The Colbert Report’s The Word – Review

Our rating:

By: The Colbert Report

Version #: 1.0

Date Released: 2009-09-21

Developer: MTV Networks

Price: 0.99

User Rating:

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I went into this app with high expectations due to the fact that it’s a Stephen Colbert app and nothing could possibly be wrong with a Stephen Colbert app.  Then I saw the ad for Stride gum at the startup screen and I knew there would be problems.  Silly Stephen, don’t you know that using ads in an app that people pay for is somewhat tacky?  Mind you, it’s only one small ad in the startup screen.  If they were littered through the app, it would be virtually obscene.

The app is basically a group of clips from the segment "The Word" from the television show The Colbert Report.  For those unfamiliar, "The Word" is a segment where Stephen goes off on a rant and subtitles appear at the side usually providing a humorous punchline to his sentences.  They’re very funny and as much a trademark to Colbert as the Top Ten list is to Letterman (and when is that getting its own iPhone app?).

The app does have a link to Colbert’s online store, but at least that feels natural for this app.  Unless Stride Gum becomes Stephen’s favorite food and he chews it in every interview or the app price goes down to nothing, the ad should be taken out.

The clips do require a data or WiFi connection to play, so those with an iPod Touch may have to suffer Steven withdrawal in transit (this makes sense as having local clips would be memory-intensive).  "The Word" is a weekly segment on the show and the clips are up to date on the most recent one.  Clips can also be sorted by popularity and alphabetically.  The program can also pick a clip at random for you.

If you like Colbert then the app is enjoyable and having an app named after him certainly fits within the arrogant personality of Colbert’s television character.  I only wish someone else paid for the app (I’m talking to you, Stride Gum).