Backstage with DEVO, Stephen Colbert and a “useless” machine

Hee hee! DB pointed me toward some cute photos showing DEVO backstage at The Colbert Report from www.clubdevo.com, and they (and their captions) really made me smile. Stephen seems to be enjoying the “useless machine” Mark Frauenfelder introduced almost as much as I do!

Stephen Colbert was very excited to tell DEVO about the odd machine he had.which, he explained, was unfortunately broken at the time. After the band and crew expressed dismay about that, Stephen went to his office to find the machine.and said he would fix it. Photo by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso - June 16th, 2010 - NYC

Photo by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso - June 16th, 2010 - NYC

Stephen Colbert returns to the dressing room with the fixed and workable mystery machine.which turns itself off as soon as it's turned on. Here we see Stephen offering Bob 1 a try at it. Photo by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso - June 16th, 2010 - NYC

Photo by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso - June 16th, 2010

Stephen Colbert really got a kick out of showing the mystery machine to DEVO backstage..and was all smiles the entire time. Photo by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso - June 16th, 2010 - NYC

Truly, I need to make myself one of those useless machines. They really make me laugh! In fact, I think I want two of them so I can make them do this.

(h/t to FriedThing, who pointed out the pics to DB!)

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Tags: Backstage photos, Eye Candy

Categories: The Colbert Report

Comments

Gratefull

said on 18th June: Reply

Stephen mentioned in the interview that this machine broke his heart. There is another way to think about it. Rather than thinking that it turns itself off every time someone turns it on, we could think it turns itself on, whenever any one turns it off. That is, its desired state it to be the way it makes itself and it makes sure it gets there every time.

So instead of a useless machine, it is purposeful machine! It always achieves its purpose.

Glad to see smiling faces!! Happy, beautiful people!! YAAAAAA thanks for posting this!

Difference makers: 5
Mr. Arkadin

said on 18th June: Reply

Love that last picture of Stephen. He looks so delightfully proud of himself! :D

Shout Out (Hey!): 3
lockhart43

said on 18th June: Reply

I am having an enormously stressful day at work, so that last picture of Stephen smiling so brightly MADE my day! It just brought a giant smile to my face, I love it. Thank you! :D

Difference makers: 5
MaryLovesColbert

said on 18th June: Reply

Oh, so cute! And it’s just adorable that Stephen is getting so much happiness out of that “useless machine.” :)

Shout Out (Hey!): 3
Saphira

said on 19th June: Reply

That sweet little machine has found its purpose- making Stephen happy yet breaking his heart, and providing entertainment and smiles for all. A wonderful purpose that money can’t buy. :)

Shout Out (Hey!): 2
Brett (AKA SaskView) Coulthard

said on 19th June: Reply

I’m a big fan of the Colbert Report. I watch the show every night.

Late last year, I posted a video and the build instructions for the Useless Machine. I thought it was a cool idea worth sharing.

So you can imagine my surprise seeing the Useless Machine featured on the Colbert Report.

If anyone would like to build their own useless machine, the construction plans are here: http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Most-Useless-Machine/

Also, the machine will be featured in the next issue of Make Magazine, available June 27ish.

Shout Out (Hey!):

Shout Out (Hey!): 4
- wren
  
  said on 19th June: Reply
  
  How fun that your Instructable is featured at Make! Of course, we can’t forget to credit Claude Shannon & Marvin Minsky with the original idea and implementation back in the 1950′s or so, which they called the Ultimate Machine.
  
  Shout Out (Hey!): 3
Yahtzee

said on 19th June: Reply

Stephen smiling brightly made my day. I’m going to try to build one of those, it seems like something fun to have.

Shout Out (Hey!): 0