EPISODE NUMBER: 6074 (June 9, 2010)
GUESTS: Sen. Sam Nunn
SEGMENTS: Formidable Opponent, Shout Out (Hey!)
VIDEOS: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
I was saddened when I heard what Helen Thomas had said, and even sadder when I realized that one stupid comment was what Helen Thomas was going to be remembered for. I was also immediately curious to see what Stephen’s take on the whole situation would be. It was interesting to see Stephen walk the line between condemning her words and trying to be supportive as a friend. I also think that Stephen did some amazingly sharp commentary with tonight’s Formidable Opponent. With the media in the polarized state it has become in the last 10-20 years, it’s hard to remember that the situation is far from black and white. But Stephen, and his cohort Stephen, did an excellent job of proving that maybe there’s not just black and white, but quite a bit of gray in both the response of the Israelis, the actions of the Hamas, and the knee-jerk reaction of the media.
It’s so good to see Stephen continuing to support our troops in Afghanistan. Between the coverage of the flotilla incident in Gaza, the Shout Out, and the visit from Sen. Sam Nunn, the show was filled with both humor and a lot of political positioning to chew on. What did you think of tonight’s episode?
- I met her once. What a bitch. [I'm so sorry!]
- Jesus Christ on a matza cracker, Helen, what were you thinking? You don’t just blurt out racially charged comments on camera. You do it on your radio show.
- Yes, Max, everyone noticed.
- Mideast Tsuris Information Tcenter – where information is never cut off, it’s circumcised.
- Wha? Ah? Never?
- That’s right. I said he didn’t die. Hie Pea Pop!
- Stephen: Stephen, a true friend can point out your faults.
Stephen: Really? Are we friends?
Stephen: Of course.
Stephen: You’re fat.
Stephen: I HATE YOU! - It goes lettuce, then rockets – machine guns? This is why I don’t eat salads.
- What? It was last week? How was I supposed to remember that? I was on a three day vacation!
- Translation: It’s one bad ass flag.
Wow, Stephen, that interview with the Israeli Ambassador was incredible!
I was worried for a bit when I saw that Amb. Oren was scheduled, because I feared it would turn into another one-sided discussion of the flotilla incident. I should have known better. The situation in Israel (and Gaza, in particular) is far from simple, but most of the media insists on pretending that it is. It was nice to see Helen Thomas’s remarks put into better perspective, and that final “Palestinians should go back to where they came from” line was just an amazing way to end the interview.
A great Shout Out (HEY!) and Formidable Opponent, too. I was thrilled when I saw the tie Stephen was wearing at the opening of the show, because I knew it meant there was a Formidable Opponent in our future. And the interview with Sen. Nunn was full of food for thought, too.
Overall, an extremely thoughtful show, and one that was made all the better by being no less entertaining for all its substance.
One final question, though: is it possible that they hung the flag up backwards? I had thought the stars were always supposed to be in the upper left hand corner as you face a flag (except for flag patches on the right arms of soldiers’ uniforms, that is). Mildly confused …
Difference makers:
+10
Good show! It wasn’t really LOL funny but it had a lot of thought-provoking moments. I was also pleasantly surprised by the interview with Amb. Oren. I was expecting rhetoric and that wasn’t the case. I also loved the Shout Out (Hey!) but I was starting to doze off by the interview with Nunn. I really wanted to see that so I’ll watch it online later today.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Formidable Opponent was really fantastic, as was the interview with Amb. Oren. I think the fact that they even got him to come on to be interviewed is a testament to how respected the show has become. And I am continually amazed at Stephen’s interviewing skills. I also appreciated how they were able to talk about it in a way that I could understand, and how they highlighted how grey that whole situation is.
The Shout Out (Hey!) was very cool. Even when Stephen talks about the troops in Iraq or Afghanistan in character, you can tell how important it all is to him.
Also enjoyed the little writer shout-out to Max Werner (yes, Max, everyone noticed, ha!).
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
wow this was such a great episode- funny and informative. i was happy that stephen decided to discuss the flotilla in the F.O. segment because that way we could hear both sides.
i also want to say thank u to NFZ for being such a friendly community- u see the types of heated debates that are going on over on tcr’s facebook page abt last nights episode and im just happy that here its very friendly and not aggressive.
i thought that sam nunn was very adorable and nice (i know hes just a tad older than me but once they reach a certain age it becomes ok for younger ppl to call them adorable ;) )
i also liked how the whole show was very tied together: helen thomas= said an anti israel comment= gaza flotilla= israeli soldiers= soldiers= american soldiers giving flag to stephen= soldiers fighting in wars= nuclear wars= sam nunn (hahaha that was fun ;))
Difference makers:
+6
Formidable Opponent is always wonderful.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
I agree with the above commentary regarding the approach to the media, flotilla, and interview.
I love Formidable Opponent and was very excited to see the tie Stephen was wearing! It’s a dead giveaway! Kudos to the editing staff for Stephen’s entrance and exit to the segment. They have been playing around a lot with the new set — I find it exciting to explore right along with them–to see what they might do next!
Hamburgers, anyone?!!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
wouldn’t it have been funny if stephen would have taken the hamburgers and made it look like he was walking towards the audience and then just walk off the set ;)
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Formidable Opponent was a joy and very interesting as always, also the shout out was sweet. It’s been a year since TCR went to overseas for the troops? Wow!
I’ve been obsessing over SC’s new watch, as I’ve been in the jewellery and watch biz for over 12 years, plus I’m a bit of a watch fan myself. I think it might just be a Tag Heuer Monaco Automatic Chronograph. A link, if I’m allowed to Tag’s offical site:
http://www.tagheuer.com/the-collection/monaco/automatic-chronograph/index.lbl?w=CAW2110.FC6177
It has a nice history as it was inspired by Steve McQueen and his film ‘Le Mans’, and is a very, very fine serious watch. I have a similar looking one but unfortunately not that cool!
My reCaptcha: handbook turkey
Shout Out (Hey!):
+4
Formidable Opponent was great, he addressed all sides of the debate very well! Also loved the flag, you can really tell he cares about the troops. :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Lots of food for thought in this ep. Humour that’s this sharp and incisive is to be cherished. Formidable Opponent leading into the interview was pretty damn amazing, it speaks volumes about the state of certain sections of the media that it takes a fake-news show to spell things out so clearly.
I really loved the way the show was blocked out with each subject managing to link up in some way.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
It is really bothering me. I know Rush nad Beck but who were the other two right wing talk show hosts???
Shout Out (Hey!):
0