EPISODE NUMBER: 5127 (October 5, 2009)
GUEST: Arne Duncan
SEGMENTS: The WØRD: Learning is Fundamental (by Andy Gellman), Colbert Report Sport Report Special Report – Eating the Distance: The Brad Sciullo Story (Part II)
VIDEOS: Monday, October 5, 2009
Sorry about the lack of quotes in today’s guide – I’m a bit queasy from the Sport Report Special Report.
I’m still on the fence about the the guest appearance by Andy Gellman. On the one hand, he did a good job, and he got the message across clearly and articulately. On the other hand, he wasn’t nearly as adorable or funny as “Young Stephen” who ate the paint chips. I think it’s just really hard for the show to play up a non-Stephen type character sometimes. I do give him props, however, to finding the pace within the sketch, and being able to time his pauses with the laughter, and staying in character. It very much reminded me of the “Stephen Speaks For Me” segments in the I Am America (And So Can You!) audiobook.
Okay seriously? Vomit?! We’ve TALKED about this, people! I absolutely positively *hate* vomit! Why do you have to show vomit?! Ugh. Now I’m cranky. And I can’t believe he ate the whole thing.
I really enjoyed the Arne Duncan interview. For those of you who follow my Twitter feed, you got a nifty little spoiler about the basketball game. Arne came in prepared, with a great excuse of why people should care about viewers – “We know your viewers are some of the smartest folks around. You want more viewers. Well, you get more viewers by doing a better job of educating students. As we better educate, more folks watch your show. As more folks watch your show, advertisers pay you more. As advertisers pay you more, you get rich. This is all about you. I’m working for you.” Very nice preparation, sir!
What did all of you think of the show tonight?
(Tip of the Hat to Laurel for the screencap!)
- The leader of the free world went to make the case, and she [Oprah] brought along Barack Obama.
- This could be the year that they include the Men’s 1500 meter androgynous samba.
- Boo-S-A, Boo-S-A, Boo-S-A!
- Man, that guy never stops playing the race card.
- And that bring us to tonight’s WØRD: Learning is Fundamental. You’re in my shot.
- Folks, as a 10-year old boy, there is nothing I’d want more than a longer school year. [Besides Chest Hair]
- Isn’t that right, blonde haired girl who’s not Steve Doocey?
- Danny Wallace: Future Fox News Pundit
- I understand you are not using the term “No Child Left Behind”. Is that true? So you’re fine with leaving children behind.
Little Mr. Gellman was adorably awesome. He seemed so nervous but he did very well. And Stephen poking his head in all ??? was hilarious.
Why would someone want to eat a 20-pound burger?! Especially over the course of four hours, when it’s been sitting out, and…. just… bleh. And I really couldn’t tell if he was serious about the shark.
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that kid was great!
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I just about died laughing when Stephen poked in during “The Word”. I had to bury my face in the pillow because everyone else had gone to sleep. I loved that Word, though – very well done!
When I saw the guy eating the 20-lb. burger, I thought of “Man Vs. Food” on the Travel Channel. The difference there is that Adam (the host) knows when to give up and he’s not at all disgusting about it. I, too, felt sick to my stomach when I watched that segment.
And the basketball game? I would’ve KILLED to see that in person! That interview was absolutely amazing, too. Mr. Duncan kept his own and did it well. An absolutely wonderful show all around!
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Great show! Definitely enjoyed watching Arne Duncan- in and out of sweats. I think Stephen should have had on his pinstripe hoodie with the break-away pants!
I appreciate the time TCR gives to those in the education profession on the show. It always provides a new perspective on a continuing dilemma–student success. And it isn’t the same for each student in each neighborhood and I think the variety of guests have shown this to be true. And, they [guests] do a nice job highlighting why we should all care. Ok, that’s the educator in me!
Ugh–that hamburger! Mayonaise as a lubricant? Makes be think of Jon eating Baconaise or Carell eating crisco…I can’t take it!
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That boy did such a good job with The Word! He was too cute.
I really enjoyed the interview. Duncan did a great job at getting his point across and I loved the whole thing about Stephen and his smart viewers. The basketball game was funny too!
And the giant hamburger thing was disgusting. When he ate a spoonful of mayo…. UGH. So nasty. I can’t believe he ate that entire thing.
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I had vote for the Arne Duncan segment mostly because of the basketball game…and Stephen quickly taking off his pants before the game started….then duncan’ so many (sorry…the pun was just staring at me!).
Kudos to Andy Gellman for getting through the entire Word. At that age, I would be shaking in my boots in taking on such a lengthy segment? Does anyone know how he was chosen for this piece? Good job Andy!
OK. That eating segment was DISGUSTING. I don’t mean amusingly disgusting…just disgusting. Is this guy for real and did he really eat that whole thing? I felt this guy was truly insane and almost feel he was exploited for the show. Then again, competitive eating is a real thing and I suppose the show was critiquing this “sport” and showing how this displays greed in America and is sort of the lowest common denominator. Ugh.
The most I could go for is one container of Americone Dream;)
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Where did they find that kid? He was adorable! He was probably reading from the prompter, but he was perfect. I also think its funny that you have to be 18 to be in the audience so what did they do put him in a soundproof booth?
Stephen got game! I think it would’ve been cool to be out there watching it live.
The burger…blech! I can’t even talk about it.
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The kid was awesome (and now probably the most popular kid in school). I loved how he cracked a smile towards the end as he got into it. The burger eating was just, ugh, horrible and stupid. Doesn’t that guy have parents or friends to stop him? I too would have killed to have been on the TCR waiting line to see the basketball game. I wonder how many takes they did to get the long shot dunking? If only 1 then it’s mighty impressive.
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I loved “The Word”! That kid was absolutely fantastic, and I laughed so hard when Stephen poked his head in and Andy deadpanned “You’re in my shot” :). I truly love when TCR does any segment on education – you can tell that it’s something Stephen genuinely cares about and wants to discuss. I found the ending to the “Brad Sciullo Story” hilarious and equally disgusting haha, and I’m pretty sure he was absolutely serious about ripping out the heart of a shark and eating it. And I don’t know how to feel about that, lol.
The Arne Duncan interview was my favorite part of show. Watching Stephen play basketball in dress shoes, long white socks, basketball shorts, and a suit jacket with the sleeves ripped off was priceless, and that headband was just adorable. But the interview was the highlight for me. As someone who met Arne Duncan earlier this year and has heard him speak, I thought he handled himself very well throughout the interview and really got his message across. Nicely done! Great show all around :D.
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Andy Gellman was great. I loved how Stephen heartily congratulated him at the end there, and the audience seemed really supportive, too.
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As I said last week, I find competitive eating beyond disgusting. Part 2 was really gross! Although I did laugh when he was asked if he’d do it again and he said, “Not with the relish.” Dude…
I thought Andy Gellman was adorable and did a great job. I also loved the basketball game and the interview with Arne Duncan. I’m not an educator but I have two kids and the older one is in first grade now so I have a keen interest in the state of education in America. I really would like to see our schools improve. Our district performs above average but there is plenty of room for improvement. I like the idea of schools as community centers. Anything that will encourage greater parent involvement would be beneficial.
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I’ve seen that kid actor that played Andy Gellman. He was in a movie I saw recently, but I can’t think of it. Any help?
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That kid did an excellent job – loved the WORD!
I can’t watch eating contests of any kind – revolting and pointless. So I couldn’t view the action but could only listen to this segment (had to cover my ears a couple of times). Did anybody else get creeped out by this guy when he talked about hunting a shark and eating it’s heart?..he seemed way to thrilled with the thought of eating taboo items. I hope he was not serious.
Basketball was a joy to behold and reversed the harm done by the hamburger guy.
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Andy Gellman was awesome. I laughed out loud and had to replay the entire video when Stephen poked his head in and Andy said “You’re in my shot!” Good thing I was watching online and using my earphones so I wasn’t bugging my parents.
I skipped viewing the competitive eating video. I just listened to it, or blocked it out, depending on what I was hearing.
Great interview and basketball game with Arne Duncan. :)
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I wasn’t surprised at all to see the focus on education in this show since I heard earlier in the day that October 5th is World Teacher’s Day: http://www.5oct.org/ I was kind of hoping that Stephen would mention it directly but I’m sure he and the writers knew of it.
Andy was great, I had thought he was one of the writers’ kids maybe since he didn’t seem like a child actor to me. He did do a great job with the pacing I agree DB.
My favorite part though had to be the Arne Duncan segment, not only was he a great interview but what a cool hoops segment! Who knew that Stephen could play basketball too!
It was ironic for me seeing the “competitive eater” since I’d watched “Super Size Me” over the weekend. It’s very good, but warning, there’s some vomit in that too.
All in all though a very fun show.
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