At the head of the class, bouncing back and forth with clever questions and responses, being a perfect catalyst – who else?

This interview on a relatively serious topic was absolutely fun to watch. Stephen seemed almost literally to bounce throughout this interview with Kurt Andersen, moving the interview along with laughs while still letting Andersen make his points quite clearly. Essentially, Andersen said that America has found itself again in a “ditch,” which is a perfect time to reconsider values and decide for the long run to accept an attitude of something somewhat akin to voluntary simplicity.

Almost all of Stephen’s remarks centered on the desire for excess in himself or the desire in Americans for excess. The contrast between Andersen’s position and Stephen’s craving for more than plenty created the truly delightful humor throughout. “Americans want the fast forward button, to get to the good part, to get to the car chase”; “Ditch driving’s worked for us – the Civil War was one giant ditch”; (about America always falling in a ditch) “Like a grandpa who tells the same stories over and over – it’s lovable”; “Don’t we need those wants?” “What would I possibly not need?” (about Andersen’s book)”Do I need this book or do I just want this book?” are just a very small portion of Stephen remarks.

Stephen also mentioned that Kurt Andersen in his book gave credit to The Colbert Report as a “special haven of sanity amidst last year’s ‘sky is falling hysteria.’” Even to this, Stephen told Andersen that Andersen had probably not seen The Report’s segment on “The Sky is Falling: the top 12 ways to panic.”

What an interview. Stephen was bouncy, delightful, truly at the top of his improv game and certainly at his usual best. The whole program was so much fun, but this interview particularly was so, so good.

She may have meant that the word schnapps sounds Jewish because it sounds a bit like it could be a Yiddish word, like schmaltz and schmuck.

Also, I really want a Colbert Bump right now.

My other favorite cocktail is the one I made up to celebrate Jon Stewart’s hosting the Oscars:

Jon Stewart Giggle:

A glass of white champagne, 3/4 full
I tsp amaretto
4 tsp peach Schnapps

A little nutty and a lotta Jewy, just like Jon ;)

I will also be instructing our local bartender in the ways of the Colbert Bump in hopes of it sweeping the nation! :)

Anyhow, I’m tempted to go to my nearest bar, order the Colbert Bump and receive a confused look. I will then explain it to the bartender and the cocktail will subsequently sweep the nation:)

I can’t wait to try a “Colbert Bump.”