Apathy sees Stephen Colbert, surrenders without a fight
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Ha ha! I get no end of amusement out of this taping account from last night’s show. The author’s self-confessed cooler-than-thou “been there, done that” attitude is no match for Stephen Colbert’s love-junkie demand for constant adulation. Ha ha ha!
From the Philadelphia City Paper:
They Made Me Clap For Colbert!
By Patrick O’RourkeThe predominant feeling I noticed as the Wednesday taping of The Colbert Report approached wasn’t my enthusiasm, but the jealousy of those around me who hadn’t scurried to their computers within five minutes of the announcement that the show would be coming to Philadelphia. Jaded as I am, hopping to immediately for the tickets was so out of character, I convinced myself that I did it so I could take real fans to see the show. Me? I’m too cool to care.
. . .
When comic Joe [sic] Dominick warmed up the room, his line about Stephen feeding off the crowd didn’t faze me. If I sit on my hands, it won’t make a bit of difference. I’m just here to observe all of the sheeple following the stage manager’s choreography. “I’m going to count down from 10,” he said. “When I get to 3, I’ll start waving this paper in a circle. That’s when we need you to get loud.” Whatever.
Somewhere around 5 my resolve waned. At 4 I took a deep breath, and on 3 I yelled like the giddiest Hannah Montana fan. Screeched is more like it. I clapped till my hands hurt, and laughed louder on retakes than I did the first time I heard the joke. When I got home, I watched the broadcast with remote in hand. “Look, honey,” I said to my wife, freezing the picture. “See the guy in the red shirt… see that shapeless lump next to him? That’s me!” I played back Ralph Archbold’s introduction twice so I could hear my corny cries of “Huzzah!” as the applause died down.
So now you know I’m completely in the tank for Colbert.
. . .
Indeed, sir. Do jump in, the water’s fine.
EDITED TO ADD: Showing himself to be a true it-getter, the author of this article expresses his apologies to Pete Dominick for erroneously calling him “Joe” (see comments). Nicely played!
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8 Comments
April 17th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Haha, you CANNOT resist Stephen Colbert. He’s like a disease. …A very talented, lovable, infectious disease.
Welcome to the fandom Patrick!
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April 17th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Nobody can resist the seductiveness of The Report or the allure of being a member of the Nation. Not nobody, not no how!
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April 17th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
When he was checking out the Liberty Bell’s “clapper” (I think that is what he said), did anyone like me want to pet him like a kitty? So cute and so loveable. Sigh.
Oh I have to say that these are my favorite episode and the best field pieces.
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April 17th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Nothing can withstand the joy machine. Stephen fantasized about leading a cult, he got a nation, be careful what you wish for! :)
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April 18th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Comic “Joe” Dominick? Poor Pete. ;)
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April 18th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Apologies to Pete Dominick. My memory failed me, and since I was writing at my day job, I rushed too much to check the facts. I guess you could say I went with my gut, and what Colbert fan could fault me for that.
Hey, that’s right. I don’t need to apologize. Please let Mr. and Mrs. Dominick that I do not approve of their son’s name and have thus disregarded it!
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April 18th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Haha, that’s the spirit, Patrick!
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April 18th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Ha ha! Thanks for chiming in, Patrick. I’m going to leave your error in the original post because your comment won’t make sense otherwise, but your apology is duly noted and your enthusiasm during and after the show’s taping are obviously appreciated. See? Being one of the “sheeple” isn’t so bad, after all.
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