Jeff Gianola’s Journal: Talking with Stephen Colbert

Editor’s Note: KOIN 6 News anchorman Jeff Gianola will retire around Thanksgiving 2025 after more than 40 years as a Portland journalist. In this series, Jeff looks back at some of the most memorable stories he’s covered and shared.

This story originally aired September 4, 2015.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — It’s 8 a.m. Sunday morning. I’m at the CBS Studios in Los Angeles waiting to meet Stephen Colbert.

I’m one of about 9 news people from local CBS affiliates who will have the opportunity to meet and chat with Colbert.

It’s part of a press tour generating excitement about the new Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

I have my questions ready — I will only have 10 minutes to talk with him. An hour passes, and finally the first person is ushered into the big studio for an interview.

Since I’m next in line, I’m allowed to sit by the side and watch. As Colbert enters the studio he’s laughing and in a good mood.

He spots me on a chair off to the side and gives me a thumbs up. I like this guy. Actually, I’ve always been a huge Colbert fan — this is like meeting Elvis.

The first interview wraps up and I make a decision: I throw out my written questions and decide I’m just going to let Colbert be Colbert.

The crew is friendly and professional, asking me lots of questions about Portland. They all want to move here and get out of L.A.

Colbert shakes my hand and sits down.

My first question: “When you think of Portland, Oregon, what comes to your mind?” He hesitates just a bit and, without missing a beat says, “Weed.”

This interview is off to a hilarious start. I become the straight man to Colbert as we discuss family, kids, growing up Catholic and Donald Trump.

Colbert started off as a philosophy major, then he wanted to be a serious actor. He admits these were dark days. He was moody and broody while attending Northwestern.

Then he was introduced to Chicago’s famed improv group, Second City. Colbert fell in love with the unscripted off-the-cuff humor; he became a different person.

On The Colbert Report, Stephen played a conservative commentator. He will play himself on The Late Show, but says he’s not going to give up the things that made the show successful.

As my interview came to an end, I asked Colbert to consider me as a sidekick if he needs one. “Like an Ed McMahon?” he asked. I said, “yes” and then I imitated what I thought was the trademark Ed McMahon laugh.

“Hold it Jeff, that’s more Penguin. That’s The Penguin!” Colbert shouted.

Sure enough, I sounded like actor Burgess Meredith’s cackle when he was The Penguin on the Batman TV show.

“No thanks Jeff,” Colbert said. “I’ll do my own McMahon.”

I’ll be watching, and maybe someday he’ll reconsider my offer.

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