Free Stephen Colbert: Beyond Truthiness by Bruce Watson

Congressman Robert Wexler’s hapless defense of the caribou Colbert wanted to “grind up and put in my tank” was just the beginning.
    To interview congressmen in their natural habitat, Colbert began flying to Washington, D.C., conducting a few “Better Know a District” interviews with each visit. He warned congressmen, as he still does with all guests, that “my character is an idiot.” Politicians, however, did not see him coming. Skillful editing, audience laughter, and Colbert’s quickness made congressman after congressman look foolish. Nebraska’s Representative Lee Terry never understood Colbert’s double entendres about Omaha’s meatpacking industry.
    “What’s going on with American beef and the Japanese markets right now?”
    “Not much. Japan has banned our beef.”
    “What are you trying to do to get Japan to receive your meat?”
    “It is a diplomatic issue of trying to get them to simply let us sell beef again.”
    “How is the meat delivered?”
    “Well, it depends on what you want. You can have a small cut or a larger cut. You can keep it hard with the bone in it.”
    “Is it delivered hot?”
    “You can get it as hot as you want.”
    Some congressmen smiled, others seethed. Massachusetts’ Barney Frank, known in Congress for his caustic wit, scowled as Colbert danced around his sexuality. Frank is openly gay, but Colbert pretended not to know. He asked about the awkwardness of being liberal, Jewish, and left-handed, then added, “there’s something else about you - and this is sort of the elephant in the room I’m not naming . . . you’re a little overweight.” Later, when Frank mentioned his “boyfriend,” Colbert was shocked. “Oh, you’re a homosexual.” He apologized, then apologized for apologizing. Finally Colbert said, “It seems like fewer and fewer people are upset, or frightened by homosexuals. What can homosexuals do to re-instill people with an irrational fear?”
    Frank found the question silly and ended the interview. “I like political humor,” Frank said later, “but I found this really strange. His basic interview technique was to pretend he didn’t know things. That wouldn’t be funny in junior high school.”
    District by district, Colbert laid siege to Congress. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned fellow congressmen: “Don’t subject yourself to a comic’s edit unless you want to be made a fool of.” But Nebraska’s Lee Terry saw his appearance with Colbert as “a way for my constituents to see me in something other than an opponent’s 30-second attack ad.” And the audience response? “I’ve never had as many people, i.e., potential voters, approach me on the street as I have had since my appearance on The Colbert Report . As for subjecting myself to a comic’s edit, I would much rather have my words taken out of context by Stephen Colbert than by the ‘real’ media. At least with Mr. Colbert, the context is clearly comedy, and the audience gets it.”
    Colbert Nation agreed, and “Better Know a District” is still making its way through the 435 congressional districts. It remains a popular Colbert Report feature.
    Colbert was kinder to studio guests. Those interviews, done without editing, worried him. “I thought that the interviews would be the thing I hated the most.” He knew he would have to be tough on politicos, quick with celebrities, softer on authors and academics. Could he “dial it up” and “dial it down?” “I’m not an assassin,” he said. “Even though my character’s very aggressive and I have a satirical intent, I don’t want them to feel unwelcome.” But he found the challenge invigorating, and nightly interviews soon became Colbert’s favorite part of each “ Report .” Once he finished his victory lap around the studio, as if the audience was applauding for him, his interviews managed to be both funny and respectful. And with his ratings rising, his show became a vital stop for anyone promoting a book,