TV: Late Show - Letterman retiring May 20; Colbert debuting Sept 8 (post: 248)

[Shareefruck]

Here's Norm talking about his religious beliefs, and his lack of belief in DNA of all things:



It is pretty jarring to hear that from somebody who I think of being much smarter than he lets on. I don't care that he's a Christian; he's rarely preachy about it and it doesn't affect his comedy. For him to say that scientists are always wrong and he doesn't believe in DNA is crazy. Which is also why I think it could be Norm trolling everyone and taking Colbert's act to its logical conclusion of seeming completely honest about it.

On topic: Colbert is a solid choice. He's really sharp and quick-witted, but it will be strange seeing him out of his Colbert Report persona at fist.

I've seen an interview with him where he kind of suggests that people who don't believe in god must be fooling themselves into believing it and can't possibly really think that. He didn't say it in a pompous way, just sort of in disbelief.

Definitely jarring to hear.

 

[GarbageGoal]

Here's Norm talking about his religious beliefs, and his lack of belief in DNA of all things:

Good lord.

Norm is fat.

I never want to hear Larry King do an interview again.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Ugh, **** the politics. Excellent choice, Colbert is brilliant.

Haven't watched late night talk shows in years, and now I will because of him. The Colbert Report will be missed but it'll be great to see him branch out from the role. I'm sure he'll kill it.

 

[EvilCoop]

Now I'm hearing that CBS won't even extend Ferguson's contract.

I love Colbert, but I don't know if I'm going to watch him if they replace Ferguson.

 

[Sharpshooter]

Still one of the funniest moments of Colbert Report. I can never keep it together when he loses it.

 

[Stanley Foobrick]

Now I'm hearing that CBS won't even extend Ferguson's contract.

I love Colbert, but I don't know if I'm going to watch him if they replace Ferguson.

http://screenfury.com/cbs-may-dump-craig/

The takeaway there? CBS is not happy at all with the way Ferguson is playing out relative to the talk shows on other networks. Craig may have a loyal following, but it is not nearly as hip as the ones found elsewhere which in turn hurts per viewer ad rates not to mention the growing importance of web views. To be honest, the whole thing sounds like jealousy for the most part, but if there is an alternative to stagnate ratings, why not look for it? That seems to be the approach Moonves & Co. is currently operating under.

... so it's all about youtube hits.......

ABC might. The Alphabet Network has always had a bit of a problem establishing a late night presence and Jimmy Kimmel’s acceptability is still pretty new to the channel. Might they seek a partner with JKL on the premise that the two might feed on each other? That is entirely possible as the network is already set to lose Katie Couric’s show next season.

Yes........ move Ferguson after Kimmel, then a year from now the only hosts left worth watching will be on the same network

 

[Fuzzy Bunny]

Good lord.

Norm is fat.

I never want to hear Larry King do an interview again.

Yeah, thankfully Norm has cut down his weight from what I have seen in the recent interview with Tom Green and a picture of him at an airport.

As for Norm's views on science, it is an actual bit that he does about how we have constantly been wrong which is pretty funny. Not sure how serious he actually is about it but I go to him for laughs not legitimate philosophy or academic lectures. I assume he is half bs'ing like with everything else he does.

As for Norm's political beliefs I really don't think he gives a ****. He was on Howard Stern and said he'd vote for Obama and said that when he filled in for Dennis Miller to commentate on Fox News he just agrees with them. I think he does lean towards the right but not as wild as his Fox News spots would have you believe. I doubt he even votes.

 

[member 51464]

Here's Norm talking about his religious beliefs, and his lack of belief in DNA of all things:



It is pretty jarring to hear that from somebody who I think of being much smarter than he lets on. I don't care that he's a Christian; he's rarely preachy about it and it doesn't affect his comedy. For him to say that scientists are always wrong and he doesn't believe in DNA is crazy. Which is also why I think it could be Norm trolling everyone and taking Colbert's act to its logical conclusion of seeming completely honest about it.

On topic: Colbert is a solid choice. He's really sharp and quick-witted, but it will be strange seeing him out of his Colbert Report persona at fist.

Norm, you fat dummy. But it almost seems satirical. Like I feel that he is on the verge of laughing. Idk.

 

[Shareefruck]

The video I remember is a lot less jokingly told. I can't find it though.

It's the one where he complains that nobody's going to want to hear him talk about this throughout the interview. He really pours his heart out about how atheism makes no sense to him

It doesn't matter, and I love Norm regardless, but still

 

[Fuzzy Bunny]

I've heard Norm's atheism bit done from his standup and from somewhat more serious interviews. His point of view was that it seems odd to be an atheist and state that you know for absolute certain that God doesn't exist and also that believing a God doesn't exist doesn't have any benefit. So while he has admitted he doesn't know for certain that a God does exist he chooses to have faith in one which I believe is the case for a lot of people.

It's pretty much just a dragged out version of a razor Pascal's Wager from philosophy.

Pascal's Wager

It posits that humans all bet with their lives either that God exists or does not exist. Given the possibility that God actually does exist and assuming the infinite gain or loss associated with belief in God or with unbelief, a rational person should live as though God exists and seek to believe in God. If God does not actually exist, such a person will have only a finite loss (some pleasures, luxury, etc.)

 

[Disgruntled Observer*]

Seems like late night talk shows are starting to look more for a "jack of all trades" type of performer (ala Jimmy Fallon) than a straight up Comedian.
Stephen Colbert fits into that role nicely.
It sure will be strange though to see him out of his persona.

 

[Shareefruck]

I've heard Norm's atheism bit done from his standup and from somewhat more serious interviews. His point of view was that it seems odd to be an atheist and state that you know for absolute certain that God doesn't exist and also that believing a God doesn't exist doesn't have any benefit. So while he has admitted he doesn't know for certain that a God does exist he chooses to have faith in one which I believe is the case for a lot of people.

It's pretty much just a dragged out version of a razor Pascal's Wager from philosophy.

Pascal's Wager

The one I heard was much less level-headed. He spoke in disbelief and suggested that atheists must feel deep down that god/something must be there. Something more along those lines-- "they must be fooling themselves!"-- than simply "how could they be so certain?"

 

[kihei]

On Meet The Press (In and Out of Character)

What the hell? He was asked to appear before the US Congress in ****ing character to comment on immigration laws? That has got to be one of the craziest, absolutely most surreal things I've ever heard of. Why in the world would the US Congress do that? Why not invite Batman? Are the inmates running the asylum?

 

[EvilCoop]

What the hell? He was asked to appear before the US Congress in ****ing character to comment on immigration laws? That has got to be one of the craziest, absolutely most surreal things I've ever heard of. Why in the world would the US Congress do that? Why not invite Batman? Are the inmates running the asylum?

We can't invite Batman, he serves in the Canadian Senate.

 

[Brodie]

Colbert had done some work volunteering to do a migrant laborers job for a day

 

[kdb209]

Okay. Enough with the politics.

Talk about Colbert, OK.
Talk about Norm, borderline but OK.

Make broad generizations about Liberals or Conservatives, nope - take it to the politics board.

 

[Mr Atoz*]

Okay. Enough with the politics.

Talk about Colbert, OK.
Talk about Norm, borderline but OK.

Make broad generizations about Liberals or Conservatives, nope - take it to the politics board.

How can you not talk about politics when talking about a guy whose entire career is making fun of one political party?

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

How can you not talk about politics when talking about a guy whose entire career is making fun of one political party?

Most in the thread have managed to do it quite successfully.

 

[Stanley Foobrick]

FYI- Colbert is on with Dave tonight.

 

[Le Tricolore]

Cool. Thanks, I'll definitely watch.

 

[Philly85*]

I can't believe people think he's a good choice. I don't watch Letterman really aside from the odd interview, so I don't really care that he's leaving but I think Colbert's shtick is mediocre and tiresome. I'm usually all over this type of satirical, sarcastic ultra dry humour but he's just not that good IMO. Destined to be a big fail.

 

[aleshemsky83]

I can't believe people think he's a good choice. I don't watch Letterman really aside from the odd interview, so I don't really care that he's leaving but I think Colbert's shtick is mediocre and tiresome. I'm usually all over this type of satirical, sarcastic ultra dry humour but he's just not that good IMO. Destined to be a big fail.

Comedy is subjective, Jay Leno was considered the funniest man in america at a time

I consider Colbert funny, and honestly I consider a lot of his gags to be classic, his sponsoring the US Speed skating team was kickstarter before kickstarter ever existed and it was hilarious

 

[Miss Mess]

 

[Oscar Acosta]

I like Colbert, I just can't see it working that well. Colbert Report is one thing when you're acting, having to be yourself without that act is another.

The first monologue sucks people in, Leno had his old person crowd, Letterman had his dead pan sarcasm and comedic timing. Conan did his own thing and got relegated to TBS. Jimmy Fallon is actually far more awesome than people give him credit for (I honestly tuned in to see him fail).

Stephen Colbert, I don't see it.

Sidenote: Norm MacDonald would be awesome at it, hilarious, quick witted, deadpan in telling a joke, best anchor SNL ever had. And he's wickedly smart.

 

[seventieslord]

I think it's a waste of his talents. I want him doing hard hitting, subversive political stuff. Not interviewing movie stars like Leno.