Television
Late Night Goes Live After a ‘Dull’ Vice-Presidential Debate
2024-10-02
Colbert's Take on the Lackluster Vice-Presidential Debate: A Clash of Midwestern Vibes
Stephen Colbert, the host of "The Late Show," shared his thoughts on the recent vice-presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance, describing it as a clash of "different flavors of dull." Colbert's commentary provided a humorous and insightful perspective on the proceedings, highlighting the distinct personalities and styles of the two candidates.Uninspiring Performances and Forgettable Moments
Contrasting Personalities and Styles
Colbert likened the debate to a showdown between "Hillbilly vs. Minnesota nice; attack dog vs. folk hero; America's dad vs. America's 'Dad, could you come pick me up? JD Vance just walked in here.'" He noted that JD Vance appeared to be "a business lemur on beta-blockers," while Tim Walz was "the old likable coach but appeared to be way overcaffeinated." These vivid descriptions painted a picture of the candidates' vastly different demeanors and approaches to the debate.A Lack of Excitement and Engagement
Colbert expressed his disappointment with the overall lack of excitement and engagement during the debate, stating that the two candidates were "both a heartbeat away from being interesting this evening." He likened the experience to "having Thanksgiving with your most nervous uncle and your smuggest nephew," describing it as "unpleasant, awkward and, thankfully, you only have to do it once every four years."Forgettable Moments and Low Expectations
The late-night host acknowledged the low expectations surrounding vice-presidential debates, noting that "the only other V.P. debate anyone remembers is the time that fly got stuck on Mike Pence's head." He joked that "the bar is low" for these events, suggesting that the lack of memorable moments or significant impact on the political landscape is a common occurrence.Preference for More Entertaining Debates
Colbert's commentary revealed a preference for more lively and engaging political debates, as he admitted, "I like these better with Trump." This sentiment suggests that the absence of a more polarizing and confrontational dynamic may have contributed to the perceived dullness of the Walz-Vance debate.Minimal Impact on Voters
Colbert's assessment of the debate's impact on voters was equally underwhelming, as he remarked, "I don't know that anyone's vote was changed tonight." He compared the experience to "taking your kids apple picking: About halfway through, you're like, 'OK, you know what? This sounded like it was going to be fun, but what's the point?'"Overall, Colbert's analysis of the vice-presidential debate highlighted the lack of excitement, the contrasting personalities of the candidates, and the general sense of forgettability that often surrounds these events. His humorous and insightful commentary provided a unique perspective on the proceedings, reflecting the broader public sentiment towards the political discourse.