Fantasy Colbert League: October 12-October 15

Hey Everyone! Val here – taking over the reins for the Fantasy Colbert League. I hope you are having a great weekend, and enjoyed the website’s mention in “The L.A. Times”. This is the last week before the show takes a break. *Sad face* But this week looks to have a fine line-up.

Shashi Tharoor is the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs. From 2002 to 2007, he served as the UN Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information. He was also the Indian candidate for the Secretary General of the United Nations in 2006. He began his career at the UN in 1978, and has worked on peacekeeping efforts in Yugoslavia, as well as serving as the executive assistant to Kofi Annan. Tharoor also works for the International Committee of the Red Cross as well.

Fract: Not only is Shashi a “Friend of the Show,” having been on in 2007 and
2008, but his son, Kanishk, was also on the show in support of his father earlier this year.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta

Dr. Gupta almost became the Surgeon General of the United States for the Obama administration, but withdrew his name before confirmation. Although he does not hold the famous title, Dr. Gupta is no slouch in the world of medicine. He is a professor of neurosurgery at Emory University, and also the associate chief of neurosurgery at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. If that isn’t enough, Dr. Gupta has made a name for himself as CNN’s chief medical correspondent, appearing on such shows as Larry King Live and Anderson Cooper 360.

Fract: Just like Stephen, Dr. Gupta was also named one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive (in 2003).

Tuesday, October 13: David Javerbaum

The name David Javerbaum should ring familiar to all of us. David was the executive producer on a show you may have heard of, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Sound familiar? Graduating from the Musicial Theatre Writing Program at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, David helped adapt the Broadway Musical Cry-Baby, which debuted in 2008. In addition to work on that musical, Mr. Javerbaum helped contribute the lyrics for “A Colbert Christmas”. So we can thank David for songs like “Nutmeg”.

Fract: Jon Stewart used David as his “phone a friend” on Celebrity Millionaire

Sylvia Earle Ms. Earle is an oceanographer, and a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. Moving near the Gulf of Mexico at a young age, Sylvia began learning all about nature. She even dove a few hundred deep in the Bahamas while four months pregnant! With nicknames like “Her Deepness” and “The Sturgeon General,” anyone can understand her love for the study of the underwater life.

Fract: Sylvia was named the first person named Time’s “Hero for the Planet” in 1998.

Wednesday, October 14: Amy Farrell

Books: all fact, no heart? Well, Amy Farrell, a professor of American Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies at Dickinson College likes ‘em – in fact, she has published much on her specialty, as well as receiving many research grants for her work. Her latest work, contributing to the new book, “The Fat Studies Reader” is all about how obesity is portrayed in society and in the media. The book provides an examination of the history of “fat studies,” as well as focusing on the goals of health and social tolerance.

Fract: Amy teaches a course in Feminist Writing at Dickinson College. Maybe Stephen could cook with her too?

The RZA

RZA is the stage-name for Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, a leading member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Unlike Stephen, he has won Grammys for his work, and also is a music producer, author, actor, director, and screenwriter. Recently, he has been working on solo projects under the moniker “Bobby Digital”. While with the Wu-Tang Clan, RZA introduced a “five-year plan,” where members gave him almost dictatorship-like power, and he promised he would take them to the top. At the end of the five years, the popular album “Wu-Tang Forever” was released.

Fract: RZA has little concern for illegal music downloading simply because “when I make music, I make it to be heard.”

Thursday, October 15: Jerry Mitchell

Who’s not honoring Stephen now? It’s the Genius Grant again. You will remember Stephen’s previous lament, and this year is no different. Jerry Mitchell recently received the Genius Grant, and the $500,000 prize that goes along with it. Mitchell is a Mississippi news reporter whose work has concerned Civil Rights. His work has been highly praised by those around him. The former governor of Mississippi, William Winter said, “We will be a better society for his reporting.”

Fract: Mitchell’s interest in Civil Rights began when he saw the movie Mississippi Burning in 1989.

Well, that’s it for now. Enjoy the shows! See you in two weeks.