Wow, we’ve already endured 17 Colbert-less days. But we will get through this together, my friends. We’re up to the best of the best episodes, and here’s one that should still be fresh in our minds. The #4 soldier in the No Fact Zone Top 10 Best ‘Colbert Report’ episodes list is:
#4 – Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando – Day 2 (Episode 5077 – 6/9/2009)
The entire week of Iraq shows were positively mind blowing, but I selected this episode due to the magnificent set that Stephen wheeled onto the stage to do the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell version of Formidable Opponent. Not only was the subject matter ballsy, but the technical requirements to do are hard enough to do in the studio, but to attempt them in the middle of the Iraqi desert was pretty darn gutsy. Also, this show was vomit free, which I always appreciate in a ‘Colbert Report’.
I also really enjoyed seeing the interview with Specialist Tareq Salha and Sgt. Robin Balcom. It was nice to see ground troops talk about their experiences as well as the brass that was wheeled out the rest of the week. And how about those cameos? This night featured former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. And sweet baby Jesus, I laughed so hard watching the Stephen Strong from this episode again. “If I’m gay, do I have to do this?” – HA!
After seeing the Rolling Stone interview and listening to Pete Dominick’s interview with Stephen, it gives me a new appreciation of the work that went into the shows, and it’s really even more touching when you hear how much the experience changed Stephen and the crew.
I again humbly request to the marketing team at Comedy Central and Viacom that they put out these four episodes and any outtakes they may have gathered and slap them into a DVD for the Nation to purchase and enjoy. I know I’d watch it again and again!
Enjoy tonight’s videos, and feel free to discuss some of your favorite moments from the entire Iraq show series in the comments.
| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Operation Iraqi Stephen – S.H. | ||||
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| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Operation Iraqi Stephen – Bill Clinton & AMP Energy | ||||
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| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Stephen Strong: Army of Me – Basic Training Pt. 2 | ||||
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| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Formidable Opponent – Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell | ||||
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| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Tareq Salha & Robin Balcom | ||||
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| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Sign Off – Hi, Stephen’s Mom | ||||
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I absolutely would buy a Going Commando DVD, esp. if they included all the extra clips we’ve had the privilege & pleasure of laughing our butts off!
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ooh. neat new option to request deletion – thanks!
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I would totally buy an Operation Iraqi Stephen DVD. In a heartbeat. I second that, they would definitely make a lot of money on it too.
Good choice of episodes! It had to be hard to pick just one of the Iraq shows, but you picked the right one, I think, if only for the DADT Formidable Opponent!
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Notice this detail in the DADT Formidable Opponent. When the shot returns to show the second (first?) Stephen holding out the AMP drink, there’s a shadow of someone who turns the can around in Stephen’s hand as it would really show if there were actually a second Stephen. Know what I mean? Details, people, its all in the details. (I dunno really.)
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Actually, I think he’s just rotating the drink in his own hand. The shadow is of his arm, it’s just the lighting is a bit shadowy (you can see it other times, too).
Love the segment, though.
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Ah, you’re right. Why have someone turn it when he could do it himself. But I do love that attention to detail – he could have just had the label out all the time.
Its great that this particular audience responded so well to the segment.
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The shows from Iraq were all so good but I agree that this one was particularly great. :-)
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I second this.
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The entire week of shows in Iraq was amazing, but if I had to pick just one, this would be it. That Formidable Opponent segment was ballsier than shaving his head.
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Agreed! When I saw the first episode, I thought, “How can they top this?” and then…Formidable Opponent!
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Roll out the DVD for Christmas time! I’ll buy it!
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Along with my Barnes & Noble Stephen canvas bag and Daily Show mug, this DVD would definitely be on my Christmas list.
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