I have been a big fan of the Daily Show for years. When the Colbert Report first started, I was afraid his schtick might be a one-trick pony that wouldn’t last. Clearly Colbert is not a one-trick pony — he’s a national freakin’ treasure. I’ve never been so glad to be wrong.

If you don’t know why Colbert is one of the most important (and hilarious) figures in the US, just check out his infamous speech right to Bush's face at the White House Press Corp Dinner and his appearance on the O’Reilly Factor. Colbert talks a lot about following his gut, and he is nothing if not a guy with guts.

Colbert responded to the AP Celebrity of the Year award with this email:

In receiving this award, I am pleased that I was chosen over two great spinners of fantasy — J.K. Rowling and Al Gore. It is truly an honor to be named the Associated Press' Celebrity of the Year. Best of all, this makes me the official front-runner for next year's Drug-Fueled Downward Spiral of the year. P.S. Look for my baby bump this spring!

Congratulations, Stephen, from all of us at Brave New Films. Keep speaking truthiness to power.