CBS is cementing its status as the official network of the Obamas. After donating 18 minutes to Michelle Obama from Friday to Tuesday, Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night offered up his entire show to her, totaling 23 minutes towards promoting the former First Lady. That’s 41 minutes in five days. Back in November, the network devoted 48 minutes to promoting Barack Obama’s memoir.
Of course, Colbert asked no tough questions. Instead, he offered a version of the “You are so great. How did you become so great?” The late night Democrat asked:
I have a big question, and I hope you don't find this a strange question. But why are you doing this? Because this seems very much like the sort of thing a First Lady would do. And you actually are under no obligation to actually be helpful to the rest of society right now. You paid your dues. You did your time as the First Lady. Did a great job, Let's Move was very successful. But there is no expectation that you do something like this at this point. What makes you want to do it?
Earlier, Colbert wondered just how much fun Barack Obama is:
I had the pleasure of sitting down with your husband in November, and I imagine that over the course of your life together — because you're both incredibly busy people — that there have been long periods of time — especially the eight years in the White House-- where you didn't see each other as much as you'd like to. Over the last year you've been together.... How has that worked out? Is he good company?
The Late Show host wondered about Mrs. Obama’s low-grade depression:
COLBERT: You talked about, something, an experience you had this past year with low-grade depression, you call it. And I have a two-part question which is, one is, it's very common people this year— very common in general, but especially this year. How did you cope with it? And why just low grade? Because I get the high-octane.
OBAMA: Right, right. Well, you know, over the course of your life as you know, this is a part of — you know. Nobody rides life on a high. And I think it's important for young people to know that. It's like, no, you're not going to feel great all the time. And there are moments in all of our lives, particularly in the middle of a pandemic, and, you know, unrest, racial unrest, you're going to feel kind of a way about it so give yourself a break.
Being 57, I know that that's true. So over the course of your adulthood you develop your own tools, and for me, it's turning off the noise that is upsetting. Knowing that I can't keep reading all the feeds that are, you know, fueling my anxiety and taking a break from it. I did that as First Lady. There were just times that I couldn't hear the bad news about the country that I had to serve
Can anyone imagine Republican presidents and first ladies getting this level of adoration from the news media?
The Democratic fawning was sponsored by Nissan and Volkswagen. Click on the links to let them know what you think.
A partial transcript is below. Click “expand” to read more.
Late Show With Stephen Colbert
5/12/2021
11:55 PM ETSTEPHEN COLBERT: I had the pleasure of sitting down with your husband in November, and I imagine that over the course of your life together— because you're both incredibly busy people-- that there have been long periods of time— especially the eight years in the White House-- where you didn't see each other as much as you'd like to. Over the last year you've been together--
MICHELLE OBAMA: A lot.
COLBERT: All the time. How has that worked out? Is he good company?
...
COLBERT: You talked about, something, an experience you had this past year with low-grade depression, you call it. And I have a two-part question which is, one is, it's very common people this year— very common in general, but especially this year. How did you cope with it? And why just low grade? Because I get the high-octane.
OBAMA: Right, right. Well, you know, over the course of your life as you know, this is a part of — you know. Nobody rides life on a high. And I think it's important for young peope to know that. It's like, no, you're not going to feel great all the time. And there are moments in all of our lives, particularly in the middle of a pandemic, and, you know, unrest, racial unrest, you're going to feel kind of a way about it so give yourself a break.
Being 57, I know that that's true. So over the course of your adulthood you develop your own tools, and for me, it's turning off the noise that is upsetting. Knowing that I can't keep reading all the feeds that are, you know, fueling my anxiety and taking a break from it. I did that as First Lady. There were just times that I couldn't hear the bad news about the country that I had to serve because I know that the news isn't a full reflection of what the country is.
...
COLBERT: I have a big question, and I hope you don't find this a strange question. But why are you doing this? Because this seems very much like the sort of thing a First Lady would do. And you actually are under no obligation to actually be helpful to the rest of society right now. You paid your dues. You did your time as the First Lady. Did a great job, Let's Move was very successful. But there is no expectation that you do something like this at this point. What makes you want to do it?
