YouTube gamer and famous millionaire PewDiePie appeared on Stephen Colbert this past week, and the resulting interview highlighted just how much better Colbert “gets” the gamer community than his late-night rival, Jimmy Kimmel.
As you might have heard, Kimmel recently found himself in the crosshairs of the gamer community with a series of skits that mocked gamer culture in general, but in particular, the idea of live-streaming of games via Twitch and YouTube Gaming. Â While the skits were not “offensive” by any means, and much of the feedback Kimmel received were way over-the-top (which was likely Kimmel’s aim to begin with), the real issue was the way it exposed Kimmel’s complete lack of respect for gaming and players, with insulting stereotypes and condescending comebacks – “go out and play!” – that showed how little respect he had for the medium.
In contrast, Colbert handled the whole issue of playing video games for money, watching other people play video games, and the culture in general, with good-hearted humor, without being smug and mean like Kimmel seemed to be. Â While Kimmel was like the popular kid in school making fun of the “geeks,” Colbert was like the cool dad who maybe doesn’t get what his kids are into, but supports them regardless.
If nothing else, the interview was worth watching for the part where PewDiePie teaches Colbert how to swear in Swedish. Â When are you going to get to see that on other shows?
SOURCE: The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, CBS, October 1, 2015