America's Most Famous Catholic (According to Himself): Stephen Colbert and American Religion in the Twenty-First Century

A case study of the intersection of humor and American Catholicism in contemporary society.

For nine years, Stephen Colbert's persona "Colbert"?a Republican superhero and parody of conservative political pundits?informed audiences on current events, politics, social issues, and religion while lampooning conservative political policy, biblical literalism, and religious hypocrisy. To devout, vocal, and authoritative lay Catholics, religion is central to both the actor and his most famous char...