The Colbert Report
Season 4
TV-14
Satirical newscaster Stephen Colbert provides humorous commentary on the big issues going on in the United States and the rest of the world, with his larger-than-life ego and overly-patriotic spirit along with him every step of the way.
Where to Watch Season 4
160 Episodes
- Chris Beam, Gary Rosen
E2Chris Beam, Gary RosenStephen begins by discussing GM's self-driving car. He then gets dismayed over the writers strike, takes his glasses off and starts sobbing. While reaching for a box of tissues under his desk, he finds his house keys, a lost Mozart sonata, Amelia Earhart's skull, and a previously written script of the show from October 29, 2007. He then reads from the script, which deals with the economy and meteorites. Next, Stephen interviews Chris Beam of Slate about the New Hampshire presidential primary. Finally, he interviews Gary Rosen of Commentary about his political views. - Aubrey de Grey, Philip ZimbardoE21
Aubrey de Grey, Philip ZimbardoStephen begins with congratulating Barack Obama winning a Grammy award for "Best Spoken Word Album" for The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. He then talks about Mitt Romney dropping out of the race for President. He then interviews Aubrey de Gray about defeating aging and trying to make John McCain young. Stephen then talks about his portait to Marc Pachter (over the telephone). Pachter tells him that the portait has increased the number of visitors to the museum and that it will now be displayed in the National Portrait Museum until April 1. He then interviews Philip Zimbardo about "The Lucifer Effect" and how people become evil. - Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Lisa RandallE22
Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Lisa RandallStephen begins with a discussion on Mike Huckabee's running mate. Stephen claims that via obligation, he should be the running mate. He also displays his dislike of John McCain, due to other right-wing political pundits, such as Rush Limbaugh, disliking McCain. He then talks to superdelegate Eliot Spitzer about superdelegates. He then talks to Eleanor Holmes Norton, another superdelegate, about her support of Barack Obama. Finally, Stephen interviews Lisa Randall about other dimensions. - David Gracer, Richard Thompson Ford
E23David Gracer, Richard Thompson FordStephen begins by talking about how he survived the writers strike. He brings his writers (including, strangely enough, Tiki Barber, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Kevin Bacon) onto the set and welcomes them back personally. He then interviews David Gracer about eating insects. Stephen then introduces a new segment, "Stephen Colbert's Fallback Position," where he investigates different jobs he may take if he loses his job as a pundit. He investigates becoming a astrophysicist with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Finally, he interviews Richard Thompson Ford about the Democrats, and how he thinks the "race card" is being played too often. - John Feinstein, Leonard NimoyE24
John Feinstein, Leonard NimoyStephen begins with "Who's Riding my Coattails now?", putting German comedian Oliver Pocher on notice for stealing his pose that he used on the front cover of GQ magazine. He then talks about the Roger Clemens hearing, defending Brian McNamee collecting used medical waste by claiming that he does it also. He then interviews John Feinstein about the use of steroids in sport. In "People Destroying America", Stephen talks about Susan Pagan, who refused to give his daughter a free Happy Meal for getting good grades. He then interviews Leonard Nimoy about a book featuring nude photos of overweight women. - Henry Louis Gates Jr.E25
Henry Louis Gates Jr.Stephen starts by talking about a photo of Barack Obama in Muslim dress, claiming he is a terrorist. He says that the photo does not devide people, but unites people by making them think that Obama is a terrorist. In "The Wørd", Stephen agrees with Bill O'Reilly that a New York Times article about Vicki Iseman, but mainly because he claims the article was written poorly. In a special "Movies That Are Destroying America" entitled "Oscars That Are Destroying America", he attacks the fact that too many awards went to foreigners. Stephen then talks to Henry Louis Gates, Jr. about race and agrees to have a DNA test to see how black he is. - Tony SnowE26
Tony SnowStephen begins by discussing a recent John McCain rally, in which opening speaker Bill Cunningham said negative things about Barack Obama. The "Threatdown:" 5. Monopoly! 4. Richard Branson! 3. Bankruptcy! 2. John McCain! 1. Starbucks! He then talks about all Starbucks locations closing for three hours to re-train employees. Finally, Stephen interviews Tony Snow about his experience as White House Press Secretary. - Richard Brookhiser, Ingrid NewkirkE27
Richard Brookhiser, Ingrid NewkirkTonight Stephen welcomes the president and co-founder of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk. Also, Stephen talks with the senior editor for The National Review magazine Richard Brookhiser about the influence the late William F. Buckley Jr had on conservatism and political talk shows - Lorin Maazel, Shashi TharoorE28
Lorin Maazel, Shashi TharoorTonight Stephen welcomes the former UN undersecretary general for communications and public information, and author of The Elephant, the Tiger, and the Cell Phone: The Emerging 21st Century Power, Shashi Tharoor. Also, Stephen talks with the conductor for the New York Philharmonic, Maestro Lorin Maazel about their recent concert in North Korea. - William Donohue, Howard Dean, Jennifer 8. LeeE29
William Donohue, Howard Dean, Jennifer 8. LeeStephen starts by talking about John McCain and his support from John Hagee. Stephen expresses his anger of Hagee's views about Catholics. However, as a Christian, he is forced to turn the other cheek. Therefore, Stephen gets William Donohue to express his anger for him. In "The Wørd," he talks about McCain's continued claims of experience, but only over certain things. Next, Howard Dean calls Stephen to talk about the primaries. In "Nailed 'Em," he talks about a six-year-old girl who was cited for vandalism after drawing on the pavement in front of her front door with chalk. Finally, Stephen interviews Jennifer 8. Lee about Chinese food. - Robert Reich, Gregory RodriguezE30
Robert Reich, Gregory RodriguezStephen begins by paying tribute to Brett Favre. He then becomes angry about Mike Huckabee losing the Republican primaries to John McCain. He then interviews Robert Reich about the Democrats. In "Difference Makers," Stephen interviews Jason Grunstra, a man who created a website which gives away free breast implants. He then interviews Gregory Rodriguez about race relations and Mexican immigration. Finally, he pays tribute to Gary Gygax. - George McGovernE32
George McGovernStephen begins by talking about the Eliot Spitzer scandal. In "The Wørd," he talks about Hillary Clinton's claim that she is ahead in the Democratic primaries because she was won bigger states. Stephen then presents a special repor-t called, "The '72 Democrats: Alone Again Naturally" covering the history of the 1972 Democratic presidential race. Stephen makes clear his dislike of George McGovern, whom he then interviews. This episode marks the first appearance of the phrase "President Bush Have a Hot Dog With Me" in the opening titles. - Geraldo RiveraE33
Geraldo RiveraStephen talks about his hate for John McCain, which he is forced to set aside to support him as the Republican nominee. In "The Wørd," Stephen explains how McCain is like a boyfriend who the country could get used to after getting to know him better. He concludes the segments by showing clips of Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and Mitt Romney saying negative things about McCain, then juxtaposing them with clips of most of these same people endorsing and talking proudly about McCain. Then in Colbert Platinum, he talks about fake Ferraris and the destruction of homes in Liechtenstein. Finally Stephen interviews Geraldo Rivera about his new book, HISPANIC (the "his" and "panic" portrayed as different words) about the fear generated by the right wing about illegal immigrants coming into the United States. Stephen ends the interview by playing the clip of Geraldo on The O'Reilly Factor when he said, "The two guys, Stewart and Colbert... they make a living showing clips of old ladies slipping on ice and people laughing. That's their life, that's their life. They exist in a small little place where they count for nothing." When Stephen asks Geraldo to clarify, Geraldo admits that he changed his mind about Stephen. - Trevor Paglen, Jesse VenturaE44
Trevor Paglen, Jesse VenturaTonight Stephen welcomes former pro wrestler and Governor of Minnesota and author of Don't Start the Revolution Without Me!, Jesse Ventura. Also, Stephen talks with Trevor Paglen about the supposed shoulder patches worn by black ops members. - Paul Goldberger, Neil deGrasse TysonE85
Paul Goldberger, Neil deGrasse TysonTonight Stephen welcomes astrophysicist and director of the Hayden Planetarium, Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Also, Stephen talks with architecture critic and author of Up from Zero: Politics, Architecture, and the Rebuilding of New York, Paul Goldberger. - Julia E. Sweig, Jason RileyE88
Julia E. Sweig, Jason RileyTonight Stephen welcomes journalist and author of Let Them In: The Case for Open Borders, Jason Riley. Also, Stephen talks with Julia Sweig, author of Friendly Fire about the rise of Venezuela and other South American nations rise out of poverty. - Rep. Bob Barr, Scott McClellanE107
Rep. Bob Barr, Scott McClellanTonight Stephen welcomes former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, author of What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception, Scott McClellan. Also, Stephen talks with former Georgia Representative and Libertarian Presidential candidate Bob Barr about the Libertarian party's "green" efforts. - Brent Glass, Robert GreenwaldE133
Brent Glass, Robert GreenwaldStephen starts by talking about the final presidential debate, praising John McCain, but attacking his references to Joe the Plumber. Stephen then talks about the third anniversary of The Colbert Report and that his portrait has now been accepted by Brent Glass as part of the National Museum of American History. He then interviews Robert Greenwald about his series of anti-McCain commercials on YouTube. Stephen then unveils a new portrait of himself, which features him holding his Emmy. - Fareed Zakaria, Wynton Marsalis
E134Fareed Zakaria, Wynton MarsalisStephen begins by talking about Colin Powell endorsing Barack Obama for president. He then interviews Fareed Zakaria about the economic crisis. Stephen presents a new "lower cost" segment based on "Colbert Platinum", "Colbert Aluminum." He talks about Paris, rich people opening various bank accounts in order to protect themselves, and stealth wealth. Finally, Stephen talks to Wynton Marsalis about jazz and together they perform "The Star-Spangled Banner." - Michael FarrisE135
Michael FarrisStephen begins by talking about Stephen Jr., his adopted eagle son, who was spotted in Oregon. He claims that Stephen Jr. has been supporting John McCain in the state. In "The Wørd," Stephen discusses Acorn and voter fraud, with some votes containing the names of cartoon characters. He claims that cartoon characters should not be allowed to vote. Stephen then examines of God concerning the election, after claims of a battle between God, Allah, Buddah and Hindu (despite the fact Buddah and Hindu are not gods). He plays some reponses from his Atone-Phone. Stephen then interviews Michael Farris about the Patrick Henry College. - Indecision 2008: America's ChoiceE143
Indecision 2008: America's ChoiceStephen Colbert and Jon Stewart report live from Indecision World Headquarters where Comedy Central has rounded up the best researchers and consultants (that it can afford) to provide shallow analysis, obscure factoids, random guesses and pointless sound. - Geoffrey Canada
E157Geoffrey CanadaStephen briefly mentions Barbra Streisand kissing President Bush. He then talks about a potential government bailout of the Big Three U.S. automakers. Stephen then discusses Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen unknowingly hanging up on President-elect Obama. Finally, he interviews Geoffrey Canada about his work with the Harlem Children's Zone. - Kevin Bacon, Charlie Kaufman
E158Kevin Bacon, Charlie KaufmanStephen briefly mentions the arrest and indictment of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. A discussion on Frost/Nixon, he interviews Kevin Bacon about the film. As a prelude to Thursday's new episode of Tek Jansen, Stephen shows the previous installment. Finally, he interviews Charlie Kaufman about his new film, Synecdoche, New York.
