Colbert Announces His Own GOP Debate: Host Parodies Donald Trump With Republican Event In January (VIDEO)

If Donald Trump is allowed to moderate a Republican debate, why can't Stephen Colbert?

On Tuesday's episode of "The Colbert Report," the host announced "Stephen Colbert's South Carolina Serious, Classy Republican Debate," intended to mock the announcement that "Apprentice" star and real estate mogul Donald Trump will moderate a GOP debate.

The decision to allow a Trump-moderated debate has sparked backlash even among Republicans, but Trump has vigorously defended his qualifications to moderate the debate, and even endorse a candidate afterwards. But naturally, Stephen Colbert sees this as a challenge to his own pedigree -- and spent a solid three minutes bombastically explaining why he's a much better fit to host a debate than Trump.

"The point is, forget Donald Trump. He's history, rolled in 'forget him,' smothered in yesterday sauce. Tomorrow is about me, the most famous man in the history of South Carolina. The GOP wants a serious debate? They deserve it."

He then announced his own debate, which he says will be on Animal Planet sometime in January. ("We'll figure out the date later.")

Normally, if a comedian announced such a high-profile political event, common wisdom would indicate that such an announcement should not be taken seriously. However, Colbert is known for his stunts that blur satire and reality. An email sent to Colbert's Super PAC mailing list on Tuesday seemed to confirm that the debate is no joke.

"It's going to be a classy affair. Shrimp cocktail, the works," according to the press release.

Comments

[pebblesvanpeebles]

05:10 PM on 12/08/2011

Stephen Colbert's mind must work at the speed of light. I see that crazed sparkle in his eyes.

[AllShookUp]

11:23 AM on 12/08/2011

"He's history, rolled in 'forget him,' smothered in yesterday sauce." ZING!

[capt ayhab]

12:27 PM on 12/09/2011

Double Zing on that one

[dentuso]

10:40 AM on 12/08/2011

I'll tell you... Republican candidates would be VERY wise to sign on to this - parody as it is. Whoever the eventual nominee is, they're going to have to eventually appeal to the sane masses that come with a general election. There would be NO better venue to show your wit, intelligence and common sense than with Colbert.

Now... all they need to do is become witty, intelligent and sensical.

[Jeff Bowles]

01:02 PM on 12/22/2011

Colbert has a fine history of giving politicians rope, lots of it, and turning on the camera and microphone.

He's waved bye-bye to a lot of interviewees, as they plunged over the cliff.

[Ex-Fed]

10:40 AM on 12/08/2011

I'd like to see Gary Johnson at his debate as well.

[JJBUFF]

10:20 AM on 12/08/2011

It would probably be more Informative than any of the other Debates we have seen. Colbert would be more likely to call them out on Flip Flops and False Statements. I hope it happens. Ron Paul,Buddy Rhoemer and John Huntsman are probably the only ones who would participate.

[sociocanuck]

12:10 PM on 12/08/2011

I think you might be selling Gary Johnson and Fred Karger short not to also say they would want to be included if (when) it's determined to be serious.

It would be a brilliant change of pace to see what the less extreme Republicans (especially the perpetually shut out Trio - Roemer and the two above) could say or do given an audience primed to be there for Colbert as much as for them.

[ShinjiIkari]

09:32 AM on 12/08/2011

Steve Colbert? Host a GOP infomercial? Nah; he's not stupid enough.

[ladyangelnyc]

09:16 AM on 12/08/2011

I'm pretty sure that these GOP candidates would support having Stephen moderate the debate before Donald Trump.

[nitwitsRus]

09:06 AM on 12/08/2011

& again
the idea IS
don't ask ME
where sum of
these come from?

[stcous]

08:44 AM on 12/08/2011

Really, quite brilliant.

Quick, verbal slapstick with dimensionally acute references bouncing back and forth from the sublime to the ridiculous. Humor is an artform, perhaps the most difficult and unforgiving. We're fortunate to have Stephen as a politically astute commentator, we're blessed that he's so, so clever and funny.

If Pfizer could develop a Colbert pill I'd be buying in bulk.

[Frank-Landfield]

08:33 AM on 12/08/2011

Trump who?!
BIG YAWN.

[Frank-Landfield]

08:32 AM on 12/08/2011

Bravo.
I support this.
:-)

[Farzan]

08:25 AM on 12/08/2011

He is very good. Is that true that he reads a book a day?

[Francois Bergeron]

05:54 AM on 12/08/2011

PLease. Oh please God let Colbert host a debate... Pleeeaase!

[Ender Wiggin]

01:42 AM on 12/08/2011

Trump doesn't strike me as the type to see the humor in something like this....

[matt gordon]

12:10 AM on 12/08/2011

Wish the Trump video could be stopped. Don't want to hear Trump boasting about himself again. Ughh.