Colbert gets truthy about Pa. primary

Next week, Penn will have the opportunity to witness the "Colbert bump, " as the popular Comedy Central show, The Colbert Report, will film at the Annenberg Center for Performing Arts next Monday through Thursday nights.

In a telephone interview with the show's host, Stephen Colbert, the Daily Pennsylvanian had the chance to ask Colbert about his views on filming at Penn, his job and the Pennsylvania primary.

DP: This is the first time the Colbert Report will go on the road - why did you choose to go now?

SC: Because the Pennsylvania primary has been touted as the primary of primaries. In fact, your Governor Ed Rendell has said it should all be decided by who wins Pennsylvania. If this is where it's going to be decided, we have to be in the middle of it.

DP: Why did you choose to film at Penn as opposed to somewhere else in Philadelphia or in the state?

SC: It's a great facility. Well, first of all, Philadelphia's an easy place to go, and it's got plenty to talk about. It's got Founding Fathers, it's got Ben Franklin, it's got the Liberty Bell, it's got Independence Hall ... It's got plenty of fodder for my character. And ... it's the closest city in Pennsylvania to New York. It's an easy trip. And the cheesesteaks.

DP: Cheesesteaks are good. What do you hope to see while you're in Pennsylvania?

SC: The candidates!

DP: What's your take on the primary so far?

SC: We're just delighted that the Democratic campaign is ongoing. We've got a continuing segment on the show called, "Democralypse Now," which is a delightful dismemberment of the Democratic Party. It's like the Democratic primary has now become like an art installation, like somebody built a machine that destroys itself.

DP: What are your opinions on Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama as the primary goes forward?

SC: I think they would both make hilarious presidents.

DP: What do you feel is the role of the Colbert Report, particularly -

SC: Kingmaker! Kingmaker! I'm tired of pretending that I don't control the political process. People don't believe me anymore when I say I don't have influence over the process. And you know what, I'm going to accept it. I'm the kingmaker, what I say goes. And it's up to the candidates to decide if they want the benediction of the "Colbert bump." It's up to them, it's totally up to them. It's out of my hands now. If they come on, by proximity to me, it's like radioactive popularity. Check out this week's U.S. News and World Report - the "Colbert bump" is REAL. There's a report in U.S. News and World Report. Go read it.

DP: I'll be sure to do that.

SC: Do it! ...EMILY!

DP: What's your favorite part about your job?

SC: That it asks of me everything I know how to do. You know, people ask me what I want to do next, and I don't really have many ambitions beyond this, because everything I know how to do, I do in this show.

DP: If Hillary and Obama were in fact to have a bowl-off, who do you think would win?

SC: Do they get to put those gutter bumpers in, like the six-year-olds?

DP: Well considering Obama's last bowling game, I don't know...

SC: I think America would win, Emily.

DP: Why did you decide to have a show like "The Colbert Report" and go into this field?

SC: It wasn't a decision. It was a series of decisions that painted me into the corner of comedy, and I decided I liked it there.

DP: Okay. So after the whole, "Who made Mike Huckabee thing - who REALLY made Mike Huckabee?

SC: I did.

DP: You did?

SC: Yes.

DP: Okay. I'll let you get back to what I assume is a pretty busy job, but thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me.

SC: Are you going to come see the show?

DP: I am.

SC: I'll see you there.

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