Rush to guest on The Colbert Report

July 15th, 2008 | Category: Comedy Shows, Celebrities

Leaving it to Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert to tackle the solid issues, to tame the tiger, to take on all comers, to invite the biggest, loudest, richest mouth in radi… Oh? You mean, it’s not that Rush?

That’s right. The Colbert Report has booked Rush to seem Wednesday night (11:30 PM/EST). That’s Rush the band, not Rush Limbaugh, the radio yapper. Limbaugh would no doubt have been the butt of countless jibes — assuming he would even submit to the opportunity of being kidded — but he’s not coming on the show.

Rush, the Canadian band, will not have to anguish about Colbert’s rapier wit. They’re coming on the show to sing.

This is a real feather in

the cap for The Colbert Report. Rush has not arised on American TV in by 30 years, and they’re going to perform “Tom Sawyer,” their most-famous song.

Stephen C. has been embracing the music that summer. In addition to Rush, Nas is going to perform on July 23, Toby Keith on July 28, and Crosby, Stills and Nash (no Young — although he has presented in the past on the show) on July 30.

Is that a trend absent from comedy for The Colbert Report or just injecting some variety into the format? I think it’s the latter, and as lengthy as I like the musical act, I’m okay with it.