Colbert of 'Daily' gets own show

Just as "The Daily Show" mimics TV newscasts and lambastes the media and politicians alike, Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" (9:30 p.m. MDT Monday through Thursday) will ape "The O'Reilly Factor," as "Daily Show" contributor Stephen Colbert spins off into his own series.

"It's a man and his platform," Colbert said, describing his new venture.

"We'll talk about a few smaller news stories they didn't cover on 'The Daily Show,' my opinions on big stories of the day, the kind of stuff I do for 'The Daily Show' expanded for this new arena."

In addition, Colbert will interview guests and report field pieces. At the time of an interview last month, he was just back from interviewing four congressmen in one day.

"Boy, you have never needed a cup of black coffee more than when you're between congressmen three and four," Colbert said. "They're a ball of fire."

Colbert readily admits he's been playing a character on "The Daily Show," and although he thinks Bill O'Reilly on Fox News Channel has the best structure among personality-driven talking-head shows, he said his character is more of a cross between Fox's Geraldo Rivera and NBC's Stone Phillips.

"He's a sexy, manly guy with a mission," Colbert deadpanned, "and a heart.

"I think the character is mostly motivated by self-importance. . . . He can fall all over the political map," Colbert said. "He's acting from poor information and saying what he believes is best for America. If anything, he would be part of the 'blame America last' crowd."

"The Colbert Report" won't be combative, though.

"Sometimes those shows are like no-holds-barred extreme cage fighting," he said. "I don't have that in my blood. Regardless of the work I've done on 'The Daily Show' for years, I'm not an assassin. It's all for comedy. That's the No. 1 goal."

Though Colbert will no longer report for "The Daily Show," he will appear at the conclusion of most installments to tease what's coming up on "The Colbert Report." The new series grew out of discussions among Colbert, Comedy Central executives and "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart, whose production company is making "The Colbert Report." Stewart is one of the show's executive producers, and Colbert said he seeks out his guidance.

"It's mostly about my wardrobe. He thinks I'm a little hip-y. He's trying to get me into a slenderizing (wardrobe) line," Colbert joked.