The Colbert Report

• 65
  Metascore
• 2005-2014
• 11 seasons
• Comedy Central
• Comedy, News, Talk & Interview
• TV-14

An offshoot of "The Daily Show" (1996), "The Colbert Report" (the Ts in Colbert and Report are silent) is a parody of shows like "The O'Reilly Factor". Colbert begins the show with teasers about the show's content, then the credits go by, with a giant eagle and the Stars and Stripes featured predominantly. Colbert peppers commentaries with phrases like, "Look, I don't have time to read books" or "President Bush isn't a head thinker, he's a gut thinker." Aspects of talking-head programs are exaggerated and Colbert presents a host overwhelmed by his own importance. Guests do not walk on-stage but are seated at a small table to the side. Colbert runs over to them, encouraging the audience to applaud and high-five him as he passes. He is then likely to begin an interview by asking a guest something like, "Explain evolution in 20 seconds", or "Isn't everyone who disagrees with the President guilty of treason?" Colbert is also very clear about our #1 threat": "Bears!" His distrust of bears is a continuing theme.