The Colbert Report Season 4 Episode 28 Lorin Maazel, Shashi Tharoor

In the 28th episode of the fourth season of The Colbert Report, host Stephen Colbert welcomes two renowned guests to his show: the esteemed conductor Lorin Maazel and Indian politician and writer Shashi Tharoor. The episode begins with Colbert presenting his signature satirical take on breaking news stories and current events, including stories about the U.S. presidential election and a new study that suggests brain damage can make people more spiritual.

Colbert then brings on Maazel, who is the music director of the New York Philharmonic. Maazel talks about his decades-long career conducting orchestras all over the world and shares some personal anecdotes about his experiences. Colbert pokes fun at Maazel's name, jokingly calling him "Lori" and making a humorous comparison between conducting an orchestra and "herding cats." Maazel takes the ribbing in good humor and even conducts Colbert's house band, Jon Batiste and Stay Human, in a brief rendition of Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

The next guest is Tharoor, a high-ranking member of the Indian National Congress who also happens to be a prolific writer with over 20 books to his name. Tharoor talks with Colbert about Indian politics, the increasing role of technology in society, and his own experiences growing up in India and studying abroad. Colbert praises Tharoor for his eloquence and intelligence, calling him "the most interesting man in the world" at one point.

Throughout the episode, Colbert interweaves comedy sketches and segments with his interviews. One of these is a fake commercial for a fictional product called "The Colbert Report Complete Box Set," which promises to include every episode of the show ever broadcast, as well as a special bonus DVD of "Stephen Colbert's Deleted Scenes." In another segment, Colbert introduces a new recurring character: a "Senior Religious Correspondent" who appears via satellite to discuss various religious topics and answer viewer questions.

As always, the episode is peppered with rapid-fire jokes and witty one-liners that showcase Colbert's trademark humor and quick thinking. At one point, he quips that he's "always been a big fan of classical music, ever since I heard it on cartoons." At another, he jokes that the New York Philharmonic "is like the New York Yankees of classical music, only without the steroids."

Overall, the Lorin Maazel/Shashi Tharoor episode of The Colbert Report is a fast-paced and entertaining mix of comedy, culture, and politics, showcasing both Colbert's irreverent humor and his ability to engage with guests from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. Whether you're a fan of classical music, Indian politics, or just good old-fashioned satire, there's something in this episode to keep you entertained from start to finish.