Steven Colbert, Bill O’Reilly to trade appearances

BY: Actress Archives | Wednesday, January 10, 2007

When it comes to news anchors, Katie Couric and Charles Gibson have nothing on Bill O’Reilly and Stephen Colbert. O’Reilly’s Fox News show, The O’Reilly Factor, is routinely one of the highest-rated news shows on an all-news network, and while some disagree with his traditionally conservative values, Stephen Colbert saw something else. Colbert, host of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, has essentially created a satire of Bill O’Reilly on his popular late-night “news” program. Now, the right-wing host and the satirically right-wing comic will trade appearances on each other programs on Jan. 18

Stephen Colbert’s The Colbert Report features the comedian, who used to be a correspondent for Jon Stewart on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, portraying a self-important, satirical talk-show host who parodies conventional news broadcasting, particularly political talk shows such as Bill O’Reilly’s The O’Reilly Factor. Bill O’Reilly, on the other hand, hosts the top-rated show on cable news with The O’Reilly Factor, where he and his guests debate current hot-button topics in the political arena. While some have labeled O’Reilly a “conservative pundit”, he identifies himself as a “traditionalist”.

After more than a year of parodying Bill O’Reilly, Stephen Colbert will get the chance to host the real thing for half an hour. O’Reilly, who Colbert refers to as “Papa Bear”, has agreed to appear on The Colbert Report on January 18, and Colbert will return the favor with an appearance on The O’Reilly Factor that same day. As the two hosts seemingly exist at opposite ends of the political spectrum, both were ready to take a shot at the other in statements released to the media. The Associated Press quoted both statements, which saw Bill O’Reilly say, “I’m really looking forward to speaking to a man who owes his entire career to me.”

Meanwhile, in his typically humorous fashion, Stephen Colbert threw down a self-congratulating joke with, “I look forward to the evening. It is an honor to speak face-to-face with a broadcasting legend, and I feel the same way about Mr. O’Reilly.” Bill O’Reilly’s The O’Reilly Factor is broadcast on Fox, a subsidiary company of News Corp., while The Colbert Report calls Comedy Central, a division of Viacom, home.

Source

This has the potential to be either awesome or a complete trainwreck. It all depends on if O’Reilly realises that Colbert’s schtick is an act and plays along with it or if he genuinly believes that that is who Colbert is.

Either way, nice early birthday present for me.

Will