 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Colbert Report
- Comedy Central
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Shrewd talk show spoof is edgy but hilarious.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this news satire pokes fun at conservative political viewpoints, borrowing much of its in-your-face style (and many of its patriotic graphics) from more serious Fox News programs like The O'Reilly Factor. The show's self-important host, Stephen Colbert (played by comedian Stephen Colbert), thumbs his nose at political correctness and generally abhors anything with the slightest scent of liberalism. He's also known for openly criticizing his guests and sharing passionately misguided opinions, most of which lead to absurd conclusions. (For example, while speaking out about the dangers of Mother's Day, he says with deadpan sincerity: "If kids want to do something nice for their mother, that's fine. But for me to join in, it is incest. And it is wrong.")
What's the story?
Launched in 2005 as a comic foil to its parent program, The Daily Show, THE COLBERT REPORT (pronounced "col-BEAR re-PORE") seeks to capitalize on the growing popularity of talking-head political shows that seem to rely more on their hosts' larger-than-life personas than on meaningful news analysis. On the show, Colbert plays, well ... Stephen Colbert, a God-fearing, patriotic American who's not afraid to tangle with the truth. His political leanings are conservative, and he hates the liberal media something awful.
Is it any good?
With its shrewd writing and spot-on deliveries of deadpan one-liners, the show is a wickedly smart weenie-roast of politics, ego, and American patriotism gone awry. But Colbert's passionate opinions could be misinterpreted by young viewers who don't get the joke. Uncomfortable with America's increasing diversity? Colbert has a solution: "America should be like a Lunchable, divided into sanitary compartments of like-minded citizens." Tired of feeling your religion is under attack? Take comfort in Colbert's words: "I say there's nothing wrong with having God as a co-pilot, commander in chief, and secretary of defense."
Bottom line? The Colbert Report is a show that could be great for older teens, forcing them to think about current events and the relationship between media and politics. But those who are more interested in the state of their cell phone minutes than the state of the union might not quite be ready to join in the fun.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the ways in which various news talk shows have influenced the way Americans gather information. Are talking-head TV personalities like Chris Matthews, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, and Keith Olbermann journalists, or merely talk show hosts?
To what extent is the line between journalist and talk show host blurring in the modern media? (For example, could one person's opinion easily be misconstrued as fact?)
Is the mainstream news media truly "liberal"? And if it is, is Fox News truly "fair and balanced," or does it tip the scale toward "conservative"?
Are self-proclaimed "fake news" shows like this one a good substitute for the real thing?
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
Teen, 15 years old
September 26, 2010
AGE
Love it!
I think this show is just great, but teens would have to do some political research and also terms such as imperialism and fascism.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 11 years old
January 3, 2010
AGE
Very Funny!!!!!
It is a hilarious show, and I love to watch it when it is on. You should be able to see it if you understand the material. Great show!!!
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Kid, 12 years old
April 19, 2011
AGE
Very awesome show.
Aahh Stephen Colbert never fails to make me laugh. I think plenty of kids would get the material, and the simple delivery of the news makes it easy to understand what's happening around us. More kids need this show to be frank; it's entertaining and informative. Colbert covers the same topics as most other news organizations, but puts an original twist on the presentation. It's original, and his persona as a far-right newscaster is obviously for entertainment purposes. If you have a child who doesn't get that, they probably wouldn't be interested in the news anyway. I try to never miss an episode
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Teen, 15 years old
July 30, 2009
AGE
Steven Colbert is a comedic genius~
It's a great show; very funny, especially Colbert himself. The show is pretty silly, yet it's hilarious. I watch it every weeknight with my mom, who also loves it. Probably not a show for kids under 12; while the show isn't ridiculously graphic (bleeped out curse words and occasional sexual remarks) it's likely younger kids won't understand the humor. I love the show and I adore Colbert.
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Teen, 13 years old
December 23, 2009
AGE
Mature teenagers.
This show definitely contains mature themes unsuitable for children.
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Teen, 15 years old
September 18, 2011
AGE
Actually made politics interesting and easy to understand!
Stephen Colbert is probably one of the funniest comedians (you need someone hilarious if you're going to back up Steve Carell!) ever, and has made the news more than bareable. However, this is not as tame as regular news, which tells you something. The violence is less severe than a normal news show though, with most of it being slapstick. Sex pops up often as it relates to politics, with topics such as gay marriage, affairs, and abortion coming to comedic light. Usually, at least once an episode, swearing that has to be bleeped out partially, so you can still basically tell what is said, but often this is for comedic effect and not meant to be taken seriously. The website for the show is mentioned regularly, as is its sister show, The Daily Show. Drugs don't pop up often necessarily, but one of the earlier plotlines had Colbert getting addicted to painkillers after breaking his wrist and would regularly hallucinate, but kicked his "addiction" (in an obvious satire of extreme-right-winger Rush Limbaugh's Oxycontin addiction). Parents should know while Stephen Colbert seems like a typical Republican on the outside, he is blown out of proportion to be a conservative blowhard to the point where he seems so ludicrous that the show obviously has a liberal bias (not that I'm saying that's a bad thing; I myself tend to be more liberal than a lot of people I know). However, I know people who, even though they're mostly Republican, love the show. Kids who don't understand satire and people who don't keep up with the news, though, probably shouldn't watch, because neither group will understand. If you like Weekend Update on SNL, you'll love this show.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 8, 2011
AGE
great show
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Kid, 0 years old
December 26, 2009
AGE
THE BEST SHOW OF ALL TIME
The best show on television right now. Mr. Colbert is funny, smart, and flat out hilarious. Most kids over the age of nine will understand the humor that Stephen Colbert puts out. if you want a great example of Colbert, look at his 2006 white house speech.
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Parent of an infant, an infant, 3, and 5 year old
January 7, 2009
AGE
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | Comedy Central |
| Cast: | Stephen Colbert |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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