"Colbert Report" discusses Vincent D'Onofrio & CI

[janetcatbird]

To get back to Stephen Colbert, he is in character on "The Colbert Report". While I don't watch the pundits so I cna't say for sure, I think what he was polking fun at are thsoe people who, given a camera and an hour, use it as their own personal soapbox/watercooler to spout off whatever comes into their heads, and not necessarily what they say the show is for, like complaining about the modern media when you're supposed to analyze the economy or something, I dunno. I think the premise is that "The Colbert Report" is "intended" to provide political analysis and explanation when it just gets turned into an egomobile, which I believe is what happens with a lot of the talking heads. At least, I'm guessng on that.

But, format aside, I don't see how "I like the way he tilts his head" is insulting--it's something even the fans recognize Goren for--and the CI storylines really can be complicated. As to TBS reruns, Colbert often refers to his character as a "high status, poorly informed idiot", his humor comes from screwing up and misinterpreting the facts. So I'm with Trisha in that people were taking this a bit too seriously. Trust me, when Stephen Colbert has problems with someone and is intentionally poking fun at them in his skits, you know it.

--Catbird

[Observer2]

Catbird,

You are so right! I had meant to get back to this thread and say that same thing… If Colbert had meant to diss Criminal Intent and/or D’Onofrio, he would have left no question in anyone’s mind! What he actually said was light and funny – and certainly no sharper than the kinds of jabs he aims at Jon Stewart – and even at himself.


Amberlight,

I love your nick. I have a special fondness for amber, and I collect amber-colored glass. I love them both with light shining through them… and I love the amber-colored light you see sometimes at sunset, that gives everything a golden glow.

Anyway, back to the thread…

I’ve certainly seen some male writers who spoke well of Goren, and some female writers who didn’t… but I still think there is something to the division that you’re talking about. I’ve paid attention to some of the things the critics say… and to the kinds of male characters they *do* like, and I think there’s more to it than the fact that Goren is a bit quirky. I think the main quality that some men have trouble dealing with in Goren is the fact that he is so emotionally expressive – and not only of the emotions that men are “supposed” to be “allowed” to express (at least according to the dominant WASP culture).

Stabler, for instance, as emotionally over the top as he is, rarely (as far as I’ve seen) expresses direct empathy, or any intense emotion other than rage and frustration. In that sense, he’s much more culturally normal than Goren. Goren is much more expressive of the full range of human emotions – something that women love to see in a man, but that seems to make some men feel uncomfortable or threatened. At least, that’s how it seems to me.

[digresser]

janetcatbird said:

I don't see how "I like the way he tilts his head" is insulting--it's something even the fans recognize Goren for--and the CI storylines really can be complicated. As to TBS reruns, Colbert often refers to his character as a "high status, poorly informed idiot", his humor comes from screwing up and misinterpreting the facts. So I'm with Trisha in that people were taking this a bit too seriously. Trust me, when Stephen Colbert has problems with someone and is intentionally poking fun at them in his skits, you know it.

Sigh. So much gets lost in this format, I fear. I'm starting to learn exactly how lousy I am at expressing myself electronically. Here's some clarification:
While I certainly can't speak for everyone, I know that I, for one, haven't taken the Colbert Report thing seriously. I was just disappointed to find out what I'd had been told was genuine praise turn out to be a comedy bit instead. I saw his jokes as what they were: jokes. Not insults. It would have been nice if the information regarding USA/TBS was accurate, but that's just the nitpicker in me. After all, it was only a joke. I haven't really seen anyone on the board who seemed angry at Mr. Colbert. There does seem to be some frustration at the negative reviews Mr. D'Onofrio receives from actual media sources, but I think we all agree that Mr. Colbert doesn't fall into that category. He's a comedian, and what's more, he an equal opportunity comedian. So it's all good, yes? Well, except for the fact that we face two weeks of repeats, that is