=1&lastActive= |title=OHL standings |publisher=[[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]] |date=2007-01-06 |accessdate= 2007-01-06}}</ref> before losing in the first round of the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/hm/bracket.php?view=brief |title=2007 Playoff Brackets |accessdate= 2007-04-18 |publisher=[[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]] }}</ref> On [[January 27]], [[2007]], [[Oshawa, Ontario]] declared [[March 20]] of that year (John Gray's birthday) "Stephen Colbert Day" after mayor John Gray bet Colbert that the [[Oshawa Generals]] would beat the Spirit, and Saginaw won 5-4.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16842683/ |title=Hockey team ensures 'Stephen Colbert Day' |date=2007-01-27 | accessdate= 2007-03-16}}</ref>
In 2007, the [[ice cream]] company [[Ben and Jerry's]] announced a new flavor of ice cream, "[[Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream]]" (available only in the United States). The flavor is described as "a decadent melting pot of vanilla ice cream with fudge-covered waffle cone pieces and a caramel swirl."<ref>{{cite web | title =Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream | publisher = [[Ben & Jerry's]] | url =http://www.benjerry.com/features/americone_dream_index.cfm | accessdate = 2007-08-06 }}</ref> The company's founders appeared on the show on [[March 5]], [[2007]] to discuss the ice cream and to plug their "grassroots education and advocacy project", [[TrueMajority]].
On [[March 12]], [[2007]], the Editor-in-Chief of [[Marvel Comics]], [[Joe Quesada]], awarded Stephen Colbert the [[Captain America's shield|shield]] of the recently deceased superhero [[Captain America]].<ref>{{cite news | publisher =[[Marvel Comics]]|work=Marvel News | title =The Colbert Report covers the Death of Captain America | date= 2007-03-09 | url =http://www.marvel.com/news/-1.880 | accessdate = 2007-07-29 }}</ref> The letter to Colbert accompanying the shield stated that "[[Captain America|the Star-Spangled Avenger]] has bequeathed... his indestructible shield to the only man he believed to have the red, white, and blue balls to carry the mantle." Colbert promised to use the shield "only to fight for justice…and to impress girls." It was, in fact, one of only two full-sized prop shields which had previously been kept in the Marvel offices.<ref>{{cite web | last =Brady|first=Matt | title =Colbert Gets Cap's Shield | date= 2007-03-13 | url =http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=104912 | accessdate = 2007-07-29 }}</ref> In the latter part of March 2007, Drexel University named a [[leatherback turtle]] in honor of Colbert in their Great Turtle Race.<ref>{{cite news | last =Lopez | first = Tatiana | title =Follow a turtle race on the Web | date= 2007-03-13 | url =http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-04-16-turtle-race_N.htm | accessdate = 2007-07-29 }}</ref> "Stephanie Colburtle the [[Leatherback Turtle]]" came in second place, losing to a turtle named Billie.<ref>{{cite web | last = Drexel University | title = Four turtles are done! | date= 2007-04-27 | url =http://www.drexel.edu/bioscience/turtleblog/index.html | accessdate = 2007-07-29}}</ref>
On [[August 22]], [[2007]], [[Richard Branson]], who was being interviewed as a guest, announced that one of his ''[[Virgin America]]'' [[aeroplanes]] would be named, "Air Colbert". Colbert announced on [[April 2]], [[2008]], during a ThreatDown segment, that the plane had been grounded after one of its engines was damaged by a bird strike.
On [[June 24]], [[2008]], [[Jason Bond|Dr.Jason Bond]], an associate [[professor]] with the Department of [[Biology]] at [[East Carolina University]], appeared on the show because he agreed to name a trapdoor spider after Stephen Colbert. They negotiated over what kind of spider Stephen would be named after, and Stephen told the professor that they would "settle this in the next couple of weeks". During the interview, the visual approximation changed between different pictures depicting [[Spider-Man]], including [[Tobey Maguire]] (the actor who played Spider-Man in the films) and costumed people/animals.
''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's James Poniewozik named it one of the Top 10 Returning Series of 2007, ranking it at #7.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/article/0,30583,1686204_1686244_1691408,00.html Poniewozik, James; Top 10 New TV Series; time.com]</ref>
==Cultural impact==
===Hungarian bridge campaign===
[[Image:colbert-zrinyi.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Stephen Colbert|Colbert]] refers to [[Nikola Zrinski|Miklós Zrínyi]] in promoting the bridge contest.]]
{{see|Megyeri Bridge}}
In 2006, the Ministry of Transport of [[Hungary]] launched an online call for public suggestions to name a [[Northern M0 Danube bridge|future motorway bridge]] over the [[Danube]], just north of [[Budapest]]. Ministry officials said the [[Hungarian Geographical Name Committee]] would choose from among the three submitted candidates with the most votes, guided by suggestions submitted by "[[Politics of Hungary|local governments]], [[cartography|cartographers]], [[linguistics|linguists]], and other experts".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060801/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_hungary_bridge;_ylt=AvtgRZjeCP4uwq1l.aL2kbys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3NW1oMDRpBHNlYwM3NTc-|title=Chuck Norris leads vote for Budapest bridge name|publisher=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=2006-08-01}} (link dead as of [[July 26]], [[2007]])</ref> Users offered hundreds of suggestions, among them the "'You Can Go To [[Bratislava]] But Not Over This Bridge' Bridge" and the "[[Chuck Norris]] Bridge", which led in votes for some time.<ref name="Sklar">{{cite web | last =Sklar | first =Rachel | title =Stephen Colbert's Web Dominance: How "The Colbert Report" Is Fast Becoming The Leader In Web-TV Integration | date= 2006-08-22 | url =http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eat-the-press/2006/08/22/stephen-colberts-web-dom_e_27670.html | accessdate = 2007-07-29 }}</ref> Colbert noted the effort in his "Tip of the hat, wag of the finger" segment on [[August 9]],<ref name=Tip>{{cite web| url = http://youtube.com/watch?v=UtjTt8RriTA|title = Colbert Report - Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger| accessdate = 2006-09-04 | date = 2006-08-09 | format = Video | publisher = [[YouTube]]}}</ref> and in the following weeks, he continued to ask viewers to vote for him. On [[August 22]], Hungarian news sites reported Colbert had won the first round of voting, with 17,231,724 votes.<ref name=First_round/> Hungary changed the voting rules after the members of the Colbert Nation Forums developed a [[bot]] to stuff the ballot box, requiring registration to vote in the second phase. That night, Colbert asked his viewers to cease their efforts,<ref name=apologies>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=73378&ml_collection=&ml_context=show&allowMotherload=false&ml_gateway=&ml_comedian=none&poppedFrom=_shows_the_colbert_report_videos_most_recent_index.jhtml& | title=Colbert Report: Hungarian Bridge | authorlink=Stephen Colbert|first=Stephen|last=Colbert|accessdate=2006-08-28|publisher=[[Comedy Central]] }}</ref> and offered apologies,<ref name=apologies/> spending a segment honoring Hungary, its history and its contributions to the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=73377&ml_collection=&ml_context=show&allowMotherload=false&ml_gateway=&ml_comedian=none&poppedFrom=_shows_the_colbert_report_videos_most_recent_index.jhtml& | title=Colbert Report: Stephen Colbert Salutes Hungary | authorlink=Stephen Colbert | first=Stephen|last=Colbert| accessdate=2006-08-28 | publisher=[[Comedy Central]] }}</ref>
On [[September 24]], [[2006]] Colbert introduced his guest [[András Simonyi]], Ambassador of the [[Hungary|Republic of Hungary]] to the [[United States]]. The [[ambassador]] presented Mr. Colbert with a declaration certifying him as the winner of the second and final round of voting. The document bore the signatures of [[Politics of Hungary|Hungarian government]] officials and the [[coat of arms of Hungary|country's official seal]].<ref>{{cite web | publisher =[[Embassy]] of [[Hungary]] | title =Hungarian Ambassador in the Colbert Report | date= 2006-10-15 | url =http://www.huembwas.org/Hirek/Colbert20060915.htm | accessdate = 2007-07-29 }}</ref> Included in the text, as read by the ambassador, were two important conditions required for the name of the bridge to be made official. First, Colbert must be [[fluency|fluent]] in [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]. Colbert responded by pronouncing the Hungarian name ''Nicholas Zrinyi'' (incorrectly referring to [[Miklós Zrínyi]]) and ''híd'' (meaning 'bridge' in Hungarian); Simonyi quickly certified him as fluent.<ref name="thill"/> Colbert protested, but the ambassador presented him with a [[Hungarian passport]] and [[:Image:HUF 10000 1997 obverse.jpg|10,000 Hungarian Forint]] ([[Hungarian Forint|HUF]]), noting that this would allow Colbert to enter Hungary at any time, without restriction. He also brought attention to the [[portrait]] of King [[Stephen I of Hungary|St. Stephen]], the first King of Hungary, on the 10,000 HUF bill. Finally Simonyi implied that the question of Colbert's ineligibility by virtue of being alive might be resolved if Colbert were to accept an invitation to visit the [[Northern M0 Danube bridge|bridge site]] in [[Budapest]]; Colbert responded by trying to bribe the ambassador with the 10,000 HUF bill.<ref name="thill">{{cite web | last =Thill | first =Scott | title =Bridge to Somewhere | date= 2006-10-15 | url =http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-thill/bridge-to-somewhere_b_29493.html | accessdate =2007-07-29 }}</ref> On [[September 28]] [[2006]], it was announced that the bridge will be named "Megyeri Bridge", although the name did not make it to the second round. According to the Geographical Name Committee, the name was selected because the bridge connects Káposztásmegyer with [[Békásmegyer]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.online.rtlklub.hu/hirek/hazank/?id=0609231745|title= The M0 Bridge named as Megyeri Bridge|publisher=RTLKlub.hu|date=2006-09-28}}</ref>
===Congressional response===
In response to the 'Better Know a District' segment, [[Rahm Emanuel]], the Democratic Caucus chair, instructed incoming freshmen not to do appearances on the show.<ref name="The Hill"/> Colbert responded by issuing an "Editing Challenge" on his [[March 26]], [[2007]] broadcast. The challenge directs viewers to the Colbert Nation website to obtain an extended interview with Colbert, conducted by [[Gwen Ifill]], which viewers may then edit to make him look as ridiculous as the representatives.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.colbertnation.com | title=Colbert Nation | authorlink=Stephen Colbert | first=Stephen|last=Colbert| accessdate=2007-03-27 | publisher=[[Comedy Central]] }}</ref> However, ''The Colbert Report'' has never followed through on the contest, with not one entry being aired and no further reference to the contest ever being made on the show. This is despite dozens, if not hundreds, of entries posted on [[YouTube]].
===Neologisms===
''The Colbert Report'' has created new words. Besides "[[truthiness]]", Colbert has coined other terms including "freem", which is "freedom without the do, because I do it all for you."<ref>{{cite web | title =Possible origin of Freem? | date=2007-01-10 | url =http://www.nofactzone.net/?p=724|publisher=No Fact Zone | accessdate =2007-07-29}}</ref> Other words include: "eneagled", a [[blend]] of "enabled" and "eagle", thus meaning "to be given the characteristics of an eagle" and "mantasy", meaning male fantasies, such as running away from the wife to become free, a word to which Colbert claims to hold a trademark.<ref>{{cite web | title =Colbert Report: Toby Keith | work = TV.com | date=2007-06-20| url =http://www.tv.com/the-colbert-report/toby-keith/episode/1075931/summary.html | accessdate =2007-07-29 }}</ref>
===Wikipedia references===
[[Image:Wikiality.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Wikiality]] featured as "[[The Wørd]]" on [[July 31]], [[2006]].]]
{{See also|Wikipedia in culture}}
Colbert has made repeated references on the show to [[Wikipedia]], which he refers to as his favorite website, generally in "[[The Wørd]]" segment. Colbert's first reference to Wikipedia was on the [[July 31]], [[2006]] broadcast, when "The Wørd" was '''Wikiality''', defined as the concept that "together we can create a reality that we all agree on — the reality we just agreed on."<ref>{{cite web| url=
http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/?lnk=v&ml_video=72347 | title=Video: The Colbert Report, Wikiality | date=2006-07-31 | authorlink=Stephen Colbert | first=Stephen|last=Colbert| accessdate=2007-05-25 | publisher=[[Comedy Central]] | language=English }}</ref> He explained that on Wikipedia "any user can change any entry, and if enough users agree with them, it becomes true." He also told them to go onto Wikipedia, in the article [[elephant]]s, and to edit it so that it would say: "Elephant population in Africa has tripled over the past six months."
Other "Wørds" invented relating to Wikipedia include "Wikilobbying", regarding which Colbert explained "when money determines Wikipedia entries, reality has become a commodity", alluding to a case in which [[Microsoft]] allegedly hired someone to tamper with Wikipedia,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.oreillynet.com/xml/blog/2007/01/an_interesting_offer.html | title=An interesting offer: get paid to contribute to Wikipedia | date=2007-01-22 | first=Rick |last=Jeliffe | accessdate=2007-05-25 | work=O'Reilly XML Blog|publisher=oreillynet.com }}</ref> and "[[Self-determination]]", where corporations are allowed to act out their fantasies online by editing their own Wikipedia entries. Colbert described Wikipedia as, "[[Second Life]] for corporations", saying if a corporation wants to pretend to be someone else online, then that is their business.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=91912|title="The Wørd" - Self-Determination|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-08-21|accessdate=2007-08-22}}</ref>
On [[May 24]], [[2007]], the guest was [[Jimmy Wales]], the founder of Wikipedia. Stephen Colbert called Wikipedia a "battlefield for information", a tool which "brings democracy to information" and moves away from the views of the "elite who study things and got to say what is or is not real." During the interview, Colbert showed a sentence on the screen: "Librarians are hiding something.", which Wales could not see, with the implication that Wales could not stop a critical mass of individuals from editing a page according to the dictates of one influential individual. Wales responded that "the interesting thing about ''The Colbert Report'' is that [[Wikipedia community|Wikipedians]] watch it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=87528|title=Jimmy Wales|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-05-24|accessdate=2007-08-22}}</ref>
On [[June 9]], [[2008]], Colbert mentioned [[Warren G. Harding]] as being a "secret negro president", and said that for proof, "the G stands for Gangsta" which he changed on [[Wikipedia]] in order to be able to cite a source. This resulted in various attempts at vandalism to support Colbert's claim.
===2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner===
{{main|Stephen Colbert at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner}}
Colbert made a speech during the 2006 White House Correspondents Association Dinner, performing as his character. His speech "praised" George W. Bush and the media in general. Bush and his wife Laura were sitting a few yards away from him.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=3&entry_id=4791 | publisher=[[San Francisco Chronicle|SF Gate]] | title=Stephen Colbert Has Brass Cojones | first=Mark|last=Morford | date=2006-05-01 | accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> During his speech, Colbert made several comments about Bush, including:<blockquote>
"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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/4/30/1441/59811|accessdate=2006-05-07|title=Daily Kos: Re-Improved Colbert Transcript|date=2006-04-30|publisher=[[Daily Kos]]}}</ref></blockquote><blockquote>"I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a ''fabulous'' government in Iraq."<ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0501-30.htm Stephen Colbert's Take at the White House Correspondents Dinner]</ref>
</blockquote>During the speech, several of Bush's supporters and aides walked out in protest, with one aide saying of the president that he had "that look that he's ready to blow."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/060501/1whwatch.htm|date=2006-05-01|publisher=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|accessdate = 2006-05-08|title=Skewering comedy skit angers Bush and aides|first=Paul|last=Bedard}}</ref>
===Running for President in 2008===
{{main|Stephen Colbert presidential campaign, 2008}}
On [[October 16]] [[2007]], Colbert announced on ''The Report'' that he would be running for president. He had chosen no [[vice-president]], though he was considering choosing [[Vladimir Putin]], [[Mike Huckabee]], or himself as his running mate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003659135|title =Stephen Colbert Officially Announces Run for White House!|accessdate=2007-10-17}}</ref> Also, he was only running in [[South Carolina]], his home state. Another oddity of his campaign is the fact that he was contemplating running for both the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)| Democratic]] parties as "a [[favorite son]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=118597|title=Colbert '08|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-10-16|accessdate=2007-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Coyle|first=Jake|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hFzxF7XLwi7Il2DVEE6la0NVo--gD8SAOEEG1|title=Stephen Colbert to Run for President|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=2007-10-17|accessdate=2007-10-17}}</ref> Colbert covered his story in the segment "The Hail to the Cheese Stephen Colbert NachoCheese [[Doritos]] 2008 Presidential Campaign Coverage", and promoted his campaign on special election website, colbert08.org, as under law he cannot use colbertnation.com.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=118650|title=Hail to the Cheese|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=2007-10-18|accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref>
On [[October 21]], [[2007]], Colbert appeared on [[NBC]]'s ''[[Meet The Press]]'' where he was interviewed by the host, [[Tim Russert]]. The highlights included Colbert explaining why he changed the pronunciation of his name (from "Cole-Bert" to "Cole-Bear"), his demanding to know whether Russert believes that God supports our enemies in Iraq, and his revealing that he had no interest in ''winning'' the Presidency (he just wanted to run).
On [[November 1]], [[2007]], the executive council of the [[South Carolina Democratic Party]] voted 13-3 to keep his name off the ballot, and refunded his US$2500 filing fee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/6674.html|title=S.C. Dems reject Colbert candidacy |work=[[Politico.com]]|date=2007-11-01}}</ref>
==DVDs==
A DVD of highlights from ''The Colbert Report'' was released by Comedy Central on [[November 6]], [[2007]], entitled ''[[The Best of The Colbert Report]]''. It is a single-disc DVD containing features including "The Wørd", "Better Know a District", "Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger", the [[2006-07-13]] "Threat Down" and also included celebrity interviews with Willie Nelson, Jane Fonda, among others.<ref>{{cite web| title = 'Colbert Report' to Get Best-Of DVD | date= 2007-07-29 | url=http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QMH0680&show_article=1&catnum=0 | publisher = [[Breitbart]] | accessdate = 2007-07-30 }}</ref> The DVD is about three hours of highlights from "The Wørd" (including "Truthiness"), "Better Know a District", "Green Screen Challenge", "Stephen Jr. - Flight of a Patriot", Bill O'Reilly's appearance on the show, "Cooking with Feminists" and "Meta-Free-Phor-All".<ref>{{cite web|last=McCutcheon|first=David|url=http://uk.dvd.ign.com/articles/824/824428p1.html|title=Colbert Report's DVD Threatdown|publisher=IGN.uk|date=2007-10-02|accessdate=2007-10-09}}</ref> The Best Buy version included a bonus disc containing several ''[[Tek Jansen]]'' adventures.<ref>[http://www.nofactzone.net/?p=2599 A word on the "Best of The Colbert Report" bonus disc]. ''No Fact Zone.'' Accessed on [[2007-12-01]].</ref>
==Syndication==
Outside of the United States, ''The Colbert Report'' is shown on [[CTV Television Network|CTV]] and [[The Comedy Network]] in [[Canada]], [[The Comedy Channel]] in [[Australia]], [[FX (UK)|FX]] in the [[United Kingdom]], and on [[Maxxx]] in the [[Philippines]]. The show also has a strong following in [[Ireland]].
Beginning [[3 June]], [[2008]], ''The Colbert Report'' also aired on the Showcomedy channel of [[Showtime Arabia]], a channel which broadcasts in the [[Middle East]] and [[North Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/press_releases/detail/19751|title=Showcomedy welcomes The Colbert Report exclusively on Showcomedy|publisher=[[Arabian Business]]|date=2008-05-27|accessdate=2008-05-27}}</ref> The show is transmitted on a one day delay from original transmission in the US.
Several international markets also air ''The Colbert Report Global Edition'', which shows highlights from the previous week's shows and includes a special introduction by Stephen Colbert at the start of the program.
==I Am America (And So Can You!)==
{{main|I Am America (And So Can You!)}}
A "pure extension" of the show in book form, titled ''[[I Am America (And So Can You!)]]'', was released on [[October 9]], [[2007]]. Written by Stephen Colbert and ''The Colbert Report'' writers, the book covers Colbert's opinions on a wide array of topics that he has no time to address on the show. Red [[margin]] notes appear throughout the book, providing humorous reactions and counterpoints to Colbert's arguments in a style comparable to the ''Report'''s Wørd segment. The book draws some influence from the literary endeavors of the character's pundit models, such as [[Bill O'Reilly]]'s ''[[The O'Reilly Factor: The Good, the Bad, and the Completely Ridiculous in American Life|The O'Reilly Factor]]'' (2000) and [[Sean Hannity]]'s ''[[Deliver Us From Evil]]'' (2004), which Colbert says he "forced" himself to read as a reference.<ref>[[Stephen Colbert|Colbert, Stephen]] ([[October 16]], [[2007]]). [http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=266215977&s=143441&i=20072008 "Meet the Author" podcast]. Retrieved on [[2007-10-27]].</ref>
==See also==
*[[Decemberists#Green screen music video|Colbert's Shred-Off with the Decemberists following Green Screen Challenge dispute]]
*[[Comedy Central]]
*[[List of late night network TV programs]]
*[[List of The Colbert Report episodes|List of ''The Colbert Report'' episodes]]
*''[[The Daily Show]]''
*[[Recurring segments on The Colbert Report|Recurring segments on ''The Colbert Report'']]
*[[Rick Mercer Report]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
==References==
*[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4630860 'Daily Show' Correspondent Readies 'The Colbert Report': National Public Radio's Robert Siegel interviews Stephen Colbert,] ''[[National Public Radio]]'', [[May 4]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/04/arts/television/04come.html?ex=1129348800&en=b38153acd29cdbb3&ei=5070&th&emc=th 'Daily Show' Personality Gets His Own Platform], ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[May 4]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/09/AR2005100901551.html TV's Newest Anchor: A Smirk in Progress], ''[[The Washington Post]]'', [[October 10]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/12/arts/television/12colb.html?incamp=article_popular The News Is Funny, as a Correspondent Gets His Own Show], ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[October 12]], [[2005]]
*[http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271|97871|1|,00.html Zap2it Colbert interview] [[October 15]], [[2005]]
*[http://slate.msn.com/id/2128307 The Colbert Factor: The Daily Show's senior bloviator gets a desk of his own], [[Slate]], [[October 18]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/cabletv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001307981 Comedy's Colbert Report Gets 1.13 Mil. Viewers], Mediaweek, [[October 18]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/magazine/daily/12938550.htm 'Daily Show' alum scores with a slap at talking heads], ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'', [[October 19]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.detnews.com/2005/screens/0510/20/0ent-355198.htm Colbert brings real wit to mock punditry], ''[[Detroit News]]'', [[October 20]], [[2005]]
*[http://medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_778.asp The wit and sense of 'Colbert Report': Show is smart, funny and a logical offshoot], Media Life, [[October 20]], [[2005]]
*[http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9767517/site/newsweek/ 'The Colbert Report' succeeds as comedy, opened with strong ratings and seems destined for a long run. What does that tell us about the news business?], ''[[Newsweek]]'', [[October 21]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.dailyorange.com/media/paper522/news/2005/10/21/Pulp/Egomaniacal.Satirist.Broadcasts.Stewart.Spinoff-1029324.shtml Egomaniacal satirist broadcasts Stewart spinoff], ''[[Daily Orange]]'', [[October 21]], [[2005]]
*[http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271|98227|1|,00.html 'Colbert', Cartoons Break Big for Comedy Central], zap2it.com, [[October 24]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/25/arts/television/25watc.html Bringing Out the Absurdity of the News], ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[October 25]], [[2005]] (misreports first Word of the Day as "Trustiness"; later publishes a correction, reports that it should have been "[[Truthiness]]")
*[http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=1130713803780&call_pageid=971358637177 Colbert Report comes north Nov. 7], ''[[Toronto Star]]'', [[October 31]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.pittnews.com/media/storage/paper879/news/2006/11/10/News/Group.Wants.Hall.Named.For.Colbert-2451436.shtml?norewrite200701052329&sourcedomain=www.pittnews.com Group wants hall named for Colbert], ''The Pitt News'', [[January 7]], [[2007]]
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{Commonscat}}
{{wikinews|Satirist Stephen Colbert runs for U.S. President}}
*[http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/index.jhtml ''The Colbert Report'' Web site] ([[Comedy Central]])
*[http://tv.yahoo.com/the-colbert-report/show/38498 "The Colbert Report"] at [http://tv.yahoo.com/ Yahoo! TV]
*[http://www.colbertnation.com/ Colbert Nation] - Owned by Comedy Central's Central Productions LLC
*{{imdb title|id=0458254|title=The Colbert Report}}
*[http://www.wikiality.com/Main_Page Stephen Colbert's Wikiality]
*[http://nofactzone.net/ The No Fact Zone - A Stephen Colbert and 'The Colbert Report' news blog]
*[http://colbertuniversity.nofactzone.net/ Colbert University - A viewer's companion for The Colbert Report]
*[http://feeds.feedburner.com/ColbertReportiFilm RSS Feed of Colbert Report clips on Viacom's iFilm]
*[http://www.popcultureshock.com/stephen-colberts-tek-jansen-1-preview/42216/ Tek Jansen comic book preview]
*[http://www.colbert08.org/ Colbert '08 campaign official website]
===Radio interviews===
*[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4630860 NPR's All Things Considered Interview with Colbert] from [[May 4]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4583007 NPR's Fresh Air With Terry Gross Pre-Debut Interview] from [[April 8]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5040948 NPR's Fresh Air With Terry Gross Post-Debut Interview] from [[December 7]], [[2005]]
*[http://www.maximumfun.org/blog/2006/09/podcast-lets-put-on-show.html Co-Head Writer Allison Silverman on The Sound of Young America] from [[September 29]], [[2006]]
*[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15116383 NPR's Fresh Air With Terry Gross: ''Colbert Builds 'Report' with Viewers, Readers''] from [[October 9]], [[2007]]
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[[Category:The Colbert Report| ]]
[[Category:The Daily Show]]
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[[zh:柯伯特報告]]