Just two days after Bill O'Reilly attacked Stephen Colbert as an "ideological fanatic" with a small audience who was also somehow to blame for the recent UConn riot, Colbert has been named as David Letterman's replacement on CBS' Late Show. I'm sure it doesn't help O'Reilly's mood that Colbert's comedy persona is a satire of none other than O'Reilly, himself.
On Monday night, O'Reilly blamed the UConn riot on a "breakdown of respect for property and authority” that was, according to O’Reilly, driven by “the destructive mindset (of) grievance and entitlement.” He added. “The primary grievance right now is alleged inequality."
O'Reilly then dragged Colbert into the mix:
The left-wing media legitimizes that nonsense and one of the biggest mouthpieces for the progressive movement is Stephen Colbert. Only a million people watch his late-night program at 11:30 but he is the darling of the far-left internet which rhapsodizes over him.
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Like many ideological fanatics, Colbert is misguided in the extreme. His analysis is delivered under the guise of comedy but, believe me, he is a true progressive believer, playing exclusively to other believers. Colbert can be dismissed as clueless but the guy does do damage.
Well, Bill, it looks like Colbert's platform just got a lot bigger. And it may well be - at least partially - at your expense. Or, as you might put it: Here comes "more destruction in America."
We couldn't be more delighted. Congratulations, Mr. Colbert!
Below is O'Reilly's rant about Colbert as well as the Colbert Report segment that set O'Reilly off.
NOTE TO BILLY
You are too old for the demos. Move aside and let a younger host take over.
But his current role/character that takes a big poke at all that is absurd in the media/political world has been a real positive to the political discourse in America. BOR and others of his ilk don’t get to ride roughshod over whoever they want and expect to just get away with their outrageous behavior/comments anymore – and that’s largely due to shows like Colbert’s and Jon’s. I mean, really, how hysterical is it that serious media loud-mouths like BOR and politicians actually have to be concerned about getting called out by the humor shows at freakin’ Comedy Central? It’s genius the way they make BOR et al squirm and attempt to play down the quips and jokes of some very insightful and politically astute comedians. To have Colbert’s sort of satire disappear for the Comedy Central lineup would be a real bummer. Hopefully, CC would come up with something good as they have a lot of talent there (such as John Oliver, etc.) who might be able to step in after Jon.
All I hope is that the dinosaurs at CBS don’t try to control Colbert too much or make him interview Kardashians – let him do his thing and bring his own style of humor/sarcasm to the network.
Then again, I knew Jimmy Fallon’s 4th walling would make him a hell of a talk show host, and while I was right about his delivery, look at how he’s wasting it. Not to mention that Fallon’s trying waaaay, waaaaay too hard to look like he’s gone Teabag because he’s obviously afraid of Fox.
Which brings me to my concern: Colbert has balls, but these shows are the big boys, so he’s standing against some considerably stiffer opposition when him and the brass don’t see eye to eye. Will they be able to crack him, or will he stay true to form?
