In the Interest of Conversation

Steven Colbert is pretty amazing.

Clinton, Edwards, and Obama all in one show. Not to mention some delightful satire on the Philadelphia debate.

Blogger Steve Rosenbaum offered some excellent commentary on the appearances in his Huffington Post article “Clinton becomes Political Hor’dourve on Colbert Report:”

It must have seemed like such a good idea at the time. Stephen Colbert is in Philadelphia, his show is being taped there for the debates - why not do one of those funny walk-ons that politicians love to do.

Hillary opened the show with a bit of business, she got a warm laugh - and she was off. She’d fixed a tech problem with the set, got to make a joke about being on call - “even at 3am” and strode off the stage looking confident and Presidential.

Next up - Philadelphia congressman Patrick Murphy.

Back from Iraq - and looking, as Colbert put it, like the kind of guy that would vote for Hillary. Nope. Murphy proclaimed Barack Obama one of the most exciting politicians of this generation and proclaimed his support for Obama.

But, it gets better - just wait.

As Colbert dug in to the election - he played a medley of news clips about the election turning on the White Male Vote. And then, proclaimed it would be “one White Male.” Out strode a shockingly upbeat John Edwards. Wow - where’s he been? And WHAT is HE doing in Philadelphia not endorsing anyone?

Not only did Edwards look great- but his 3 min long “Ed” Words segment was maybe one of the most brilliant bits of writing I’ve heard in a long time. Funny, self-deprecating, and strongly political all at the same time. This is no easy act to pull off, and he was masterful. All of a sudden, Hillary’s bit about the broken video screen seemed like both lame politics and lame comedy. Edwards was on fire!

So, for those of you keeping score at home.

Hilary opens with a laugh.

Patrick Murphy looks heroic, boyish, charming, and endorses Obama.

Edwards makes a political speech about two Americas while hitting all his laugh lines and begging for a Jet Ski from either Hillary or Obama.

So, the bookers at The Colbert Report must be feeling pretty good right about now.

Colbert is signing off - and then - behind him - looming VERY large. Its Barack Obama.

Grinning. Last Laugh. Colbert says “Hillary must be wishing she didn’t fix the screen right about now.” Indeed.

And then, Obama delivers the line of the night - playing off a long running Colbert joke where he puts “On Notice” things that are no longer culturally acceptable. Said Obama: “Manufactured political distractions, you are officially on notice!”

Wow. Somebody buy the Colbert writing staff a drink. Someone deserves a bow.

Go to The Colbert Report website now and be sure to click on the segment of the show dealing with the Philadelphia debate.