Allison Silverman talks ‘Operation Iraqi Stephen’ on NPR

A lot of us were hoping that Stephen Colbert would find his way to “Fresh Air’ with Terry Gross on NPR once he came back from Iraq. Terry has given us some great interviews in the past and it’s always great to hear Stephen talk out of character about how ‘The Colbert Report’ is put together.

I guess Stephen is learning to delegate – Terry interviewed TCR Executive Producer Allison Silverman and it’s pretty fun to get her view of the show (and Stephen in action). I’m listening to the interview now – and wanted to share it immediately – so I can’t tell you a lot of quotes, but I do love her talking about Stephen putting up a note saying “This is the last impossible thing we will ever do” in reference to taking the show to Baghdad.
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‘Colbert Show’ Back From Iraq
Fresh Air from WHYY, June 22, 2009 · Allison Silverman, the executive producer and head writer of The Colbert Report, discusses the show’s recent broadcasts from the combat zone in Iraq.

Before joining The Colbert Report, Silverman was a writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire. She has won Emmy Awards for her writing on The Colbert Report and The Daily Show.

Categories: The Colbert Report

Comments

Michele B.

said on 22nd June: Reply

I listened to it this afternoon on the radio. Great interview! I also loved hearing her perspective on the show and Stephen.

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Eris

said on 22nd June: Reply

Haven’t listened to it yet, but I’m very pleased with the quote!

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O'Reilly

said on 22nd June: Reply

Learning to delegate? Stephen? Really? I hope so!

I remember that professional goal that our Monsieur Colbert said he wanted to set for himself – basically not to put himself almost always at the point of exhaustion. At the time, before the Iraq trip, I commented that this admission was disconcerting to me, that even his driving home at night from work in such a physical state was worrisome – that his falling asleep behind the wheel benefitted absolutely no one – neither him nor his family (and, far less importantly, of course, all of us).

I’m beginning to sound like a second mom. I think that Forbes article has given me some kind of complex and possibly a new identity – Stephen’s Mom 2. Geesh! :-D

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- Jennie
  
  said on 23rd June: Reply
  
  Get in line for the Stephen’s-Mom-2 position, O’Reilly! ;) Maybe we should start The League of Stephen’s Mothers?
  
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  - O'Reilly
    
    said on 23rd June:
    
    Love it, Jennie!:D
    
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Nukaleu

said on 22nd June: Reply

I love Fresh Air so much. Terry’s probably my favorite interviewer. She stays on topic and asks really good questions. Plus she’s totally an it-getter.

I’m relly glad she addressed the issue of how exhausting the show’s production is. I have been wondering how much more efficient (if at all) the crew has gotten in terms of time management. It’s good to hear it’s gotten somewhat better. For their sake I hope it continues to be a challenge, though, because challenge and adrenaline seems to be what they feed on. For this reason I’d like to think (and hope) that this isn’t the last impossible thing they do ^-^

How cool is it that they snuck copies of IAAASCY on the White House shelves!

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Laaaura

said on 23rd June: Reply

That was a great interview. I liked when she was talking about the shaving of Stephen’s head and she said, “Not only does Stephen have a lush head of hair, but it is shellacked.” lol ‘lush’ is certainly a good way to describe Stephen’s beautiful head of hair!

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Whitney Anne Postman

said on 23rd June: Reply

Splendid interview. Masterful week of shows. BRAVO! Ms. Silverman, you are a comedic genius, and an inspiration to smart women everywhere.

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mrtigger001

said on 23rd June: Reply

Whoa, ‘Millionaire’ had a writing staff?

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GabbyD

said on 24th June: Reply

great interview!

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