This is true; but then again he did not have to be smart. When he decided to make his comedy schtick all about hating conservatives the Political Left MADE him a star.
LEFTIST TALK SHOW HOST STEVEN COLBERT IN ALL SINCERITY SAID THAT CNN JUST REPORTS THE NEWS AS IT IS. HIS AUDIENCE LAUGHED HARD, NOT REALIZING THAT COLBERT ACTUALLY MEANT THAT BIT OF INSANITY.