The Colbert videos are for advanced listeners. Listen to each of the following videos, then answer the questions. The answers are presented at the end. For easier listening segments try the Basic practice.
Colbert Interviews Google’s (former) CEO Eric Schmidt
About Stephen Tyrone Colbert:
Stephen Colbert is an American political satirist, writer, and comedienne. He is the host of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, a satirical news show on which Colbert portrays a political pundit. The show has gained a fervent following in this country. It has a cultural influence, especially on the younger American viewers, who feel they can relate to Colbert’s cutting edge humor.
Because of Colbert, people from other countries also acquire a better understanding of the political world in the U.S., from a humorous point of view.
In addition, audiences every where find the Colbert show intellectually stimulating, hilariously funny, and wonderfully entertaining! His platform provides the way to understand politics through satire and humor.
As you view the Colbert segments, you’ll notice “The Word”.
“The Word” is a segment in the show during which Colbert chooses a particular word or phrase from a current news topic to discuss or more likely to criticize.
As Colbert talks, there are messages displayed in a side bar screen which juxtaposes Colbert’s commentary with satirical bullet points on-screen, that responds usually in a sarcastic manner to what Colbert is saying. It’s as though The Word has a life of its own.
The first “word” introduced was “Truthiness”
It was so contagious that Merriam-Webster named it the Word of the Year in 2006. (source: Wikipedia)
Listening Practice for Learners (VOA – NPR)
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