Four Horsemen of the Apopcalypse – Pop culture references in The Colbert Report: January 18-21, 2010

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!  I can’t tell you how excited I am about the upcoming Olympics segments, not to mention the actual competitions themselves.  I might even watch some curling!  This week’s shows were great, as always, but I thought the interviews in particular really shone.  What about you, what were your favorite bits this week? (** = TCR/TDS link)

Monday: Coal Comfort & Emily Pilloton

“In the early days of coal mining, it was dirty, dangerous work, as seen in this sad footage.  We lost a lot of good men to inflatable dragons.”

A surefire way to invoke pop culture nostalgia for me?  References to early ’80’s computer/arcade games.  That “sad footage” was of Dig Dug, where your objective was to tunnel underground and destroy monsters by inflating them or dropping rocks on them. You can even play it online.

“I feel like Dr. Percy Dovetonsils”

I think this has to be my favorite screencap of the week, and Stephen’s comment made me laugh out loud.  The lisping, slightly soused, extremely bespectacled Percy Dovetonsils was a character of the great Ernie Kovacs, known for his innovative and experimental television comedy in the 1950’s (check out his Howdee Dee Dee Show).  Zoners have also noted a certain resemblance to Sherman and Mister Peabody; I’m not sure which amuses me most!  (h/t Rose)

Tuesday: Skate Expectations & Stephen Bosworth

“Do you have anything with more of a.. lower heel than this, because I’m more of a Charlotte.”

The acclaimed HBO show Sex & The City (1998-2004) followed a group of four high-style career women in New York, and their musings about love, fashion, work, sex and shoes.  The character Charlotte, played by Kristin Davis, was probably the most conventional of the set.  Stephen can’t always keep the characters straight, but he knows he’s **”the classy one, who looked really clean”.  And don’t forget, **Carrie Bradshaw’s laptop is a National Treasure, just like Stephen’s portrait.

“I saw M*A*S*H. By the way, how do the Koreans see us? Do they think of us all as Alan Alda?”

Set in a Korean War field hospital (“Mobile Army Surgical Hospital”), and starring Alan Alda as Hawkeye Pierce, M*A*S*H (based on the 1970 Robert Altman film) was one of the most popular shows on American television during its 11 seasons on air – its final episode remains the most watched television program in US history.  The show was known for its adept mix of comedic and dramatic elements (lovingly spoofed in Futurama, where a surgeon robot iHawk has only 2 settings: Irreverent and Maudlin).

“What do they think is normal relations? Because when their President Kim Jong Il was elected, pear trees bloomed in the wintertime and a rare albino sea cucumber sang his praises”

If the whole situation in North Korea weren’t so tragic, you could probably make a hilarious film charting the wild fictions about Kim Jong Il, and his father Kim Il Sung.  The official story about the Kims’ origins is the creation myth at the heart of what is essentially a mandated state religion, to justify complete autocratic rule and filial succession.  Actually, I bet Terry Gilliam could pull it off.

Wednesday:  Boston Dream Guy

“And the upset was pulled off by new political superstar Scott…. I’m sorry, was it Baio?” [pictured: Scott Baio, of Happy Days and Charles in Charge fame]

“Up until now, the only super minority Republicans had seen was Agua Man.  He can talk to ceviche.”

Wow, the writers are all over the comics lately.  Surely it’s the mark of a well rounded person to be equally fluent with the likes of Jane Austen and DC Comics.  Plus, Aquaman in a sombrero with a moustache is just too funny.  Reminds me of when Stephen was running for President in the Marvel Universe (**with a dashing hint at his secret identity!).

• Four Horsemen of the Apopcalypse – Pop culture references in The Colbert Report: March 15-18, 2010
• Four Horsemen of the Apopcalypse – Pop culture references in The Colbert Report: March 8-11, 2010
• Four Horsemen of the Apopcalypse – Pop culture references in The Colbert Report: March 1-4, 2010
• Four Horsemen of the Apopcalypse – Pop culture references in The Colbert Report: February 8-11, 2010