EPISODE NUMBER: 5041 (March 30, 2009)
GUEST: Emily Yoffe, Derrick Pitts
SEGMENTS: Desk interview, Node 3 naming update
VIDEOS: Monday, March 30, 2009
Oh, how a new ‘Colbert Report’ does a heart good! So I went through a bit of an ethical quandry at the very front of the episode – does “El Shitero” violate our Family Friendly standards? But fortunately, Dear Prudence (Emily Yoffe) distracted me just in time. I love her columns on Slate! And her weekly videos are a hoot. Her article on Narcissism was actually a very interesting read – I’m glad Stephen decided to talk about it, and he actually made quite a few serious points during the interview.
I adore it when Stephen lets his own delight in his successes shine through his smile. He could not wipe that grin of sheer giddiness off of his face during the entire Node 3 naming segment. And was it just me or is evil tyrant overlord kinda hot? And kind of reminiscent of one of Stephen’s album covers?
The interview with Derrick Pitts was absolutely delightful. I loved the deGrasse Tyson name drop. When they were talking about Galileo, I was thinking of the chapter in ‘Death by Black Hole’ (“Speed Limits”) when Tyson was discussing Galileo’s theories about light, and I felt like I could actually keep up with the conversation after reading Tyson’s book. Watch me, going and learning something!
What was your favorite part of the show tonight? Were you as delighted with Stephen’s white gloves as I was? Was your heart warmed as much by Stephen’s smile? Can’t wait to hear what you have to say! And here are some of my favorite quotes from the show:
- But I go skykiting for one week, and an entire nation goes down the toilet. Or should I say El Shitero.
- Heaven help us if it reaches Atomic Crack Blaster.
- The explosion of Lou Dobbs’ head … that’s surprisingly thinkable.
- Young people who are exposing themselves to dangerous conditions and all of them taking shots for their country.
- He is either standing in front of a mirror, or he took enough steroids to grow another A-Rod.
- Which reminds me, I’ve got to update my Facebook status: I am currently updating my Facebook status. And I’d better tweet: I am tweeting about updating my Facebook status. For details, see my Live blog.
- That’s funny, I thought Sean loved America. Huh.
- We need narcissist’s ambition, self confidence, and extreme good looks to rebuild this country. Or do we? [Looks into mirror] We do.
- And what’s wrong with that, if it’s true?
- Even Ghandi was a narcissist. What is more self-indulgent than drinking your own urine?
- Now for layman out there, a space node is a node-like structure that is attached to other nodes in space, in a … I don’t know what it is, but I WANT IT!
- Spirit of cooperation. Eat it cooperation! I bet you weren’t expecting a whole bunch of people to come together to team up against you.
- Serenity? That’s not a space station, that’s an adult diaper. By the way, great for watching March Madness without having to get up. I’ve been told.
- If we bring democracy to space, maybe one day we can bring it to Minnesota.
- So NASA, I urge you to heed Congressman Fattah’s call for democracy in orbit. Either name that node after me, or I too will reject democracy and seize power as space’s evil tyrant overlord.
- Could you take Neil deGrasse Tyson in a fight?
- So you are kidding.
- Now, which end do I look through and which end goes up my butt?
- Am I the only one who feels like I want to do close magic with these gloves on? I know I’ve lost the thread of the conversation a little bit here, but I feel like I’m about to go into a syncopated dance routine here.
- So if I don’t accept it, have I out-Poped the Pope?
“Okay, I don’t know what it is but I WANT IT.” <– This was my favorite line. I love it when Stephen gets all Veruca Salt on us.
My dad was actually awake and watched the show with me tonight. Of course, just like the first time he watched it with me, he was fixated on Stephen’s ear. I matched his remarks with the utmost maturity, of course.
“His ear’s getting worse!”
“… what???”
“His ear. It looks worse.”
“YOU LOOK WORSE. HIS EAR’S FINE.”
Oh, family.
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“Okay, I don’t know what it is but I WANT IT!”
Also my favorite line. :D
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“His ear is getting worse.”
XD XD XD
I really enjoyed the interview with Derek Pitts. Cagematch competition between astronomers — only on The Colbert Report!
I loved Stephen’s reference to magic gloves because they reminded me of the show “Arrested Development” and the Poof “Goof of the Year!” photo. It’s one of those push-button memories which start me laughing.
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No more edit function!
I would have fixed the my comment.
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Ooooh. A Veruca Salt reference! Nice! She’s probably the poster child of narcissism.
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If NASA names the node Serenity, are they trying to remind us of that crazy astronaut lady who wore a diaper from Houston to Orlando or wherever in Florida to kill/kidnap her lover’s lover? The nation will not let this go:http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250415,00.html
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Is it just me or are Monday shows generally Colbert’s weakest and Thursday shows the strongest?
And Derrick Pitts – you’re no Neil deGrasse Tyson
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I think it depends on the week. And I kinda liked Derrick Pitts – he may be a bit different than Tyson, but he brings props, and you have to give him a Holla (or whatever kids do these days) for that.
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I liked Derrick Pitts as well. He seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself and it’s always great when the guests are relaxed and enjoying the ride. Plus, I found the subject matter interesting.
And I was wondering how you were going to handle “El Shitero”. LOL! Oh and yes, the evil tyrant overlord was kinda hot. ;-)
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I wanted to vote for every answer in the poll but I ended up going with the NASA Node. Stephen seemed genuinely excited about receiving the most votes. His smiles made me happy and proud that the Colbert Nation managed to put him in 1st place. NASA, please do the right thing and name the Node “Colbert!”
This is my favorite quote the show: “Which reminds me, I’ve got to update my Facebook status: I am currently updating my Facebook status. And I’d better tweet: I am tweeting about updating my Facebook status. For details, see my Live blog.” HAHAH! I’m always a sucker for Twitter references.
I LOVED the interview segment. After reading Neil De Grasse Tyson’s book, I was really into the material they were discussing.
Great, great show!
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I loved the *pulling out laptop, updating status* as well. I was confused at the end of the segment why he said “I thought Sean [Hannity] loved America.” Did Sean say something different at the end that I missed?
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Stephen was being sarcastic:)
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I really liked the episode last night and I know it is hard for me to choose one part because I have missed TCR so much! But, I eventually voted for the interview segment. When Stephen thought it was Galileo’s actual telescope, you could hear the boyish wonder in his voice and the smile was oh, so genuine! Too cute!
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I couldn’t figure out why they wore gloves since it wasn’t the real deal.
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I have to go with the interview with Derrick Pitts partly because of the fight reference between him and Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and also partly because of Stephen’s fascination with the gloves he had to wear to handle the telescope and his inclination to do magic. I always enjoy his occasional childlike moments.
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I loved his joy during NASA bit but also LOL’d at the Facebook comments. As one wag said “Facebook is the bastard child of Narcissus.” ;) I tend to agree that Thursday’s shows are generally the sharpest with the show in a tight comedy groove but I’m so happy to see TCR back – any day of the week.
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Tyson vs Pitts: the astronerdtastic cage-match of the year!
I can just hear Stephen’s “LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE” voice.
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I totally agree about Emily Yoffe, I love reading her articles on Slate and was sooo excited to see her on the show :) Great episode all around!
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If Mr. Colbert is narcissistic then does that make his lovely FanGirls, narcissistic-by-proxy? That they know they are the best because we know that Mr. Colbert is the best?
Like Munchausen-by-proxy? Only different.
Or as Mr. Colbert pointed out in the interview with Ms. Yoffe, you can’t be narcissistic if you are genuinely the very best. Like you are not paranoid if people are actually out to get you! [tongue lodged firmly in cheek]
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Very cool show to kick off the week. A very happy and giddy Stephen who got his wish to have an “I don’t know what it is but I WANT IT” named after him was my favorite part. I love his smile. The two interviews were also very interesting. I should start reading Emily Yoffe’s columns. :)
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I just got back in town from NYC, where I saw this episode! Once I get settled, I’ll write a taping report. Needless to say it was an awesome experience I can’t wait to do again. I haven’t been this fangirl-y in YEARS.
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I know this is quite belated (by, what, a month?), but better late that never: My taping report!
Among other things, it references the fight that a few of you mentioned liking – it actually originated from an audience member question.
(Sorry if you’ve read it before; I whored it out over Twitter a few times already.)
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