Stephen Colbert in the Zeitgeist – Vancouverage Wrap-up

It’s hard to believe, but the week of Stephen’s exclusive Vancouverage of the 2010 Quadrennial Winter Athletic Competition is over, and what a wild week it was. So many great moments to enjoy, some incredibly entertaining interviews, and most of all, proof that if you do good — like supporting a cash-strapped speedskating team by helping them to raise essential funds — the rewards will be amazing. I love it that Stephen and Team Colbert can create great memories at the same time they create great comedy, and we are the beneficiaries of their talents. I’m a little sad that the Vancouver games are almost over, but already I’m thinking ahead to what might be next. The regular zeitgeist of Colbert goodness will resume soon to help ease us back into the usual TCR routine, but for now, here’s a round-up of a few more Vancouver stories.

• We’ve got another excellent audience report from Stephen’s second taping at Creekside Park along with some great photos. Love the comment that Stephen should win his own medal for “bringing Canadian and U.S. psyches and spirits together through laughter.” (Thanks to Heather C. for sending us the link!)
• This great story from the North Shore News explains the story behind the Olympic torch Stephen borrowed from an audience member at the Creekside Park taping. Torchbearer Mary-Sue Atkinson got the idea to have 2,010 people touch the torch she used in the relay, and decided Stephen would be the perfect person for the final touch, which you can see in the photo at the beginning of this post.
• Thanks to both mrtigger001 and Ms I for pointing out this photo collection of the best signs in the crowd at the TCR tapings in Creekside Park. My favorite is the homemade banner of Stephen on the medal podium that wound up on the stage (#15 and #18), and #10 made me giggle: “Where’s Jon?”
• The Globe and Mail, via CTV, has a story about how the small city of Richmond, home to the Olympic Oval and the long-track speedskating events, became such an important focus for the games. Credit for the greatest amount of pre-Olympic publicity goes to Stephen Colbert and his smackdown of the “iceholes” and “syrup suckers” who restricted access to the Olympic Oval for speedskating training.
• This is pretty hilarious, and gives a whole new meaning to “syrup suckers.” From News1130.com in Vancouver: “Maybe Stephen Colbert is right — maybe we are all just a bunch of syrup suckers after all. Members of Canada’s ski-jumping team made a bet with their American counterparts based on whoever finished lower in the standings during yesterday’s competition. The wager is called the “Syrup Slam” because the losers have to chug a significant amount of mapley goodness. The U.S. ended up placing 11th out of 12 teams and Canada came in dead last. In other words… start sucking!”
• Ice dancing silver medalist Charlie White tweeted his reaction to his mention on Tuesday’s episode of TCR. Yes, you’ve made it when Stephen Colbert makes fun of you!
• From Yahoo! Sports: Visionary doctor helps athletes see Olympic dreams: In a true example of generosity and the Olympic spirit, Dr. Cary Silverman, a Lasik eye surgeon, offered to do the procedure for free to Team USA members. Katherine Reutter has been the biggest beneficiary of the offer, and believes her greatly improved eyesight gives her an edge in competition.

(h/t DB and Ms I)