Welcome to No Fact Zone’s weekly roundup of cultural references on The Colbert Report. From Darcy to Danger Mouse, String Theory to Shakespeare, we’ve got the keys to this week’s obscure, oddball, and occasionally obscene cultural shout-outs (hey!).
Hey Zoners! The economy’s top story on the Report this week, it seems. Not my strongest suit, but I’ll do my best. Actually, I think that illustrates some of the strongest writing on the show – it’s a complex subject that few people understand well, and yet the writers manage to weave information and humor together in one seamless whole. It’s also given rise to some of the best Wørds, I think (see links below). What do you think? Do you ever follow up on political or economic news you’ve seen referenced on the show, to learn more? (** = TCR/TDS link)
Monday: Bill T. Jones
It’s the best musical about an African musician since My Fair Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
The first bit, of course, references the musical and film My Fair Lady. But I’ll take any excuse to highlight one of the coolest, and longest-running musical groups out there. South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo was formed in 1964 by Joseph Shabalala. Wildly popular in South Africa, the group found worldwide fame in 1986 when they collaborated with Paul Simon on his Graceland album. Since then, they have won numerous Grammys, become national icons in South Africa, and sung live and as puppets on Sesame Street.
Tuesday: Fed’s Dead & Andy Schlafly
“Every three months the Fed meets in secret and determines the prime rate by, let’s say, slaughtering a chicken and rubbing the blood on Jaqueline Bissette’s belly [1977's The Deep] , donning a Venitian mask and watching strangers hump in a suburban mansion [Stanley Kubrik's last film, 1999's Eyes Wide Shut] , and finally passing through the Stargate to receive the interest rates from the aliens who built the pyramids [the 1990's film & TV series Stargate]. Then a puff of smoke comes out of the Fed chimney [signalling the results of a papal election] announcing whether the economy has seen its shadow. [Groundhog Day - one of our oddest holidays, in which we divine winter's end by watching a large rodent and his shadow. Also a good movie.]“
“Like Senator and Phil Donahue stunt double Chris Dodd, Who recently introduced a bill that would consolidate oversight of the banks, now shared between the Fed and three other regulators, into a single agency. That agency? Goldman Sachs.”
From what I understand, Goldman Sachs pretty much runs the Treasury Department already – so much that in some circles it’s known as Government Sachs (excellent HuffPost summary). The investment bank is thick with ties to government officials: dozens of ex-government officials work as lobbyists on its behalf, former Goldman executives have served asTreasury Secretary, Federal Reserve regulators, even the person in charge of distributing $700 billion in TARP funds – $10 billion of which went to Goldman Sachs. Good thing **Goldman Sachs executives are humble, and since they’re partly responsible for the economic crisis, **surely they should be in charge of fixing it (an amazing Wørd!).
“What can you learn [on Conservapedia]? What do they teach you? Not Keynesian economics, right?”
Keynesian economics is pretty much the antithesis of modern Conservative laissez-faire economics. Derived from the works of John Maynard Keynes, the theory maintains that government regulation and intervention in the markets is necessary for economic stability and growth. But **Stephen knows it’s better to be eaten alive by the market than admitting the government should have any role.
Wednesday: Intro & Monkey Threat-Down
“Rolling Stone contributing editor Matt Taibbi says Goldman Sachs controls our government. Masons, you’re off the hook.”
If you’re going to have a secretive fraternal organization which has counted many former Presidents as members, you’re bound to give rise to a few conspiracy theories – including that you’re in control of the government. I think Matt Taibbi has a better case – here’s his Rolling Stone article about Goldman Sachs.
“The number one threat to monkeys: Man in Yellow Hat.”
Full disclosure: I have a 3 1/2 year old at home, so I know my monkeys. Now, you may remember the sweet stories of Curious George and his friend the man with the yellow hat from your childhood. But let me tell you, in one recent reading binge, George smoked a pipe, got high on ether, went to jail, and organized a prison break. I guess the new stories are a bit tamer. But he’s a good little monkey, and always very curious.
The amount of work/research you’ve put into this is incredible. I’m very impressed. Thanks so much for all the links!
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I’ve been looking forward to this Apopcalypse since last Tuesday’s “Fed’s Dead” segment. After hearing Stephen hilariously explain how the Fed determines the prime rate, I literally said out loud, “This is such a good ‘Four Horsemen of the Apopcalypse’ segment on NFZ!” Nicely done :D.
I normally follow up on a lot of the political/economic news that I see on TDS and TCR, but mostly from TDS. I usually follow up on the more obscure or ridiculous news from TCR – like just about everything from The Craziest F*ing Thing I’ve Ever Heard…I told pretty much everyone I knew about that creepy tongue parasite, lol.
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Wow. Deconstructing all of the economic references is quite a challenge, so great job wren! By the way, I learned the meaning of the word “ether” from the Curious George stories:)
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