The ongoing buzz buzz

This must be some sort of Samson and Delila story in reverse – man gets a hair cut and just gets stronger! I was expecting reviews and commentary in the press this morning, but after the spoiler feast we were treated too before the airing of the first episode from Iraq, there wasn’t so much new stuff – though it was interesting to note that the story that Stephen was in Iraq and had his hair cut was carried in at least a couple thousand publications (on and off line).

If there is anything I enjoy more than watching Stephen, it’s reading quotes about him from his adoring fan base in the media. So here’s a few select quotes from the last 24 hours:

Predictions: a few more opinions before airing

• Stephen Colbert Has Baghdad on the Brain – Underwire (Wired magazine’s blog): “For a supposedly functioning idiot, Colbert has continually brought much-needed attention to hidden territories of human knowledge and experience.”
• ‘The Colbert Report’ Heads to Iraq – Buddy TV: “If you’re wondering if sharp-tongued Stephen Colbert can walk the talk in his numerous tirade on the Iraq war, wonder no more, as The Colbert Report packs its bag and heads to the Persian Gulf to broadcast the show live. The move, called “Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando,” is quickly lauded by critics to add another dimension of realism to the show, in itself is already a very politically mature vehicle which carries very political issues.”

Reviewers’ consensus: The man has cajones

• The Situationalist – The Plank (blog of ‘The New Republic’): “P.S. How much juice does Stephen Colbert have, getting both the MNF-I commander and POTUS to appear in a skit on his show? He’s bigger than Cronkite. “
• Colbert Goes Commando: Operation Desert Laughter – BLTv (blog from Variety): “Based on his debut push with “Operation Iraqi Stephen,” anyway, Colbert’s show has the makings of fire-up-the-TiVo, must-see TV this week. And as he proved at the White House Correspondents Dinner a few years back, whether he’s “going commando” or not, in terms of utterly fearless comedy, it’s hard not to admire this guy’s balls.”
• Stephen Colbert goes to Mesopotamia: satirical host visits Iraq. – Canada.com: “Below the surface, though, Colbert’s stunt is breathtakingly brazen – not so much because it’s for a silly, late-night TV show – but because he’s taken irony in the post-ironic age to a whole other level.”
• Stephen Colbert Ordered By Obama To Get Head Shaved During ‘Report’ Visit To Iraq – MTV Newsroom: “Monday night’s pre-taped episode of “The Colbert Report” showcased the host at his bloviating best, heartily congratulating himself for his bravery one minute and aiming his satirical arrows at the usual political targets the next.”

Stephen Talks about “Stephen” in Iraq

• Colbert deploys comedy arsenal in Iraq – San Francisco Chronicle: Colbert himself does not seem to be fazed by this seemingly tricky balancing act. Neither he nor his character knows what it’s like to be a soldier, he said in an interview on Saturday. Only, his character thinks he knows.

  “Think of certain reporters who lose themselves in their own self-importance and accidentally give away troop movements and get kicked out of the country,” he said in a not particularly oblique reference to Geraldo Rivera.

And what in the world did Matt Lauer think of the buzz?
For some reason it just seemed funny to have Matt talking about Stephen’s buzz cut…

And remember that proceeds from downloads of ‘The Colbert Report’ on iTunes this week will go to the USO – so get these episodes on your i-thingy!