The Colbert Report

Synopsis

The Colbert Report is a satirical late-night television program starring Stephen Colbert that originally aired from 2005 to 2014 on Comedy Central. The show is a parody of personality-driven political opinion shows, featuring Colbert as a fictional conservative pundit who delivers humorous commentary on current events, politics, and culture with intentional irony and exaggerated bravado. With a mix of monologues, interviews, field segments, and recurring bits, the show cleverly critiques media, politicians, and social trends through its character's over-the-top persona. It blends sharp wit, absurdity, and keen political insight, creating a unique brand of comedy that satirizes both the subjects it covers and the format itself.

Cast

• 

  Stephen Colbert

  Self - Host

Reviews

Critically acclaimed, The Colbert Report holds an IMDb rating of 8.4/10, reflecting strong viewer appreciation. On Rotten Tomatoes, while the show does not have a traditional Tomatometer score, critics widely praised its intelligent satire and sharp humor. Metacritic has highlighted the show's clever writing and Stephen Colbert's transformative performance as a standout, noting the character's ability to bring nuance and depth to political satire. Critics have lauded Colbert's skill in melding comedy with pointed social critique, with The New York Times calling it "a brilliant and biting send-up of the pundit-driven talk show genre." Some reviews point out that the humor can be polarizing due to its depth in political commentary, potentially limiting its appeal to audiences less familiar with the topics. Despite this, the show has been recognized for influencing political satire and advancing Colbert's legacy as a key figure in late-night television. The Colbert Report's consistent clever wit and cultural resonance have made it a milestone in satirical programming.