EPISODE NUMBER: 5119 (September 17, 2009)
GUESTS: Jon Ronson, Frank Bruni
SEGMENTS: Exploding the heart of goats with your mind, Stephen Colbert Sport Report, The WØRD: Allison!
VIDEOS: Thursday, September 17, 2009
I know I’ve mentioned that some episode guides are harder to write than others. Today’s is quite hard, but for a totally different reason. When I heard the news that Allison Silverman was going to be leaving the “Colbert Report” a few weeks ago, my heart broke for so many reasons. While I’m sure the decision was made with a heavy heart by Allison, I’m also sure that she’s going to some wonderful and happy new places in her life.
For those of us who have done our best to really know the show, it’s obvious that a huge part of what makes “Stephen” “Stephen” is Allison. And the admiration that Stephen has for Allison is also blatantly obvious. I only had one opportunity to meet Allison during the course of this blog, but I’m so grateful for that moment. She was generous and happy and wonderful. And up close, she is breathtakingly beautiful in her simplicity and confidence.
I have faith that the show will continue on and will never cease to amaze and amuse me. But this truly is a huge milestone in the show’s history, and I have no doubt that the loss will be deeply felt. And the video montage got me a bit weepy, I’m going to be honest with you.
I hate when the ending of a show blows me away so hard that I can’t even remember the rest of the show. But it really was a good show, with goats and the always humorous mispronunciation of Brett Farve, and I don’t want to downplay that too much. I have been meaning to get the Jon Ronson book for ages. I’m a huge fan of kooky reality, and it doesn’t get much kookier than soldiers trying to kill goats with their mind. Ronson also seemed to be both genuinely happy to be on the show, as well as genuinely fascinated with his subject. But then again, who wouldn’t be?
On the other hand, I was quite unimpressed with Frank Bruni. His smugness over “conquering overeating” was as grating to the ears as a militant non-smoker who judges the people on the porch at a party. Stephen was genuinely interested in the subject (as he seems to be with all food-related topics), but Bruni came off as egotistical and condescending to Stephen. Seems like perfect traits for a food critic for the Times.
I look forward to hearing all of your thoughts about Allison, and the show in the comments below. Also, thanks to Laurel for the screen cap today!
- Tonight, I am going to scare the crap out of you while blowing your mind. At a spa, that’s $150 bucks.
- How are you going to eat your hummus now, Al-Quaida? Your spoon’s all bent! Advantage, America.
- Goat lab!
- One goat mastermind [Richard Branson] developed the ability to walk upright, develop businesses, and get STD’s while waterskiing.
- Gah, the goat’s too strong!
- Why stare at them to burst their hearts? We’ve had the technology to blow up goat hearts for a long time.
- Sparkly eyes? Does that not violate Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
- Come on, Del Potro! Edinburg just wanted to spare the American public the tedium of hearing you once again drone on about the six-fingered man who killed your father.
- Wrong! She’s a tennis pro – it would not be like talking with a dining room table, it would be like talking with a ping pong table.
- Still a close third, painted man boobs.
- Sounds like someone wants to play with the Oakland Raiders!
- Stephen Colbert NFL Wheel of Scandal!
- How do I know that you aren’t wearing a girdle?
- Did you get the third?
- Well, I was an altar boy for years, so I’ve seen some high kicks. Only on high holy days.
- And, Allison still says “Wazzup!” [Whatchoo Talkin' 'Bout, Stephen?]
I love that screen cap! Ha ha!
Well, after that very lovely tribute to Allison Silverman it *is* hard to remember the other parts of the show. I found the whole goat-staring bit and the interview with Ronson to be very funny as well as very interesting. I’m going to have to get that book. I love that kind of stuff! The other thing I remember giving me a good laugh was the line about how no one wanted to hear Del Potro drone on about the six-fingered man who killed his father.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
i just watched the morning rerun of TCR and that allison tribute was one of the sweetest things i’ve ever seen.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
yay for sparkly eyes! :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Haha, yes! I loved the sparkly eyes!
The tribute to Allison was so sweet. All the credits were great lol.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
i love the credits.– its all allison!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Just re-watched for the credits which I somehow missed last night and it was a lovely final touch after that sweet tribute. The goat staring contest was a hoot I agree. I love the audience’s reaction every time Stephen and company bring in an animal guest. Again, good luck Allison!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
A very sweet tribute to the awesome Allison Silverman, she will be missed for sure. The goat staring bit was just unbelievable and funny!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Ummm just in defence of Mr.Bruni, yes he was a little smug during the interview, but I guess thats to be expected of most critics. As someone who battled compulsive overeating myself, it really is an addiction and very difficult to overcome, especially if, like me, you have severe depression….I guess what I’m saying is, cut Bruni some slack, he has really won a personal battle so he can be a little smug if he wants…
Also, Allison will be missed. I hope sometime in the future she will be a guest on the report. No doubt she will do great things.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
I want to read Bruni’s book for similar reasons. I’m not sure I’ll agree with him, but I’d like to get his perspective. Actually, I thought he held his own rather well in the interview.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Anyone think Allison Silverman in military gear kinda looked like Carrie-Ann Moss as Trinity from the Matrix?
The Word gets my vote. It was very sweet, and it was nice to finally know whom Stephen had lost that bet to.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
That was such a moving tribute. She will be missed!
Now let’s honor her by coming next week with EMMYS!!!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
All I have to say is great work Allison! She added ALOT to the show. More than any of us knew apparently.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
i was speechless and in tears when i found out Allison was leaving the show. she’s always been there. she’s almost as much Stephen as Stephen is! = (
I need to go and watch the episode again and again…and yes, how great it was to finally know who Stephen lost the lutefisk bet to! lol!
and as for Favre (how is it farve when its spelled favre? i’ll never know.) As a Native Minnesotan, and Vikings Fan, I’ve never been a fan of him. Given his waffling in recent years, and now especially with *my team* he has given me more reason to not like him. not that i didnt have enough previously. so any amount of brett favre bashing is alright with me!
but yes, had to vote for The Word. Allison will be so missed by so, so many people.
Off to watch it again…
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Oh so sorry to see Allison Silverman leave, such a sweet, sad, but funny good-bye to her. She will be missed at length by so many people. Good luck to her in her new ventures.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
How many shows would devote an entire segment, a montage and a special credits sequence to say farewell to one of their producers? Not many. This just reflects the genuine love and respect Stephen and crew have for Allison and how much her contributions will be missed. Despite the show’s sarcasm, Allison and Stephen bring an element so rare to most shows today: integrity. I can’t imagine anyone else filling Allison’s shoes.
Allison Silverman, you are an inspiration and I wish you the best of luck wherever that you may lead you!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
I loved the entire episode, but the tribute to Allison was simultaneously loving and funny. I can’t imagine the show without Allison, and I suspect Stephen cannot either.
Best wishes, Allison – and if you don’t win an Emmy tomorrow night, I hope Stephen puts the Emmys “On Notice!”
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
I meant to add how much I enjoyed the Inigo Montoya reference.
2nd recaptcha: Occidental cicadas
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Thank you Allison and best of luck with the future!!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0