May 1, 2006
You sir are my new hero
I’m not quite sure what they were expecting. Stephen Colbert got the headline entertainer spot at this years’ White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. The event is always a big to do in Washington. It’s usually the chance for everyone to drop their guard crack a few jokes at their own expense and then clap each other on the back and head back to their separate places in the Washington world.
I wonder if they thought Colbert was one of them; the new kid making some noise on the block and just happy to be recognized for playing the game well. If so, they’ve really not been paying attention to the brilliantly targeted satire and commentary coming from Colbert and the Daily Show from whence he sprung.
Both shows are built upon the comedy principle that humor comes from the truth at its rawest. On Saturday in Washington, Colbert got to live out the journalist maxim of speaking truth to power. He stood in front of Our Fine President and in his most earnest tones, he praised the man’s many faults to the point that the leader of the free world couldn’t help but feel their embarrassing weight. Colbert then turned his focus to the press corp in the audience. He once again spoke calmly and frankly as he laid out their many deficiencies to their faces.
Colbert seemed nervous at times, but he made sure his points were properly delivered even if the honed punch lines echoed of the silent room of an often silent crowd. In all it was a masterful performance delivered to an audience that could hardly deserve it more. My hat’s off to you Mr. Colbert, you truly have big brass balls.
Watch the footage here to see Our Fine President sit and squirm as he faces some of the harshest criticism he’s ever encountered.
Or read the transcript here.