Stephen Colbert Pokes Fun at DNC

In a light-hearted opening monologue on Monday night, CBS’s Stephen Colbert took on the role of the Democratic National Convention's unofficial jester, delivering a series of jokes aimed at entertaining his left-leaning audience. The lengthy duration of the convention, which delayed his show, provided ample material for Colbert, who poked fun at President Joe Biden's age and made a subtle reference to Kamala Harris's unexpected nomination as the party's candidate. Colbert's humor, however, avoided any direct criticism of his special guest, Hillary Clinton, who expressed her excitement about the event to an enthusiastic audience of 4,000 at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre. Notably absent from his routine were any remarks regarding the significant pro-Palestinian protests occurring outside the convention, which overshadowed many of the evening's proceedings. These protests included participation from Democratic challenger Cornell West, who called for voters to "abandon" Harris. Instead of addressing the protests, Colbert positioned himself as a cheerleader for the DNC, remarking on the extraordinary length of the event and humorously suggesting that it marked the unofficial start of the 2028 campaign. He also took the opportunity to poke fun at New York Governor Kathy Hochul and highlighted Harris's surprise appearance, all while maintaining a tone that aimed to keep the audience engaged without ruffling any feathers. In a playful jab, Colbert noted Biden's ability to stay awake past 8 p.m., quipping that the president had saved his energy for the night, showcasing a blend of humor and political commentary that resonated with his viewers.