EPISODE NUMBER: 5154 (December 3, 2009)
GUESTS: Sec. Janet Napolitano
SEGMENTS: Stephen Colbert’s Skate Expectations: Kicking Ice and Taking Donations on the Slippery Slope Down the Icy Path to the Frozen Road Up to Vancouver ’010.
VIDEOS: Thursday, December 3, 2009
Did anyone else see the cameo by the Tauntaun in the Skate Expectations montage? God, I love a good nerd reference on the show. And in case you were wondering, the Skate Expectation intro montage lasts a whopping 0:34 seconds. That’s a bit of a clock gobbler.
I’m so glad we didn’t have to wait too long to see some of the work done at Lake Placid over the break. And quick fangirl break – how adorkable was that snowflake sweater?! Zach Lund petting Stephen’s head was too cute for words. The sad background music made me laugh and Awwww at the same time. And did the “I already spent the sponsorship money” line make anyone else think of Russell Hokes?
The interviews this week have really been amazing. The only thing that was frustrating about the interview with Sec. Janet Napolitano was that he was actually asking some rather hard-hitting questions, and her replies were rather puffball in nature. It was great to see him hit her that clean while in character, though.
How did you enjoy today’s episode?
- I nailed it! I nailed letting my family down! Whoo! Tiger always gives 110%!
- What a cad! Tiger obviously has no respect for the sanctity of mistress.
- Now this team can afford to buy their own skates instead of renting them from the creepy the old guy at the rink.
- Pardon, would it trouble you if we won a medal or two? It would? Okay. Never mind.
- Stephen Colbert’s Skate Expectations: Kicking Ice and Taking Donations on the Slippery Slope Down the Icy Path to the Frozen Road Up to Vancouver ’010.
- If you don’t have access to a skeleton track, but want a taste of the excitement, lie down on the sidewalk, and crap your pants.
- I want to give my thanks to sponsors Verizon, Budweiser, and Dr. Pepper. Three great things that go great together for, say, highly caffeinated drunk dialing.
- How old were you when your dad tried to kill you?
- I’ve heard that skeleton atheletes “skin it to win it” So you’re swinging it? Same way for my show, I keep my “opinion makers” swinging free.
- Bank of America – We are going downhill. Fast. General Motors – We are plunging off a cliff.
- I should go back and say I threw up with the Thunderbirds, but I also flew with the Thunderbirds.
- Wait, what? NO!
- Does the Secret Service have clipboard technology yet?
- I guess the question is how much of your day do you spend on the border with night vision goggles and camo face paint.
- Could you hook me up with some vaccine, by the way? Did you bring enough for everybody?
- Can you make me more specific in making me poop my pants? Let’s really, really move some bowels here.
first of all it seems like stephen has been crapping his pants a lot lately.
secondly who else thinks the baby sean julien is barry juliens newborn?
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I hear ya – there’s been at least four poop/crap references in the last two days. I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed. :D
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I figured it was Barry Julien’s, too. At any rate, congrats to the family – that was such a beautiful baby! :)
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I can’t believe Colbert gives them enough down time to go home and procreate =D
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Hahaha! That’s true – Stephen DID say “Get back to work!” after his congratulations. You’re right; it’s amazing they found time to fit something like that in. ;-]
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I was at this show! Here is my taping report:
I arrived fangirlishly early at 1PM. I had to travel from home, so I was up at 6AM to make that happen. I had been to the show before, so I knew if I wanted front row seats, I had to be there super-early. I was first in line by a wide margin.
The staff that I communicated with–Aphrodite and Siren (names changed to protect the innocent)–were extremely nice, helpful, and professional. I would never, ever, EVER do anything to get them into trouble. If you’re out there, know that that’s a promise.
We were let in at 5.30 and were in the white room for longer than usual. We weren’t able to be let into the studio until about 7PM. Unfortunately, it started out with a little unpleasantness, which is not the way one wants a visit to TCR to start! I’d been in line for 6 hours in bitter wind and had been up since 6AM and travelling all morning because I wanted to be first in order to get front row–TCR was the entire reason I was going to NYC. But apparently there were too many VIPs and the entire front row was taken. I don’t just mean the middle front row right in front of the desk, but all the way across. In fact, I and my guests ended up with what I would call at least ‘not good’ seats, if not ‘bad,’ as much as seats can be ‘not good’ in such a tiny studio. We were all the way on the right, sort of back from the interview table. Throughout the show, the view was repeatedly blocked by cameras and staff. So I was pretty upset about the non-democratic method of seating the fans that was chosen.
But that feeling started dissipating very quickly as we got started. Stephen came out and started a very quick Q&A session. I had been wanting to ask him the same question forever. I was honestly shocked that he picked me first. I knew he was going to right before he did, ’cause he just locked eyes with me. I stood up and he said, “Oh, she’s polite, she’s standing up. Thank you,” and I said, “Uh… you’re welcome.” My question was phrased something like: If I can cast your mind way back to Exit 57 — he said “Exit 57, yeah,” — my favourite character was Charlie. (At first, he didn’t seem to remember who I was talking about.) I was explaining more for the audience who might not have seen the show than for Stephen and I said, “He was a little slow, he had a bit of a stutter, and worked in a funeral home…” and he immediately got it, saying “yeah, Charlie had a speech impediment.” I said again that he was my favourite character he’d done on Exit 57 and I asked him if he based the character on anything or anyone, like a person he knew or another character he’d seen, or if he just thought him up. To my utter delight, he immediately launched into a nearly perfect imitation of the Charlie character he played so long ago. I was absolutely thrilled. My only regret is that it wasn’t captured on tape, and my memory is notorious for fading quickly.
Using his Charlie voice, he explained to the audience,”Ch-Charlie h-had a… a bit of a-a… pr-problem… a-and — a-and — a-and — I’m s-s-so sorry for your loss.” It was absolutely brilliant.
His answer to my question was very interesting, and not at all what I had expected. He said that he’d always played very high status characters and that he wanted to play the lowest status character possible. I thanked him and he moved on. He seemed to be in a bit of a rush with the answer and it was clear to me that it was going to be a short Q&A. I immediately started to wonder about his answer. “The lowest status character possible.” Charlie had a speech impediment. I wondered why not a homeless man or a broken man… what made Stephen feel that a speech impediment would give a person “the lowest status possible”? I find it really interesting.
The next question asked and answered was the standard “are you really afraid of bears?” question and he gave the standard, “my dad said, ‘oh, medical science would just stitch you right up’” story as his answer.
The last question turned out to be the absolute best. I couldn’t hear it very well, but a woman said something about having Korean students and wondered if it was really Rain who came to the show for the dance-off. Stephen said, “Yeah, that was really Rain,” and then did the timeless, “RAAAAAAIN!” while brandishing his fist.
He went on to ask the lady if her students had seen the music video he did, Singin’ in Korean. She said they had. He asked if they could understand what he was saying. She hesitated. She said, “Weeeelll… they say they can’t, but…” and I didn’t hear the rest. Stephen laughed. He said something along the lines of, “Don’t sugarcoat it–just TELL ME I have a terrible accent!”
He explained that he learned the words phonetically with a female language coach. She would say a syllable and he would repeat it and on and on until he had it all down. He then launched into basically the entire Singin’ in Korean song. Right there on the spot. It was absolutely incredible–so impressive that he remembered it after all this time has passed.
He said that when it was done, the coach watched it and said, “::siiiiiigh:: It is not good. We must start again.” Stephen’s response? “F*** it, we’re goin’ with it.”
More on next post…
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Thank you for the report! I just wanted to mention the last time I was there–last month–it’s pretty obvious that they have entirely given up seating people by the order they arrive. So especially with the cold weather, I wouldn’t bother. It has nothing to do with VIP’s.
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Yeah, I’ve heard that… now. heh You know what, though? As a freak chance, I was one of two people picked out of the audience on the way out to fill out a survey about my show experience. There was ample room to write out a comment about my disappointment with the choices made regarding seating the early arrivals. Maybe, if we’re lucky, someone with clout will see it. Because it really was unfair. Not just for me, but for my guests, and for the people who arrived next and were so excited to be there early and get close. Horribly disappointing for those of us who qualify as ‘hard-core’ fans, you know? Well, we can only hope someone will see the light… :)
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Thank you for your report! It’s disappointing to hear they’ve given up seating people in the order they arrive. They were still doing that in August. It seems a little unfair but I suppose they have their reasons.
I laughed out loud at the Tauntaun! That segment was so funny and I really can’t wait to see the bobsled run now.
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Thanks so much for such a detailed report! As someone who also drove a long way to see Stephen, I applaud your commitment! :D
I absolutely love hearing about Q&A questions, because Stephen always gives such great answers. And your Exit 57 question was so great! I haven’t been able to see that “Charlie” segment (can’t find it on youtube sadly) but I’d really love to, as I’ve seen just about every other skit with Stephen in it. But his response about the “I’m so sorry for your loss” comment in the sketch totally reminded me of the SWC commentary in the episode “The Goodbye Guy” where he explains that phrase lol.
Thanks again for such a wonderful report and I’m so glad you got to go to a taping of such a great episode! :D
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I hope you get to see that skit sometime; it’s really excellent. :)
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I think that’s actually the only “Exit 57″ skit with Stephen in it that I haven’t seen :(. I’ve seen all of the ones posted on youtube (I think it’s from the webmaster of pauldinello.net), but can’t find that one. So hopefully I can see it eventually! I have absolutely fallen in love with “Exit 57″ – I recently got a good friend of mine to fall in love with it as well, lol. She’s already a Stephen fan and I felt she was missing out. ;)
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I’m home from NYC, and because I have a sensitive soul which is horribly pained by the thought of you missing out on such an awesome sketch, I have uploaded an AVI of it for you here:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4BR0XYMJ
Sorry about the quality. I think my copy is a DVD of a VHS tape of a VHS tape of a VHS tape of an airing with bad reception.
Enjoy! :)
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Ohhhhh thank you SO much!! And the video quality is excellent – better than a lot of the clips on youtube :D. This just became my new favorite Exit 57 skit :). “Well if you find another body, I’ll certainly be sorry for its loss.” – this entire skit just keeps reminding me of that SWC episode I was talking about, and I love it. Charlie is 100% adorable with a capital A.
I can definitely see what Stephen was talking about in playing the “lowest status possible.” Not so much just because Charlie had a speech impediment, but to me it’s more about his position at his job and his mannerisms/mental capacity in general (while still being a completely loving person). He seems like a person who tries hard, and is earnest. So in terms of status, Charlie would be the simplest form, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing to be. That’s my take on it anyway. :D
Thanks again!
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I’m so glad you liked it! (I couldn’t respond to your response above, so I’m responding to the older post.) I’ve never watched the clips on YT, so I guess I didn’t realize how good I’ve got it with my DVDs. :)
Charlie is very, very adorable. And Stephen can still do him after all this time!
I totally agree that Charlie would be considered quite low-status, despite his adorableness, because of the various things you mentioned. I think what threw me about Stephen’s response to my question regarding the character was when he said, “lowest status character possible” (italics mine) because I think it’s easy to be much lower status than even Charlie is. (I’m probably just reading way too much into a rushed comment. I like analysis.)
One of the things that I thought about is that when Stephen was a kid, he went to such lengths to purge any accent from his voice to avoid “appearing dumb” because of how he saw people with Southern accents portrayed on television. Then, so many years later, when thinking up a low-status character, he chooses a man with a speech impediment. It’s interesting to me how both perceived intelligence and status seem to flitter around modes of speech in Stephen’s head. I just find it so fascinating to ponder. …Maybe I should’ve studied psychology. ;)
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I’m actually minoring in Sociology, so watching that clip was like one big character study for me, it was fantastic. :)
I thought of the exact same thing you did about him purging any accent to avoid “appearing dumb” when he was younger – I think that definitely played into the character. Stephen said in an interview (I think it was the City Arts & Lectures interview in ’06) about how he could give a speech on status shifts and slipping on banana peels, as it were, but he joked that it would be too long and boring. But I would truly LOVE to hear that man talk about status shifts and definitions of power, as well as slipping on the proverbial banana peel in terms of acting or comedy. :D
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I absolutely hate to ask, but I have a small favor. I just noticed another Exit 57 clip with Stephen that I have not had the chance to see but would really like to (I thought I’d finally seen all of them): it’s from Episode 4 and Stephen plays a man named Mr. Wheeler, the Quad Cities Times editor who keeps changing Mitch Rouse’s wording for the weather report. You wouldn’t happen to have an avi of it would you?
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…Mr. Wheeler, the Quad Cities Times editor who keeps changing Mitch Rouse’s wording for the weather report. You wouldn’t happen to have an avi of it would you?
Do I have one? No.
Can I make one for you? Suuuuuuuuuuuure. ^_^
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7HL2XBTX
Enjoy!
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I LITERALLY just squealed with glee. Thank you so much!! You. Are. Awesome.
That clip is hilarious – I laughed whenever Stephen took off his glasses and put them back on again, ha. I watched the Charlie clip again last night – it gets better every time I see it :D.
Thanks again! :)
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Then the show began. One of the best parts had to be watching Stephen watch himself in the skeleton segment. He was laughing SO HARD at himself (silently, of course) being ridiculous. (He was equally amused during the interview with the skeleton pro–I apologize for not remembering his name at the moment.) Also, when the huge title of the segment came up in those crazy graphics, he moved his lips to the voice-over–both times–reciting along with it to himself.
One of the most interesting things was that before Janet Napolitano came on, there was a much longer break than usual. The producer and two other staff (I assume writers) gathered at Stephen’s desk. They seemed to be going over the questions that he would ask–and very carefully, at that. Stephen kept crossing things out on the blue cards, and writing new notes. In fact, it was the only time I’ve seen him look genuinely concerned–almost worried–about making sure the interview went well.
Just before we started cheering the show back from break, after Napolitano was seated at the desk, he pointed over at her and said, “The free ride is OVER, Napolitano!” which only made us cheer him back louder. Then they did the interview (I have not seen the aired show, but the timing was such that I assume it will air/has aired in full), and Stephen went back to his desk. The same three people gathered around and the only word I can use to describe him then is ebullient. He was ecstatic about how the interview went, and was obviously gushing to his staff, wearing a huge grin, and gesturing wildly with his hands and arms. It was very plain that he was thrilled with the results.
There was only one little mistake the entire show, and it was a flub as we were cheering the show back from break, so I didn’t even hear it. Otherwise, he was dead-on all night.
When the show was over, he shook the hands of every person in the front row. I tried to lean in and get myself in there, but no dice. Felt another little stab of irritation about how long I’d waited in the cold by myself to NOT get in the front row.
After the show, I waited for Stephen to come out. I have done this before, but the show had been running late and he had been in a hurry and he’d just waved good night and got into the car. This time there had been similar delays getting the show started and I was pretty sure the same thing would happen. But I waited anyway. Despite the freezing cold wind and the fact that the only other people who had decided to wait gave up and left, my guest continued to wait with me, which was very nice of him (also, his name is Steven, which gives him even more extra points).
Stephen came out, again in a hurry, and I was sure he was just going to blow past. To my shock, as he passed by, he said hello and he said, “Oh, hey, you’re the Exit 57 fan. I’ll be right back.” I think I still didn’t really believe it (and was amazed he recognized me just by my face, because inside the studio I’d been in just a sweater, but outside I was in a grey hoodie, pulled up, and a long black jacket; excellent recognition skills!). But he went to put his stuff in his car, then turned right around and came back.
The only thing I’ve ever wanted if/when I should meet Stephen is to shake the man’s hand and to say “thank you.” So from the time he came outside, I was beginning to offer a handshake in hope. I guess he noticed, because as he walked back to us, he said, “I’m afraid I’ve hurt my hand, so I can’t shake, but I can give you one of these,” and he gave me a fist bump. Which is excellent, because it has proved to me that Stephen is real. I’ve always thought it was a distinct possibility I’d only imagined a wonderful thing into existence and am in fact quite insane. Also, he has unusually soft skin on the back of his hand.
He then said something else that surprised me, “Yeah, Charlie, I used to do that character at Second City.” I was really blown away by this info, ’cause I had no idea the character went back that far. I think I stupidly repeated, “Second City. Really? Oh, I didn’t know that,” or something. He said, “yeah,” and asked me my name, which I gave. Then my guest piped up with the fact that I’d travelled all the way here from Mechanicsburg, PA, was up at six in the morning, and was here at 1PM (I wouldn’t have chosen to tell Stephen this, ’cause it feels like bragging in a way, but my guest knew how stoked I was for this and I know he felt it was important to get it out there, so I appreciate it nonetheless; I was just terrified he was about to say something about the bad seats!). Stephen said something along the lines of, ‘wow, that’s great,’ and ‘thank you.’
At that point, he was looking around at our empty hands and our bags on the ground, and it was obvious he was trying to scope out a camera or a book to sign or something. He started to ask, “Did you want to do some kind of thing here…?” I waved him off and said, “No, no. I really just wanted to say… thank you.”
That, my friends, was the point where I nearly lost it. I’d just wanted to tell him ‘thank you’ for so long. So a lump flew into my throat when I finally got to say it, right to his face. I knew he didn’t have time to stand there and have me tell him what all was behind the thank you: Thank you for what you do to bring joy into my life and the lives of everyone who appreciates your work; thank you for not only donating money to charity like so many celebrities do, but also your time, and also your media exposure; thank you for making repeated concerted efforts to get others involved, to do something wonderful and helpful and truly charitable with your celebrity; thank you for being who you are. But for me, all the emotion was still in it, and I hope he was able to pick up on at least some of it. I was terrified I would break into tears right there.
What was really nice is that then he tilted his head with this, ‘awww, that’s cute,’ kind of look and said, “Oh, that’s really nice. Thank you.” I couldn’t say anything else. I just nodded. Then he said, “Have a good night.” He turned and headed to his car.
I looked at my guest and he knew it before I said it, I’m sure, but I said, “I’m gonna cry,” and then I had to bury my face against his chest for a few seconds while the tears just started flowing (I’m getting a little misty just thinking about it now, actually), to hide my embarrassment. I was emotional for a few minutes, and definitely shaking from more than just the cold.
So that’s my report. All I can say is: Awesome. The man is awesome.
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Wow…thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! It sounds like it was really a lot of fun. I love the behind-the-scenes info, like the question about Singin’ in Korean and how he reacted to watching himself in the sledding segment. :P But your story of telling him ‘thank you’ is what really got to me. I’m honestly getting a little misty-eyed right here as I read it! I feel exactly the same way about him, and I think a lot of the people on this blog do.
Thanks so much for sharing, it was a joy to read it!!
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You’re welcome! The Singin’ in Korean was incredibly impressive, it really was. I was actually muttering, “Wow. My god. How can he remember all that?” as he just went on and on without a hitch…
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Honestly! I’m really impressed that he can remember things so well, especially something in Korean!!
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First off, thank you so much for your report! I was getting a little misty eyed also, when reading about your Thank You. I nearly had to do a double-take. So much of your words, I’ve written and fangirled about repeatedly! XDD
And also, it’s amazing how Stephen can remember all of these things! Does he have an eidetic memory?
I’m going to be going to a taping on feb 4, 2010, so I’ll be writing up my report then too!
Again, thank you for the report!
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He must have some serious memory retention techniques if his memory isn’t eidetic–or at least close to it. Just phenomenal.
I can’t wait to read your report! It’s going to be soooooo cold in line in Feb., though. Dress really warmly (in layers) and bring a Thermos of coffee or something! :)
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Your “thank you” moment had me tearing up too! In the times that I’ve been fortunate to ask him a question, my mind races with things to say when all I really want to say is what you did. So thank YOU for sharing!
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You’re welcome! I think most of us on this blog would probably like to profusely thank Stephen for so many, many things… so I know my sentiments are nowhere close to unique around here. That’s what’s so great about NFZ! :)
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thats such a great story! thanks for sharing :)
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:)
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Thank you for the report! I am glad you had a good time, were able to ask a question (awww he locked eyes with you!), and got to meet him afterward. He must have really liked your question, probably doesn’t get a lot of Exit 57 mentions.
I wonder why they changed their seating arrangements? They seemed so pleased to always reward the first person in line with the best seats. When I was there, they were just as excited as I was! They seem to pride themselves on giving the audience a really good experience. I really hope they pay attention to your comment card. :)
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You know, I’m not sure, but I heard some rumour that the change occurred after Mark left (the original warm-up guy). So maybe it’s the person in that position who makes the seating decisions…? Whatever it is, I certainly hope they change things around. Let’s hope the comment card makes some kind of impact! :)
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The new audience coordinator was there when my husband and I went in August. We were the first two people in line and we got the seats in the front row right in front of the desk. Not sure why they changed things.
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Thanks for that wonderful taping report! What a treat it must have been to see Stephen’s reaction to his own silliness at Lake Placid. It’s also pretty cool that he answered your question. I still haven’t worked up the nerve, or come up with a good enough question, to raise my hand during the Q&A.
I completely sympathize with your frustration at the seating arrangements. I went through the same thing back at the beginning of October – first in line, waited for hours and hours, and wound up with a not-that-great seat. I suppose they’re doing it this way now because it’s more fair. But y’know, a little reward for the truly dedicated fans wouldn’t be a bad thing, IMO.
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Is it more fair, though? What about “first come, first serve”? I mean, if you’re first in line and wait in the cold for hours and hours, isn’t it more fair to give you preferential seating in comparison to the people who showed up ten minutes before everyone was let in? Just my opinion, I suppose…
I’m sorry to hear it happened to you, too, though. It came as quite a shock to me since the last time, I was also first in line and so got first seating. So I was fully expecting the same and was really thrown to walk in and find all the front row taken! It was like my smile was shot off… But if there’s one way to fix that kind of disappointment, it’s all the contact I had with Stephen. That man can fix anything. ;)
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Oh, you have to get up the nerve! It’s so great to ask a question! If you can’t think of anything specific, I know from personal experience that he LOVES being asked to sing something. I had three staff members tell me “good job” and after the show was over, when he came out to leave, he saw me and started singing some more….with such joy. :) I’ve heard other people say that as well, that he loves any opportunity to work out his lovely pipes!!!
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I’ll definitely keep that in mind! I love his singing, so that would be awesome on many levels.
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Erika do you mind if I ask what question you asked him to make him sing?
I’m almost fully committed to asking him to do the King of Glory dance if I ever get the chance to go to a taping (hopefully next summer!), just because ha.
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That’s what my sister was going to ask him to do! We all had something picked out and it all came down to who he called on. My other sister wanted him to sing Love Shack lol. Anyway, since he called on me, I first asked if he would sing something for me. He smiled and asked what song, and I said “Fly Meto Moon” (I was so nervous, that’s how it came out hehe). He broke right into song and it was wonderful!!
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Aw, that’s so awesome! I bet he sounded just oh-so fantastic. :) That’s funny that your sister wanted him to sing Love Shack – I can only imagine what his Fred Schneider voice sounds like, lol.
That’s it, you motivated me – I’m going to ask him to do King of Glory when I get the chance to go. :P
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I have to disagree here. The fans with the time, health, and unswerving desire to “be first” and “get the best seat” shouldn’t be the only ones rewarded. There are many deep and sincere Stephen Colbert fans who, for a variety of circumstances, can’t or don’t want to wait 6 hours in line waiting for a show, thus wasting an entire vacation day in New York. I imagine this would include many of Colbert’s older (40+) fans. People also have conditions that prevent them from standing/resting on hard surfaces, being outside in inclement weather, etc., for hours at a stretch.
Also, the local NYC+ fans who see the show live shouldn’t feel obliged to take an entire day off of work to have a chance at a good seat in the studio. [Not in this economy! I remember the strange looks I've received when I was honest about why I was requesting vacation days. ;)]
I recognize that committed fans want their commitment recognized and rewarded. Still, in the honor of Stephen Colbert rather than “Stephen Colbert,” I think the equality principle should trump all. :)
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Well, in the interest of full disclosure, I’m one of Stephen’s older fans (I’m as far over 40 as you can be without actually being 50), and I do have a condition that makes it difficult and painful to stand for long periods of time. I have to take a train in from NJ to get to the show, so even though taking an entire day off from work isn’t necessary, I do it anyway because it’s easier to plan the day. Besides, why pass up a good opportunity to take a full vacation day and sleep in a little? :)
I did say this new way was more fair, but that’s not going to change the fact that I wasn’t expecting it and was somewhat disappointed with the seats we got. They weren’t awful, but if there’s a camera blocking your view for almost the entire taping, it tends to detract from the experience.
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I wasn’t going to say this, but when I was there there did seem to be a priority. Some young ladies in very lowcut tanktops (in November) all got seated in the front row.
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Interesting. When they pan over the audience or Stephen gives high-fives, the front row doesn’t look specifically young or buxom. Perhaps there was another reason they had priority seats.
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People I know got front row seating, while the persons who were ahead of them got seats two rows up. They didn’t know why they got the front row other than that they had these gloriously happy grins on their faces as soon as they got into the building! So there you go. Flash them pearlies.
I suppose they want Stephen to see happy faces sitting in the front rows.
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VIPs, as I understand it, are those who weren’t able to get in at a previous taping, who had stood in line like everyone else, but just didn’t make the cut off. I also know they can be guests of show personnel, etc. Anyways, I’d like to think I’d get good seating if I ended up being vipped.
Btw, do you get the feeling you are being evaluated by the staff when you’re asked to do the test cheer. That’s another consideration.
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Wow. Thank YOU!
I always love taping reports, and yours make me cry a little, but in the good way!
I’m sad he hurt his hand, I wonder what happened?
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I don’t… actually think he did. Not unless someone in the front row squeezed it too hard (he shook all their hands right before going backstage). Maybe it was germs. Next time, I’ll bring a little bottle of Purel. Then when I get the, “I hurt my hand, so…” I’ll just pull it out and go, “Are you sure?” heh At the least, maybe it’ll make him laugh. ^_^
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He didn’t? Oh… thought he did.
Anyway, bottle of Purel I say go for it.
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You are sincerely awesome for such a fantastic report!
“When the huge title of the segment came up in those crazy graphics, he moved his lips to the voice-over–both times–reciting along with it to himself.” – That. Is. Adorable. :)
It’s beyond amazing that you got to tell him ‘thank you,’ and his response was *sigh* perfect. I’ve said it before, but the feeling (that I got for sure and still have) of getting to thank him for his joy and everything he’s done is one of absolute bliss.
I got a gigantic smile reading this. I’m so happy for you! :)
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Thank you! :)
“*sigh* perfect” is about how I feel about the whole thing, too. ^_^
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Thank you so much for sharing your report with such a touching ending! When you recalled burying your face to hide your tears of joy, I started crying. So, so sweet and completely understandable to all us Zoners I’m sure. You really captured how we all feel towards such an amazing man. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Yeah, I think we’re all in the same boat around here. ^_^
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That was an awesome report!! It really sucks that you had to wait and didn’t get a good seat, BUT you got to meet the man. So you’re insanely lucky.
What is it with that man is bringing girl s to tears by just being himself?
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Oh, believe me, I feel insanely lucky! :)
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Red Jumpsuit Apparatus! Although the ahem…the “apparatus” wasn’t as visible as it was in those spoiler pics!
I digress. So excited that he will be attending the Olympics! Americans’ excitement over the Olympics has waned in recent years & I hope Stephen’s patriotism will give 2010 a boost. However, I don’t think that it was really him going down the skeleton track. That’s dangerous, more dangerous than flying with the Thunderbirds I think. But the whole segment was fun! Can’t wait for the bobsled!
BTW, agree with comment about Napolitano. She wouldn’t engage & take him seriously.
No Colbert is the only reason I hate Fridays :-)
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Are you sure it wasn’t him going down the track? This is Stephen after all!
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The red jumpsuit apparatus, especially after the comments in the pre-tryout interview, was remarkably different than in the spoiler pics. Almost as if they were two different suits with two different “apparati.” XD
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It was cold. :)
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Apparently it was much warmer after he finished the bobsled run.
(reCAPTCHA: Photographs eaten. LOL. No comment.)
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Legitimate news sources state that he went down the skeleton track, and I tend to believe that he would not fake it. Also on the webpage for the facility they state that skelton rides are available to the public.
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I was SO happy to finally see the Skate Expectations segment! As soon as he mentioned it during the show, I jumped up in my bed and cheered, lol. The part where he had to carry that sled skeleton the rest of the way to the finish line was just hilarious. And who could forget the snowflake sweater? It was so adorkable! It made me think of the 1950s, which then made me think of the sweaters they wore in A Christmas Story. :)
Definitely agree with the comment about the Napolitano interview. Stephen was spot-on, I just wish her responses had been a bit more descriptive.
Is it Monday night yet? Hopefully Jon and Stephen will finally do a Toss next week!
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Amen! I always get all tingly with anticipation when TDS goes to its last commercial break, flashing my eyes back and forth between the clock and the tv screen to see if there’s enough time for a toss. Needless to say, I usually end up disappointed. :(
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agreed!
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I do the same thing. I record TCR, and I usually start recording at the end of TDS, just in cases, ha. I thought for sure that they would do one last night – it seemed like they would have enough time, and they normally do at least one after a week off. But no dice :(
Just ONE a week is all I ask for – *sigh* I miss their banter…
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I second this very much!
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That’s exactly what my thoughts were! So depressing :( the toss is one of my favorite things about TDS
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Well from the taping report, seems like they just didn’t have the actual time to film a toss. I imagine the head writer having a baby might slowed the writing process down a bit.
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Thanks so much for your repor(t). You got me a little misty-eyed there, too.
And really, if I should ever be so lucky to meet him, all I would want to do is to say thank you.
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You’re welcome. Sounds like we share the same sentiment. :)
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I loved the Skeleton-ing! Fave part, hands down. And the interview before it was massive as well.
Also I don’t know why but the ’010 bit made me laugh alot, not that the whole ridiculous opening wasn’t funny,but I found that part the best.
I wish I had more to say than ‘Skeleton-ing was awesome!’, but alas.
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lol just wondering if colbert is actually canadian? i was reading a local newspaper and it says he is a canadian…check out the link(http://www.windsorstar.com/entertainment/Stephen+Colbert+Canadian/2294474/story.html)….quit chirpin your own kind colbert…canucks rule!! GO CANADA!!!
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I thought “Kicking Ice and Taking Donations” was a pretty good nerd reference, too. It made this gamer girl very happy. :) I was also greatly amused by the skeleton guy literally booting him down the track, and leaving a bootprint on his, er, butt. And him patting Stephen on the head was just immeasurably cute. *melts*
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Woo hoo, we’re going to the Olympics! And by “we” of course I mean Stephen. Not us. We’ll live vicariously through him.
“Skate Expectations” was brilliant. I mean, the interview was hilarious, the ride down the skeleton track was thrilling (if a little scary), the ending was silly, and the red skinsuit was… well, never mind. But the funniest part, I thought, was watching Stephen get booted in the arse to start him down the track. I also loved the snowflake sweater. Totally adorkable.
I don’t normally go for the totally bald look, but Zach Lund was kinda cute. He has a really attractive smile.
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Thanks so much for that taping report bipolypesca! So glad you got to talk to Stephen and thank him after the show.
My favorite part had to be the Skeleton segment also, especially when Stephen stopped before the finish line and had to “sadly” carry his sled across. These videos are just great, I can’t wait for the rest of them. I agree that Mr. Lund was a great guest as well, definitely an it-getter. I can only imagine what will happen at the games!
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You’re welcome. :)
I was actually really glad that they showed the skeleton video when I was there. I had hoped to get a chance to watch Stephen watch himself, because I knew from last time that it’s a magical thing. Of course, this means I barely even glanced at the video when it was playing… I look forward to getting home and actually seeing the show. LOL
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Hey all,
This is off-topic from this episode, but Bewitched will be on TBS tonight at 11pm (Eastern time), just in case you wanted to see Stephen in adorable glasses and positively majestic hair. :)
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ugh! I have wanted to see Bewitched, but I missed it. Oh well.
I love that Stephen gets a kick out of watching himself. In the interviews on The Early show and the Today Show he was commenting on how he loves to watch himself but I thought he was just in character. Anyone else would seem arrogant for doing that but Stephen gets away with it.
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Well, you can always rent it :) I’d like to try to buy it this week, if I can find it. He is just so unbelievably adorable in it – I really love the glasses he’s sporting. He’s actually in it quite a bit; not a whole bunch, but it’s definitely worth seeing. You will not be disappointed! :D
I think that part of that “watching himself” might have been in character, but only a small part. I’ve heard a lot of actors say they can’t watch themselves because they’d spend too much time critiquing their performance. So when I hear Stephen say he doesn’t mind seeing himself on camera, I just take it as him being comfortable, which is great.
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