Stephen Sondheim holds his own against Stephen Colbert

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It was a Stephen-squared event Tuesday night on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" when host Stephen Colbert sat down to talk with Broadway songwriter Stephen Sondheim. The rapid-fire irony of Colbert's show has been known to stymie many a guest, but the 80-year-old Sondheim proved a worthy foil for the comedian's tongue-in-cheek pomposity.

Sondheim appeared on the show as part of a promotional tour for his new memoir, "Finishing the Hat." (He came to Los Angeles last month as part of the UCLA Live series to talk about the book.) Colbert demonstrated that he knows his Sondheim musicals -- or at least has a diligent staff of researchers -- and quizzed the songwriter about his experience working on "West Side Story," his professional relationship with Oscar Hammerstein II and more.

"All of these musicals that you wrote, they were originally Disney animations, correct?" asked Colbert. To which Sondheim replied, "We would like them to be."

The faux newsman later pointed out that Maria from "West Side Story" is an illegal immigrant and that Sondheim's lyric "There's a Place for Us" is therefore invalid.

Colbert then serenaded Sondheim with his own version of "Send in the Clowns," which attempts to explain that the clowns of the song are late becaue they are stuck in bad traffic.

You can watch the full "Colbert Report" segment on Sondheim in the video clip above.

-- David Ng

Photo: Stephen Sondheim. Credit: Michael Lionstar

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Comments

[Donald Frazell]

Colbert wears the Dada hat much better than they did, its inheritor Magritte's bowler would look much better on him. And the Apple a better match than the infantile whinings of The Beatless. Art is terrible at being witty and clever, its just obvious and shallow. Leave it to the comedy professionals.

Sondheim is one of the very few Broadway types that writes for and reflects mature adults. His songs can be sung by the best singers, in jazz, because they leave room for improisation within a strong and varied pallette. His harmonies are excellent, and beautiful melodys with a underlying, almost invisible, rhythmic structure that reveals his musical knowledge and passions.

I dont buy his Broadway editions, they are a little too theatrical for my taste and overly sentimental, but incredible when a creative singer lays their chops into them.

[Lea]

It was a great segment on a(n) hilarious show. I think Colbert was being kind to him, b/c as he said, 'he doesn't usually like to fawn' over guests but he made a semi-exception this time.

[proudpuertoricanamerican]

someone needs to tell colbert that as of 1917 puerto ricans are not illegal immigrants! they came here on an airplane not a boat. my father learned english by reading the newspaper and watching the news. he worked very hard to buy a home and provide for us. there is a place for us stephen colbert your comment was offensive.

[Sondheim and Colbert Fan]

Unlike another Puerto Rican, I found Colbert's statement hilarious and not in the least offensive. I have difficulty fathoming how many take Colbert's humor so seriously when clearly his schtick is so-over-the-top in its right wing leanings that - will, it becomes great comedy.

Sondheim's been a role model for me my entire life and it was a delight to see this paragon of the arts - at 80 no less - take on and hold his own with Clown Colbert.

By the way, my father arrived here by boat, not via airplane. Clearly, the Puerto Rican experience is as separate and unique as the people who arrived here - however they arrived here.