Parody, reality cross paths on Colbert, O'Reilly shows
Last Updated: Friday, January 19, 2007 | 10:34 AM ET
CBC Arts
In what he billed as "the greatest TV crossover since The Flintstones met The Jetsons," comedian and satirist Stephen Colbert traded guest appearances with Fox News host Bill O'Reilly Thursday night.
The typically aggressive O'Reilly appeared much gentler and generally bemused while interviewing Colbert for the "No Spin Zone" segment of The O'Reilly Factor.
Conservative TV pundit Bill O'Reilly, left, poses with Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, at the TIME 100 event in New York in May 2006.
(Time Magazine/ Ivan Villegas/ Associated Press)
"Who are you? Are you Colbert or Colbert?" O'Reilly demanded at one point, pronouncing the "t" in one case, leaving it silent in the other (as the comedian does on his Comedy Central program).
"Bill, I'm whoever you want me to be," Colbert answered.
Later, on The Colbert Report, the comedian gently poked fun at the Fox News pundit, and even set him up to make a jab at a competing network he has criticized as "liberal-leaning."
When Colbert asked what was "destroying America" more: activist judges, illegal immigration, gay marriage or NBC, O'Reilly replied "NBC" without hesitation.
O'Reilly also jokingly blamed some audience booing upon his arrival on Colbert's colleague Jon Stewart, host of sister news satire The Daily Show.
Colbert based the tough-talking, ultra-patriotic American persona for his current affairs parody The Colbert Report on right-wing hosts and shows like O'Reilly and his O'Reilly Factor, the top-rated program in U.S. cable news.
The two shows, which are both filmed in Manhattan, were taped early Thursday evening, one after the other.
Meeting with 'Papa Bear'
Colbert, who is seen in Canada on The Comedy Network, had been promoting the appearance of O'Reilly — whom he often refers to as "Papa Bear" — on his show for the entire week.
On Thursday, the Colbert Report set was decorated with a large "Mission Accomplished" banner and a portrait of O'Reilly placed above a fireplace. The banner was a reference to one with the same message that was behind U.S. President George W. Bush aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier when he gave a speech on May 1, 2003, basically declaring victory in Iraq.
At the end of Thursday night's show, after O'Reilly had left, Colbert also proudly pulled out a microwave he had smuggled out of the O'Reilly Factor green room.
A spokesman for Fox News confirmed that the comedian had indeed taken the microwave, but added that it was in good fun.
"He's got such nerve," Canadian comedian and Royal Canadian Air Farce star Don Ferguson said of Colbert, whose show debuted in the fall of 2005.
"He can take on these broadcasters — you know, the Rush Limbaughs and the Bill O'Reillys — and beat them at their own game."
With files from the Associated PressShare Tools
FILM REVIEW: Men in Black 3 by Eli Glasner May. 25, 2012 11:40 AM Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back in the action sequel Men in Black 3, a third instalment of a series now 15 years old. Though new addition Josh Brolin manages some amazing mimicry as a younger version of Jones, the story doesn't measure up to the weird and wonderful charms of the original, says film reviewer Eli Glasner.
Top News Headlines
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- The victim of a Friday lightning strike during a storm in east Ottawa has died, CBC News has learned. more »
- 32 Syrian children die in artillery attack, says UN
- More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, with the head of the UN team in the country confirming at least 32 children and 60 adults were killed the attack. more »
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico, organization says
- Two Winnipeg children, reported missing and possibly in Mexico, have been found alive, according to unofficial reports from an agency that works to find missing people. more »
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Bad weather has hampered the recovery team that is attempting to bring down the body of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest. more »
Latest Arts & Entertainment News Headlines
- Seniors float above Montreal's Quartier Latin
- In Montreal this weekend, an unusual performance series will have seniors indulging in their favourite hobbies, but perched on chairs suspended five metres above the ground. more »
- Modern and traditional art scores at Joyner auction
- Both traditional and modern works fared well at Joyner Waddington's spring art auction in Toronto, with buyers snapping up lots by Group of Seven members as well as more contemporary artists. more »
- Prophetic Cosmopolis premieres at Cannes
- David Cronenberg says he didn't anticipate the Occupy Wall Street movement as he prepared to shoot Cosmopolis, his new film which made its world premiere Friday at the Cannes Film Festival in southern France. more »
- Jennifer Egan's newest story debuts on Twitter
- The latest short story from Pulitzer-winning writer Jennifer Egan is emerging 140 characters at a time via Twitter. more »
Q Blog
Toni Morrison on her two selves May. 25, 2012 5:57 PM Jian speaks with the celebrated African American author and academic about her two conflicting selves, and her new novel, Home.
CBC Books
Talking about war May. 25, 2012 4:57 PM The public conversation around war has always been complex and thorny. How does Canada's military approach differ from that of other countries? Are we a society of peacekeepers or warriors? These are some of the questions that Noah Richler explores in his new book What We Talk About When We Talk About War.
- Pope's butler arrested in Vatican leaks scandal
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Tornado touchdown confirmed near Montreal
- Woman's remains found in hockey bag on Cape Breton river
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
