“The character was actively ignorant”, Colbert told reporters Monday afternoon at the Television Critics Association Press Tour.
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“And I’m so happy that little boy is Donald Trump. So, right now, I’m just dry-Trumping”, Colbert joked, according to a transcript acquired by Business Insider. I like that he does an espresso commercial to pay for his spy satellite.
Colbert also offered up some advice. When I spoke to Cardinal Dolan or I would speak to a Medal of Honor victor, I would just dial it up and down as need be.
Staying in his “Colbert” character was an act of discipline, said Colbert, who reminded us that his background is as an improviser, with Second City training.
About 10 days before David Letterman went off the air, Colbert did check in with his predecessor before tackling the job. Fox News even had to host two debates last week.
Colbert announced that his first musical guest will be hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar.
He did offer insight into the remodeling of the Ed Sullivan Theater, which has been restored to highlight the venue’s original 1920s architecture. Advancements in sound and lighting technology, he said, require less equipment on and around the stage. “This is a dare”, Colbert said. Colbert asked.
Explaining that CBS has been very good about handing him the reins and has asked “nothing of [him], other than I fill an hour every night”, he hinted that there might be some changes to the staid late night monologue format. “But we make it work”, Colbert said, adding, “Obviously those people shouldn’t be left alone”. “We’re building the “Late Show” set within the context of a Broadway theater”. “I used to be depleted toward the end of each meeting from experiencing the labyrinth in his mind before I said anything, sufficiently quick so the group of onlookers couldn’t tell”. “I feel like I’ve done all I can with him. We have fun with each other all day long” while producing the show.
GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush will join George Clooney as guests on Stephen Colbert’s first edition of “The Late Show”. (New Orleans jazz musician Jon Batiste will be his bandleader). “I never thought I’d live to see America’s first third Bush president”, he said. “I had to put everything I did” through a filter of what “Colbert” would think, and “now I can just talk to them”.
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He’ll do several test shows in late August, including a mix of interviews with authors, entertainers, musicians and politicians, improvised comedy and other elements he’s not ready to reveal. “I mean, I love the interviews. That’s really heartening”. “Competition’s not that fun to me”.
