Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando — a Zeitgeisty follow-up

Where do I start? Stephen and the rest of Team Colbert put on an amazing week of shows from Iraq, and I’m still absorbing it all. I’m speechless with admiration and pride for what they’ve accomplished, and for the obvious passion and dedication that made the shows a resounding success. Kudos to everyone involved for having the guts to “go commando” and put so much of themselves into entertaining our troops in Iraq. It was a week that couldn’t have been scripted better, from the initial “It’s go time, Fatty!” (which is still making me laugh) to the heartfelt “thank you” at the end. The obvious enjoyment of the troops was a great reward for a job well done.

It would be impossible to do a full round-up of all the news to come out of this week simply because there was so much of it. I had a hard time keeping up with what was showing up on NFZ; trying to keep up with everything else out there would’ve made my head explode. I’m sure there will be more commentary during the upcoming week, as the media has a chance to look back on the Iraq shows, and as Stephen resumes doing shows from the studio and (hopefully!) offers up some thoughts of his own on last week’s events. But I did come across a few pieces this morning that I thought were worth looking at, as a less intense follow-up to the main news stories from the week.

• A salute for Stephen Colbert – LA Times: “A tip of the hat to comedian Stephen Colbert for his four-day tour in Baghdad to entertain U.S. troops and draw attention to the forgotten war, all the while trying to bridge the culture war at home. USO veteran Bob Hope must have turned in his grave when he heard that Colbert’s faux conservative character was headed for the front, but once the show started, he surely rolled with a good belly laugh.”
• Colbert in fine form rallying troops in Iraq – LA Times Entertainment section: “Monday’s opening show from Iraq (‘a country so nice we invaded it twice’) was not often political, at least not in any clearly partisan sense. If there was a point to the USO-sponsored trip — besides the obvious one, to entertain the troops — it was, Colbert has said, to reawaken public consciousness of the war and the people fighting it, and he seemed genuinely happy and excited to be there… Though ‘The Colbert Report’ is a house of mirrors, Colbert’s intentions here strike me as utterly straightforward and only incidentally commercial.”
• True patriotism: Colbert’s Iraq tour – MediaPost.com: “Stephen Colbert, who plays a faux Bill O’Reilly, outdid the man he calls ‘papa bear.’ On Monday, June 8, Colbert made good on his troop commitment. He didn’t just talk the talk; he walked the walk. For the first time in the history of the U.S.O., a non-news show was broadcast from a combat zone… The humor was targeted, but the results astounded. Colbert scaled his wall, shipped a crew to Iraq and, in solidarity with the troops, shaved his head… Can you image any news anchor — or any member of Congress — taking such a symbolic step?”
• Kudos to Colbert! – TV Week: “Nation, I’m not necessarily a big fan of Stephen Colbert’s blowhard-y right wing persona on ‘The Colbert Report,’ (Jon Stewart is my late-night deity) but his on-location shows this week in Baghdad are something to watch — and congratulations are in order for taking his brand of comedy to the war zone for a four-night run… But despite all the levity, there is a serious purpose. Who’s talking about the war in Iraq these days? Sadly, since the election, it’s fallen off the media map… Lost in the loss of coverage is the service and sacrifice of thousands of American men and women in a war that’s now gone on for six years.”
• After Iraq broadcasts, can Stephen Colbert declare Mission Accomplished? – Reuters Fan Fare blog: “Two presidents, a major general and a shaved head all played a part this week in comedian Stephen Colbert’s declared mission to bring attention to the 6-year-old war in Iraq and the troops still fighting abroad… Cynics could say the trip to Iraq was really about Stephen — and ratings. But others, including Los Angeles Times columnist James Rainey, believe that Colbert is serious and sincere.”
• Colbert segment illustrates the inanity of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – Examiner.com: “The Colbert Report may be merely a comedy show, but is it not through the lens of comedy that we so often see the errors and misjudgments within our own society? Through the distorted eyes of his conservative pundit alter ego, Stephen Colbert has given us a 360 degree window in which we can see all of the inanity of this obsolete policy.” (This is actually a discussion of DADT, using Stephen’s “Formidable Opponent” segment from last Tuesday as a starting point.)

And, on a lighter note–

• Iraq visit hasn’t dampened Stephen Colbert’s marketing humor – BrandFreak.com: “Even a weeklong deployment in Baghdad hasn’t put a crimp in Stephen Colbert’s rampant and intentionally over-the-top product shilling. After having his head shaved on Monday night’s episode, the star of The Colbert Report said on Tuesday night that he found a logo for Pepsi’s Amp energy drink branded into his now-fuzzy pate. Comedy Central has been selling that space to advertisers without his knowledge, he claimed, and only the haircut by General Raymond Odierno, Commander of the Multinational Corps, exposed it.”

It was so enjoyable to have all of the “extras” last week, especially the behind-the-scenes videos and articles directly from Multi-National Corps – Iraq, to round out the experience. Thanks to DB and Ms. I and Jennie for staying on top of things and posting the breaking news so quickly. You did a great job this week, and I think I speak for all of the Zoners when I say that you guys rock!

EDIT: ColbertGirl27 pointed out in one of her comments that there’s another video up on the DVIDS site of an interview with Spc. Salha and Sgt. Balcom where they discuss their experience being interviewed by Stephen. Thanks, ColbertGirl27!