As the only late-night host to go live to the Democratic National Convention Monday night, Stephen Colbert had jokes ready about everything from John Kasich’s comic metaphor to “Crossroads” to Bernie Sanders giving his speech for our “national strategic supply of firewood.”
But when it came to the Michelle Obama barnburner that ended the evening, the Late Show host just could not bring himself to have fun with the former first lady.
Somewhere in his live monologue, Colbert acknowledged that he was “deeply moved” by the patriotic view that opened the first night of the DNC. “It’s because this feels like this is the real start of the election,” she said. “An opportunity for the American people to do the work that our elected officials have failed to do over the past four years. And that’s Donald Trump responsible. ”
When it came time to talk about Michelle Obama’s address, he tried a few jokes. For example, in response to her saying that “going high is the only thing that works,” Colbert said, “a solid policy for both America and Dave Matthews concerts.”
But when he came to the end of her speech – and his monologue – it was clear that he found the moment too important to mock.
After playing her concluding message to the nation, Colbert turned upright when he told the audience, ‘I will be honest with you. My job is to have a joke for every time someone says something in public. After watching Michelle Obama’s speech, I’ve never been happier to fail at my job. ”
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