The city of Canton has received an apology from the comedian who made unflattering remarks about the county seat on his cable TV show.

Stephen Colbert last week referred to Canton as "crappy" during his Comedy Central political pundit satire show, "The Colbert Report."

On Wednesday night, he issued an apology and then put the "crappy" label on another Canton - the one in Kansas.

"Nation, I have to issue a rare apology," he said before airing the tape of his "crappy Canton" comments, which he had made while reporting on Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain's travel schedule. He mentioned McCain would be visiting Canton, "and not the crappy Canton in Georgia. I'm talking about Canton, Ohio."

"Well, evidently I offended some people," Colbert said Wednesday. "It seems the mayor of Canton, Ga., was none too happy with me."

Colbert, who hails from South Carolina, admitted he had never visited Canton, Ga., and then went on to air a slideshow of images.

"I hear it's a beautiful place, nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge mountains," he said as images of Canton filled the screen and background music began. "Canton is the fastest-growing city in Georgia. It has so much to offer like the historic Canton Theatre and the Hickory Creek Log Dam not to mention oxygen and paved roads. Yes, Canton, Ga. is wonderful place to live. So again, Mayor Hobgood, I apologize."

Mayor Gene Hobgood said the city appreciated the apology, adding that the "crappy" controversy has served the community some good.

"It has created a sense of light-heartedness in the community, and it has brought a lot of attention," he said. "There is so much seriousness that we deal with every day. The city needs some laughter."

Colbert, who has not spoken to reporters about the crap-flap, still has an open invitation to visit the city.

Hobgood said Colbert is welcome "anytime" and the city could even come up with honors befitting someone of his stature.

Bill Grant, president of the Historic Canton Homeowners Association, said he has been busy calling Colbert out on the show's fan Web site's at www.colbertnation.com.

He said he was glad to see the on-air apology, but the "second requirement" for full atonement is for Colbert to attend the association's Mint Juleps on the Porch party.

"I'm glad he has come to his senses," he said.

While Colbert may be back in the good graces of Canton, Ga.'s leaders, a few in Kansas may be looking for an apology.

Colbert after apologizing on the show Wednesday, went on to say his comments about Canton, Ga. were the result of "a simple mix-up."

"I actually meant Canton, Kansas," he said, going on to make several insulting comments about the city. "Do you know what they say about Canton, Kan. Nothing. Nobody talks about it... How many Canton, Kan. residents does it take to screw in a lightbulb? None. They don't use lights because they don't want to see where they live."

"He did a number on them," Hobgood said about Colbert's comments about the Kansas city.

Brad Smiley, mayor of Canton, Kan. has offered Colbert an invitation to the town of about 800 people.

He said the town is a nice, bedroom community that is "small but growing."

"He should come and see it before he trash talks it," he said.

Smiley said the mention on the show has given the city lots of exposure, getting attention from a local TV station and the Kansas City Star newspaper.

"It was on Comedy Central. You take Comedy Central for what it is worth," he said.

afuller@cherokeetribune.com

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