is Colbert's director racist?

[Jon Delfin]

Last guest last night was a Yemeni stand-up comic who started with some Muslim jokes. Then, and throughout the segment, lots of tight closeup audience reaction shots, so we could be sure the white folks were really laughing. Anybody else think this was weird?

[Dave Sikula]

I can't testify to the sensibilities of the director, but it happened again tonight, this time with an African-American comic. Last night, I thought the cutaways were to hide edits in a too-long set (that was pretty mediocre), but it was really poorly done and awkward both nights.

That it happened again seems to me an indication that either whoever is booking Colbert's comics isn't prepping them correctly or that it's a deliberate choice to make sure the home audience is assured that these very average comics are hilariously funny. Points for booking a couple of non-white guys, but demerits for not choosing funny ones. (To put this in context, one of my least favorite things in any medium is audience-reaction shots; this is especially egregious in musicals and comedy specials where, rather than trusting that the audience will enjoy the performer, the director makes sure that we know the on-screen audience enjoyed them, so we are obliged to, as well.)

On the other hand, it was a nice change of pace from the invariably terrible musical acts that Colbert features.

--Dave Sikula

[PGage]

I so agree with this, I would add live sporting events to this list. 

On Thu, 1 Jul 2021 at 2:46 AM 'Dave Sikula' via TVorNotTV <tvor...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

(To put this in context, one of my least favorite things in any medium is audience-reaction shots; this is especially egregious in musicals and comedy specials where, rather than trusting that the audience will enjoy the performer, the director makes sure that we know the on-screen audience enjoyed them, so we are obliged to, as well.)

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Sent from Gmail Mobile

[Dave Sikula]

As a follow-up of sorts, Jim Gaffigan was on the show tonight and while he paneled, it was the typical situation where Colbert set him up for prepared material. Fortunately, there were no cutaway shots, so maybe they're over it.

--Dave Sikula

[Jon Delfin]

Holding off agreement until we see the next stand-up segment. 

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[Dave Sikula]

And ... we're back.

Another not-particularly-funny comedian whose set was interrupted by reaction shots and inserts: Five showing the delighted audience, two showing the audience in the foreground and a full-body shot of the performer  and one odd one used three times, taken from upstage showing her and the audience. Once again, one suspects it was to cover up weak spots in the set, but that would have meant cutting the whole segment.

--Dave Sikula