Episode 4010 (1/22/08)

I am so stunned that I went straight to my computer, looking for a virtual shoulder. The moment I saw the photo I knew it was his father… My guts are wrenched. I may have to cry now.

God bless, Stephen.

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p.s. thank you for not summarizing the second half of this show… I agree, there are no words.

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Oh my god. I wanted to cry. That was beautiful. He handles everything so well, he kept it light, non-cheesy, but still made a powerful point. His writers are very lucky to have him as a boss. Did you see how intently he was listening when Andrew Young was talking about Dr. Colbert?

Well done.

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Ok, I did tear up a bit. I wasn’t sure my love of that man could get any bigger, but he just had to prove me wrong. That was really something else. I’m still collecting my thoughts after that. Speaking as an African American woman, who’s mother was involved in the Civil Rights Movement in Maryland, that really hit home.

And then to take the current strike and put that into perspective… just wow. It does all come down to a matter of respect.

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Anyone who says Stephen’s not living and dying with every minute of this right along with his writers … the man just bared his soul for us, right there in his studio.

That was the about the most moving thing I think I’ve ever seen on television.

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Wow, that was amazing. I can’t believe he let us see so much of Stephen ColberT. Such a beautiful episode.

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You guys have said it all…

Best show ever, so sad that it was needed. Man, he did that so brilliantly! Kudos, sir, and thank you.

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2nd viewing – Unbelievable. It’s stunning to see him do it again and again – be silly and goofy while making the most profound observations and connections. And he simply glows.

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Dang. That was amazing. I don’t think I’ve EVER been into an episode like this one. And that’s saying a lot.
Definitely staying up for another viewing of it.

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Just want to say thanks for showing us some ColberT, Colbert. That was beautiful and really showed his love of his writers to expose so much about himself and his father. Just lovely.

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How amazing was it to hear Stephen’s “correspondent” voice doing a completely straight, intelligent news report over the Charleston footage. He really can do it all. … DB, I think if Andrew Young can walk through a picket line to do that show, you can post that video. … Truly a transcendent episode.

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God I hope we get a taping report from this episode because I would love to hear what Stephen looked like while watching the segment about his father.

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Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. I’ve been trying to think of another way to put it, but all I’ve got is: WOW.

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Missed the show last night but checked out the video on CC (sorry! I couldn’t wait!). That was Classic Colbert in the best sense–funny, informative, moving, ironic. The footage of the Hospital workers strike and hearing Andrew Young today was a wonderful way to honor Dr. King. Young is one of the last of the civil rights giants–how wonderful to hear him comment on a struggle today. And the choir–when Stephen, backlit!, started to sing I was laughing with tears in my eyes. I love it that the other author was there, really singing too.

Wonderful television. Wonderful men.

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There are no words. I wanted to cry and hug the guy!

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If this doesn’t get Stephen an Emmy, I don’t know what will.

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Thanks for putting up the videos. Anybody else notice little Stephen’s eyebrows? I missed it last night on the big screen. Too funny.

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The way that he honored his father’s memory was really touching. I think Stephen is also a “southern gentleman from NY”-he has that wonderful combination of qualities. I hope he can work things out for his writers.

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I don’t think there’s anything left to say — you’ve said it all.

It was simply a beautiful expression of compassion, respect, and gratuity for all of his writers and their hard work and dedication — it couldn’t have been more eloquently put together and presented to millions. It was just the right combination of seriousness and comic relief that it’s even hard to put into words. He wore his heart on his sleeve and let us into his life for a few minutes to show the world, and the writers, how much he cares. There is, truly, no one in the world like him. (And how great was it to hear Stephen sing again? *sigh*)

TCR Writers: You guys are a very lucky bunch, and if last night’s show isn’t an indication about how much you’re missed by Stephen and the fans, then I don’t know what is (I’m sure, though, you guys probably already knew that even before watching last night’s show).

Last night’s show was so touchingly beautiful — thank you, Stephen, and to the staff, guests, and gospel choir who appeared on the show to make it all possible. If this doesn’t get an Emmy, then I’ve completely lost all faith in awards shows.

And I can’t express how happy I am that I ran with VerdureVenture’s idea and have it on VHS (even though I already watched it 4 times last night).

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btw — for those who haven’t seen Stephen’s MySpace page lately, he (or whoever logs in as him) has posted 2 video clips from last night’s show, something I have never seen before on that page. (His page is myspace.com/truthecution — don’t be fooled by imitators.)

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@LeeQuick:

Please note: As far as I have been told and seen, while there is an official Facebook page for “The Colbert Report”, there IS NOT an official (or unofficial) page by Stephen on MySpace.

One of my HUGE peeves online is people who claim to be Stephen. One such sleaze even conned someone into sending them hundreds of dollars for their website under the guise of being “Stephen”. There are sites and AIM chatters and MySpace pages all claiming to be the “real” Stephen – and I’d think a father of three quite frankly would not have that kind of time.

So while satire is the highest form of flattery, to me there’s a huge difference between someone writing like Stephen and someone claiming to be Stephen. And I *do not* approve of the latter. At all.

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@ LeeQuick,
Nope, it’s not just you. I watched it like 4 or 5 times last night, and I cried every time. I think last night was majorly HUGE for us “It-Getters”, probably because we know what a big deal it was for him to talk about his Dad like that, and that he did it for a good cause. I was so moved by it all…how could anyone NOT be?

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LeeQuick–Oh, no, it’s not just you. This is like the 6th time I’ve checked NFZ this morning because I just can’t get this episode out of my head.

When I saw Stephen speak at the 92nd Street Y last year he referred to his show as “The Joy Machine” and a more apt description I couldn’t conjure. I’ve never been a “fan” before, but I unashamedly declare myself one for Stephen. He and his show make me happy like nothing else. Much of my admiration can be attributed to his immense talent, but the core of what makes me a fan is the man’s innate decency. Sadly, such a rare thing today, especially on television. Long may he reign over The Nation!

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@ imoldfashioned,
Yes, yes, yes! Exactly! Nailed it!!

Even just commenting about all this makes me want to run home and watch it again…and again…and again.

I hope members of the AMPTP saw last night’s show (and feel exceptionally guilty), and I hope some of their little minions are even reading this now…return to the bargaining table and give the writers a fair deal!

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Did anyone notice that when he brought up the writer’s pictures during the song, he brought the picture of Frank Lesser in last, almost like he was making like he forgot to include him, but then faking him out at the end? Do you think he did that as a joke, or was it just timed weirdly?

Oh, and yes, I agree, probably one of the best episodes ever.

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i don’t feel comfortable contacting you directly. i don’t want my name to be known, just as the people who are writing the show don’t want their names to be known. i worry about losing relationships with people on the staff. i really admire all that your website is doing to help the cause, and the more i explored the site, the more i conflicted i felt about what i wrote. that being said, it is really true. stephen is performing struck work. that show is written. you don’t have to be a genius to know that when he makes a joke and a graphic or chyron appears afterwards, it was scripted – not just produced, but also scripted.
you can say that the guild screwed him over, b/c they didn’t give him a waiver. 1) two wrongs don’t make a right and 2) it’s fairly clear why the guild could not give him a waiver.
i understand that stephen had to go back on the air, what dismays me is that he is doing the SAME show. losing “the word” does not mean that it is no longer scripted.

i understand that by writing to you anonymously, i am putting you at a disadvantage. i also understand that you on this site are doing as much as you can for the writers. if you feel you cannot in good conscience post my comment, i will understand. i do, however, think it is food for thought. i also think you should know that many writers are upset at how written colbert and the daily show are.
you could always post the comment, respond to it, and call me a wimp for posting anonymously. i would understand that, too.

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@striking writer

I hope you and the other writers know that there are a lot of fans out here who support you and wish you a fair settlement. Stay strong!!!

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i would like to add one more thing. it is precisely because you and the other fans of the colbert report are so great – intelligent, politically aware, sensitive to the plight of others- that i was moved to write you in the first place. ultimately, i think that stephen and the people who are scabbing for him do not intend to hurt the guild by doing what they are doing. that being said, they are hurting us. and, as we walk the picket line day in and day out, it is very hard to watch a show (regardless of its intention or public posture) perform struck work.

i also think it is demeaning to his writers to do the same show without them. whatever his words may be, his actions are saying to america that he does not need his writers.

the other reason that i was motivated to write was because there seems to be some confusion about whether or not his show is written. it IS written. the only way to coordinate the various aspects of the show – sound effects, graphics, camera angles – is through the use of a written script. it is naive and self-deceiving to claim that he is not performing written material.

n.b.
if you want to bust this out as side post, you still can. you know the fake email address that i’m using, so you know if the comment is coming from me.
if you DO post this, please emphasize that i’m really grateful to you and to the other fans for the support they show the writes. i’m not asking them to stop watching colbert or to turn against the show. i am hoping that someone on the show reads the post and thinks, “hmm, maybe we shouldn’t be performing struck work. maybe we’re actually scabbing, as good as our intentions are.”

for some reason people want to give stephen and jon a pass. that is naive. i’m not saying they should be held to higher standards than everyone else, but i do think they should be held to the same standards.

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@ striking writer,

I respect your point of view and think a lot of the fans are ambivalent (to say the least) about the shows’ being back on the air, and in the form they’ve taken. I know that I have given myself more than a fair share of headaches trying to figure out what the hosts are and are not allowed to do and, ultimately, I figure that’s a decision the guild will be making behind the scenes. I’m trying not to agonize about it, but it has been hard to ignore.

I appreciate that you’re weighing in and keeping the discourse as civil as possible (although the “scab” label is one that many people, myself included, find problematic). I’ve explained elsewhere why I’m still watching, but I know you all are fighting a good fight and am anxiously awaiting the day when you get your rightful due. If you can think of a way to contact us that will still maintain the anonymity you desire, feel free to do so. And if there are other ways of assisting you (aside from the many we’ve been advocating/attempting thus far), we’re open to suggestion.

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@ striking writer,

No problem. And I agree, the perception that the guild is roiled with internal dissent is problematic … the AMPTP/Fabiani & Lehane trolls to UnitedHollywood, etc., have done their jobs well. Ugh.

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This was an incredible episode, Stephen. Now, you should expand this a little bit, then make this story into a DVD for all high school American history classes. Include the interview with Ambassador Young as well.

This was a great historic moment.

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this still makes me cry, haha :\

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