I like the Colbert Report. Cracks me up!

I heart Colbert. :D

Super Genius.

Not sure I get why he is taking a cheap shot at trannies for no apparent reason and why that is so funny? I thought better of both him and his audience.

Careful, you might get a notice from Comedy Central for violating the coveted Colbert Copyright by posting this clip. For further information, see YouTube's legal woes.

The iPhone part woulda been a lot funnier if you hadn't told us ahead of time.

Oh yeah, I wouldn't have bothered watching, because I pretty much filter out all non-iPhone news.

@briefcandle: do you have a secret? Is that a candle in you briefs or are you really a man?

No, there is no "candle" in my briefs, but yes, I am a post-op transsexual woman. Funny, huh?

Here's another iPhone snippet from Colbert

[www.comedycentral.com]

@briefcandle:

You're right, there's nothing funny about a man with cans and a snapper...Oh no I didn't!

Nor is there anything intrinsically laughable about transsexuals. Unless, of course, you are a sexually insecure teenaged boy who plays with robots.

@briefcandle: Good for you, but just so you know, the term tranny is also used to mean electrical *transformer*. In fact, that usage might well precede the one you're thinking of. So it wasn't a cheap shot but a double entendre. You would expect no less from überfunny Colbert.

Actually I don't really care one way of the other. But being a heterosexual male, I just can't wrap my mind around what drives someone to do that to their body. But it's your body, so do as you will. I wasn't trying to grief on you, just being silly, don't take it so personal.

You can't find anything funny about the bit because your tied up in the subject matter and therefore have an emotional reaction. It funny to a lot of others because we just can't identify with your choice, kinda like nervous laughter in an uncomfortable situation.

Am I over thinking this, I think so. Let's lighten the mood...

"Transvestites, more than meets the eye!
Transvestites, homos in disguise!"

@briefcandle:
I can understand why you'd be upset, but I agree with JMDECOMBE in that it was a rather witty Double-Entendre. Actually, considering that these robots transofrm into cars and "tranny" is also short for "transmission," I guess that would make it a much-coveted TRIPLE-Entendre!!!

@Robotvampire:
Man, you SUCK at lightening the mood. Are you trying to be offensive?

@briefcandle

It's all fun and games until you're the butt of a joke. I think it's far more immature for you to get your panties in a twist about this rather than letting it slide. I mean, c'mon, I know you're post-op, but they didn't take out your sense of humor did they?

BA-ZING

@jedibugs: And we shall not return to the original subject until we've revealed tranny is also skateboard slang for transition (quadruple entendre!), a nice segue indeed.

Thanks for the kind words. And yes, I get the double and triple entendres. It's just that labeling that group, car transmissions, inanimate techno toys and me, as untrustworthy just doesn't strike me as "uber" funny. It's kinda lame, actually, which was why I originally posted.

Are we done with the social commentary/pseudo-sexist comments? Can we get back to the i-phone, please?
Que es mas masculeno: i-phone or Ricardo Montalban?

@jedibugs:

Key-ripes. Of course I was trying to be offensive, in the most juvenile way possible. Maybe that was a bad idea, I thought this was the internet.

All kidding aside, the last line of my previous post may have been a little rough, but I wasn't trying to be a dick. I really don't like the whole politically correct "you can't say that!" attitude and rail against it any chance I get. Sometimes I take it a step too far, but everyone line is in a different place, someone will always be offended.

I love Colbert, but he can't claim to have coined that term. I'm sure the fanboys are all over it, but I myself heard the start of the movie, Shia Lawhatever call them trannies on the Today Show.

Apologies for transgressing into off-topic...

@RobotVampire:
Only once you realize sexuality is primarily in the brain and not in the pants will you begin to understand how much your comments SUCK!

It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor.

@ANoel:

Jeeesus, get over yourselves!

Fine you are all more evolved and in touch with your feminine side. Feels good to assume you are superior to someone, huh?

It was a friggen joke, I will admit it was in bad taste, but that was kinda the point you nimrods.

I happen to agree with your take on sexuality, and I have been very good friends with both gay males and females in the past (folks I use to work with). I'm not homophobic, and I could care less it somebody wants to have a sex change. Quit being so hyper-sensitive.

I'm done apologizing for one stupid comment, if you don't think I've atoned for it, that's your problem, not mine.

I agree, Sequel, as long as the joke is funny. There are much funnier things to say about transsexuals...just sayin'
'

... and you can watch that stupid YouTube clip in the iPhone.

How ironic.

Man, this is like watching the fights over at DailyTech -- except they only tear each other from limb to limb about the arcane innards of the latest memory register...

This thread actually highlights what has always been my fear with The Colbert Report; that there will be people who don't recognize it as satire. His entire act/persona is satire. In that clip he was decidedly *not* making fun of transsexuality at all, he was making fun of people who *make fun* of transsexuals. It has always been my fear that his brand of satire is *too good* and people will actually believe that he (or the producers of The Colbert Report, who are, duh, the same producers as The Daily Show) actually believe the things he says.

I can't believe I'm stepping into this mess, and I'm sure I'll get blasted, but here I go anyways.

I think Colbert labeling transsexuals as untrustworthy is really not that far out of line. Think about what a transexual is. A man pretending to be a woman or a woman pretending to be a man. If deception is a core part of a transexual's daily life, it wouldn't be too great a leap for some to assume they are not trustworthy.

Had I known this sight was a sister-site of GLAD I would have tread a little lighter. LOL

pretending? I suggest you consult with a mental health professional, Bender. But yes, you captured the core of the joke. Still lame, IMO.

@briefcandle:

I find that incredibly hard to believe.

@Bender:
Oh no, Bender! I was hoping this would settle down. Guess it's on now.

Although I don't know any transsexuals, I would guess they get the surgery so they can stop living a lie. Whether or not you think a man that has trans-gender surgery is really a woman or not, it make them feel more like what they want to be. The surgery isn't to fool everyone, it's to help them live the life they've choosen and be happy with who they are.

See, I'm not an immature 14 year old, I just play one on TV.

@ briefcandle: Have you ever watched the Colbert Report? He tends to make plenty of jokes that could be offensive to one group or another, but it's all part of the character he has built up. It's satire. The entire character is based off of Bill O'Reilly, who has said much more offensive things sans wit. It's a parody, and you're not supposed to take any comment he provides seriously. Do you really think he's anti-books. They guys a MENSA member.

@robotvampire: I understand what you were trying to do. It was in poor taste, and you've admitted that. Time for everyone to just let it go.

let's leave it at that! Thanks, Robotvampire.

Stupid comment delay. By the time I got my 2 cents in, it was over.

@Johnwilliams713: 'panties' in a twist? Fucking hillarious, yet stealthy and quietly undetected...maybe briefcandle isn't the only one who can transform?

NO OFFENSE OF COURSE! Or take offense, whatever.

/straight, don't care what you are, you only live once so enjoy it however you see fit.

Colbert makes me chuckle

To be clear, The Colbert Report is a parody of news channel pundit shows. It's 30 minutes of reverse psychology comedy (which is why it is genius). The man isn't 'labeling' anything in any way. Let it go and have a laugh.

I think what's being missed here is that Colbert is making fun of someone who would hold prejudice against "Trannies." His whole character is one of satire.

To my ears, what he's actually saying in a quip like this is the following: "Isn't it ridiculous that there are those who would make a blanket statement of distrust about a particular group?"

The butt of his jokes are the people that are xenophobic, homophobic, etc.

See?

@tlm2021: Is he really a member of MENSA? NOOOOOOOOOooooooo! ... Oh well, nobody's perfect. He probably did that as a joke anyway.

I like the part where he parodies the mindless worshipping of fanboy at the altar of the iphone! Hilarious!

Word of the day:

Adadictomy: Medical procedure to turn a woman into a man.

wow.

Hey you all, using "trannie" as a swearword... that's so gay!

By the way (to avoid being labled as a sexist), I for one think genders are made by society for the most part. In my opinion, a man or a woman changing his or her gender has nothing to do with pretending.

Damn it, Gizmodo, stop including player UI in static images on the front page!!!

Please crop to a still frame of the video... do not show non-functional UI in a static image!

You know how I know you're a tranny? You look like a woman and read Gizmodo!

Seriously though, It's got to be tough to make that choice knowing the sort of crap you'll have to endure, but I'm sure it far outweighs the emotional struggle of staying in a body you're not comfortable in. Kudos for the bravery to be yourself in our ultra-judgemental society.

Wired: Funny Tranny Joke by Colbert
Tired: Actual Trannies not getting it

> Wired: Funny Tranny Joke by Colbert

> Tired: Actual Trannies not getting it

Expired: 14-year-old kids PRETENDING to be Trannies in the comments of a blog in order to feign hurt feelings and thus get the attention they so desperately crave ;-)

bunny_rabid - 1, 14 year-olds - 0

WTF? Is that like a touchback? Or a safety?

I think I'm more upset that they used Optimus Prime in the same sentence as a "tranny" - never insult Mr. Prime like that! Even worse the local tranny on board doesn't think its funny....... yeah right you don't get the joke.....play dumb.

I saw the tranny joke used like a month ago on an aicn.com talkback.... so colbert ripped him off. kidding.

i was totally waiting for him to say "vehicle or robot! pick a side! we're at war."
but i guess hes used that basic joke too many times...

I really liked that episode of Futurama where Bender got into the profession of fighting other robots. Then in typical WWE-style scripted hype had to wear a tu-tu.

Gender Bender!