Stephen Colbert: A Biography

by Catherine M. Andronik

Overview

This book explores how comedian Stephen Colbert's satiric views of American life have captured the imagination of viewers around the world—and sharpened these individuals' own critical interpretations and opinions on current events.

Stephen Colbert may be "just a comedian"—one not all audiences find funny, especially among those who have been mercilessly lampooned by him—but there is no arguing that the condescending, bombastic, and largely ignorant pundit he plays on Comedy Central has brought awareness of current events and political happenings to a substantially larger portion of the American population.

The only available biography on Stephen Colbert, this book examines his life story and details how he became one of the most influential people on current American culture. Beginning with coverage of Colbert's childhood, the chapters discuss his education, highlighting his interest in drama; describe his introduction to the world of comedy; review his contributions as a "correspondent" on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; and focus on Colbert's accomplishments and antics as the star of his faux news program that debuted in the fall of 2005, The Colbert Report.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313386282
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/21/2012
Series:	Greenwood Biographies
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Catherine M. Andronik, MLS, is a librarian at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, CT. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and a master of library science from Southern Connecticut State University.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword vii

Introduction ix

Timeline: Events in the Life of Stephen Colbert xiii

Chapter 1 Studio Audience 1

Chapter 2 Baby of the Family 7

Chapter 3 North to Chicago 17

Chapter 4 Days and Nights at the Improv 25

Chapter 5 The Daily Show 33

Chapter 6 A Show of His Own 43

Chapter 7 The Bump 55

Chapter 8 The Infamous White House Correspondents' Dinner 67

Chapter 9 Hat in the Ring 73

Chapter 10 Taking the Show on the Road 81

Chapter 11 Spinoffs 89

Chapter 12 Restoring Sanity (and/or Fear) 97

Chapter 13 Colbert v. Congress 105

Chapter 14 Hey, He Can Act! 117

Chapter 15 Who's the Man? 123

Bibliography 137

Index 147