Friday Free-For-All
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What a roller coaster of a week it’s been, Zoners! It’s so great to have Stephen and the ‘Colbert Report’ back, right kiddos? New shows are always salve for the soul, that’s for darn sure.
So on a personal note, I thought I’d share with everyone the good news – I got a job! I’m super excited about it, too. To paraphrase something Stephen said in an interview once, it requires all the things I know how to do. It’s an Exec Admin position with a technology company that configures and installs network systems for large companies. I’ll be reporting to the Vice President, and it is going to have me doing a lot of heavy Excel and Access reporting, which is my total fave. Plus I’m getting a 5% raise over my job where I got laid off, and basically a 25% raise from the job I had just six months ago. Life is good. Another added bonus of this job is that there’s tons of vacation time which start accruing from day one, which means I can start to plan my next New York trip very soon. A gal’s gotta have priorities, you know.
I’d also like to discuss a little site business if I could. As most of you know, our loyal friend Jenny with a Y had to step down from her Completist duties. Not only was she responsible for the R.A.P.S. posts every night, but she also has been keeping the calendar up to date for close to a year. I’m absorbing the R.A.P.S duties, but it would be super helpful if we could get one of you Zoners to volunteer to be the new Calendar Guru. If you’ve been looking for a way to help keep No Fact Zone the best Stephen Colbert fan site on the web and this sounds like a fun project to you, we’d love to have you on as an official Completist. Please e-mail me and we’ll see if we can get that position filled. Thank you to all of you who help with the site – I couldn’t do it without all of your hard work and support. No Fact Zone truly is a labor of love.
Also, we recruited this fantastic team of SCribes to help with the guides on a weekly basis … and then I got super busy (and stressed) with the job hunt and haven’t been able to keep up with getting the completed Episode Guides proofed and posted. With the new job, I should be able to get back into a routine in my life and get those back on track. So SCribes, expect an e-mail from me very soon!
Finally, here’s my discussion question for this week:
What’s your favorite prop-based humor that Stephen has done on the show?
This week, Stephen has become quite the prop comic. From Sweetness shooting poor suffering Tom Purcell, to the rotisserie chicken and viking hat, to those tarantulas that Stephen had crawling all over him, it has been quite the week for the prop department over at the ‘Colbert Report’. But there have been so many other memorable use of props over the course of the show. What are some of your favorite sketches that involved Stephen doing wacky things with even wackier items?
And as always, feel free to start a new comment thread about any open topic that you wish. The original intent of these FFFA posts was to allow the Zoners to have a weekly roundtable about any topic they felt like discussing, and they are always a fantastic community building experience. Please feel free to share your thoughts about anything you might like to talk about with other like-minded Colbert fans.
Screencap courtesy of Colbert Pics
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34 Comments
February 27th, 2009 at 2:54 am
Early this evening I thought, if the DC Voting Rights Act passes but the gun legislation is tied to it, it may be illegal for Stephen to bring Sweetness when he receives the promised keys to the city.
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February 27th, 2009 at 2:58 am
yes, why is someone like me on the east coast posting at nearly 3 AM here time? well…I haven’t bothered to go to bed yet! it will be my own problem later today I suppose.
it is great to hear you’ve found such a well-matched job for yourself DB! I am pretty sure I don’t understand any of that description, but if you describe part of it as being your “total fave” there is definitely something good afoot.
also, I would like to point out that today, the 27th of February, is the one year anniversary of one of MY favorite prop bits on TCR, the Starbucks Threatdown. I realize it might be perceived as particularly fangirly, but at the time I found it just brilliant. as a person living with others in the house I had to keep quiet and avoid laughter, so I believe I had to hug a pillow to express how funny it was. as a rule, when you have to hug a pillow, you know it’s a good show.
(now I think I might have missed the point of prop, but I will contend that that whole sketch was based around the prop of the coffee!)
other fine moments:
–latkes and dreidels in “Can I Interest You In Hanukkah?”
–the unfortunate double meaning of Stephen’s statement about the broken Harley-Davidson candle holder (that wasn’t on purpose though)
–SWEETNESS. a favorite character of mine. (“we’re gonna go get us some banana pudding motherf@#ker!”)
–I Have a Dreamsicle (didn’t watch the show back then but I have seen the clip numerous times. excellent.)
well that is all I’ve got for now. I won’t steal everyone else’s responses, not that I claim to have comprehensive knowledge of prop jokes on TCR. have a lovely day all!
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February 27th, 2009 at 3:03 am
I’m on the East Coast too. Good middle of the night to you!
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February 27th, 2009 at 6:14 am
Does his floppy hair count as a prop? Haha, I remember him bobbing his head like crazy when Dan Zaccagnino was the guest.
I haven’t seen a whole lot, but I enjoy it whenever Stephen prays. Especially when he uses Catholic props like the incense censer. It draws attention to the curiously elaborate rituals of the Roman Catholic Church. Rituals that are also deeply rooted in tradition and order, which I find beautiful. :)
Congrats again on the job, DB! I wish you all the best. :)
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February 27th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Congrats on the job, DB! =)
One of my favorite props is probably the Atone Phone. And, of course, there are many others, but I can’t think of them at the moment.
I’ve been wondering something though: When do you guys think the paperback version of I Am America (And So Can You!) will come out? And do you think they will do something different with it the way they did with the Teacher’s Edition of America (The Book)? I thought that paperbacks usually came out a year after the hard cover version.
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February 27th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Okay, while I was eating breakfast I thought of another prop I like lol. Whenever Stephen busts out calculators or computers and then does that fake typing thing! Also, that horn he blows in (I think he did it around the time when he first brought out the Atone Phone). It’s some sort of animal horn and after he blows into it he talks about how it tastes weird. I can’t think of what exactly that thing was called…
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February 27th, 2009 at 11:11 am
It’s called a shofar.
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March 1st, 2009 at 11:48 pm
That is one of the best props. Plus the lime green iMac. I come from a family of Mac users. And then there is sweetness.
And congrats on the new job DB! It’s no often that anybody gets NEW jobs. Just the opposite. I hope you will enjoy it. I’d help on the site, but my job which is part time might be a bit of a problem some nights.
February 27th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Laaaura, I work in the book business and I haven’t seen a publication date for a paperback edition of IAAASCY yet. There’s no set rule for when paperback editions of hardcover titles are published, but since it’s already been over a year I think it’s quite possible that we’ll see a paperback version before the end of this year.
My favorite TCR prop: Sweetness, because she’s both a prop and a character. (She? I guess I’m assuming that’s possible…)
And last but not least: WOOHOO on the job, DB!
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February 27th, 2009 at 10:35 am
I’m so happy for you, DB!
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February 27th, 2009 at 11:08 am
No matter how many times I see the Threatdown that ends with Stephen trying to make a Berenstein Bear book smoothie and laughing and swearing at the uncooperative blender, I laugh until I weep.
It doesn’t help that in that same segment, he briefly waves a big grown-up toy around.
I would die a happy, happy woman if I could, just once, see the uncensored version of that bit.
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February 27th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
That’s my favorite too. I laughed until I cried, and until it hurt when that aired. And then I watched it over, and over, and over again. A very fine choice. : )
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February 27th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
One of my favorites too!
And the one mentioned below where he and George Johnson kept touching the machine that shocked them. LOL!
BIG congrats to you, DB, on the job! That is some really great news!
And on a completely random, off topic note, I got a Sonicare toothbrush a couple of weeks ago and think it’s the greatest thing ever. My life is boring…. :-)
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February 27th, 2009 at 11:18 am
What about the night George Johnson was there and he and Stephen kept on touching the current machine that was spitting out 10,000 volts? “Will two grown men continue to touch something that hurts them?” — HA!
I also love his Lord of the Rings toys, especially the cave troll.
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February 27th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Another favorite of mine. That was fantastic…and so very true about men!
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February 27th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Hee, that reminds me of when he kept compulsively licking the 9-volt battery.
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February 27th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I also love his Lord of the Rings toys and as a big fan of Wagner’s Ring, the Viking bit had me in rolling. And who could forget the fabulous Roman Gladiator outfit?
Congrats DB on finding a job, finding any job in this environment is a feat, finding one you like with better benefits and $$ – brilliant.
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February 27th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Congrats on the new job DB!!!
My favorite props on the set have to be a tie between Sweetness and strangely enough, the Sharpie he always huffs at an opportune moment. It always makes the five year old inside me giggle.
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February 27th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I love when Stephen brings out Sweetness. It’s so creepy when he pets “her” and says things like, “No, no, we can’t do that, they’re the good ones,” but so hysterical.
And congrats on the job! What a relief. Yesterday a coworker told me that a friend asked her “You’re still working??” like it’s a normal question. :(
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February 27th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Congratulations on the new job, DB! That’s fantastic news and I’m sure you’re relieved that life will soon return to some semblance of normal. I’m so incredibly sad to see Jenny with a Y leave the NFZ staff and I’d like to thank her for all the great R.A.P.S. posts. You’ll be missed!
I’ve got to add Stephen with the breast pump during BKAD with Carolyn Maloney. I almost needed CPR after that.
I also enjoy the Axe Body Spray jokes that come right after he uses it as a prop as they’re always related to how awful that stuff smells. Hehehe…
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February 27th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Congrats on the new job, DB! Work you enjoy + more pay = niiiiiice.
Stephen makes great use of so many different props, but I love any segment involving Stephen Colbert’s Formula 401 (and other “special” formulas).
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February 27th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I like when Stephen’s props malfunction, like the John Lennon thing or that electrical thing that he shocked himself on…oh and the breast pump is probably the funniest thing I have seen him do, other than the snot after Obama’s inauguration.
So there’s so much to choose from, that a good FFA question.
Congrats DB on your new position, it’s funny how things work themselves out for the better. Bravo.
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February 27th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Congrats to you, DB, on finding a job!! Hoorah!! *throws confetti* That’s really great news and it sounds like it’ll be enjoyable! Plus, the pay raise can’t hurt. ;)
Oh man…Stephen has so many good prop moments. I am a HUGE fan of Sweetness – that just always cracks me up. I like when his props malfunction on him (some of the greats include the condom and the mousetrap, lolz). Axe body spray is always good for a laugh too. And I like when he does “product placement” for Sierra Mist. XD
Ooh! And someone up there mentioned the Sharpie he’s always sniffing – that cracks me up too!!
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February 27th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Just remembered! The prayer hat and the prayer hands are great fun too!! :D
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February 27th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
A: Loooooooove the eye candy!
2: Congratulations on the job, DB!
III: Favorite prop: I also like malfunctioning props best, like when he was blowing up the condom and it exploded in his face, and the mousetrap that went off (was that during the grit-off segment?)
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February 27th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I have a question: for all the die hard fans, how much would you recommend going to a taping? I ask this because I am debating whether or not to make the trip sometime this year. I live a good distance from NY, and have kids, so I am weighing how worth it is to go to NY basically solely to see TCR live or not. It seems like everyone who goes says it is a brief but fun experience. Just need some advice from the Zoners.
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February 27th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
It depends on how much of a die hard you are. I went in January and my circumstances are similar. It’s either a very long car ride or a plane ride to NYC for me. I decided to leave my kids home with my husband and go with 3 girlfriends. We were there for 4 days and did other things while in the city but tapings of TCR and TDS were the big reason for going. It is a brief experience, a lot of hurry up and wait, but it really is a lot of fun. Stephen interacts quite a bit with his audience and that adds to the experience. I’m actually thinking of going again this summer with my husband and leaving the kids with his sister if she’s available. I would say go for it if you can afford it and can find the time, although I would recommend staying in NYC for a few days and doing some sightseeing while you’re there. It’s a wonderful city!
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February 27th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
thanks for the advice. i am going to try and go and do some other stuff, and all around make it a fun trip.
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February 28th, 2009 at 1:35 am
All I can tell you is it was the BEST. DAY. EVER. I would go again in a heartbeat. I live in CA, so it was far away. We spent a few days seeing others things, but that was the main reason to go. Totally fun!
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February 28th, 2009 at 4:33 am
Jentaps forgot to mention that she had the chance to teach Stephen tap dancing during the Q&A session. Haha.
When I went to my one and only TCR taping back in September, Stephen called on me during the Q&A and sang a song for me.
What I’m trying to say is that your attending a TCR taping doubles in value if you are picked during the Q&A.
However, even if you aren’t picked, watching Stephen perform in the flesh is a sight to behold. I knew he was talented beforehand, but seeing him perform in person and be so witty and professional during the taping makes your realize why he’s reached the top rung of the ladder.
Since it’s such a small studio which seats a mere 100, there’s a nice intimate feel to the taping that you wouldn’t experience elsewhere.
I also traveled from CA and found it to be compeletely worth it. As others suggested, stay a little awhile so you can take in the other sites and sounds of the city. That way, people won’t think you’re crazy for going to New York solely to see Stephen;)
P.S. As his popularity grows, and until he moves to a larger studio, it may be more and more difficult to get into a taping…so better now than later. This is probably all in my own head. I’m sure my fellow Zoners can understand my thinking Stephen is bigger and more important than he is…..but he’s the tops in our world!
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February 28th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
that is a great point. he may move to the “Chevron Gas with Techron Theatre” or something, and i will have missed out on the intimacy of the small space.
this gives me more motivation to go, i already had tix twice and had to miss it.
I am also happy to hear that you Cali girls got some extra special love from Stephen to sweeten the whole trip.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Great question, DB! (And congrats on the job). The first thing that popped into my head when you mentioned props was the rat trap from a year or so ago. Motherf#$^$er! So funny. That was the same episode as the grit challenge to Obama. Haha.
Also, anything with Prescott Pharmaceuticals is great, seeing as Cheating Death is a killer segment. Bwah!
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February 28th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
This is a great way to go back and see some great clips I don’t know about yet! I have seen many of the listed ones, but I just checked out the breast pump clip and wet my pants! thanks for all the fun suggestions.
I liked the $700,000 pen that leaked onto his shirt from a Colbert Platinum segment.
Also, on the Monday’s episode of this past week when he was talking about the 15 American businesses going under, he had that BIG RED BUTTON box to get the answers “Fu%k ‘Em”! haha! I watched that a couple times over :)
thanks so much for the love that goes into this site! keep up the good work
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March 1st, 2009 at 2:22 am
I know I’m late getting to this question, but here it goes:
1. The 9-volt battery–his reaction is priceless
2. Sweetness–love how it’s a recurring character. I can’t get enough of how Stephen talks to it and how it brings out an entirely new character in Stephen!
3. Show pen—I know this isn’t really a prop, but I just love seeing him toss it in the air at the top of many a show and catch it with such panache every time. I figure this must be a performer’s trick to test one’s confidence at the beginning of a performance.
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