Jon Stewart takes over "Late Show," rips RNC
Itsa few minutes after 6 p.m. on Thursday night, and as Donald Trump prepares to accept his nomination at the Republican National Convention, a weary-looking Stephen Colbert is rehearsing a few hundred miles away at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
Dressed in rumpled khakis and nursing a massive Starbucks coffee, the hostruns lines ahead of what will be his fourth live broadcast this week.The jokes playup the vibe of loopyexhaustion in the room:Hey, remember Monday? he asks, setting up a clip package. I dont.
As the nation has watched the surreal political theater unfolding in Cleveland, Colbert and his team at The Late Show have been pulling out all the stops each night at 11:35 p.m. (Or sometimes much later, thanks to RNC overruns). Theyll repeat the feat next week during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Thursdays show features a return appearance by Jon Stewart, who has come out of quasi-retirement on his New Jersey farm to lend his old Comedy Central buddy a hand.
He temporarily borrows Colberts desk to deliver a vintage, destined-to-go-viral Daily Show-style rant inspired by the news that his longtime nemesis, Fox News chief Roger Ailes, is resigning amid sexual harassment allegations.
So far, at least, the sleep deprivation seemsto have been worth it. The live broadcasts enable Colbert to capitalize on his perceived strength as a political commentatorand helpThe Late Showdominateonline conversation throughout the convention.
We really felt that we fulfilled the mission of what were trying to do as a late-night show this week, says show runner Chris Lichtin an interview Friday afternoon. The former executive producer of CBS This Morning was brought on board The Late Show in April.One of the missions of this show is to be as topical and relevant as possible. We cannot do that during a convention week without being live.
The Late Show team is also leaning heavily on star power.Mondays episode included an appearance byColberts blowhard character from The Colbert Report,something that had previously been verboten, Licht notes. The decision to bring back Stephen Colbert is a reflection ofColberts growing comfort in his new role. Hes really getting into his groove lately.Its another tool in his toolbox he realized he could use in a limited way.
Stewarts two appearances create a feeling akin to a supergroup reunion.
At Thursdaysrehearsal, Stewart watchesColbert admiringly from a seat near the front of the Ed Sullivan Theater. In his off-duty beard and a backwardFDNY baseball cap, Stewartoccasionally weighsin with colorful words of encouragement and the odd reference to the Coen brothers film The Hudsucker Proxy.
Colbert runs through a monologue riffing on Trumps NATO blunder and awkward air kiss with running mate Mike Pence, virtually all of which is scrapped for convention coverage in the live show. (Sadly, a graphic reimagining Russian President Vladimir Putin as Game of Thrones character Daenerys Targaryen doesnt make it to air.)
Then its time to address the other big news of the day: Ailes ouster. Stewart is summoned to the stage, where the seasoned TV veteranfeigns ignorance of production basicswhich way do I face? he asksin an affected Jewish grandma voice then crawls beneath Colberts desk.
When its finally time for him to emerge,Stewart usesFox News personality Sean Hannity as the central example in a blistering critique of conservatives embracing Donald Trump.
The bit playswell in rehearsal, its success fueledby the obvious chemistry between Stewart and Colbert, who popsout from below the desk to explain the Taylor Swift-Kim Kardashian feud and to admonish Stewart for mocking Arbys (a running gag from The Daily Show).The only problem is the episodeis running long by about six minutes. As a sound guy removeshis microphone, Stewartshakes Colberts hand. Well tighten it down. Well get it good.
Thanks to Trumps lengthy acceptance speech, Thursdays show doesnt actually begin untilFriday morning. At roughly12:16 a.m., the show begins with a cold open featuring the nights first guest, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and playing on the rumors shell be Hillary Clintons running mate.
Then Colbert takes to the Ed Sullivan stage. Despite the late hour, and in contrast to his subdued demeanor earlier in the evening, he is lively and energized. His monologue is fresh with jokes targeting Trumps acceptance shout and Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus.
During a commercial break, agaggle of producers distracts the audience by pretending to point at something awry in the ceilingwhile Stewart sneaks into position.Amazingly, it works.
Colbert sets up the Fox News segment by making the obviously disingenuous claimthat Ailes resignation gives him no pleasure. Then he asks to have the camera taken off him for a moment. Safely out of view,Colbertrubs his nipples suggestivelyand arches his back. The audience eats it up.
Stewarts appearance, moments later, is met with ecstatic applause.His takedown, though edited slightly, is an even bigger hit in the room at the Ed Sullivan Theater.Like many of The Daily Shows greatest hits, it usesconservatives own words against them, in this case arguing that criticisms leveled atPresidentObama for his supposed elitism and lack of experience, among other alleged shortcomings apply even more directly to candidate Trump.
Stewart adds to the live versiona pointed reference tothe lack of Republican support for 9/11 first responders, and a pithyrecap of the conventions key themes. He also keepsthe CBS censors on their toes with some basic cable-styleprofanity. (Luckily, theyre also well-caffeinated.)
Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-behind-the-scenes-colbert-rnc-20160721-snap-story.html
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