Stephen Colbert in the Zeitgeist – October 14, 2007

Hope you’re having a great weekend. We’ve been working hard this weekend to make sure that our hosting never has the problems again that it had this week. We’ll give you the news when it’s done. And we have another contest coming up VERY soon! But let’s go ahead and share the things we can actually share right now.

Here’s the zeitgeist for Sunday, October 14, 2007.

Are They America?
Some more than others! More book reviews on IAA(ASCY!). Some definite it getters, some have never seen the show. Some may contain spoilers!!

• Colbert’s topics of truthiness range far – Los Angeles Times: “This zeitgeist, galvanized as a cultural lightning strike, showed that Colbert — a modern-day amalgam of spirits Pirandello and Voltaire — is today’s Great Communicator. By the end of “I Am America (And So Can You!),” it’s clear that he’s right about so many things, accusations of the homosexual qualities of baby carrots notwithstanding.”
• Stephen Colbert Marches on ‘America’ – NPR: “Jessa Crispin of Bookslut.com reviews Stephen Colbert’s new book, I Am America (And So Can You!)” [audio]
• Colbert dictates social commentary – TheTriangle.com: “With what seems like the release of a book coveted by our generation, Stephen Colbert’s I Am America (And So Can You!) made its way to bookshelves this past Tuesday morning. The statement that it is a coveted book comes from the concept that in the past two days since its release, there have been six attempts of theft on this particular copy since it’s purchase.”
• Colbert’s TV brilliance doesn’t translate to the printed page – The State: “If “I Am America (And So Can You!)” had nothing but its title, its Colbert cover portrait and 230 blank pages instead of printed ones, it would make a cherished keepsake just the same.”
• Tip of the hat, wag of the finger – Times-Picayune: “You’d miss the photographs of Stephen (Wag of the finger: No centerfold?), the marginalia, the footnotes. You’d miss the page of silver stickers for “The Stephen T. Colbert Award for The Literary Excellence.” (I’m wearing one on my forehead right now.) You’d miss the page of red and blue stickers with such handy catchphrases as “It’s Morning in Colbert-ica!” to remind you of those moments when you agreed with Stephen most.”

Deconstructing Dowd
We reported earlier on the New York Times Op-Ed piece with a “Stephen Colbert” byline under Maureen Dowd’s. Naturally this calls for some critical analysis. And why is E&P so fixated on Colbert running for President these days?

• The Colbert Retort – Dowd Report: “And there is the rub with ouroburosian attempts at satire. Many people are incapable of discerning the difference and it becomes tough to see the humor. At what point does a liberal columnists imitating a fake right wing pundit come out of the other end of the rabbit hole as an unironic Rush Limbaugh clone?”
• Stephen Colbert for President Campaign Gets Another Boost — From ‘NYT’ Column – Editor & Publisher: “But was this just another bit of fakery, and Dowd actually did an excellent job of mocking the mock views of Colbert? Was it faux keeps or not?”

Send it in a Manila envelope…
Serious arguments for TCR to be shown – adaptable to any country you may live in.

• A Petition to Bring “The Colbert Report” to the Philippines – Where’s the money in that?: “1. We can finally know who that Stephen dude at the end of The Daily Show is. Does it bother you that Jon Stewart sets you up for another 30 minutes of comedic bliss by having a hilarious conversation with one of his former correspondents, only to be disappointed when you see the opening credits for David Letterman (no disrespect to Letterman, of course)? It bothers me, too. If we had The Colbert Report here, we will finally understand what the hell is going on and stop being cheated by the cableNazis. “

I was on ‘The Colbert Report’!
Colbert Bumpees. And some very interesting backstories.

• Food cop: Love him or hate him – Chicago Tribune: “”When Colbert said, ‘Am I allowed to hit a guest?’ I thought, ‘Score,’” said Stephen Gardner, a former assistant attorney general in New York and Texas who has been CSPI’s litigator since 2005.”
• My Work Cited on the Colbert Report! – LobeLog.com: “Thanks to those of you who informed me that an article I wrote a few months ago about the neo-conservative role in promoting the Iran divestment campaign was not only cited, but actually appeared (however briefly), on the Colbert Report Thursday. It was used by Colbert to introduce his interview of Center for Security Policy president and hawk extraordinaire Frank Gaffney (who now owes me big time).”

Portland’s Powells Pays Pundit
Remember Stephen complaining about the discount given a book buyer at a Portland “IAA(ASCY!) book release party? One of several stories in the same paper covering this breaking news:

• Hey Stephen Colbert. We’re not commies. Okay, maybe a little. But admit it. You love Portland. – The Oregonian: “Powell’s answered your challenge. “We did give him eight bucks,” says Michael Drannen, Powell’s regional marketing manager. After seeing the Tuesday night show, Powell’s sent the eight bucks in question to you, Stephen Colbert. Also, it seems “The Colbert Report” had heard about the Powell’s book party in advance, and asked to be sent footage for use on the show.”

Riding Coattails Home
Remember this time last year? I’ve not seen “What Not To Wear”, but I doubt Clinton Kelly will be described as a purple Pied Piper.

• Clinton Kelly to lead Homecoming parade – The Daily Northwestern: “This year’s grand marshal, alumnus Clinton Kelly, is the host of The Learning Channel’s “What Not to Wear.” Last year’s parade was led by Stephen Colbert, Communication ’86, of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report”. … Kelly was available and agreed to do the event for free because he had another appearance planned in Chicago this weekend, Wesner said. Colbert also appeared for free because he was in town for his reunion, she said.”

Six Degrees of Stephen Colbert
An icon of the Colbert Nation goes to auction. A little fan site is up for “Blogger’s Choice” awards.

• Robosaurus To Be Auctioned Off At Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson – Jalopnik: “Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! See the fire-breathing Robosaurus auctioned off in Scottsdale! See the 40-foot tall metal monster move crush the crowded throngs of auction-goers! See the 20-foot long flames of fire engulf the entire auction facility in an inferno of epic proportions!”
• Blogger’s Choice Awards – NoFactZone.net has been nominated in the categories of “best pop culture” and “best overall” blogs. And people can vote. Just saying…

Gratuitous Name Dropping

• The I Word – Huffington Post: “In this President’s I-Adminstration, as Stephen Colbert has famously described it, “The facts don’t lead to the decisions; the decisions lead to the facts.”"
• A Hatchback Plot Is Hatched – New York Times: “A SENATE investigation is in order. Alert Stephen Colbert, and have him put Volvo on notice: paint it any color you like, but the C30 looks like a pinko plot by those socialist Swedes. In fact, it’s downright un-American.”