The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Okay, but incredibly disappointing after The Colbert Report.

I was skeptical when Stephen Colbert got offered the role of hosting The Late Show. The Colbert Report was one of the funniest, if not THE funniest, shows on TV. It was clever, edgy and didn't mind taking pot shots at politicians, esp right-wing ones and Fox News. Surely moving to a mainsteam show would mean Colbert would have to dumb it down and appeal to a wider audience?

Well, I gave it a fair chance but I fear I was right. The edginess has gone ("Oh, no, kids might be watching!") and his shtick has been dumbed down quite a lot.

Even worse, and something I did not see coming as I figured its is well beneath him, he is having to play all those stupid clickbait games that Jimmy Fallon does (and which makes Fallon's show such a waste of time). You know, get some major star in and instead of asking them intelligent questions, get them to do something stupid. Just so that there'll be dozens of clickbait posts the next day with "See Stephen Colbert get Victoria's Secret models to eat buffalo wings!", say.

There are occasional glimpses of the old Colbert. Some clever skits, biting satire and the pokes at right-wing politicians, but they are few and far between.

Best thing to do: watch the clever stuff, fast forward through the rest.

Colbert's Late Show is a major disappointment. The review written by DVD says it all for me. He's a grinning, prancing shell now. Was he bought out of his hilarious, cutting-edge, truth-seeking "Report?" Is he paid now to deliver vapid lines that don't expose political lies and hypocrisy? I miss you, too, bold,relevant Stephen. I counted on you to shine a light on important truths. I couldn't wait to laugh so hard I cried when you exposed fools with self-serving policies. How often I thanked God, and yes, I am a Christian, that you and Jon Stewart were delivering important news with humor that connected with our brains. I can no longer watch the "real" you, sitting beneath your massive ego dome, proud and smiling. About what?

Well, after 3 shows that were quite disappointing, it's clear that (i) Colbert is a fantastic host but (ii) being on CBS basically kills his potential.

This new show is passable, barely saved by Colbert's talent but offers pretty much no fun and no depth. In a nutshell, it's just another bland network TV show without much interest.

The inability to bring the best of the best TV host in the US on CBS demonstrates why it is way overdue that network TV shall disappear and cable shall take over. HBO has done it for TV and movies, Comedy central demonstrated it in reverse by letting Stephen Colbert go and lose most of his potential.

Stephen, please come back to cable and do what you do best instead of losing your soul and wasting your potential on CBS.

I have been an avid fan of Stephen since 2009, which says a lot about how much i like him, considering i am not an American. In fact, here in Greece the Colbert phenomenon is virtually unknown and only very few take the time to observe the late night scene where Stephen reigned supreme (ok, maybe along with Jon Stewart). Still, personally i always found his kind of satire being cutting edge and bold, and could always discern the intelligence and warmth behind the facade of the conservative pundit. Sadly what i saw these last two days (after months of waiting anxiously for the show) was not what Stephen really deserves. All this prancing around, the constant smiling without apparent reason, the extremely safe style of humor, the really inconsequential questions...all these just are not what Stephen is. Fallon or Conan(two people who i also like for different reasons) can do that, Stephen should maintain his unique style and avoid becoming one of the plenty. He doesn't need to pretend being a conservative, he just has to remain classy and dangerously smart. The only segments where the Stephen we love broke through, were Trump's critique and some parts of the Clooney and Bush interviews. Maybe he fears CBS or the "variety" character of the show are not appropriate for what he did so far, but i honestly believe that CBS should accommodate his style and not vice versa. I say all this with sincere care and choose to avoid rush judgment and vote based on what i hope the show will finally be when Stephen gets his balance back, as i am sure he will. Please consider this more of a friendly comment rather than any kind of judgmental rant. Until then Stephen, we will all be watching, supporting and hoping for the best!

I would not give him a 10, if he wasn't getting a 7,9 so far. But his last couple of shows where really good. He started of a little flat - but I think he is becoming better and better since the last couple of shows.

I see that most reviews that rate the show as lost potential (whatever the show will become... NO ONE can deny: Colbert is talented and smart as s**t!) are very early looks upon the show. I will just put these in the category of frustrated fans, and give him some time - but after the last couple of shows the reviews are just unfair - the dates show that some reviewers gave this guy 3-4 days before they judged.

He is in a new role - although it seems similar - he is human and made a show that was the perfect fit for 9 years! He will have to find activity bits that suit him, a rhythm in his approach to his guests as his "new" self, find a balance between sarcasm, sincereness, smart talks and maybe find that certain thing that will complete the experience.

I would say in general Colbert has gotten better and better in whatever he made. That also is a fact (also people of that generation are often late bloomers ;-). So I can just repeat myself: If CBS is not full of total retards and they let themselves be influenced by Colberts' genius, I think that the show has the potential to become THE best tonight show that you have ever seen. The last couple of shows had glimpses and hints in that direction: Joe Biden Interview, Pope Francis Show, Elizabeth Warren Interview.

Admitted a lot of bits still seem awkward and constructed (e.g. Stephen Curry Shootout), but if he gains backbone and comfort with time and influences the writing and ideas of the show with the right people I think he can get somewhere with this. Maybe even something great.

Due too what I owe this guy in joyful and interesting moments, he gets' a 10/10 from me until I am sure I am wrong and to counter the bad reviews he got so far. I hope I am not - although I am not the easy to convince type of guy and the place Mr. Colbert has in my heart is not written in stone. Well, I am after all German ;-)

PS.: John Batiste also still seems a bit awkward and not that comfortable and fit for his position. His answers are not that quick-witted and he seems a bit unprofessional at times (e.g. Duett with Stephen at the pope special) - plus his band seems a bit clowny sometimes - but it seems they have growing potential, too - although I am not sure in Colberts' category.