America's Most Famous Catholic (According to Himself): Stephen Colbert and American Religion in the Twenty-First Century

Stephen Colbert, known for his satirical character "Colbert," has been a practicing Catholic for nine years. His show, "The Colbert Report," explored religion through comedy, challenging perceptions of Catholicism and Catholic mores. Author Stephanie N. Brehm examines the intersection between lived religion and mass media, comparing Colbert to other Catholic figures and discussing contemporary American Catholicism as Catholic multiplicity. Brehm highlights the humor in religion and how Colbert uses it to convey religious elements in his work and life.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 256 pages
\n Publication date: 04 May 2021
\n Publisher: Fordham University Press
\n

For nine years, Stephen Colbert's persona "Colbert" – a Republican superhero and parody of conservative political pundits – informed audiences on current events, politics, social issues, and religion while lampooning conservative political policy, biblical literalism, and religious hypocrisy. To devout, vocal, and authoritative lay Catholics, religion is central to both the actor and his most famous character. Yet, many viewers wonder, "Is Colbert a practicing Catholic in real life or is this part of his act?"

Americas Most Famous Catholic (According to Himself) examines the ways in which Colbert challenges perceptions of Catholicism and Catholic mores through his faith and comedy. Religion and the foibles of religious institutions have served as rich fodder for scores of comedians over the years. What set "Colbert" apart on his Comedy Central show, The Colbert Report, was that his critical observations were made more powerful and harder to ignore because he approached religious material not from the predictable stance of the irreverent secular comedian but from his position as one of the faithful. He is a Catholic celebrity who can bridge critical outsider and participating insider, neither fully reverent nor fully irreverent. Providing a digital media ethnography and rhetorical analysis of Stephen Colbert and his character from 2005 to 2014, author Stephanie N. Brehm examines the intersection between lived religion and mass media, moving from an exploration of how Catholicism shapes Colbert's life and world towards a conversation about how "Colbert" shapes Catholicism. Brehm provides historical context by discovering how "Colbert" compares to other Catholic figures, such as Don Novello, George Carlin, Louis C.K., and Jim Gaffigan, who have each presented their views of Catholicism.

Introduction:
Stephen Colbert, the host of the popular Comedy Central show "The Colbert Report," has become a prominent figure in American culture, known for his satirical take on politics and religion. While his character "Colbert" is often portrayed as a Republican superhero and parody of conservative political pundits, it is worth exploring whether Colbert's persona is a reflection of his real-life beliefs or simply part of his act. In this essay, we will examine the ways in which Colbert challenges perceptions of Catholicism and Catholic mores through his faith and comedy.

Religion and the Foibles of Religious Institutions:
Religion has been a rich source of material for comedians throughout history, and Colbert is no exception. His critical observations of religious institutions and practices have been made more powerful by his position as a practicing Catholic. Colbert's character often lampoons biblical literalism, religious hypocrisy, and conservative political policy, which have resonated with audiences who are both religious and secular.

The Colbert Report:
"The Colbert Report" was a groundbreaking show that blended satire, political commentary, and comedy. Colbert's character "Colbert" was a Catholic superhero who used his faith to challenge perceptions of Catholicism and Catholic mores. Through his character, Colbert explored the intersection between lived religion and mass media, challenging the idea that religion should be confined to the private sphere and not be a part of public discourse.

Digital Media Ethnography and Rhetorical Analysis:
Author Stephanie N. Brehm provides a digital media ethnography and rhetorical analysis of Stephen Colbert and his character from 2005 to 2014. Brehm examines the ways in which Colbert uses humor and satire to challenge perceptions of Catholicism and Catholic mores. She also explores the ways in which Colbert's character shapes Catholicism, both in terms of how it is portrayed on the show and in terms of how it influences the audience.

Comparison with Other Catholic Figures:
Brehm compares Colbert's character to other Catholic figures who have presented their views of Catholicism through comedy, such as Don Novello, George Carlin, Louis C.K., and Jim Gaffigan. She examines how each of these figures has used humor to challenge perceptions of Catholicism and how Colbert's character differs from them.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Stephen Colbert's persona "Colbert" is a reflection of his real-life beliefs as a practicing Catholic. Through his faith and comedy, Colbert challenges perceptions of Catholicism and Catholic mores, exploring the intersection between lived religion and mass media. His character provides a unique perspective on Catholicism, challenging both insiders and outsiders to consider the role of religion in contemporary society. While Colbert's character may be irreverent and satirical, his faith and comedy are a powerful tool for promoting understanding and tolerance.

\n Weight: 328g\n
Dimension: 145 x 224 x 16 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780823294039\n \n