The Colbert Report Season 5 Episode 51 Kanishk Tharoor, Doug Kmiec

On season 5 episode 51 of The Colbert Report, host Stephen Colbert welcomes two guests to the show: Kanishk Tharoor, a freelance writer who has written for The Guardian, The Atlantic, and The New York Times, and Doug Kmiec, a legal scholar who has served as the United States Ambassador to Malta.

The episode begins with Colbert's signature satirical monologue, covering the latest political and cultural news of the day. Topics range from the upcoming presidential election to celebrity gossip.

After the monologue, Colbert sits down with Tharoor to discuss his recent writing on a wide range of topics, including colonialism, nationalism, and the future of the global order. Tharoor shares his insights on the legacy of European colonization and its lasting impact on the world, as well as the rise of nationalist movements in countries like India and Britain.

Colbert, as always, interjects with his own humorous commentary, but also engages Tharoor in serious discussion about the complexities of modern geopolitics.

Next up is Kmiec, who joins Colbert to discuss his views on the role of religion in politics. Kmiec, a devout Catholic, has written extensively about the intersection of faith and governance, including his book "Can a Catholic Support Him?" which argued that Barack Obama's policies were consistent with Catholic social teaching.

Colbert, who is also Catholic, engages Kmiec in a lively discussion about the ways in which religion can and should influence political decision-making. They debate the merits of Kmiec's argument that Catholics can support pro-choice candidates, and discuss the thorny issues surrounding religious liberty and same-sex marriage.

Throughout the episode, Colbert employs his usual blend of humor and insight to keep the conversation flowing and the audience engaged. Whether he's skewering the latest political scandal or engaging in a serious discussion about the world's most pressing issues, Colbert's wit and intelligence are always on display.