The Colbert Report Season 9 Episode 120 Chris Matthews

In this episode of The Colbert Report, host Stephen Colbert welcomes his guest Chris Matthews, a political commentator and author. Matthews is there to discuss his latest book, Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked, which explores the relationship between former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill and President Ronald Reagan.

As always, Colbert opens the show with his trademark satirical take on the news of the day. He covers topics like U.S.-China relations, the 2016 presidential campaign, and the latest developments in the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

When Matthews comes on, Colbert wastes no time in getting to the heart of the matter. He asks Matthews why he chose to write about Reagan and O'Neill, and what lessons we can learn from their example. Matthews explains that they were two of the most powerful politicians of their era, and they were able to put aside their partisan differences to get things done for the American people.

Colbert pushes Matthews on this point, asking him if it's really possible for politicians to work together like that anymore. Matthews admits that it's much harder in today's highly polarized political climate, but he believes that it's still possible if both sides are willing to make the effort.

The conversation then turns to Matthews' career in journalism. Colbert asks him how he got his start, and Matthews reveals that he actually began his career as a speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter. From there, he went on to become a journalist, covering politics for a variety of publications before eventually landing his own show on MSNBC, Hardball with Chris Matthews.

Colbert asks Matthews how he's managed to stay relevant for so long in a constantly changing media landscape. Matthews credits his success to his ability to adapt to new technologies and stay on top of the latest trends. He also praises his staff for their hard work and dedication.

The interview then takes a more personal turn, as Colbert asks Matthews about his family. Matthews talks about his wife, children, and grandchildren, and how much they mean to him. Colbert asks him if he ever worries about his safety, given the contentious nature of politics today. Matthews admits that he has received threats in the past, but he refuses to let fear stop him from doing his job.

The conversation ends on a lighter note, as Colbert and Matthews engage in a game of "Word Blurt" where they try to come up with words related to a given topic as quickly as possible. The topic for this game is "Political Scandals," and the two men have a lot of fun trying to outdo each other with their answers.

Overall, this episode of The Colbert Report is a fascinating and insightful conversation between two political veterans. Matthews' book about Reagan and O'Neill is an important reminder that even in the most difficult of times, politicians can still find ways to work together for the good of the country. Colbert's trademark humor and wit provide the perfect foil for Matthews' more serious insights, making for an engaging and entertaining hour of television.