Hey, kids, we’re back with more Olympic-related hijinks!
I don’t know how anyone is maintaining the willpower to remain unspoiled these days, but I’m reveling in the spoilers that are now leaking out, fast and furious. I’ll put most of this behind a cut in deference to you strong-minded few but, for those of you who, like me, can’t get enough of the updates, read on.
First up is an update from our friends (frenemies?) up north. Here’s Canada’s Globe and Mail on Stephen Colbert’s foray into some additional Olympic sports:
Colbert to Blair: ‘I’m sorry that you’re cheaters’
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As part of Colbert’s attempt to hitch his public-relations wagon to the aw-shucks world of U.S. Olympians, he has taken Canadian officials to task for keeping foreign competitors off the Olympic speed-skating oval in Richmond, B.C., which has led to his sponsoring the U.S. speed-skating team.Colbert is to political punditry what Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show is to network news, but Colbert’s criticism touched a too sensitive nerve with Vancouver Olympics officials, and the City of Richmond invited him to take the job of “ice ombudsman.” Colbert, who referred to Canadians as “syrup suckers” and “ice-holes,” said yesterday there was a “chance” he will travel to Richmond even before the Olympics.
“Unfortunately, we are off the air for a week, but I read that [the invitation] on our last show and we are absolutely going to take that into consideration with our legal counsel, and will be addressing that when we get back on the air,” Colbert said, affecting a deadpan expression as he struggled to loosen his helmet following a skeleton run in which he carried the sled across the finish line.
Colbert began the interview in character by saying: “I’m sorry for the way that I called Canadians cheaters, and I want to apologize. I’m sorry that you’re cheaters, all right? I want the whole quote in there.
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I have to admit, I’m of two minds about the Canadian “challenge” and Stephen’s response to it. On the one hand, I’ve found the tone of some of the articles I’ve seen on the subject a little annoying; there’s a definite sense of, “well, we challenged him, now he HAS to respond” (and, consequently, that any storyline involving Stephen and Canada would be a result of Canada’s initiative). Not all of the Canadian coverage has been framed that way, I should note, but the part of me that knows how common it is for people/organizations to begin feuds with Stephen for their own purposes, well, that part of me finds the technique a little stale. Knowing how few of these overtures the show responds to — or even acknowledges — makes me want to remind those journalists and/or bloggers that Stephen’s going to do what he’s going to do; it’s cool if you’re playing along, but it’s seriously doubtful that you’re forcing his hand.
The rest of me, though, is finding the whole US vs. Canada theme perfect. It’s exactly the sort of thing that the show can embrace/exploit, with hilarious results. That part of me is loving these stories. I’m just picturing the medal ceremony described in the article linked above, with “amused and slightly confused Austrian and Dutch team members” watching Stephen’s antics, and giggling at the way that tracks with Stephen’s self-aggrandizing view of his own and his “Nation’s” importance.
Changing gears again, here’s another article I found about the taping last weekend, this one from the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. I’m quite amused by the mental image of Stephen “daintily” sipping his beer:
Comedy Central’s Steven Colbert films Olympic bobsled tryout spoof
By TIM FOLLOS, Enterprise Sports Editor
POSTED: November 23, 2009LAKE PLACID – With a swarm of cameramen, producers, assistants, fans, athletes, event staff and curiosity-seekers in tow, comedian Stephen Colbert held forth at Mount Van Hoevenberg Sunday afternoon, filming a segment in which Colbert tried in vain to make the Olympic bobsled team.
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Colbert arrived at Mount Van Hoevenberg early in the afternoon and continued filming until nearly dusk. His crew filmed numerous takes while Colbert and the athletes went through scripted lines and ad-libbed off of them. (Colbert to Holcomb: “So basically, you’re my chauffeur for the next 60 seconds. Please keep the privacy window up. Things might get a little wild with my date in the back. I brought a mix CD. A little Bjork. Wait: You mean you paid $60,000 for this sled and it doesn’t have a CD player?”)
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Colbert doesn’t expect this to be his last brush with Winter Olympic glory. After being rejected by the bobsled team (“Stupid toboggan!” he screamed in response), he plans to head to Salt Lake City in December to try out for the long-track speed-skating team.
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I really don’t know what to say about that except for the following: That. is. awesome.
Finally, for those of you who have read this far, please enjoy this tasteful photo from the Adirondack Daily Enterprise:
These are wonderful! It is crazy how much I am looking forward to these segments. Colbert out of the studio is always WIN!
btw- For all the jokes he makes about weight, he looks good in spandex, as if there would be any doubt! ;)
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I am loving all these spoilers!! It seems like, as always, Stephen is having an absolute ball doing his job. Can’t wait to see the actual segment!
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I’m can’t WAIT to see all this. And I really hope the speedskating thing is true because I’m sure Stephen on skates would be either awesome or hysterical. Or both. And there would be more spandex involved. :-)
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I’m pretty sure that Stephen trying out for the speedskating team will be hilarious. I can’t wait to see any of these segments.
Also we can never have too many pics of Stephen in spandex.
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i all of a sudden have realized my dream of becoming an olympic speed skater ;) (don’t worry its not sarah palin)
omg i just cant wait any longer for this episode. NFZ you’re killing me!!!!
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I agree with what you stated regarding the journalists “challenging” Colbert. The olympics run right during sweeps, of course Colbert is going to go. I also agree with what someone said in a previous post, that these clips will be used much like the iraq shows. Now the only question is, which road trip will earn Colbert his emmy?
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OMG, this is so much fun already. I can hardly wait to actually see Stephen in action. And as luvtcr said above, he does look great in spandex. I’m thinking it was the basic training he did for the Iraq shows that really got him in shape. :-D
Anytime he injects himself into the news, it’s an epic win. Oh, and hey, I have to go see if the hats are for sale. Anyone bought one yet?
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I’m with those pics stucked in my head,I didn’t manage to work today LOL I think I1m gonna dream with Stephen in Spandex…oh my
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Omg I’m going to be in Vancouver for the Olympics. Pleaseeeee Stephen! Come for the Olympics. My life might just be made!
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Wow! This is ROTFLMAO hilarious!! XDD I really am in awe of Stephen’s powers of provocation. I can’t believe that some of the Canadian media think that they can force Stephen’s hand on anything. He’s too brilliant; Stephen can spin anything for “Stephen’s” and The Nation’s gain.
And I have to agree with a lot of the above commenters: Stephen looks great in spandex!
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I don’t think anyone believes they are “forcing Stephen’s hand”. If you read the actual letter sent to TCR, it was quite tongue-in-cheek and humorous. And if Vancouver/Richmond/speed skating can get a little extra publicity out of it, then why not?
But then again, maybe I’m just disagreeing because I’m a Vancouverite!
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Hi, Ailis,
I can’t speak for Patty but, with regard to what I said in the post above, I wasn’t referring to the Richmond letter — their letter was actually a pretty good example of what I considered “playing along with the joke”.
I don’t have the links handy, but what I found less artfully done were some of the media items (possibly not from Vancouver?) that seemed to jump on the letter and imply, “Aha, now that we have responded, Stephen will be a coward if *he* doesn’t return the volley!” That’s what prompted my mixed reaction. I think it’s cool when people respond to Stephen; I just don’t like it when there’s an implication that any response *necessitates* follow up on the show.
Regardless, it sounds like more Olympic plans are in the works, so I’m sure we’ll have fun watching the saga unfold.
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“After being rejected by the bobsled team (“Stupid toboggan!” he screamed in response), he plans to head to Salt Lake City in December to try out for the long-track speed-skating team.”
Really?! I can’t wait to see these videos! :-)
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“It’s cool if you’re playing along, but it’s seriously doubtful that you’re forcing his hand.” – I completely agree with you. It’s sort of the same with the Miracle Whip vs. Mayo response. It was fantastic that MW decided to respond to Stephen, but when Stephen took the high road, he won out in the end. Stephen’s going to go for the joke regardless of the agenda of the other side, and he always has the upper hand. But all of this doesn’t mean that I enjoy Stephen relishing in the challenges any less. I encourage it. :P
On a lighter note, I am so excited for this! Why can’t it be next week already? I laughed SO hard at that ”Stupid toboggan!” comment. And I just cannot get enough of that spandex suit – I can’t look at him too long in it, it’s just too funny for my eyeballs. :)
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You know I don’t think this can be typical of the Canadian reaction to Stephen’s show; I was in Newfoundland in July and they were showing new eps of TCR 3 or 4 times a day! I have to believe that most of our friends up North realize that he is joking with them (though the support for our team is real obviously). Having said that, let’s open up that practice rink for everyone! And I do hope we will be seeing Stephen in Vancouver.
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As a Canadian (and a huge fan obviously) I think most of us get the tongue in cheek references and jabs. Of course some people are going to exploit the show for a bit of media coverage on their end, no matter what the situation is. I do believe its unfair that the US and other teams aren’t getting the ice time – but I think it would be interesting to look back at other Olympic games and see if the same policies were in place then for the hosting country. I’m just curious!
Oh and totally psyched about a possible trip up here!
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I am glad to know that Stephen made it safely down the run on the bobsled. First the skateboarding on the stairs, now this. I worry! I love that Stephen does all this, but oy! It gives me shpilkus and I’m not even jewish.
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does anyone know if stephen will be filming shows in Vancouver during the olympics. i’d love to go to a taping.
also stephen if you go to Richmond i’d advise you get driven in a car that has the highest possible crash rating, as the asian driving “fact-type” is in scary effect.
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This combines the 2 things in my life to which I’m seriously addicted: Stephen Colbert and the Olympics! I’m not a big sports fan, but when the Olympics are on, I can hardly pull myself away from the TV. Putting these two things together is a dream come true!
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