Finally, Stephen's Tolkien Geekdom Pays Off

[@ceruleantear1]

In case anyone is wondering, Bilgin Ciftci was acquitted of insulting Erdogan in 2017.

[@Nortarachanges]

cerulean tear I was, thank you ^_^

[@Chinayesok]

I was looking for this comment! Thank u!

[@TotallyHorsed]

Thank you, Stephen Colbert!

[@michaelmano7261]

I'd love to see that transcript

[@iBelieveEverythingiSeeOnYoutub]

oh wow, I thought this was a new video since it played automatically after one from yesterday. thanks for that.

[@dracopticon7788]

Stephen is a true half-elf. You can see that heritage on his right ear.

[@kitty6720]

I love when Stephen is geeking out. He should have a segment on his show for this,

[@stevolopez]

He's so not funny. The funniest part was when he put the pictures up of Gollum and Erdogan side by side. The rest was crap!

[@r0bw00d]

PETER JACKSON: That's Smeagol. STEPHEN COLBERT: Don't listen to him; listen to me...That's Smeagol.

[@Doctor_Straing_Strange]

Haha

[@zarlieck]

Basically

[@Marnee4191]

I always took it that Gollum knew he was going into the fire and didn't care, that he wanted the ring AND wanted the ring destroyed finally, to be out of his misery. He got both wishes in the end. Subconciously, did he do it on purpose? I always thought so. So, I thought he was a hero in his own weird way.

[@Marnee4191]

So, I thought maybe Colbert would say something like that.

[@zarreff]

@@Marnee4191 I never considered that point of view. I always saw it akin to an alcoholic who knew his next drink would kill him, but drinks it anyway.

[@danielplainview2584]

I was lucky enough to see this in person. Colbert is amazing.

[@Hollyweed1]

So what happens between the transition from the desk to the part where he allegedly is in court. Does he show you as an audience to look a film of his on a projector or do you wait until he changes clothes and appear before a green screen?

[@EdSpooky]

+Hollyweed yeah i wanna know too

[@sugakookiesandlambskewers7200]

I don't like salad.

[@Hollyweed1]

Daniel, answer god dammit!

[@DannyWilliamH]

Bastard from a basket, I do love me some Colbert.

[@FrisbeeGorbeh]

I love watching this clip. Colbert is practically beaming in delight through the whole segment. People talking about what they love are such a joy to watch

[@rpryce2140]

"In the name of Eru Iluvatar." Now *that* has a ring to it.

[@mariosellsbarrie]

R Pryce Lmaoooo

[@jbohnoff]

...and WHO or WHAT is 'Eru Illuvatar'?

[@scottishjedi1522]

jbohnoff God in Tolkien’s Legendarium

[@ezlochocobo716]

Please tell me that pun was intended

[@dielegende9141]

@@jbohnoff There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made.

[@ardaergor1718]

Hello everyone who bothers to read this comment. My name is Arda and I'm an 18 years old and from Turkey. I just so happened to come upon this video more than 2 years after it's release, and I was touched by the sincerety of Mr.Colbert and the time he put aside for a matter that is so distant to his world. Even though the points he makes during the trial scene are absolutely reasonable and correct, unfortunately that is not what we base our justice system upon in my country. This particular case admittably seems odd, but it is sadly one of many of it's kind. I know how greatly the freedom of speech is valued in your country, yet it has basically no importance in Turkey, whereas there are 156 journalists in prison at this moment. With that I would like to use this as an opportunity to bring your attention to the outmost injustice happening in Turkey, and thank Mr. Colbert for this wonderful segment. #FreeTurkishJournalists

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

Arda Ergör Could you please tell us what happened to this poor man? I've tried to find a reference to his fate online but I've been unsuccessful. Thank you.

[@user-cr2bt3zp1f]

It's ironic that your name is Arda, since in LOTR, Arda is the elvish word for the world in LOTR.

[@nelsontalukder2457]

www.middleeasteye.net/news/doctor-who-shared-erdogangollum-meme-acquitted-turkey-1976719610

[@ChumpionTV]

TL;DR Turkey sucks

[@unknownfury7672]

Arda Ergör your name is ARDA!!!!!! OMG. 😃

[@bert2054]

Peter Jackson October 26, 2012: "I have to say, his encyclopedic knowledge of Tolkien is spectacular, and *points to a deprived childhood* in some respects.”

[@johnkeith8072]

I disagree. Escapism is healthy.

[@deelzebub1213]

Escapism was necessary. He fell down the Tolkien rabbit hole after his dad and two brothers died in a plane crash.

[@ieatgremlins]

That is so disturbing and sad.

[@mellymel6543]

@@deelzebub1213 I had no idea...that makes his comments to Anderson Cooper all the more poignant ❤

[@mgcap-p6v]

Dee Raver 😨

[@seop1721]

Stephen, do a regular bit where you tell the tales, by fireside, from Tolkien's mythology.

[@axelblack1799]

Tell the tale of the two blue wizard brothers who tried to help the east against a greater enemy than even Sauron.

[@seop1721]

I know of those wizards, and they were given names in some of the tabletop RPG materials in the 80s or 90s (which may be based on some of Tolkien's notes), but I don't recall that the enemy they faced was greater than Sauron? I think they just went East and the story is shrouded in mystery. I suppose one might speculate it was Ungoliant, Shelob's mother. She almost overcame Melkor/Morgoth and her fate is unknown, as I recall.

[@axelblack1799]

Scratch that "Greater enemy" thing, just looked them up. They did however weaken Sauron during the second age. And possibly lead rebellions against him from the east.

[@seop1721]

This isn't canon at all, but I think some of those game resources (awesome resources, really, from ICE/Rolemaster) implied or used those two wizards as potential enemies who became, like Saruman, swayed by power. I'll always remember how fun and yet irritating it was to see that Legolas was only level 9, whereas Glorfindel was level 50 or so. Jesus: leave a Hobbit in Rivendell and give me Glorfindel!

[@axelblack1799]

Is that a DnD style thing?

[@miklein01]

stephen could start a college course all about lord of the rings and tolkien

[@brianhalligan9268]

Marc Klein a course on Tolkien’s world building and mythos would be amazing.

[@chadbornholdt9257]

There are already 100s that Colbert wouldn't pass. Check out The Tolkien Professor & The Prancing Pony Podcast.

[@chrischerubini7766]

if only he could pronounce gollums name correctly

[@chadbornholdt9257]

@@chrischerubini7766 He mispronounces A LOT of stuff. Do you know about "The Prancing Pony Podcast" by Alan Sisto & Shawn Marchese? I'm the "Chad in Texas" they speak of. Everyone on there BLOWS away Colbert.

[@naturalone6529]

I would definitely be a part of that.

[@vergilvonkarma]

"IN THE NAME OF ERU ILLUVITAR" my heart has burst of happiness

[@CatalinaThePirate]

😃 Indeed! 😏 Blessings! 💕

[@jmiester25]

Hello, fellow Edain!

[@554466551]

The law itself insults the President by assuming he is so thin skinned that he can't take a joke. By it's own standards it should put itself on trial.

[@dengueberries]

[phone] Hahah, Hear hear!

[@DannyWilliamH]

That's the thing. How weak of a politician or political figure must you be to care about something so trivial? How morally bankrupt and weak must the government know it is to even think to create that law? If you truly believe that individual citizens poking fun at you can start a revolution or remove you from power you KNOW you're part of an inherently weak system. Truth doesn't make a noise or sweat insignificant shit like that and the law itself is like a tornado siren - it's loud and says all you need to know about the government.

[@doiknowmyenemy]

Well If you look at the history of censorship for government criticism, you can assume that the law will come in handy

[@CareFreeCommuting]

Good point.

[@peepingtom9342]

+DannyWilliamH I don't think that this is personal Erdogan's initiative but rather idea of servile bureaucrats and prosecutors. It's a common trait of all authoritarian regimes: the most ugly is not a dictator but an army of his personal bootlickers.

[@filteredcreativity9409]

This is the only talk show that would do something this smart and funny. I love you Stephen!

[@Pathaholic]

+Groisu johns show is trash.......

[@1324Potato]

+Groisu "I'm smart because the only shows I watch are Colbert and big bang theory"

[@lostrmntic]

+Groisu Last Week Tonight isn't a talk show.

[@TheTimeRocket]

+filteredcreativity Up thumb 181 ;-)

[@zaprese]

filteredcreativity Well if it's not Colbert that's the massive fan it's someone else on his staff but going if the glint in his eye when he talks about it it, it's all him...

[@everestj8527]

Can we just take a moment to not only appreciate Stephen's incredible knowledge of Tolkien but also the SPOT ON Gregory Peck impression lol

[@markokkare]

Yes!!

[@iarwainthabombadil7724]

why lie. yes. he is.

[@samlee6152]

Only Stephen Colbert could seamlessly weave the lord of the rings into to kill a mockingbird

[@WarmLittleDiamond90]

"It's like watching grass grow with people in the way." - Also a fitting description of cricket.

[@evolvedturtleproductions7600]

warmlittlediamond is And golf.

[@theguywhoisaustralian1465]

Nah

[@m.ivyluna4632]

warmlittlediamond basically all sports not on sand or ice or a mat...

[@mishakellie5549]

Naw son cricket is way WAAAAAAY more entertaining then baseball

[@TheKensin1]

I'm kind of indifferent to both but I have to say there is way more going on in cricket. The multiple days to play thing is a little much though.

[@mr.jglokta191]

I thought of myself as a Tolkienist.This clip however made it clear that road goes ever on and on...

[@viksaggu9085]

Mr.J Glokta same

[@GrowingPothos]

Yeah you need to allocate your whole childhood to that, it's intimidating.

[@carlosdanger7907]

There sheer immensity of it is truly baffling. You need to pretty well devote your life to it to be that consistently well informed.

[@chadbornholdt9257]

The Prancing Pony Podcast has made learning Tolkien easy. Tell them "Chad from Texas" told you to listen. They have me on periodically. We all REALLY KNOW Tolkien (better than any famous people.)

[@nickolasdiamond5619]

Glokta, who's fingers are you cutting off now?

[@JonesCrimson]

I would love to listen to Stephen tell us stories about lord of the rings for two hours.

[@JonatasMonte]

It would be kinda weird, I can't stare at him without laughing.

[@Global00Vintage]

I would be so jealous. If I could get paid to teach Tolkien and LOTR to people I’d be so happy. Lol

[@romankotas448]

He’s motivated me to read the books

[@LelaosXVI]

Same bro..same

[@sokandueler9578]

I grew up with that, my dad (not Stephen) still has a bunch of the stories memorized, and he read the books to my sister and I as kids.

[@stvbrsn]

Stephen Colbert as Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. That's good.

[@jbmo6373]

Finally someone in the comments makes note of his "To Kill A Mockingbird" parody, thank you

[@julianmorales-silva160]

+Joseph Morris too bad this happened before "go set a watchman"

[@jbmo6373]

Julian Morales-Silva I dont understand the reference

[@julianmorales-silva160]

+Joseph Morris Atticus is actually a racist kkk member. The message is good it's just that Atticus happens to be a horrible racist

[@jbmo6373]

Are we both talking about To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee?

[@johnpangarakis396]

Can we get the lord of the Rings trilogy read by Colbert for audiobooks pls? Thank you

[@carmengracepuentes7953]

would be so amazing!!!

[@lisawhite2600]

Yes, it would be - as long as he first spends time going through Appendix E in preparation...!

[@bgheggie]

Until that happy day, try the Rob Inglis version. He’s fantastic.

[@MsTristen12]

Pangasauras yes please

[@jenspeterkold5454]

With commentary track !!

[@travvistodd6016]

"Leaf by Niggle" is one of the most beautiful short stories ever written. It's astounding to see it referenced on a late night talk show.

[@14Yorker14]

I love Stephen Colbert, and he truly is one of the greatest Tolkien nerds out there. But I will have to pick at his incorrect pronunciation of the word 'Edain'. The following note on pronunciation is taken directly from The Children of Hurin: AI - has the sound of English 'eye'; thus the second syllable of 'Edain' is like English 'dine', not 'Dane'. I can finally say that I corrected Stephen Colbert on a matter of Tolkien nerdom. My life is now complete.

[@14Yorker14]

He also pronounced Sauron and Smaug incorrectly.

[@sparkreno19]

NNNEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRDDDDDSSS

[@bullseyedustrunescape5951]

He also says Golem instead of Gollum. Gollum should be pronounced gall (as in the bladder - um (as in wondering what you want to say).

[@14Yorker14]

+Bullseyedust Runescape Correct, but I was willing to overlook his pronunciation of Gollum as I just assumed it was his accent.

[@JeoshuaCollins]

You know what, Tolkien is enough of a linguistic pedant that this is almost certainly true. Why else would a linguist use the "ai" dipthong, if he was not meaning it to be pronounced /ai/? Masterful stroke, Elliot. 10 points to Griffindor.

[@agustinvenuti872]

I love the sincerity of his words when he says "Now.. I'm so tempted to tell you that story right now but anyway" about Beren and Luthien hahahaha, he truly considered derailing everything and spilling it

[@collinslogan01]

"Maybe not baseball, it's like watching grass grow, with people in the way." HAHA. Oh Colbert, you'll never get old!

[@mariokarter13]

Atticus Finch is my favorite LotR character.

[@samponcho3412]

+mariokarter13 It brought me to tears when Spock shouted "use the force!", but then Voldemort hit Finch with an arrow of darkness before he could summon his jedi magics - thank god Morpheus went back in time with the Delorian to save him, or I would have been devastated.

[@Kamodomon]

+Sam Poncho My whole body hurts after that one.

[@thepleblian2079]

+mariokarter13 He's the one that can turn into a mockingbird... Right?

[@Kamodomon]

The Plebeian My spleen!

[@benedictifye]

+Sam Poncho it's "Delorean" - otherwise that's sound logic

[@Tam_Eiki]

I love when Stephen totally nerds out on anything Tolkien. What's the icing on the cake is to read all these comments from dedicated Tolkien fans. My heart is full of joy...

[@OfficialCDJ]

The moment he rocked up in full Finch costume, I spat out my coffee laughing!

[@mingycomumbus167]

The black and white film with fake age-spots was a good touch

[@sagerider2]

It took me a second to realize if wasn't Peck!

[@XxPx3xNx6xUx1xNxX]

He looks just like him! I never noticed.

[@callofthewild9175]

only Stephen Colbert can combine To Kill A Mockingbird with Tolkien and make it powerful as well as ridiculous.

[@DoubleDOwnage]

I love when people are enthusiastic about things they love.

[@willavera5645]

"in the name of Eru, Iluvitar, do your duty", made my day as a pretty major Tolkien nerd.

[@msjkramey]

oh wow. I just looked up the case. apparently he got a year in jail and *had his parental rights stripped*... he said he's going to appeal, but damn

[@WonderingSole]

Bilgin Ciftci was acquitted by Aydin's Third Criminal Court on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, of violating Article 301 of the Turkish constitution, which censures anyone who "publicly denigrates state officials, the government and the judicial institutions of the state".

[@Krystalmyth]

Hurray for the appeals process I guess. Fucking allies with draconians laws should be sanctioned.

[@deazy6453]

That's messed up

[@beetlejuiceblues12]

Finally, all those times I said Steven looks like Atticus Finch paid off! And literally, that impression was perfect

[@veganleigh4817]

I agree. One of my favorite films, and Stephen had his Atticus down. And when he said "They want to put him away", complete with hand gestures, I almost fell off my chair laughing!

[@JustEirene]

if they ever remake To Kill a Mockingbird, i nominate Stephen to play Atticus Finch.

[@QWERTY19905]

In the name of Illuvatar =))I lost it

[@laudeinvicta7113]

Harmony Shimer in what time was that???

[@olivialim7541]

yeah! most of the silmarillion is an explanation for why you shouldn't swear (poorly thought out) Oaths on His name

[@arieltd78]

"Baseball: is like watching grass grow with people on it." Exactly how I feel....

[@mrj_fx]

That is not what he said lol

[@neonamco]

I love baseball. It's the nuances, the chess matches, the statistics that make the game great and appeases those with bigger minds. Football is great and all but if you notice, the average die hards are jockish douche bags with low IQs..

[@omertariq3271]

That moment when you get literally every single reference he made...

[@Diana_Fire]

I keep getting distracted by Stephen's Right Elf-Shaped Tolkien Ear.

[@janejane6754]

Alicia Westfall 😂😂😂 now I can't unsee it lol

[@justinhamilton8647]

That's his deaf ear, lol

[@mikeheath1534]

Finally someone said it!

[@TheRPGentleman]

He's half Elven. Duh.

[@bonierrope]

I’ve always seen that too, it’s so hard to pay attention sometimes

[@MangoMotors]

Also I would love a modern rendition of to kill a mockingbird starring Stephen as Atticus.

[@joshbobst1629]

I read The Silmarillion. It was quite a bit like reading the bible

[@Teddybomber87]

it is the bible

[@puppylove6330]

Teddybomber87

[@Chloe-kw5ic]

it's was more entertaining. I'd say it was like reading Greek mythology

[@rosiegalathynius4467]

The Silmarrillion can be compared to the Old Testament but it is a hell of a lot better

[@seop1721]

It was always my favorite of Tolkien's books. I was the only person I knew, out of many Tolkien fans (pre-films) to like that book over LotR. So when I heard Stephen express the same, it was as if the world made sense.

[@caseys5597]

Oh. My. God. I can't believe I'm just seeing this now. I grew up on all things Tolkien- my mother used to tell me stories about how my father would read LotR to me when I was still in a crib. My favorite movie when I was a kid was the Bakshi animated version of LotR. I picked up the Silmarillion at age 7 (also my favorite book). I re-read all of them every 2 years or so and have for decades. Stephen Colbert has just satisfied me in a way no man ever has before. xD

[@pirobot668beta]

For a derivative work, check out the album from Bo Hansson, "Music inspired by Lord of the Rings", 1972. Kinda trippy, kinda prog-rock, kinda hard to nail down. Each segment covers a passage from the books. Not a complete musical score, but it captures some moments pretty well.

[@carmengracepuentes7953]

awww XD

[@kjamison5951]

Stephen totally nails that Gregory Peck impression!

[@DaaaahWhoosh]

Well, Gollum/Smeagol was an innocent hobbit who was corrupted by pure evil, until the day he finally sacrificed himself to destroy the Ring and save all the goodness that yet remained in the world. Or, he bit off a guy's finger and then fell into a volcano, it really depends on how you look at it. Either way, he was a character that didn't know when to quit, who stood his ground and pursued the thing he loved even if it meant entering the darkest places in Arda. Which I think is something we can all respect.

[@daveskerritt9886]

Yeah, I agree - Tolkien represented Gollum/Smeagol more as someone to be pitied then seen as totally evil. And this was Gollum's purpose, I believe, in the story, and, of course, he was the one who fell into Mount Doom with the ring. He pursed the ring to his end.

[@jmariewoods]

I can't respect Gollum's pursuit of his precious. Gollum is a twisted being obsessed with power. The primary feeling I have for him is pity. To become so obsessed with the Ring that he destroyed himself in order to regain possession of it? That's not a good thing. He did not sacrifice himself to save all the good that remained in the world. He bit off a guy's finger so that that man could not destroy his precious or use it himself. Falling into the volcano was not his intention. Although it is near impossible to overcome the power of the Ring, remember that Smeagol is pretty easily able to rationalize the accidental murder of his best friend right from the start of his possession of the Ring. He was innocent, but not necessarily good. Compare this to Bilbo and Frodo, who do not begin their possession of the Ring with vile acts. Bilbo DOES lie about how he got possession of it, but he gives up the Ring willingly. Frodo almost gives in to the Ring in the end, but he also faced a lot just to get to Oroduin, and knows that the Ring's destruction is the best path.

[@happycamper6888]

Awww :( I feel empathy for him now. Aww poor.. Smeagol I guess. Gollum is not a thing, it's just... :( :( poor smeagol. I love him.

[@edwardtupper6374]

jmariewoods Frodo folded

[@Ajsandborg]

Gollum was riverfolk tho, not a hobbit

[@victorkong82]

Stephen is more Atticus than Go Set a Watchman's Atticus

[@samjohnstonemusic6328]

We don’t talk about Go Set A Watchman 😐

[@annyspb1]

I've read the Silmarillion - damn good book.

[@simonberggren4069]

I totally agree. Ive read it many times. My favourite part is when Melkor seduces the elves and twists Feanors mind and steals the Silmarillions. Thus lay ground to all the other books! What is yours?

[@acmaiden5236]

@@simonberggren4069 My favorite part is when Ungoliant sucks the life out of the Trees of Valinor and becomes even more powerfull than Melkor himself and then tries absorb his power.

[@WitherFang]

@@acmaiden5236 My favourite part is when Fëanor insults Melkor and slam the door in Melkor's face.

[@brucetucker4847]

@@simonberggren4069 I think my favorite part is Húrin's last stand at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. "Aurë entuluva! Day shall come again!" So sad and yet so stirring. And the Tale of the Children of Húrin, tragedy even Shakespeare couldn't match. Fingolfin's duel with Morgoth before the gates of Angband is also absolutely epic.

[@simonberggren4069]

@@brucetucker4847 Yea I totally agree that this stands over even Shakespeare! The book of Hurin is maybe the best story of them all (the full length). Of all Tolkien's work!

[@Youknowhimasmatt]

That impression was imPeckable...

[@spacelasertech8359]

He should've told the audience the story of Beren and Lúthien. I don't usually go for love stories but that particular one gets me every time. And the whole backstory with Tolkien and his wife...listen, being a nerd isn't all about drawing up family trees and analyzing Quenya verb structure.

[@brucetucker4847]

The names "Beren" and "Luthien" are even inscribed on their tombstone.

[@Batuhan_Karahan]

Funny thing is “Bilgin Çiftçi” means “wise farmer” so it’s pretty hobbit-ish to me :D Unlucky pair of names really. thank god not all Turkish names are like that. :D

[@Whitsoxrule1]

yeah at least he wasnt called Batuhan Karahan

[@poughkeepsie8516]

Whitsoxrule1 wtf? 👎

[@Batuhan_Karahan]

@uykusuz at Batu does not mean West , what you were trying to say was "batı" with an I in the end. These words resemble each other. However, Batu is a common masculine Central Asian name. In Mongolian, "Batu" means firm/stable. While the name is spelled Batu in Mongol Script (ᠪᠠᠲᠦ), the form Bat (Mongolian: Бат) is used in Mongol Cyrillic. In Turkish, "Batu" means "Prevailing", and/or "Preponderant". --------------- Anyone can learn this from Wikipedia.

[@FlanaFugue]

"bilgin" is a very common Turkish name.

[@Batuhan_Karahan]

@@FlanaFugue nope :)

[@DavidJamesHenry]

I was so hyped when I saw he was parodying To Kill a Mockingbird. Colbert may be a big Tolkienite, but I am a geek of classical literature.

[@guppy8073]

RobotGoggles he even looks like Gregory peck!!

[@XxXspawndXxX]

Thank you, finally someone else who read The Silmarillion

[@rylsahawneh3662]

My favorite Tolkien characters are from the Silmarillion!

[@hugolalumiere9992]

I'm a die-hard fan but no one has really read The Silmarillion. You get lost through the loooooooong litany of archeleogical recounting. The true nerd remembers the cousins and linealogical snippets and mythological delvings. I admire Stephen for it but will never put myself through it.

[@isisatlantis3168]

I've read the Simarillion and all Tolkiens finished and unfinished work.

[@christinacyrus3824]

Oh my lord! Why did I not see this till now? I am a huge Tolkien geek and that's how I raised my son. We also loves Stephen Colbert so this is awesome. Long live stephen!

[@bellakaldera3305]

I too read the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales as well! Every Book Tolkien wrote! I once passed in an English assignment written in the Cireth Angerthas Runes! You schooled 'em Steven!

[@_A_D_]

That taco seasoning graphic stayed there for a suspicious amount of time.

[@acekelly2024]

"My favorite book! Even though it's the one that no one reads!" Stephen: I have never felt greater brotherhood or affection for a television host than I have watching you say those words. 7:04

[@lyly0451]

He actually looks like Atticus though

[@johndaily543]

The brilliance of this monologue is that parts of the actual, original script have been integrated into Stephen's closing argument. Well played, writers!

[@cherylanderson3340]

Steven, you have outdone yourself with this clever piece.

[@barbaro267]

Atticus Finch!

[@hannahc7950]

barbaro267 i approve of your icon

[@slipperysqueef5284]

Just read that book.

[@pndaahs]

barbaro267 MERLIN💔💔💔

[@Emma-yq7pk]

barbaro267 what the heck?!

[@Baskerville1000]

To kill a mocking bird was one of my favorite childhood books and its my all time favorite black-and-white movie. Never saw a better role model for a father than Atticus Finch.

[@Bounsingonbongos1]

Solid Atticus impression

[@shuboy05]

I am so glad a couple people cheered at the mention of Beren and Luthien. Their story and the tale of Turin are my favorite tales from The Silmarillion.

[@philoshaughnessy906]

Fantastic impersonation of Gregory Peck.

[@carolynworthington8996]

Phil O'Shaughnessy Yes!

[@daninmills]

I never noticed how different Stephen's left year is from his right

[@catmom1322]

Yes, and he is very hard of hearing in that ear.

[@daninmills]

I never knew that, that's really interesting.

[@abigailbooth]

He is deaf in his right ear from an operation he had as a child

[@JonatasMonte]

Operation from what?

[@HansenSWE]

JonatasMonte: He read unclear instructions and got caught with his ear in a toaster.

[@MasterArchfiend]

This man makes me proud to be a nerd. Also, I love that "To Kill a Mockingbird" reference as his defence.

[@synth_dahl4438]

Stephen Colbert, dressed and talking like Atticus Finch, passionately and intelligently talking about Lord of the Rings. That is so hot I can barely speak right now

[@HailZod]

He kept mispronouncing names and places and also got some things wrong and as a lotr fan that made me uncomfortable

[@JessCaron]

DON'T SWEAR TO ERU LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO FEANOR

[@firstlylasty8687]

+Jess Caron lol

[@Heidenspross]

aaah... poor granddad... by the way: maglor lives!

[@uainediabhal9689]

Wow, Stephen's Gregory Peck is really, really good. We love you Stephen

[@monicahawkins9808]

Smeagle= pupils dilated. Gollum= tiny pupils. End of controversy

[@guitarchim]

This is why I love Stephen. We're both Tolkien experts :)

[@starlinguk]

+Jason A So can you pronounce Gollum? The journalist could ...

[@hoy7189]

I love Colbert’s LotR nerdom and I love his To Kill a Mockingbird reference in his defence. Truly a well-read guy.

[@mikeoxsbigg1]

Aww crap, I've read the Silmarilion..

[@fod1202]

+Mike Oxsbigg Awww yes, the bible of Middle Earth.

[@mikeoxsbigg1]

I enjoyed the tales of Morgoth.

[@joekerr9197]

+E vilo Nah...the bible of ME is the History of ME...all 12 volumes of it. ;) Silmarillion is more like a recap of it.

[@antonioballve9779]

+Mike Oxsbigg BEST BOOK EVARRR

[@Traumglanz]

+Mike Oxsbigg Who hasn´t ? I mean has the best middle-earth stories from Tolkien. :D

[@NewMessage]

What's a mockingbird, Precious? What's a mockingbird, eh?

[@SouthernBelleReviews]

Thank you Stephen Colbert. You did the best TKAM impression I have ever heard. You're awesome. Thumbs up to you.

[@JudgeEomer]

I find it particularly funny that Colbert jokes about Turkish names sounding like Tolkien characters, because many of the "pre-translated" Hobbit names sound very Turkish, e.g. Samwise Gamgee's name is actually Banazír Galbasi.

[@AkbarJohn1]

"Smeagol is a perfectly normal hobbit, until he was corrupted by the One Ring and became the creature known as Gollum." Very perfect definition of who Erdogan really is.

[@brucetucker4847]

He was not a perfectly normal Hobbit, though - he had a bad reputation before he obtained the Ring. And you might say his murder of Deagol was caused by the Ring, but Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, and the others managed to resist doing anything like that - particularly Bilbo and Frodo, who could have justly killed Smeagol but refrained out of pity.

[@gestaltdude]

I've only just seen this today, and the first thing that struck me was how weird it was to hear a live audience react to the material. Turns out people really can adapt to the new, if it goes on long enough. Here's hoping they can get back to the real thing sooner rather than later. From, another Tolkien geek, who does read The Simarillion every time before tackling LOTR.

[@RetroYoungen]

Truth be told, Colbert cuts a pretty impressive Gregory Peck (visually at least).

[@EL-jq1sq]

It's amazing to hear Stephen pronounce names from my language.

[@rosering02]

If they ever do a remake of, "To Kill A Mockingbird." Stephen is the one man who do can it!

[@alexpalmer7704]

Surely the worlds best Tolkein expert would be his son Christopher?

[@aphroditeonearth9947]

I have to play devils advocate in that love blinds us. Being so close to something can be a hindrance. I am not saying he is "blinded by the light" or that he isn't - I'm just saying it because it is true for some. He may not be the foremost expert because his love for his father and both their works can blind him. Again I'm not arguing that is the case I'm just throwing out the other side that could be.

[@thesultanofsmack5957]

+Aphrodite OnEarth he helped write that stuff tho. I understand your point but it's off base😂

[@seop1721]

His son is probably sick of it by now. ;-)

[@TheVergile]

of course. he would be the only one that really has an overview of all the unreleased material, letters and different versions of every text that reveal how Tolkien wrote and adjusted his works. If you read the Silmarillion - for example - you will realize just how much work, dedication and fluency he must have had to reconstruct this book out of thousand of fragmented manuscripts and typo scripts his father left.

[@rotisseriepossum]

Alex Palmer ???

[@thailor2614]

Holy shit he looks and sounds impressively like Gregory Peck! Nicely done!!

[@raukoring]

Stephen is a half-elf. Look at his right ear

[@VickysStuff]

Oh Stephen, my love for you just grows exponentially! I was raised on Tolkien from infanthood, like mother's milk it was to me. I'm right there with you, yearning to tell the tale of Luthien and Beren, and I admire your restraint! I wonder how many people recognized your Atticus Finch impression (which was BRILLIANT)... does this generation even watch black & white movies? I hope so... Lastly, I'd like to point out that the angle of Gollum being a hero and not a villain, was never really explained, but I agree that it could be a completely credible argument! *LOTR SPOILER ALERT* Gollum IS the one who eventually destroys the Ring, and basically saves the whole damn world. That IS his hero moment. When Gandalf spoke of him still having a role yet to play "for good or ill", and mused about Bilbo's pity sparing Gollum's life... it was for that moment of redemption! So, yes. Gollum turned out to be a hero, albeit unwitting and unlikely.

[@St3v3z]

Uh, Gollum is not a hero. Quite literally nothing about him or his character are heroic. Gollum didn't destroy the ring, Eru did. He caused Gollum to slip. I don't think many would claim Sméagol to have been evil, as he seemed to be perfectly normal until The Ring corrupted him. But it cant be seriously claimed that anything Gollum did was heroic.

[@jmariewoods]

The destruction of the ring was not a heroic act, as Gollum did not intend to destroy it. Rather, he was trying to obtain the ring for himself. However, he is not a villain either. He is what would have become of Frodo or Bilbo if they had not been able to give up the One Ring so early in their possession of it: a slave to its power. As Stephen says, Smeagol is a character to be pitied. The real hero in Lord of the Rings is, of course, Samwise Gamgee. All the hobbits are simple folk, but Sam is simple even for a hobbit. He becomes embroiled in a fight far above his head, but he stays true to himself to the end. Even when he bears the ring himself and feels its power, he does not falter. He always does what must be done. That is bravery.

[@hannahaugustyniak11]

Holy shit Colbert even looks like Atticus finch

[@jwvandegronden]

baseball: watching grass grow with people in the way... LOL. love that metaphor!

[@aromaladyellie]

I hope someday I can save someone's life with my knowledge of Harry Potter.

[@yasmineouchrif9475]

my thoughts exactly

[@NotSatanDisguised]

Your honor, I would like to submit to the court that a horcrux is in fact intrinsically different from a phylactery.

[@MickeyCuervo36]

inasmuch that a horcrux contains only a part of a soul, that of the one who created it, and a phylactery contains an entire soul, against it's will? I'm sure I'm only painting with broad strokes, but that is the gist of it, yes?

[@Kaipyro67ALT]

May the defence note that when you insult a Hippogriff, you are courting death! Let the record show that Hippogriffs are proud creatures and that my client warned mister Malfoy of the dangers of insulting this proud and beautiful beast. It is the ramifications of his own infraction that led to that scratch on his arm, not my client's!

[@geekweek9673]

That and Rick Riordan books/mythology and folklore

[@72Yonatan]

Stephen Colbert, this was the show I enjoyed more than any other you have done in your career. Hilarious and educational as well for all the future fans of Tolkien lore.

[@katelynrushe9025]

I blogged about this case myself when it first came out, and if we're going purely by which personality is operating the character's body at the time of each picture, the first picture is of Gollum and the other two are of Smeagol. The easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at their pupils. They constrict when Gollum is speaking and expand when Smeagol is speaking.

[@nateputerbaugh5709]

When did Christoph Waltz play Atticus?

[@sadbastard666]

No, Gregory Peck did.

[@nateputerbaugh5709]

Max Hughes I know. Colbert sounds more like he's doing a Waltz impression

[@sadbastard666]

Ahh. I gotcha. Sorry, i misread your comment(:

[@micromenagerie]

Doesn't sound like Christoph Waltz at all m80

[@coolfeztboy]

+Nate Puterbaugh No he is clearly doing an impression of J. Peterman from Seinfeld.

[@Buenomars]

Man...sometimes truth is stranger than fiction!

[@itsfischer383]

Stephen Colbert: "I'm a Tolkien expert!" Also Stephen Colbert: "Golem"

[@madiaisanti4042]

K9 Gaming he also mispronounced Sauron and Smaug As “Soh-ron” and “Smog” Instead of “Sau-ron” and “smaw-g” LoTR Appendix E

[@kelsiejackson372]

I believe he pronounced the names that way because he read the names from the books long before the movies were made. When I was reading Harry Potter, I pronounced hermione as “her-me-onie” in my head. He’s just used to his pronunciation is all! To me, it just goes to show that he loves Tolkien and that he’s been an expert for a long time☺️

[@dantino2279]

The pronunciations are in the appendices that were published with the books, they aren’t just from the movie.

[@Bitterswheat]

“never mock someone for mispronouncing a word because that means they read it first”

[@dantino2279]

@@Bitterswheat But n this case, they didn't read it thoroughly, because Tolkien details all the pronunciations for his characters

[@mr.shlock2146]

Stephen is the most talented and intelligent late night host we've ever had

[@TennantJunkie1993]

One of the most intelligent late night hosts. There's also Jon Stewart and John Oliver. Plus Conan O'Brien.

[@fairfight9857]

I would say Conan O’Brien.

[@shogun0810]

*laughs in Conan*

[@quantumquorum-g3u]

At this moment, I'm just happy someone else has read Farmer Giles and the Silmarillion besides me.

[@FacelessMage117]

During the "Court" scene, Stephen sounds almost exactly like John Noble.

[@AugustTheStag]

Its Gregory Peck, as Atticus Finch.

[@brucetucker4847]

Twenty years on and I am still appalled at the farce they turned Denethor into. He's supposed to be wise and noble but ultimately tragic, not a comic book villain and buffoon!

[@UltimateZephead]

I love the reference to the Tolkien Universe's God at the end

[@paulcollins2995]

Eru Illuvatar isn't a god. he is King of the Valar and Maiar, but not technically a god.

[@willb1405]

Bens grandpa he is basically the tolkien universe’s equivalent of god

[@houseelf2789]

To kill a mockingbird clip killed me

[@taklampan650]

I must say that this is the best late night show host I've ever seen, and I've seen more than I'd like to admit

[@DustingBread]

So is going to help this man or what?

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

+DustingBread It brings it to attention and that could alter the outcome, if Turkey didn't think there would be an international outcry then they would probably do it and no one would know.

[@DustingBread]

+Ruby Doobie well he got a bit off track and this man could go to jail.

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

DustingBread I agree but this is better than nothing and the correct response (one urging some form of international protest) wouldn't fit will with the show. Regardless I was surprised there weren't more comments questioning the seriousness of the response.

[@darkprose]

+DustingBread What do you want him to do, exactly?

[@benedictifye]

No, no it won't.

[@jessicar.c.5230]

Stephen Colbert, I thank you for bringing in To Kill a Mockingbird into this. It was awesome!

[@android927]

Wow, Colbert would actually be a really great Atticus...

[@petekessell]

Dear Stephen, Gollum is pronounced /ˈɡɒl.əm/, rhymes with column. A golem (/ˈɡoʊləm/), the word you are using is an animated anthropomorphic being, magically created entirely from inanimate matter.

[@randomperson45414]

+Pete Kessell Exactly! It bugs me that he keeps saying it that way. Tolkien pronounced it to rhyme with column, the movies pronounce it that way, everyone I know says it that way....why does Stephen insist on "golem"?

[@Evelina_412]

It may be phonetic differences in different languages since English isn't my native language, but the way I hear it, he's saying Gollum. He actually puts emphasis on *o*, almost spelling it like Goullum.

[@williamedward1666]

+Pete Kessell Dude, it's Tolkien. His words are always hard to pronounce.

[@Deedumdee]

+Pete Kessell He gets "Giles" wrong as well, it should be a J sound at the start rather than the hard G.

[@jrmckim]

it might be his accent.