Colbert May Be More than CBS Bargained For

By James Hirsen

CBS has confirmed that the individual who is going to fill David Letterman's shoes as the new host of "Late Night" is none other than Stephen Colbert. Interestingly, he will not be putting on the character that television audiences from his Comedy Central show have come to know and love, but rather he will apparently just be himself.

Colbert has had some moments during interviews, speeches and a series of videos that appeared on Slate, in which he has stepped out from behind the quirky conservative persona he has carefully crafted. Far from being the blustery caricature that has been cultivated over the years, the real Stephen Colbert is number 11 of 11 children, a devout Catholic Christian who along with his wife and three children lives in a quiet New Jersey suburb.

He speaks glowingly about his religion and has even been known to weave elements of his faith into his cable TV show. During a 2006 episode of "The Colbert Report," he recited the Nicene Creed, which is a summary of Christian beliefs that is part of the Sunday liturgy in Catholic churches as well as in numerous other Christian denominations. [more...]