I've always felt that Colbert's talent as an interviewer are paralleled only by Dick Cavett (at his best). He is clearly a very fast reasoner with staggering intellect. But as much I enjoy The Colbert Report, it seems like a waste that he devotes his efforts to comedy and the sideshow bit. I think it continues to be a net positive for people that watch -- like a sort of cultural salve -- but he's just so damn rational that it makes you want to grab him and tell him to think bigger.
Also, is Schmidt always this stilted or is he nervous?
This is exactly what I thought about John Stewart during his epic debate with Tucker Carlson on Crossfire. It's so very worth watching again even if you've seen it multiple times. It really reminds people that John Stewart and Stephen Colbert really are only "characters" on their show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQFB5YpDZE
Bill Maher is another brilliant, politically insightful comedian.
While I do think Colbert is the smartest funny man (And Stewart the funniest smart man) around, and love to watch them both, I think you're right Luke. His being in character and using comedy generally lets him take the interview in directions and to places that he couldn't otherwise. And I think sometimes that he can come from such an odd place, his questions elicit answers that may not be otherwise given.
Great point, I hadn't thought of it that way. I guess what little I've seen from real (serious?) Colbert reveals a very deep humanism that, coupled with his smarts, is rare for someone so comfortable in front of a camera.
I think he has the talent to engender the widespread trust and respect that people had for Murrow. I'm not saying he should be a newscaster, though. I don't know what format a realtalking Colbert would come by. At some point in the Schmidt interview he goes into his sense of what character Colbert is in relation to discourse and media and it's a variation of the Stewart/Colbert party line: they are there to make fun of the media. It's too bad because if anyone has the ability to change media for the better, it would be them.
I think that if Colbert did approach it seriously, his apparently genuine sincerity (which I agree with you on, is heartening and rare), would wear thin on most people. Especially his guests. I think before long they just would avoid his show or people's cynicism would harden them to it. I think this is why when he or Stewart do lash out with an honest emotion, it's so stark to everything else they do, and everything everyone else does.
No, I think Stewart and Colbert are best where they are, at least for now, as biting satire that reveals the shallowness of the news and pundits they mock. Hopefully the constant razing leaves the ground ripe for a new growth of journalism with less weeds.
And I say this as someone who previously worked in local news, and hopes to return very soon. I sometimes think that if you watch the news without giving serious thought to it, there's a very real possibility you're doing yourself more harm than good.
Schmidt is not really a naturally charismatic speaker. This is a video of when he was a regular manager (I think) taking public speaking classes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA1I6MUOKkU.
As you can see, public speaking was something he had to actively train and work on. Public speaking is something most people need to train and work on. We can't all give presentations like Steve Jobs (and even he obsessively prepared for those).
Well, if it's a matter of public speaking, keep in mind that most of Jobs' presentations aren't interviews, either. Speeches and interviews are apples and oranges, despite both being facets of public speaking.
It's his choice to devote his efforts to comedy, and his reasons for doing so are pretty damn good. Do keep in mind that his show is not the only thing he does.
He would make a great senator, probably. It would actually be really interesting if he became senator, and he continued speaking in senate with his sarcastic style, because it would probably be much more effective in convincing the other senators to vote with him, than being all serious, like he did here:
Schmidt is typically this nervous/awkward to watch. I still enjoy his interviews pretty thoroughly though. I think the Tina Fey one is my favorite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8Mkufm3ncc
Also, is Schmidt always this stilted or is he nervous?