Larry Wilmore's edgy comedy routine at Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Dinner wasn't a big hit in the room, earning Wilmore comparisons to the 2006 WHCD speech by the man whose slot he took at Comedy Central, Stephen Colbert. Colbert stood up for his good friend on Monday's Late Show. "He stunned that room," Colbert said of Wilmore. "People in Washington aren't used to seeing two black men speaking at the same event."
At the end of his WHCD routine, Wilmore used the N-word in reference to President Obama, "and it was shocking," Colbert said, "but it did lay the groundwork for President Trump to say it next year." (Obama wasn't offended, the White House said Monday.) "I thought Larry gave a great speech that did not let the president or the press off the hook," he added, "and I am confident that Larry will receive the ultimate recognition for his work: Never being invited back." Colbert should know. Watch him defend Wilmore, mock the TSA, discuss Bitcoin, and drop some interesting suggestions for the Ringling Bros. elephants now that they no longer have to perform in the circus. Peter Weber
The Week
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