Three reviews on "The Colbert Report".

I've been pretty impressed so far. Despite some stumbling over words, the satire seems spot-on. He condescends, he promises to do the thinking (or feeling) for the audience, and postures grandly about his mission to serve the masses. It's O'Reilly too clever by half, and it would make a great one-off special or even feature.

Can the conceit last, though? It works fantastically in "The Word" segment and in each episode's final thoughts, but seems a distraction in the interviews. So far, they've worked well despite the satire, not because of it, and often because Colbert has a very quick wit. Several guests have come off a bit like they were dragged to the studio drugged and disoriented, but Jim Cramer of "Mad Money" seemed to get it, as he's already fluent in infotainment theater.

I do hope that the show's well recieved and finds a sure footing, because overall, I'm convinced that satire is a better approach to O'Reilly deflation than imitation of the format, ala Air America. Liberals don't like to be talked at.