Friday Free-for-all
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Yessiree, Zoners, we all made it through a Colbert-free week, and have loads to look forward to next week with the Democratic National Convention. My life is finally starting to settle down after a very hectic move, and starting my new job (which I love, btw). I totally forgot to do reruns this week – someone remind me next time! *sigh* And that’s one of my favorite features, too. Oh, well, onward ho, I suppose.
To survive these Colbert Report-less weeks, I find that I watch a LOT of videos from the official Comedy Central Colbert Reoprt video site. But I also find that I gravitate towards the same handful of videos over and over. To me, they’re the best of the best, never get old clips that always make me feel warm and fuzzy as I watch them. So here’s my question for all of you, and then my answer to that same question:
You are stranded on a deserted island, and you have an iPhone filled with survival tips, pictures of loved ones, and the “I Am America (And So Can You!)” and “Wigfield” audiobooks. You only have room for three Stephen Colbert videos on your iPhone. Which three do you choose? (They can be TCR, SWC, Exit 57, interviews, anything).
Here are the three videos that I would pick, because I’m an absolute sucker for Stephen singing or dancing – it just makes me happy:
1) Charlene (I’m Right Behind You)
2) “Stephen, Crank It Up” Fanvid
3) The Girl Is Mine
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58 Comments
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:05 am
I can only think of maybe one of them. I always love prop comedy.
http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=87978
oh, well, mebbe also the “jfk airport piece”.
suchs newsman-liness
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=81647&title=JFK-Airport
(oh, also that one doesnt count as tcr, i’ll throw that one in the tds category. edit: but i suppose its still Stephen, although mebbe it might count as Jon?)
I’ll hafta think about my other two….
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August 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 am
Well, if I can cheat and call an entire episode of SWC “one video,” then I pick Hit and Run. To go with it, I’d say the I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ fanvid, and the infamous TDS Banana Sketch.
Also, I was reading something earlier that reminded me of an interview I read (or perhaps listened to) in which Stephen compared something to having to “dance with the one that brought you.” I can’t for the life of me remember what he was talking about, and it doesn’t matter, but dang it, it’s bugging me. Anyone remember this?
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August 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 am
aha yeah because i’m brilliant ;) jks…
Stephen:
“Don’t we have to keep the focus on abortion and gay marriage? Because you gotta dance with the girl you come with”
then the even better:
“Paul also came out in favor of adult circumcision. I’m sorry, the barn door’s closed on that one.”
Tony Perkins May 27th
http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=168731
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August 22nd, 2008 at 11:41 am
Ha, no wonder I couldn’t find it. Thanks!
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August 22nd, 2008 at 4:11 am
Stephen did an interview last spring with Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, and made a comment about dancing “with the one you come with.”
Perkins had a new book out, and the California Supreme Court was also in the news about the gay rights issue.
If you do a search for Tony Perkins on the CC web site, I’m sure it will come up.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 10:57 am
i too would pick “hit and run” as one of mine, but can it include the dvd commentary??
i say IT CAN!!! :P….. and the boundaries become even broader lol
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August 22nd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
hit and run just deserves it because it was so cool. I didn’t include any SWC but if I had it would have been that one!!
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August 23rd, 2008 at 2:39 am
I just started watching SWC this past week. Rather dark for me, but Stephen is excellent as always and I did find “Hit and Run” to be an especially good episode. Mr. Jellineck’s picnic basket selections sounded delicious! Brie!
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August 24th, 2008 at 11:43 am
You can count it as one – I have it on my iPhone currently and it counts as one long vid (totally worth the $1.99).
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August 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 am
I think I’d have to choose the SWC Television & Radio interview, the Halloween Even Stevphen segment (and a very-scary correspondent you are!), and… of course Charlene I’m Right Behind You!
Man, this week I went back to school for my Junior year, and the workload is unbelievable. Plus I’ll need to pay 85 bucks for the AP Exam in May! Well, better than paying 1000$ for the introductory college course. This country’s bleeding my pockets dry! Plus, I have to deal with my new English Honors teacher who is a complete nut! She seriously had an anxiety attack because SOME people can’t spell “can’t” correctly. Apparently there are some high school students who spell it, “ca’nt”.
But I do have to say, I am sooo happy that I chose Drama as my elective. I LOVE that class! I’m even trying out for our next musical production: Urinetown (auditioning for Hope). I really would like to be in plays and take acting classes for the rest of my life, but our world’s close to another Great Depression and I can’t risk that. So, I guess I’ll have to resort to plan B: medicine (aka: nursing).
BTW: glad to hear you’re enjoying your new job, DB :)
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August 22nd, 2008 at 3:50 am
I have to agree with the Hit and Run SWC episode, but I also get googly-eyes from Stephen’s last scene in his Law and Order appearance. SOO GOOD!
Also the ‘Let’s make a date’ clip from Whose Line is high up on the amazing scale.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 7:29 am
If you had a working iPhone, you wouldn’t be stranded on a desert island very long! But if stuck there, I’d want the real thing–I bet he’s good at catching fish, and he knows how to build a boat. :D If we were bored I’m sure we could think up something to while away the hours.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Haha! I’m with you Eris, but I’m afraid we have to stick with virtual Stephen in this game:) Good point about his skills as a boat builder!
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August 24th, 2008 at 11:44 am
But on a deserted island you’d have no signal, see?
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August 24th, 2008 at 11:44 am
:)
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August 22nd, 2008 at 8:35 am
Well, I’ve thought about this and changed my mind several times… but here’s what I’m thinking right now:
1. Singing in Korean
2. Harvard forum
3. Even Stevphen… Elian Gonzalez (I keep changing my mind on which one… maybe “Reality Tv” or Halloween”?)
I think I should get to throw in the SWC scene of Stephen doing his mime act as a clown… it’s silent so doesn’t really count, right?
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August 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 am
WHCD.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 11:12 am
It’s tough to pick just three!
1) The Charlene song
2) The Conan/Jon/Stephen fight from Conan’s show during the strike
3) The Dancing Muchachos from Exit 57
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August 22nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Oh, only three? Definitely Charlene and the Prince Charles scandal (banana). And maybe his “blogger” piece on TDS where he said his name was really “Ted Hitler – no relation. Well, distant relation. Two generations straight back. I’m Adolph Hitler’s grandson.” Jon couldn’t keep it together after he said that.
If I have to go with pieces from TCR, then I’d have Singin’ in Korean, along with Charlene. And I guess the Starbucks thing where he ends up in the shower. That was great, too.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
oh, man, the Ted Hitler one is sooo great!!
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August 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Oh, wait. Can I add one more? Threatdown – Us. The one with Salad, Russians taking Wednesday off for the Hammer and Sickle, Barry Whiter (hee), the Chucapabra, Bingham Co. (bears), and Us. Too funny with the salad tossing and the Trojan over a head of lettuce. And I can’t get enought of your love, babe.
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August 24th, 2008 at 11:44 am
That one’s on my iPhone right now. Sometimes a girl’s just gotta have some Barry Whiter.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Hmm…tough call.
1. Stephen’s final scene in “Law and Order”
2. The Rain dance-off. Stephen Colbert + DDR = LOVE.
3. The Stephen/Jon/Conan brawl, complete with outtakes. I’m greedy, I know ;)
In other news, I recently added Stephen’s “say yes” quote to my signature line in my email. Today I sent out emails asking for letters of recommendations from my professors, siggy still in tact. One of my professors writes back, saying he’d be happy to write a letter for someone who “features a Colbert Nation tag” in an email. I always thought that particular professor was cool, but to know he’s a fellow “it-getter” made my day!
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August 22nd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
hah! that’s a cool story. :)
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August 22nd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Can you give me the full “say yes” quote? I know that Stephen talked about saying yes in his Knox College address. Is the quote pulled from there? I’m also aware of the general “say yes and…” improv exercise.
Hooray for professors who are it-getters! Good luck applying to colleges!
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August 22nd, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Yes, it’s from the Knox College speech. My quote is from “Cynics always say no…”, but here’s the whole thing (from Wikiquote):
“Don’t be afraid to be a fool. Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying yes begins things. Saying yes is how things grow. Saying yes leads to knowledge. “Yes” is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say yes.”
I’m actually applying to my old college for an adjunct teaching job ^_^;; It’ll be a few more years before I apply for grad school! But thanks for the well-wishes! :D
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August 23rd, 2008 at 2:27 am
Thank you so much for sharing the full quote! Who wouldn’t want to hire someone with such a powerful, admirable quote?
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Donut Math
Airplane Liquids (Featuring Anthrax the goldfish)
Axis of Evil of the Week: Italy
I pick these because they are my faves of the moments I don’t have saved on my Tivo or recorded on a DVD somewhere. Since I have dial-up I can’t watch online videos very often. The ones I waited to load I have watched a million times, as well as anything I have recorded, but these three are on ComedyCentral.com, and their videos don’t work for me. So yeah, these are the ones I miss seing, along with “All You Need to Know,” The Banana, and when he says that the 60 minutes team is the Third Reich.
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August 24th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Donut math is one of my very favorite ever. That would be in my Top 10 easily. Heck, it’d probably be in my Top 5.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
doooooooooood.
ok. one of them would definitely be “The Girl is Mine.”
Secondly…
oh. the last part of the Knox College speech. it’s so beautiful.
aaaand….
Singin’ in Korean!
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August 22nd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Singing in Korean
WHCD
Prince Charles/Banana
and also any segment from the TCR episode which I attended the live taping of because it brings back great memories….
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August 22nd, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Which taping did you attend? Do you have a taping report….because I’m addicted to those…especially since I near my first live taping on September 2!
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August 22nd, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I went to th June 24/08 taping, the guest was Will Smith. I didn’t write up a taping report but I probably should. The girl who was sitting beside me wrote a really good one that is posted at colbertnation.com. It was so amazing to be there I was in the front row just steps away from his desk… You are going to have a great time. Get in line early so you can get front row seats I went around 2 pm and it was totally worth the wait.
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August 23rd, 2008 at 2:30 am
Were you in the standy-by line or did you already reserve tickets? I’ve already reserved tickets, but I realize that they still overbook and that you have to get there early. Would give anything to get a high-five from Stephen. I really want a hug, but I know that’s asking a lot. Doesn’t that man ever get tired of giving so much of himself? He’s superhuman!
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Did you already have tickets or were you in the stand-by line?
August 25th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I had reserved tickets online.
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Singin’ in Korean.
I Have a Dreamsicle.
And Garrett Reismann on the moon (OMG! Space!) … I absolutely adore Stephen’s face and excitement when he realizes he really is talking to someone in outer space. His enthusiasm is contagious.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
So, I don’t know if this has already been posted on here because I’ve been out of the loop lately, but I was at a Barnes and Noble bookstore today and they have STEPHEN COLBERT TOTE BAGS! I was so excited, I couldn’t help but buy one and didn’t know if you guys already knew about them or not! So there ya go!
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August 24th, 2008 at 12:17 am
I soo want a Stephen Colbert tote bag!!! Can you give more details, like what it looked like/where it was? I made my dad go to Barnes and Noble instead of Borders today but I couldn’t find it, and a website search is proving unsuccessful :(
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August 24th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Here’s a pic and more info about the tote:
http://www.nofactzone.net/?p=3241
I got mine online, but apparently you can get them at the stores now. I have two and I use them all the time. I also get lots of comments about them. They are totally worth the splurge, and great for the environment!
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August 24th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
You can find the bag here:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Stephen-Colbert-Natural-Canvas-Tote-Bag/Promotional-Concepts/e/9780641891748/?itm=1
Here is the snynopsis:
This all cotton canvas tote bag features the amused likeness of political satirist and author Stephen Colbert.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
gosh, I don’t even have time to read all these responses. well I just looked at the comment ahead of me and I covet a Colbert tote bag. but now about the clips…
1) Banana and Prince Charles character break extravaganza from TDS. I can’t help but laugh with Stephen and Jon.
2) Jane Fonda interview. So so so awkward, therefore so so so funny!
3) Any interview where he’s out of character, like all those ones with the PBS guy that are on youtube. Choose one of those, whichever one is longest.
there are like a million runners-up, it goes without saying. lots of Exit 57 and SWC that ALMOST made the cut.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I believe the PBS guy is Charlie Rose. I’ve heard that it’s just him, the guest and a camera in the room! Somehow the camera knows when to switch from host to guest. It probably makes the guest feel more comfortable as he or she is not swayed by the mood of a crowd or crew.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
The Charlie Rose interview is great. If ya’ll haven’t seen it yet, please do ya’llself a favor:
http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2006/12/08/2/a-conversation-with-comedian-stephen-colbert
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August 23rd, 2008 at 2:42 am
I love it so much I bought the DVD last December.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 11:14 pm
It’s so hard to pick just three! But if I had to…
1. Even Stephven: The Clinton Years – my friend and I like to recite this in public to creep out the people around us. (http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=123567&title=Even-Stevphen—The-Clinton-Years)
2. Stephen’s piece on TDS’ The Greatest Millenium – very TCR-esque. Plus, Stephen’s hilarious dino impression reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes and how my brothers used to chase me around acting like that.
(http://www.colboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=15388&sid=45ae2268d0908d3bbf88f1019507b84b)
3.TDS: Another World – too many funny bits too count. It has me on the floor every time!
(http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=127296&title=another-world)
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August 23rd, 2008 at 2:05 am
And I like the Even Stephven where Ed Helms subs for Steve Carell, and ends up saying to Stephen, “at least my wife didn’t run off with another woman”. Stephen then starts crying and telling Ed he shouldn’t have brought up anything real. Ed starts to apologize, and Stephen says, “don’t touch me!”. Too funny.
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August 24th, 2008 at 12:10 am
LOL yes! I also love the one where Steve Carell gets really upset because Stephen agreed with him, and Stephen starts tickling him and going “Is that a smile? Do I see a smile?!” Even Stephven is my favorite TDS segment. They’re all hilarious!
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August 24th, 2008 at 11:25 am
from Even Stevphen – The Clinton Years:
“I can *smell* him on you!”
Thats one of my all time favorite Colbert quotes… great pick
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August 24th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Oh yeah, that’s my favorite Even Stephven as well. Excellently quotable.
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August 23rd, 2008 at 5:36 am
So many good ones. But one of mine would definitely be ‘Go Down Moses’.
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August 23rd, 2008 at 8:18 am
Only three?? Gah. I couldn’t possibly choose only three. But I’ll try…
1. Hit and Run, the full episode. Hey, if bowlofpetunias can do it, I can too!
2. The Prince Charles/banana epic character break. That one could cure fatal diseases, I’m pretty sure.
3. Look, it’s a five-way tie!
a. Garrett Reisman interview… in space!
b. Jane Fonda interview
c. Exit 57 roofers sketch
d. Starbucks coffee freak-out and shower scene
e. The Brawl in the Hall with Stephen, Jon, and Conan
Honorable mention goes to Stephen’s final scene in “Law and Order.” That was some fine acting.
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August 23rd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Stephen is so consistently good in everything that he does that it’s really impossible to whittle it down to three selections so I’m going to thrown in a LOT of honorable mentions as well. I’m afraid I’m worse than Ann G. Haha!
1. Interview with Charlie Rose
2. I Don’t Feel Like Dancing Fanvid
3. The Girl is Mine
Honorable mentions (in no particular order):
1. NPR interviews with Terry Gross
2. Stephen Colbert Breaks Character, Laughs and Warms Hearts (fanvid now sadly gone from YouTube)
3. Starbucks
4. Charlene
5. Interview with sexpert Dr. Mehmet Oz
6. Bubbly Fanvid
7. Stephen as guest on I’ve Got to Go in a Minute Show
8. Coverage at DNC, especially when he sings “Time of My Life”
9. Let My People Go episode
10. SC primary presidential bid
11. SWC Fanvid–My Body is a Cage
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August 24th, 2008 at 10:58 am
too hard to pick only a few, so i’ll say again, what a treat it must be to write for a man who can do everything, singing, dancing, being funny with his body and his mind — how many complete performers like stephen do we have? just him, just him.
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August 24th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I agree with Eris– I’d skip the iPhone in favor of real Stephen. But if real Stephen’s not an option:
(in no particular order)
1) Even Stephven – Responsible Drinking
2) Exit 57 – Down in the Basement
3) The Daily Show – Humble origin segment where Stephen talks about his father being a poor Virginia turd miner:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=110225&title=bootstrap-story
Honorable mention:
Stephen being a White House Correspondent:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=106163&title=at-the-white-house
But to be honest, after seeing all the entries everyone posted, I’d have a hard time choosing just three.
So real Stephen definitely isn’t an option…? ;)
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August 25th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Only choose 3? That’s like picking a favorite child. Hehe…
I could spend weeks thinking about what I’d choose, but off the top of my head now, it’d have to be…
1. “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” fanvid
2. It’s All About Stephen (from the strike episode)/”Let My People Go”
3. Late Night Fight w/Stephen, Jon, and Conan
Other runners up…
- SWC episode “To Love, Honor, and Pretend”
- “Bootstrap Story” from TDS
- “Waiters Who Are Nauseated by Food”, from the Dana Carvey Show
- “OMG! Space!” interview with Garrett Reisman
- Sexy Back Dance
- Anniversary of the Threat Down (aka: the faulty blender)
- Interview with Dr. Philip Zimbardo
I could go on and on…I know I already got too carried away.
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August 25th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Oh…I forgot about Interview with Dr. Philip Zimbardo and Sexy Back Dance! Good ones!
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August 25th, 2008 at 11:43 am
PS– Just in case anyone here is already having Olympics withdrawal, I thought this video might cheer you up. If you’ve been watching the prime time coverage religiously, then you’ve probably seen this commercial.
Let’s just say Dwight Schrute + crazy made up Olympic sports = hilarity
Check it out here
PPS–Keep your eye on the logo on the bottom too. Just as fun as the graphic skeletons during the “Cheating Death” segments!
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