Stephen Colbert paid a $2,500 filing fee just before the noon deadline to get on the Democrat ballot in South Carolina. About 40 minutes later the executive democratic council voted 13-3 to deny Colbert’s application. State Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler said:

"He’s really trying to use South Carolina Democrats as suckers so he can further a comedy routine," said Waring Howe, a member of the executive council. And Colbert "serves to detract from the serious candidates on the ballot."

Colbert was also considering running as a Republican. The GOP filing fee is $35,000, and the deadline was Thursday night, so it looks like it’s all over.

The good news is, Democrats will give back his $2,500. The Democrats could have really benefited from the positive attention Colbert would have brought.

A recent national telephone survey has found that 13% of voters preferred Stephen Colbert for President of the United States in a match-up with Rudy Giuliani and Senator Hillary Clinton. This is not a joke, but do the people taking the survey realize Colbert is a comedian, and voting for President is not a joke?

Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart were the best part of the Emmys. The Emmys were sponsored by American Baked Beans. The more you fart, the faster your car will start.

Ryan Seacrest hangs with a true Forest Gump geek American Idol reject: watch video

Robbie Williams – HQ version of She’s Madonna – Has agreed to perform naked at Elton John’s B-Day bash: watch video

Dina Lohan keeps recycling the same old excuses for Lindsay Lohan’s addictive behavior: watch video

Katharine McPhee guest stars on LonelyGirl15 – Truth or Dare – way too safe for work: watch video

Kevin Federline Spits on the mic for Nationwide insurance: watch video

Bill O’Reilly on The Colbert Report – Part 2 Much funnier: watch video

Stephen Colbert on The O’Reilly Factor – Part 1: watch video

Jamie Kennedy and Stu Stone – Circle Circle Dot Dot – Hip Hop Lego Jam: watch video

New York Magazine does a long article on Stephen Colbert.