I was a huge fan of the Colbert Report before Stephen's retirement of his pundit caricature. Like many, I was also nervous about what Stephen's tenure on The Late Show would bring to the vast table of late night talk shows and how he would compare in relation to his phenomenal character. Already Mr. Colbert is establishing himself as a jewel in the mine of late night talk shows. The opening theme is so solid. Jon Batiste's catchy jazz style and the tilt-shift effect to create a vibrant and cartoonish NYC landscape is absolutely beautiful and sets the tone for the whole show. The Ed Sullivan Theater is gorgeous. Stephen Colbert's comments and joke behind the desk are as witty and eye-opening as ever (a recent one on the absurdity of FCC rules regarding nudity on broadcast television comes to mind). I will admit that there were a few rocky moments at the start (a bland interview with Jeb Bush, an obviously wishful but reluctantly silent Colbert when Aziz Ansari commented about CBS's racial disparities, and a few hits and misses on the network's part to establish him as the new kid on the block). Another weakness is Stephen's opening monologue. Colbert hasn't done a cold open that wasn't behind the safety of the Colbert Report desk in years, and it shows. Maybe he'll come into his own with the monologue over time, but he might want to look at an alternative "deskologue" like he's used to doing. Seth Meyers is currently the only one doing the opening this way on network television, but it seems to be working for him. However, after those few backfires, Stephen Colbert has been pulling no punches with great skits including one satirizing the Presidential candidates as they slowly drop out (THE HUNGRY FOR POWER GAMES), a wealth of political, newsworthy, and just plain interesting guests that he's begun to ask real hard hitting questions and is having meaningful and thought-engaging interviews with (Ted Cruz, Ban ki-Moon, Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg, Bill Maher, John Cleese), and some creative web specials on Youtube (John Irving's "New Hampshire Sh*t"). While Fallon is still No. 1 in the ratings, Colbert has already taken over Kimmel, and his target audience of the 18-49 demographic is growing. I must also point out that it's only been two months. This beloved comedian is back in action and is conquering his fears as a head honcho in late night one episode at a time. I can't wait to see how Mr. Stephen makes an even bigger name for himself on network television. He's gonna be just fine, and I wish The Late Show all the best. It's in good hands- that much is certain.
