The Colbert Report
News • Series

The Colbert Report

6.9/10 2005 11 Seasons 1447 Episodes Ended

The Colbert Report is an American satirical late night television program. It stars political humorist Stephen Colbert, a former correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. The Colbert Report is a spin-off from and counterpart to The Daily Show that comments on politics and the media in a similar way. The show focuses on a fictional anchorman character named Stephen Colbert, played by his real-life namesake. The character, described by Colbert as a "well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idiot", is a caricature of televised political pundits.

Season: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Season 5 Episodes

S5E1
E1
John King
2009

Stephen congratulates John King and the rest of the media on getting Obama elected.

S5E2
E2
Matt Miller
2009

Matt Miller says the government must make sure we have basic securities like health care and pensions.

S5E3
E3
Benicio Del Toro
2009

Benicio Del Toro talks about meeting Castro to prepare for "Che."

S5E4
E4
Lawrence Lessig
2009

Lawrence Lessig says the outdated copyright laws have turned our kids into criminals.

S5E5
E5
Anthony Romero
2009

Anthony Romero believes it will be a huge mistake if Barack Obama doesn't close Guantanamo immediately.

S5E6
E6
Niall Ferguson
2009

Niall Ferguson explains how money is a relationship between a creditor and a debtor.

S5E7
E7
Alan Khazei
2009

Barack Obama may be over-marketed, and Alan Khazei wants Americans to volunteer.

S5E8
E8
David Gregory, Shepard Fairey
2009

A look back on President Bush's relationship with the media -- Stephen wonders if tonight's the night they finally do it…

S5E9
E9
Frank Rich
2009

Frank Rich says George W. Bush delivers a message of hope for mediocrity.

S5E10
E10
Jabari Asim
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes Washington Post columnist and author of The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn't, and Why, Jab…

S5E11
E11
Elizabeth Alexander
2009

Elizabeth Alexander explains to Stephen the difference between a metaphor and a lie.

S5E12
E12
Jon Meacham
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes Newsweek editor and author of American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, Jon Meacham.

S5E13
E13
Chris Mooney, Ed Young
2009

Obama changes Bush's policy on science, and Ed Young thinks married people should have more sex.

S5E14
E14
Philippe Petit
2009

Documentary, "Man on Wire"

S5E15
E15
Paul McCartney, Denis Dutton
2009
S5E16
E16
John Podesta
2009

President and CEO, Center for American Progress

S5E17
E17
Dan Zaccagnino
2009

The government collapses in Iceland, and Stephen gets mad at Dan Zaccagnino.

S5E18
E18
Henry Louis Gates Jr.
2009

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. says Abraham Lincoln was always against slavery, but he wasn't a fan of black people.

S5E19
E19
Steve Martin
2009

Actor, "The Pink Panther 2"

S5E20
E20
James Surowiecki, Jonah Lehrer
2009

Stephen salutes the Boy Scouts, and Jonah Lehrer discusses the neuroscience of decision-making.

S5E21
E21
TV on the Radio
2009

Stephen welcomes musical guest TV On The Radio.

S5E22
E22
Robert Ballard
2009

It's tough times for the Republican Party, and Stephen gives a shout out to a former employee.

S5E23
E23
Eleanor Holmes Norton, Steven Pinker
2009

New York Times article, "My Genomic Self"

S5E24
E24
David Ross, Ed Colbert, Adam Gopnik
2009

Adam Gopnik claims that faith and fear no longer rule our lives because of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin.

S5E25
E25
Father James Martin, Helen Fisher
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the chief scientific advisor for chemistry.com, anthropology professor and author of Why Him? W…

S5E26
E26
Cliff Sloan
2009

Cliff Sloan believes that Marbury v. Madison is significant because it established the rule of law.

S5E27
E27
John Fetterman
2009

Mayor John Fetterman believes Braddock, PA is a great place to spend some of the stimulus money.

S5E28
E28
Kris Kristofferson
2009

Stephen wants to know how Kris Kristofferson can be a country musician and a liberal at the same time.

S5E29
E29
David Byrne
2009

Late at night, who does David Byrne fear David Byrne is?

S5E30
E30
Mark Bittman
2009

President Obama taxes the rich to pay for universal health care, and South Carolina may finally end gun prostitution.

S5E31
E31
Carl Wilson
2009

Carl Wilson tries to understand the popularity of Celine Dion in "Let's Talk About Love" and will NASA name part of the …

S5E32
E32
Steven Johnson
2009

Steven Johnson talks about Joseph Priestley, the man who first realized that plants actually create the oxygen we breath…

S5E33
E33
Lisa Hannigan
2009

Lisa Hannigan sewed the cover, liner notes and lyrics of her album "Sea Sew."

S5E34
E34
William Gerstenmaier, Dr. Jay Keasling
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes microbiologist and member of the Joint BioEnergy Institute, Dr. Jay Keasling. Also Stephen talk…

S5E35
E35
Howard Fineman
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes Newsweek correspondent and author of 'The Thirteen American Arguments: Enduring Debates that De…

S5E36
E36
Simon Johnson, Peter Singer
2009

Peter Singer urges Stephen to give money to poor people rather than enjoying it himself.

S5E37
E37
Jonathan Chait, Neil Gaiman
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the author of 'The Graveyard Book'.

S5E38
E38
David Grann
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the author of 'The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon'.

S5E39
E39
Juan Cole
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the author of 'Engaging the Muslim World'.

S5E40
E40
John McCardell
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the president of Choose Responsibility.

S5E41
E41
Derrick Pitts
2009

The guest tonight is Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer at The Franklin Institute.

S5E42
E42
David Plotz
2009

David Plotz, Author of 'Good Book LP' talks to Stephen tonight.

S5E43
E43
Dambisa Moyo
2009

Author of "Dead Aid", Dambisa Moyo is the guest on tonight's show.

S5E44
E44
Biz Stone
2009

One of the co-founders of Twitter is the guest for tonight's show.

S5E45
E45
Tom Brokaw, Rich Lowry
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the co-author of Banquo's Ghosts, Rich Lowry.

S5E46
E46
Queen Noor
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes Jordan's Queen Noor.

S5E47
E47
Phil Bronstein
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the editor at large for the San Francisco Chronicle, Phil Bronstein.

E48
Bart Ehrman
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes Bible expert and author of Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible…

E49
Sunita L. Williams, Susie Orbach
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes psychotherapist and author of Bodies, Susie Orbach. Also, Stephen talks with NASA's Deputy Chie…

E50
Jim Lehrer
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the anchor of PBS' NewsHour and author of Oh, Jonny, Jim Lehrer.

E51
Kanishk Tharoor, Doug Kmiec
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the former head of the Office of Legal Council for both President Reagan and George Bush Sr., a…

E52
Ken Quinn, Sheriff Joe Arpaio
2009

Sheriff Joe Arpaio denies that he focuses too much on illegal immigration.

E53
Coach Mike Kryzewski
2009

Tonight Stephen talks with Duke University men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.

E54
Ira Glass
2009

Tonight Stephen talks with host of This American Life, Ira Glass.

E55
Elizabeth Bintliff
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the West Africa Program Officer for Heifer International, Elizabeth Bintliff.

E56
The Decemberists
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes musical group The Decemberists.

E57
David Gross
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes journalist and author of 'Dumb Money: How Our Greatest Financial Minds Bankrupted the Nation', …

E58
David Kessler
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes former FDA commissioner and author of The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable A…

E59
Jonathan Alter, Ethan Nadelman
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, Ethan Nadlemann.

E60
J.J. Abrams
2009

The Prescott Group needs a bailout, and J.J. Abrams reveals clues to Stephen's Persian Gulf mystery.

E61
Cliff Sloan, Paul Rieckhoff
2009

Cliff Sloan believes that Marbury v. Madison is significant because it established the rule of law and Paul Rieckhoff wa…

E62
Laurie Garrett
2009

President Obama's approval numbers are at 67%, and public health expert Laurie Garrett is here to shed some light on the…

E63
Mitchell Joachim
2009

It's Bring Your Savior to Work Day, and Mitchell Joachim wants to build carbon-neutral cities.

E64
Jeff Daniels
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes actor Jeff Daniels Also, Stephen talks with the vice president of policy at Demos.org, Tamara D…

E65
Ron Howard
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the producer & director of Angels & Demons, Ron Howard. Also, Stephen talks with the head of La…

E66
Michael Pollan
2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the author of In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, Michael Pollan.

E67
Yusuf Islam
2009

Donald Trump allows Miss California to keep her crown, the DonorsChoose competition continues, and Yusuf performs.

E68
Meghan McCain
2009

Meghan McCain loves the Republican Party and wants to save it from the people trying to make it more extreme.

E69
Walter Kirn
2009

Republicans find a way to make us love them again, and a Difference Maker stands up to the government.

E70
Seth Shostak
2009

Torture memo author John Yoo gets a newspaper column, and Nancy Pelosi says the CIA lied to her.

E71
Green Day
2009

Stephen reveals most of the Indian election results, and Green Day talks about their album, "21st Century Breakdown."

E72
Jeffrey Toobin, Sen. Byron Dorgan
2009

Republicans could lose their Latino voter, and you can see Stephen's Persian Gulf destination from Sarah Palin's house.

E73
Katty Kay
2009

The FDA challenges medical claims made by Cheerios, and Jim Moran protects kids from erectile dysfunction advertising.

E74
Eric Schlosser
2009

California allows some gay couples to stay married, and Obama invites Iran to celebrate 4th of July.

E75
Dag Soderberg, David Byrne
2009

Wikipedia takes on the Church of Scientology, and the latest on abstinence-only education will be worth the wait.

S5E76
E76
General Raymond Odierno
2009

General Ray Odierno steps up to the plate to be Stephen’s first guest in Iraq.

S5E77
E77
Specialist Tareq Salha, Sgt. Robin Balcom
2009

Stephen welcomes Sergeant Robin Balcom and Specialist Tareq Salha to his international desk of wisdom and truthiness.

S5E78
E78
Lieutenant General Charles Jacoby
2009

Tom Hanks and Stephen prepare a care package, and Charles H. Jacoby Jr. picks his favorite soldier.

S5E79
E79
Stephen broadcasts from Iraq, Command Sgt. Major Frank Grippe
2009

George W. Bush praises the troops, and Frank A. Grippe orders his officers to sing the Army song.

E80
Austan Goolsbee
2009

Stephen gives advice to the next leader of North Korea, and asks Austan Goolsbee if his arm gets tired from throwing mon…

E81
Karim Sadjadpour, Jim Rogers
2009

According to polls, 120% say the Iranian election wasn't rigged, and Jim Rogers wants to reduce Duke Energy's carbon foo…

E82
Joshua Micah Marshall
2009

Sonia Sotomayor belongs to an exclusive women's-only club, and Joshua Micah Marshall won't be doing the pointing and tal…

E83
Paul Muldoon
2009

Someone finally agrees to accept Gitmo detainees, and Stephen nails poet Paul Muldoon.

E84
Simon Schama
2009

Stephen suggests punching randomly until we find the enemy among us, and Simon Schama writes a history of the future of …

E85
Howard Dean, David Kilcullen
2009

David Kilcullen fights wars by taking a local approach to combat smaller guerrilla movements.

E86
Matthew Crawford
2009

The Jonas Brothers don't abstain from making awesome rock, and Matthew Crawford believes in working with his hands.

E87
Jim Fouratt
2009

ABC turns their network over to Barack Obama, and Jim Fouratt meets the leader of the gay shame movement.

E88
Neil DeGrasse Tyson
2009

Neil deGrasse Tyson tries to make science accessible to whomever wants to reach out and touch it.

E89
Alexi Lalas, Kevin Mattson
2009

Stephen questions whether America should embrace soccer, and Kevin Mattson thinks Jimmy Carter was underappreciated.

E90
Nicholas Kristof
2009

The Supreme Court takes its recess, and Nicholas Kristof discusses "It's Time to Learn From Frogs" after crossing five l…

E91
Ed Viesturs
2009

Congress passes a renewable energy bill, and climber Ed Viesturs scales Stephen's ego.

E92
Paul Rieckhoff, Paul Krugman
2009

The Sotomayor confirmation hearings begin, and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman knows a lot about money.

E93
Leymah Gbowee
2009

Stephen suggests looking for change in the folds of Barney Frank, and asks Leymah Gbowee where Liberia is.

E94
Douglas Rushkoff
2009

There's bad news for people with target-shaped birthmarks, and Douglas Rushkoff lets Jews and Freemasons off the hook.

S5E95
E95
Edmund Andrews
2009

Stephen is emotionally dead inside, and Ed Andrews should write about teen vampires if he wants to get out of debt.

S5E96
E96
Geoffrey Canada, Bob Park
2009

Geoffrey Canada can't find any area where white men are being disproportionately victimized and Bob Park doesn't underst…

S5E97
E97
Dr. Aaron Carroll
2009

Stephen will be the mighty oak when he investigates Acorn, and Aaron Carroll believes America should have a single-payer…

S5E98
E98
Matthew Waxman, Chris Anderson
2009

The truth behind the CIA's secret assassination squad is revealed, and Chris Anderson talks about a future economy where…

E99
Zev Chafets
2009

The British announce plans to cut and run, Tom Vilsack drops out of the presidential race, and Zev Chafets angles for a …

S5E100
E100
Movits!
2009

A report on tasers may shock you, and Swedish band Movits! helps Stephen put his Ikea futon together

S5E101
E101
Arianna Huffington
2009

Arianna Huffington was born in the United States, but she cultivated an accent to give herself an air of being an ethnic…

S5E102
E102
Kevin Baker
2009

Lance Armstrong comes in third in the Tour de France, and Kevin Baker says Obama is the new Hoover.

S5E103
E103
Kathryn Bigelow
2009

Kathryn Bigelow's war movie, "The Hurt Locker," is getting great reviews, despite not having explosions and ear-splittin…

S5E104
E104
General Anthony Zinni
2009

President Obama finds a way to pay for health care, and General Anthony Zinni will wax Stephen's chest.

S5E105
E105
Kurt Andersen
2009

According to Kurt Andersen, the economic and health crises give Americans a brief chance to get things where they want t…

S5E106
E106
Kris Kobach
2009

Kris Kobach wants to fight illegal immigration on the local level and reward the people willing to come to this country …

S5E107
E107
Meryl Streep
2009

Stephen reviews the movies that are destroying America and talks to Meryl Streep about her role as Julia Child.

S5E108
E108
Sen. Barbara Boxer
2009

Vladimir Putin returns to the spotlight, and Stephen interviews Barbara Boxer with deaf suspicion.

S5E109
E109
Jonathan Cohn
2009

Afghanistan prepares for Bring Your Rocket Launcher to Work Day, and Jonathan Cohn explains why America's having a healt…

S5E110
E110
Mark Johnson
2009

Americans speak Glenn Beck's mind at town hall meetings, and Mark Johnson spreads peace through music.

S5E111
E111
Mark Devlin
2009

Glenn Beck loses his sponsors, and Mark Devlin uses giant balloons to life telescopes to the edge of space.

S5E112
E112
Bill McKibben
2009

Reporters get so desperate they'll even work for a newspaper, and Bill McKibben lowers carbon dioxide levels by not exha…

S5E113
E113
Robert Wright
2009
S5E114
E114
Ang Lee
2009

Ang Lee captures the hope and optimism of tired, dirty kids in his movie, "Taking Woodstock."

S5E115
E115
Chris Matthews
2009

The Earth's population nears 7 billion, and Chris Matthews discusses his documentary, "The Kennedy Brothers."

S5E116
E116
Cory Booker
2009

The health care debate rages on, MTV's VMAs deliver a shock, and Cory Booker admits he is the mayor of Newark.

S5E117
E117
Christiane Amanpour
2009

Christiane Amanpour is going to make Americans care about the rest of the world with her CNN show "Amanpour."

S5E118
E118
Tony Danza
2009

Obama indoctrinates America's school children, Tucker Carlson reveals Muslims' influence on textbooks, and The Flaming L…

S5E119
E119
Frank Bruni
2009

Stephen resurrects the U.S. military technique of staring at a goats and Frank Bruni talks about mastering his addiction…

S5E120
E120
Tue, Sep 22, 2009
2009

The Senate votes to allow guns on trains, and Shai Agassi wants us all to drive electric cars.

S5E121
E121
AJ Jacobs
2009

AJ Jacobs' life experiments include following all the rules of the Bible, trying to be the most rational person alive an…

S5E122
E122
Ken Burns
2009

The Republican Party is accused of racism, another holiday is under attack, and Ken Burns makes a documentary about nati…

S5E123
E123
Sheryl WuDunn
2009

Sheryl WuDunn believes giving women loans and educating girls is the way to lift developing nations out of poverty.

S5E124
E124
Matt Latimer / Out Of The Closet
2009

An exciting new tobacco product hits the market, and Matt Latimer recalls his Bush speechwriting days.

S5E125
E125
Wed, Sep 30, 2009
2009

Stephen has an update on his space treadmill, and he'll evolve Richard Dawkins' book into tiny shreds of paper.

S5E126
E126
Francis Collins
2009

Francis Collins informs Stephen that it's going to take time for stem cell research to give him crab claws.

S5E127
E127
Arne Duncan
2009

President Obama proposes a longer school year, and Arne Duncan could only get a job as a secretary.

S5E128
E128
The Mountain Goats
2009

The Mountain Goats perform "Psalms 40:2" from their album, "The Life of the World to Come."

S5E129
E129
Alison Gopnik
2009

Doctors invent a radical new surgery, and Alison Gopnik says babies can help us understand deep philosophical questions.

S5E130
E130
Thu, Oct 8, 2009
2009

The media attacks Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh may buy a football team, and Colin Beavan makes no environmental impact.

S5E131
E131
Shashi Tharoor, Dr. Sanjay Gupta
2009

Stephen takes on Norwegians for giving Obama the Nobel Peace Prize, plays tennis with James Blake and talks zombies with…

S5E132
E132
David Javerbaum, Sylvia Earle
2009

Stephen posts Twitter updates on Miley Cyrus, talks fetuses with David Javerbaum and asks Sylvia Earle why he should car…

S5E133
E133
Amy Farrell, The RZA
2009

Stephen gets angry over health care reform, discusses obesity with Amy Farrell, and talks wisdom with the RZA.

S5E134
E134
Jerry Mitchell
2009

Stephen proves that mayo is the illest condiment, asks Jerry Mitchell what a newspaper reporter is and unveils his new p…

S5E135
E135
Cornel West
2009

Stephen criticizes Washington State, endorses your job application and disagrees with everything Cornel West stands for.

S5E136
E136
Tue, Oct 27, 2009
2009

The Catholic Church reaches out to former members, and Gail Collins talks about the modern American woman.

S5E137
E137
Brian Cox
2009

Stephen finds out what broke the largest particle accelerator and preps for his interview with Brian Cox by watching "Ba…

S5E138
E138
Bill Simmons
2009

Stephen talks to Rosanne Cash about torturing detainees with music and discusses "Teen Wolf" with Bill Simmons.

S5E139
E139
Nicholas Thompson
2009

Stephen sponsors the U.S. speedskating team, analyzes Arnold Schwarzenegger's breakfast and disputes the end of the Cold…

S5E140
E140
Andrew Sullivan
2009

Stephen makes history with the U.S. Speedskating team, covers a gay couple's arrest on Mormon Church property and wants …

S5E141
E141
Harold Evans
2009

Stephen declares Barack Obama the loser, gets dunked in water by Al Gore and asks Harold Evans if he's going to be a chi…

S5E142
E142
Thu, Nov 5, 2009
2009

Stephen puts Canada on notice with Joey Cheek, introduces Vaxaconda and talks to William Bratton about McGruff the Crime…

S5E143
E143
Mon, Nov 9, 2009
2009

Stephen asks Mike Castle why he can't marry a chicken, helps Katherine Reutter win a gold medal, and talks art with Thom…

S5E144
E144
Maria Shriver
2009

Stephen defends Barney Frank for not recognizing marijuana, enjoys a Taser XREP ad and feeds ice cream to Maria Shriver.

S5E145
E145
Christopher Caldwell
2009

Stephen believes bankers are God's representatives, criticizes "Sesame Street" and asks Christopher Caldwell where the M…

S5E146
E146
Woody Harrelson
2009

Stephen uses Miracle Whip money to buy mayo, claims Lou Dobbs' audience and shaves Woody Harrelson's head.

S5E147
E147
Mon, Nov 16, 2009
2009

Stephen shows Barack Obama how to greet foreign leaders, offers to sing in Aerosmith, and discusses architecture with Pa…

S5E148
E148
Malcolm Gladwell
2009

Stephen talks to Marc Kielburger about child labor, skateboards with Jackie Speier and asks Malcolm Gladwell to explain …

S5E149
E149
Norah Jones
2009

Sarah Palin has a 400-page book, "2012" takes the world by storm, and Norah Jones talks about her famous father, Indiana…

S5E150
E150
Thu, Nov 19, 2009
2009

The Senate introduces a tax on plastic surgery, and Elvis Costello plays "Cheap Reward" with Stephen.

S5E151
E151
Dan Esty, Cevin Soling
2009

Stephen talks to Dan Esty about global warming, forces Joseph Cirincione to play "Sanction, Bomb, Marry?" and compares s…

S5E152
E152
Tue, Dec 1, 2009
2009

Stephen profiles a made-up district, discusses alien Jesus with Guy Consolmagno and helps Sherman Alexie save part of wh…

S5E153
E153
Wed, Dec 2, 2009
2009

Stephen critiques President Obama's speech, presents a device that lets him poop whenever he wants, and questions Craig …

S5E154
E154
Thu, Dec 3, 2009
2009

Stephen covers Tiger Woods' car crash, tries out for the U.S. skeleton team and talks to Janet Napolitano about the colo…

S5E155
E155
Mon, Dec 7, 2009
2009

Bill T. Jones describes how Fela Kuti fought against the Nigerian government with his music.

S5E156
E156
Senator Bernie Sanders, Andy Schlafly
2009

Stephen gives Bernie Sanders a chance to address the vicious socialist rumors and discusses the best of the public with …

S5E157
E157
Wed, Dec 9, 2009
2009

Stephen appeals to the monkey demographic, gets a visit from Krampus and calls out Goldman Sachs with Matt Taibbi.

S5E158
E158
Thu, Dec 10, 2009
2009

Stephen details Russia's battle plan for Afghanistan, tries out for the U.S. bobsled team and puts words in Lara Logan's…

S5E159
E159
Snoop Dogg
2009

Stephen interviews President Obama's cardboard cutout, signs Katherine Reutter's thigh and pre-censors Snoop Dogg.

S5E160
E160
Alicia Keys
2009

John Slattery sells gold, Stephen relays the story of Treesus, and Alicia Keys performs her hit song.

S5E161
E161
Tom Brokaw
2009

Stephen encourages Tiger Woods, sees the ghost of Stephen King and remembers the wacky decade with Tom Brokaw.

Cast

Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert
Self - Host

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