Stephen Colbert at Tribeca Talks, A ‘Late Show’ Warm Up?

© Jamie McCarthy | Getty Images (via Zimbio)

Still wondering what Stephen Colbert might be like as an interviewer now that he has dropped the blow hard alter ego he embodied on ‘The Colbert Report’ for over a decade?

If Anthony D’Alessandro’s Deadline review is anything to go by, then it looks like we’re in for some pretty positive times ahead on the ‘Late Show’, not to mention some fantastic guest interviews.

‘Late Show’ Warmup At Tribeca? Colbert Tells Lucas “I’m Not The Guy To Take Over For Jon Stewart”

While George Lucas had the spotlight at today’s Tribeca Talk: George Lucas and Stephen Colbert, it was the future Late Show host who came away with spades in the conversation. Clearly on display were the comedian’s interview chops sans his Colbert Report conservative alter ego. As an interviewer, Colbert never overshadowed his guest, he but touted a plethora of hysterical, snappy responses to Lucas’ long-winded storytelling about his life, which canvassed everything from his wannabe race car driver days to rebellious, anti-studio filmmaker.

[…] Colbert’s interview style came across as smart and relaxed — able to ask a quick question, get out and allow Lucas to linger. He didn’t drill Lucas in Charlie Rose fashion, and of course, Colbert didn’t throw the Star Wars filmmaker off guard with pointed, abstract questions a la Barbara Walters.

During the interview Lucas turned the tables on Colbert, asking: (via Polygon)

Lucas: The perfect choice to replace that Jon Stewart fellow would have been you. You just say ‘I’m taking over the crown.’

Colbert: I don’t want to be the guy to take over from Jon Stewart. I worked for Jon Stewart at that show, my memories will always be of him being the keenest, most intelligent, most beautifully deconstructive mind. The clearest thinker I’ve ever worked with or for, and I would never, however successful I’d be, get underneath his shadow.

Lucas: But you don’t have to get under his shadow. You just get down there, you start jumping on his body and saying ‘I won! I won! I won!’

And finally, Matt Barone closes out his Tribeca Talks recap with some exciting news:

Reading about Stephen Colbert’s excellent George Lucas interview isn’t enough? See how it all went down, exclusive video clips coming soon.

** Note: The exclusive video clips will be posted as soon as they are released. Stay tuned!