Vesane
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Stephen Colbert highlights the differences between Balrogs and Satan
I've seen the meme of this segment so many times over the years https://imgur.com/devils-balrogs-NovHzXU, but haven't been able to see a video of the clip, so here it is if you wanted to hear it!
In case you happen to have the torrent or something and want to see the whole episode yourself, it's 7th of June 2006 (the day after the 6/6/06 episode, which makes sense), guest for the episode was Steven Squyres
GreenMnM
He is one of the biggest LOTR nerds you'll ever come across. He's ok in my book just for that
themikep
man I miss the funny Colbert. He's a shell of himself on his late night show now...
RHodeidra
From a time when he wasn't CHAINED to a format and could still be hilarious.
dizzyturtle
This is so old I think he was just Jon Stewart's sidekick at this point.
LetThemEatChaos
I miss The Report so much. His hosting the Tonight Show just isn't the same
manthraxx
He hadn't learned to pronounce Balrog correctly yet...
MagnumRadhard
Didn't need a script for any of that, I tell ya.
DarthWaiterSE
I still love that bit when James Franco rolled onto Colbert's show for the SECOND time for a LotR showdown, got 'smoked like a ham' for the 2nd time and yells, "YOU COME INTO MY HOUSE?!?"
MrAcurite
If I remember his question, it was to name two of the Valar, which is honestly kind of insulting to even ask. It would be like asking a Greek Mythology nerd to name two of the Olympians.
DarthWaiterSE
Just a tidal wave of nerd against Franco's castle in the sand.
spitfires2000
What they have in common is the fact they are both made-up.
Staddi
Don't know, LotR sounds like it could have happened. Second breakfast and all.
thesecondbreakfastclub
I know right
sfbiker
I think I'd rather face Satan than a Balrog, a Balrog nearly killled Gandalf, what chance would I stand? While the devil can be defeated by a simple fiddle contest (ok, I can't play a fiddle, but I bet I'd do better at playing a fiddle than in conjuring up wizard magic)
habslove
I miss the Colbert Report
Volpe42
I mean, it was essentially a demon. Evil version of that world's angels
Override9636
Volpe42
The post says the devil, not one of the demos
jwhennig
Stephen probably didn’t need a prompter for that information.
nclu
It's really a toss-up whether Colbert is a bigger Tolkien or Catholic lore nerd.
ImmaCatImmaSexyCat
A lot of Tolkien lore was inspired by Catholic lore, so it tracks that Colbert is into both.
mittensmcsmithers
Stephen probably owned the calendar and that's why he recognized it!
PorkFriedSquirrel
He didn't
Jamerperson
Probably told his writing team "don't worry, I got this one"
toshach33
That's awesome. Though I would argue that Balrogs did not literally have wings. So that would be another difference.
Volpe42
Though they were that world's demons, evil version of their angels.
Makeemperorscupsagain
Well, almost. They first went to Utumno and gathered there. Only after Utumno was destroyed by the Valar did they go to Thangorodrim where Morgoth dug under to create Angband.
Ngugi
Ngugi
Makeemperorscupsagain
First, it's Ngugi! I absolutely love your lore write ups! Love how Colbert admits a mistake like any other reasonable person. Honestly, I've only ever seen the first clip OP posted (been a few times now over the years), not this Conan interview.
Ngugi
Thank you, glad to hear you enjoy them :) Aye, I think what marks most good 'ambassadors' of their field of interest is a sense of humour, about it and one self, or the person tends to become a grumpy gatekeeper hehe