Ridiculousness was one of the defining characteristics of the conservative blowhard Stephen Colbert played for 10 years and 1,447 episodes on “The Colbert Report,” his fake-news television show on Comedy Central.
By design, the fake Stephen Colbert said ludicrous and highly viral things. And this outrageous style served a particular purpose in Colbert’s interviews, where his feigned ignorance gave his guests space to explain their arguments, and his wild stances gave them material to push back against.
But while moving to “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” means that Colbert will be shedding his Comedy Central persona, interviews have long been an important part of the late-night format. And so I was curious to ask Colbert at the Television Critics Association press tour in August how his style would change once he steps out as himself on the show, which premiered this week.
Colbert was quick to explain that there are similarities between being a good interviewer, even one operating from a genuine point of inquiry, and being a comedian.