Stephen Colbert VS. Steve Carell: Who is the BEST 'Daily Show' alum?

Question

Steve Carell:
http://www.statenews.com/dispimage.phtml?image=11069

VS.

Stephen Colbert:
http://ffmedia.ign.com/filmforce/image/colbert.jpg

Who's the best and most successful graduate of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"?

Answer 1

Stephen Colbert. Hands down. Ok, yes Steve Carell you've had a lot of movie success & 40 year old Virgin was surPRISingly entertaining, but you can't deny that Stephen is the MAN! Colbert report could quite possibly be the funniest thing on tv. And I think Stephen could take Steve in hand-to-hand combat for sure. He moves like a tiger.

Answer 2

This is a very tough question. Colbert has some following, and he is damn good. However, his range is limited, not much movies and no network TV. He's constrained by Comedy Central and a few politically active people can really follow his humor. Carell, on the other hand, has established himself as a person beyond just Comedy Central, having been part of an Oscar nominated film and a really funny 40 year old virgin...not to mention The Office. He's versatile and his popularity is well-deserved. All in all, both are funny, but Carell is more versatile and he appeals to a wider audience.

So while I love Colbert, I have to give it up to Carell. He is definitely too hot to battle right now. I'd give it some time. People will catch on to Colbert's wit and humor.

Answer 3

I love them both, but since you specifically asked Daily Show alum, I would have to say Colbert, despite Carell's greater range as a performer. He's made a great companion piece to The Daily Show that is in many ways completely different from the original show. While TDS is mainly based on making fun of current events outright, TCR is an amazing study in satire and parody.

Answer 4

To be fair, Colbert had a pretty good run on Strangers with Candy before TDS. I think Carell is the more versatile actor of the two. He brings a touch of heart and humility to his characters. He saved 40 Y/O Virgin from becoming a frat-boy movie by making his character real. He keeps Michael from becoming too much a caricature through his sense of humility and honesty (he's ridiculous but you CAN'T hate him, because he is so genuine), and I really think he should have been nominated for supporting actor in Little Miss Sunshine, although Arkin was extraordinary too. He's somehow always grounded in reality. Colbert, though I love him, is a bit of a one-trick pony.