Just a few odds and ends from the blogosphere and the zeitgeist for August 3, 2007.
Irony’s more dangerous than ever.
- The Reality of Conspiracy in the USA & The Way to Progress – OpEdNews.com: “Although Colbert was more exaggerated than most defenders of the Bush Administration’s actions concerning our Constitutional rights, the exchange on his show, in various forms, is repeated in the major media, and in Congress, repeatedly. The “comedy” version made clearer the reality that 9/11 will always be the excuse and/or justification for pretty much anything Bush, Inc. does, no matter how much it goes against the Constitution, the will of the American People or Congress.”
- ‘The Sunny Side’ by A.A. Milne – The Los Angeles Times: ”
Of course, it’s tricky to pair Milne and Stephen Colbert; their sensibilities seem diametrically opposed. But the key to Colbert is a certain child-like glee in poking a culture besotted with its own importance, which is precisely what Milne is after here.” - Stephen Colbert Speaks ‘Truthiness’ to Power – Peace Magazine: “But his irony precludes nakedly didactic comedy: it’s his buffoonish character who speaks, not him. But, still, despite Colbert’s repeated protests that he’s primarily after laughs, not a mission of politico-social change or influence, this ‘aw shucks’ claim is unconvincing. As Lewis Black suggested, it’s no minor comic who has the cojones to lampoon the president of the United States frontally, in person. As Kay said to Michael Corleone in The Godfather III: “Now that you’re respectable, I think you’re more dangerous than ever.” “
Add “Meet the Mope” and it’s a deal!
- And invitation I’d love to see Stephen accept.
- Off the Agenda: Loophole lands newest city on ‘Colbert Report’ TV show – The Salt Lake City Tribune:
…
Colbert reported that he had incorporated his show in similar fashion and, since it’s a law peculiar to Utah, he had started broadcasting from here. He ended the spot with “Go Jazz . . . which I understand is some sort of athletic team.”Wouldn’t it be nice if Colbert – who pokes delicious fun at conservatives by masquerading as one – visited Republican-rich Utah?
How ’bout it, Stephen? Come on out, catch a Jazz game. Stay at Ruby’s and chat live with the new mayor. You also could sample the state’s liquor laws, visit places where “Big Love” plays out for real and grill Rocky Anderson, the bluest of mayors stuck in the reddest of states.
Hey, Utah would treat you right
- possibly far right.
Six Degrees: Helen Thomas
- Our First Lady of the Press speaks out about her appearance in Doonesbury.
- Helen Thomas: If only you got to pick the rumors about you – The Hill: “Truman’s lover? Puh-lease. Thomas likes to think she could do better than that.
“I wish he’d said I was Jack Kennedy’s lover,” said Thomas, who began covering the White House when President Kennedy took office in January, 1961.”
BEA Breakfast podcast.
- BookExpo America has posted an audio podcast of the early morning event held in June. Listen all the way through to hear our own WordsWithGrace ask Stephen about how the authors get picked for The Report.
- Saturday Book and Author Breakfast, hosted by Stephen Colbert – BookExpoCast.com: “This BEA Book and Author Breakfast brings together Ken Burns, author (with Geoffrey C. Ward) of The War: An Intimate History, 1941 – 1945, Lisa See, author of Peony in Love, and Khaled Hosseini, author of A Thousand Splendid Suns. Master of Ceremonies Stephen Colbert, author of I Am America and So Can You, hosts this very special event. Each author speaks about their latest books and the influences and journeys that inspired them.”
[EDIT: The original page I linked to has disappeared, but this now links directly to BookExpoCast.com's mp3 file so you can listen. WordsWithGrace also reminded me that there is the video from BookTV of the event. She would also like me to emphasize that she's the one who teased Stephen about "no tie" and asked how Stephen picks the guests for the show. She is not "Sunglasses."]
the bea podcast link doesn’t work. nor can i find it in their archives :(
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I disagree that Stephen’s comedy is didactic. That is precisely the word that Jon always uses when they talk about what they don’t want to be. I think especially with Stephen, his comedy is very complex and he sometimes lampoons things he stands for e.g. the catholic church.
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@heather:
You can see a video of the entire panel here courtesy of BookTV:
http://www.booktv.org/program.aspx?ProgramId=8389&SectionName=&PlayMedia=Yes
It’s all interesting, but you can also move the slider to go right to your favorite parts.
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@heather and WWG: Sorry about that link – It was working when I made the post (I do check them all!) so they must have moved it. I edited the entry to link directly to the mp3 file so you can listen. I’m still trying to find how you can download it now.
And thanks for the BookTV link, WWG.
@ Cathy: I think many people attribute more to Stephen’s humor than he intended – the author of that piece being one example, IMHO. But he did say that it’s not “nakedly didactic” comedy – meaning what? If he means it’s “subtly didactic” I would find that an oxymoron
However, as Stephen in his forum at Harvard said he was once told, even if your intention is not to be influential you are influential if people say you influence them. It may be unintentional, but it’s there.
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thanks for the vid link!
imo ‘subtly didactic’ is just another way to describe satire, making it perfect for (much of) TCR. and for me.
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