Talk:Stephen Colbert

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Good article Stephen Colbert has been listed as one of the Arts good articles under the good article criteria. If you can improve it further, please do. If it no longer meets these criteria, you can delist it, or ask for a reassessment.


This article must adhere to the policy on biographies of living persons. Controversial material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libellous. If such material is repeatedly inserted or if there are other concerns relative to this policy, report it on the living persons biographies noticeboard.
Image:WikiWorld_icon.JPG Stephen Colbert was featured in a WikiWorld cartoon:
(click image to the right for full size version.)

This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the Stephen Colbert article.
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[edit] How is this not a featured article?

It's your duty, people, to get this thing featured. Colbert has done all the hard work, that is, living his life; all you people have to do is record it. Now nominate it, and if it fails, improve it and do it again. If this isn't featured by the end of the week, me and Colbert look down on all of you. --The Actual Stephen Colbert's Media Secretary 20:00, 29 February 2009 (UTC)

I have a better question. Are you from the future? →
Harshael (talk) 09:37, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Lede Too specific?

IMO the lede to this article has too many specific details about Colbert's life, when it should sum up the most important points. Is it really critical to the lede, for instance, that Colbert served as Carell's understudy? Thoughts? Larry Dunn 18:00, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Video of 60 Minutes interview

The 60 Minutes interview with Colbert is broken. I suggest someone replace it with a working one, e.g. this one: http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/2006/05/stephen_colbert_4.html

[edit] RFC - Vote for the New Stephen Colbert Lead Photo

I typically take photos and put up the one I think is the best, but since this page has for a long time needed a new one, and I know people feel passionately about Colbert, I give you all the vote in true Wiki fashion. Below are four new shots of Colbert, all of which are--ahem--of exception quality that show Colbert in different lights. Vote on the photo you think would be best for the new lead. --David Shankbone 02:45, 6 November 2007 (UTC)

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

[edit] Votes for Option A

  • --David Shankbone 02:45, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • Though I like the facial expression more in Option D but he is not looking at the camera. Overall an improvement on the existing photo. Good work! AgneCheese/Wine 15:22, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • Yeah, I like Option D, too. There's a story behind Option A: A protester posed as a member of the press. He was real quiet and shifty (usually the photographers talk amongst themselves). When Colbert arrived (late - he was introducing Nancy Pelosi at some Glamor Magazine award show), the protester started shouting at him. "What about World Trade Center Number 7, Stephen? What about World Trade Center Number 7? Do you have a little witty remark about that?!" It was really weird, because nobody could figure out how that had anything to do with Colbert. I'm all for protest...but this seemed like a poor target for whatever issue he had. Colbert? Who is off the air with the strike? So the expression in Photos A and B is Colbert looking at the guy and acting like he had no idea what he was talking about. I also have one of him holding his hand to his ear, smiling, in a "I can't hear you" gesture. --David Shankbone 15:37, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • Good angle on this one; you can see his (famously) tilted ear! Dp76764 17:30, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • A - For the lead photo, I like the orientation of this one looking forward, but D is the better picture and could be used elsewhere in the article. Aleta 18:45, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • Change my vote to option A, now that the shape was changed. I don't understand those that want to keep the old one (E). Shouldn't the photo be as recent as possible? For the lead on a bio-page, shouldn't it be a portrait type shot instead of what looks like a candid? --SVTCobra 23:05, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • Close call between A & D, but I'd have to go with A, as he is looking more towards the camera than in D. Although his expression is more animated than in D, he's looking too far away from the camera in the latter, and because that is one of the reasons David Shankbone gives for replacing the original (E), then it stands to reason that A should prevail. B looks inappropriately dour for a comedian, and C looks as if he is having some serious constipation problems. I don't know why the hell anyone would vote for F. BobCubTAC (talk) 00:12, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Votes for Option B

[edit] Votes for Option C

  • Option A is the better photo, but option C seem to lend itself to a bio-page better with its vertical orientation. --SVTCobra 03:43, 6 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Votes for Option D

  • D is the most natural-looking photo, IMHO. --ElKevbo 18:04, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • This is defintly the best. It shows him in a good light, makes him seem nice and comedic while also is generaly a very well done picture. Its in my opionion the one that best refelcts A,B,and C respectivly Jack THE Pumpkin KING 18:49, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • I really like Option D. I think it is the only picture that looks appropriate. The current photo has a million autograph seekers, on of which happened to have a camera. I think we need something more professional and D is certainly the best of the choices. Illinois2011 18:57, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • D. A and C are off-kilter ( a little scary like he's constipated); B is a good second choice if he wasn't a commedian and didn't do fake news; E would be great if the article were about his hair (fantastic shot of the hairline). Benjiboi 19:13, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • D for me too. Borisblue 23:07, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • It's a toss-up between A and D, but I think D shows a very flattering side to him. --David Shankbone 16:02, 7 November 2007 (UTC)
  • D. I don't like the big red blob in A. --Alvestrand 05:53, 8 November 2007 (UTC)
  • D as well. The red background distracts me in A, though that's my second choice. D just seems to show him the way he is: a comedian. - Boss1000 18:47, 8 November 2007 (UTC)
  • D is the most flattering picture in my opinion; it may not be a direct look at the camera, but it's the only one that shows him making a face which is appropriately comedic without being unattactively goofy. -FisherQueen (talk · contribs) 00:32, 12 November 2007 (UTC)
  • D and A are my personal favourites. D looks less posed and more natural. The only other alternative is to ask the subject to donate a family snap he likes. That's what I did for Tony Benn's article. --Brianmc 10:00, 13 November 2007 (UTC)
  • D looks nice. --Boivie 11:52, 15 November 2007 (UTC)
  • D In the other photos he looks either like he's surprised or like a complete moron. This is the only photo where he looks normal. -- noosphere 04:38, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Votes for Option E (current)

  • I'd like to know why you feel we need a new photo. The current one is perfectly fine. The Clawed One 03:35, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
    Because all the new options are more recent, have better composition and have a far, far higher resoultion? Borisblue 23:10, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
  • I'm kinda with The Clawed One. I like the nice photo already on the page, IMHO. If I was forced to it, D. BusterD 04:14, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
Really? That's surprising. It's poor quality, he's not looking at the camera, the color is off, and there are autographs seekers in the photo. I guess there are always dissenters. --David Shankbone 04:20, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
And there are always good-faith differences of opinion which are unfairly judged to be dissent. And good-faith contributions unfairly judged as self-promotion. BusterD 13:18, 13 November 2007 (UTC)
I don't really understand the comment. Dissent is just disagreement with the majority, which Option E clearly falls under. And self-promotion doesn't even enter the picture. But...sure. --David Shankbone 16:50, 13 November 2007 (UTC)
  • I agree. Why is there a need for a new picture? KyuuA4 18:08, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
Is the question one of need? We are always updating the site, improving it. So, if the question is one of "need" then the answer is: because we have better quality, higher resolution, more focused on the subject and more recent. The old one doesn't have to go, it would be shifted into the body of the article. The real question is: why should we keep the old one? I haven't read any concrete reasons why that one is better, whereas there are quite a few reasons why the new shots are better. It's very strange people are beholden to an old, low-quality photo just because there's "no need" to change it. --David Shankbone 18:18, 6 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Votes for Option F

  • F stands for funny (but doesn't really look like him). Benjiboi 12:47, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Votes for new selection

I think a picture like the picture on the front of "I Am America, and So Can You!" should be the title picture. The pictures of him smiling or not serious or jokingly serious do not go with his character. It's like putting a picture of Adam Sandler crying as his title picture. Chexmix53 (talk) 20:23, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] add story

Comedy Rambo A gladiator of mockery, Stephen Colbert is dismantling American society from the inside

From the Boston Phoenix...

http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid51190.aspx —Preceding unsigned comment added by Isabel bos (talk • contribs) 14:55, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

Stephen Colbert Day in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada A bet between Stephen Colbert and the mayor of Oshawa March 20th, which also happens to be the mayors birthday

http://www.oshawa.ca/colbert/ http://www.thestar.com/article/176172 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.39.210.161 (talk) 04:48, 3 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] the Bridge

I do not see any reference to the bridge that he had named after him. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.185.223.208 (talk) 08:26, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

Maybe if someone provided more information, like a source or reference to this bridge then it could be added... Chexmix53 (talk) 20:24, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] References to Colbert in Popular Culture?

I was recently playing Everquest 2, and noticed that the developers included a little tribute to Colbert, in the form of the NPC "Trapper Coalbear" who gives out a quest entitled "The Number One Threat in Butcherblock(the zone name he's in)" which is to kill the feindishly clever bears in the area. I didn't see any decent place in the article to reference this, anyone else want to give it a stab? References to the quest line can be see at the EQ2 wiki at http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Trapper_Coalbear Athryn (talk) 07:39, 12 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Colbert's political leanings?

Can we get some info on which side he's on? I think that would be a great contribution to the article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.243.228.86 (talk) 13:46, 18 December 2007 (UTC)

I just checked, it's already covered in "Personal life". :) Shoemoney2night (talk) 04:42, 20 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Colbert's French heritage

Although Stephen Colbert is directly of Irish descent, his Irish ancestors were themselves of French descent. He also likes to emphasize this fact, pretty much to aggravate the francophobic right, but he seems to have some pride in it, even displaying the Fleur-de-lis on several spots of his set. I added him to the French American categories at the bottom. Please do not delete this link without discussing this a little bit before. Thanks in advance!!! --WhiteEcho (talk) 05:09, 23 December 2007 (UTC)

Are there any sources to confirm this? I'd take anything on his set with a grain of salt, given that it's supposed to be representative of his character, and not Stephen himself. Shoemoney2night (talk) 08:31, 23 December 2007 (UTC)
Well, I read somewhere that his Irish ancestors were Huguenots fleeing the anti-Protestantism that led to the St Barthelemew massacre, among others. Which makes me wonder about his denomination, listed as Catholic (FWIW). Maybe his ancestors converted after a few years in a Catholic community? There are many other Irish people with a French surname, such as Stephen Roche (1987 Tour de France winner). Now, that may sound stupid, since the "Kerry looks French" thing, but I happen to know one dude in France who looked a lot like Colbert. I do really think he looks more French than Irish, if that means anything. --WhiteEcho (talk) 20:51, 24 December 2007 (UTC)
I'm not saying it isn't a possibility, but unless you're able to cite a solid source, all we've got is WP:OR. Until a reliable source can actually confirm Colbert's French heritage, I would suggest that the French American category be removed. Shoemoney2night (talk) 22:16, 24 December 2007 (UTC)
I agree, there is no reliable source here. His showing a fleur-de-lis (or even flying the French flag, not that he does) does not prove anything about his heritage. The cat should be removed unless and until a reliable source is cited. Aleta (Sing) 02:08, 25 December 2007 (UTC)
If you've also noticed, he has those darker eyelashes that make him look like he's always wearing mascara (and who knows, maybe he is...I wouldn't put it past him). There are several pics I've seen in which the darkness of those eyelashes is highlighted and he looks kind of Roman or Greek or maybe from the South of France. I'm not really sure if this feature of him would contribute to him, but I thought I'd add my two cents. 67.58.175.199 (talk) 02:57, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] GA Sweeps (on hold)

This article has been reviewed as part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Good articles/Project quality task force in an effort to ensure all listed Good articles continue to meet the Good article criteria. In reviewing the article, I have found there are some issues that may need to be addressed.

  1. The lead needs to conform to WP:LEAD. Specifically, it is missing information on the "Personal life" section and the last two sentences are uncited facts that are not present in the body of the article.
  2. "Colbert also made generous use of humorous fallacies of logic in explaining his point of view on any topic. Other Daily Show correspondents have adopted a similar style, and the convention of having more character-driven correspondent segments, with Stewart serving as a kind of straight-man foil, is now generally accepted as a part of the show's format." (The Daily Show) This reads like original research without a proper citation.
Done. Added a citation and removed an unsourced claim. Shoemoney2night (talk) 09:50, 16 January 2008 (UTC)
  1. "Colbert won three Emmys as a writer of The Daily Show in 2004, 2005, and 2006." (The Daily Show) requires a citation
  2. "Announced 2008 Presidential bid" is classic WP:PROSELINE and needs to be converted into proper prose. In addition, all direct quotes in that section must be directly cited.
Done. Condensed, converted into proper prose and added some citations. Shoemoney2night (talk) 09:50, 16 January 2008 (UTC)
  1. The first two paragraphs of "Awards and Honors" require citations
  2. The "Awards and Honors" section is very choppy. I suggest a merging or expansion of the one-two sentence paragraphs, as they severely disrupt the flow and readability of the section.

If the above concerns are addressed, I will return to check the references.

I will check back in no less than seven days. If progress is being made and issues are addressed, the article will remain listed as a Good article. Otherwise, it may be delisted (such a decision may be challenged through WP:GAR). If improved after it has been delisted, it may be nominated at WP:GAN. Feel free to drop a message on my talk page if you have any questions, and many thanks for all the hard work that has gone into this article thus far. Cheers, CP 01:42, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

A good start, but is work still being done on the article? I'm willing to give more time, since the goal is article improvement, not delisting. Cheers, CP 18:17, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

In the introduction it is said that Colbert will speak at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, but there is no source to back up that claim; because of this, I suggest that it should be deleted. 79.1.199.169 (talk) 19:29, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Political Views

I think, since he is highly involved in politics and is always making political statements his political views should be included. He bashes both sides, but whose side is he really on.

He also claims to be a Christian, but mocks Christianity in the next sentence, so...yeah...someone put his personal beliefs/views in. --Huper Phuff talk 00:05, 17 January 2008 (UTC)

As it says in Stephen Colbert#Personal life, he describes himself as a Democrat. He is a practicing Roman Catholic and a Sunday School teacher and was raised by devout parents who taught him that it was possible to be Catholic and still question the Church (as detailed in Stephen Colbert#Early life). He sometimes describes himself as being anti-authoritarian. Shoemoney2night (talk) 01:37, 17 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Malcolm_Gladwell James_Colbert Andy_Young Andrew_Jackson_Young Stephen_Tyrone_Colbert

With what we've heard tonight, this deserves an article.

[[ hopiakuta Please do sign your signature on your message. ~~ Thank You. -]] 05:00, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

There are some webpages appearing about last night's show; I have found some examples, though I have not read all the way through, as yet:

Thank You,

[[ hopiakuta Please do sign your signature on your message. ~~ Thank You. -]] 00:20, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Pronunciation section makes no sense

"Colbert's father wanted to pronounce the name "Khol-BARE," maintaining the "KHOL-bert" pronunciation only out of respect for his own father."

If his father wanted it pronounced "BARE", why would saying it "bert" be a sign of respect for his father? This needs to be edited. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.43.148.213 (talk) 17:55, 25 January 2008 (UTC)

It does make sense, Colbert's father wished to be called Khol-BARE, but HIS father (i.e. Stephen's grandfather wished him to remain as KHOL-bert 86.129.20.194 (talk) 21:23, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

There are too many pronouns. It does make sense and is correct but in an article about Stephen Colbert at first glance it can be misleading. Since Colbert is the subject of so many pronouns in the article, the "his own father" leads us to believe that this person is Colbert's father, not Colbert's paternal grandfather. If I could think of a way to word it less awkwardly than that and still get the information across I'd change it. 74.129.243.37 (talk) 23:15, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] GQ cover

Should the fact that Colbert was on the cover[1] of the May 2007 issue of GQ be added to the article? Or was he on the cover as his character? Coattail Anschluss (talk) 01:51, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Stephen Colbert featured topic?

I was wondering if it would be possible to create a featured topic based around Colbert. I think there are enough articles of good quality to allow the topic to be create. The articles that would be in it would be Stephen Colbert, Stephen Colbert (character), The Colbert Report, Truthiness and Stephen Colbert at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. I want to put forward the idea of doing so before I go ahead with the plan. ISD (talk) 15:25, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] wikiquote

as this is editprotected, can someone add {{wikiquote}} to the links section ? 70.51.8.129 (talk) 04:29, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

  • Why not create a login and add it yourself? Dp76764 (talk) 04:42, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Peabody Award Update

I updated the awards section to include his third Peabody award. I included the link to the official announcement, but it lead to an IP address (linked from the Peabody front page). Seems like they didn't link to a site with a proper DNS. Just FYI! Enigmaedge (talk) 05:51, 4 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Comedian Infobox is being a bugger.

I'm trying to add Colbert's Peabody awards to his infobox. It won't list the title "peabody awards" and lists whatever I type after

| peabodyawards =

as if they were listed under his emmy awards. I don't know if this is a problem with what I'm typing or with the template, which can be located at Template:Infobox_Comedian. - preschooler@heart 09:35, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Same happens to me. I'm guessing a template problem. -mattbuck (Talk) 11:24, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Photo

Does anyone have a clue what is going on with the main image? Illinois2011 | Talk 23:31, 29 April 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, I know what's going on. 71.10.88.69 (talk) 03:23, 2 May 2008 (UTC)
Looks like a signing for IAAASCY to me. -mattbuck (Talk) 09:03, 2 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Credited in Firefox?

I noticed that Stephen Colbert is listed in the credits of Firefox..

Go to.. Help > About Mozilla Firefox > Credits

.. then wait for them to start.

????

74.129.26.154 (talk) 01:46, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] wikipeidia Account

Does He actually have a Account on wikipedia? Trees RockMyGoal 05:46, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] External link to ZotFish?

Hi, I was wondering if it would be appropriate for someone to add an external link to the ZotFish page for Stephen Colbert?. I believe it's of genuine interest to readers, but I want to make sure I follow Wikipedia policy and not post it myself -- more info on the site can be found at Mashable. - Zotman (talk) 03:52, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

The site violates WP:ELNO, and does not enhance the article. It should not be added. --- Barek (talk • contribs) - 15:26, 1 June 2008 (UTC)