Rants and Ramblings: random commentary about culture, media, politics, technology and whatnot.

meet the candidate

Stephen Colbert had a brilliant turn this past weekend on NBC’s Meet the Press as he discussed his book and his presidential candidacy (in South Carolina only) with host Tim Russert. It started out a bit shaky, but the second half was entertaining, particularly the reference to a young Colbert wanting to major in mass psychology and start a cult. (One might say that he’s succeeded with the latter.)

There’s an additional interview with the “real” (not in-character) Colbert on the MTP Web site. The full text of the Vanity Fair profile Russert cites is up at The Art of the Prank.

I’m not sure what to think yet about Colbert inserting himself into the actual political process (where he’s apparently polling higher than Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel), rather than merely satirizing it. It could be either good political theater (and an interesting opportunity to learn more about the political process), or, as one colleague suggested, a jump-the-shark moment.

(Thanks to Rob for the Vanity Fair article link.)