EPISODE NUMBER: 6151 (November 30, 2010)
GUESTS: Tom Vilsack
SEGMENTS: God Drops Steve Johnson’s Football Pass, WikiLeaks Document Dump – James Rubin, Soap Opera Product Placement
VIDEOS: Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sometimes that Peabody shows up in the best of places, and the appearance of the award tonight immediately after a pretty bad piece of scatological humor was funnier than the actual joke. It was interesting to see “Stephen” be able to get passionate about something that Stephen actually seemed to believe rather strongly, about the Wikileaks scandal. I can’t remember the last time it felt like “Stephen” was actually passionately speaking for Stephen.
And oh, the moment we P-Dinellly fans have waited for ever since Paul came onto the ‘Colbert Report’ staff finally happened! Paul Dinello! On stage! And with a sexy eye patch and peacoat to boot! The two of them, Stephen and Paul, looked like they were barely able to contain their joy brought on by being able to perform together again. And the concept was so amazingly silly – twin fraternal brothers, torn asunder, with Stephen’s life being saved by a box of Cheerios. At least Pavlos got away with a tasty toaster pastry.
The interview with Tom Vilsack was more frustrating than any I’ve seen in a while. Sometimes “Stephen” is totally out to nail a guest, and sometimes I think that he wants genuine answers from people who are uniquely qualified to give them. This is one of those cases. And Vilsack completely avoided answering anything with any type of challenge at all. When Stephen asked about subsidies, and why can’t we simply stop subsidizing food that’s bad for you, Vilsack came back with a line about how we have to help the farmers. I don’t understand why we can’t help the apple farmers instead of the sugar farmers, for example. I bought five apples this week at my local Target supercenter, because I like an apple with my lunch. These five apples cost $4.84. For that amount, I could have bought two boxes of Oreos, or three boxes of Little Debbie oatmeal cakes, or 5 boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. There’s no logic behind why foods that are so processed are so cheap while whole, healthy foods are so expensive. Stephen wanted a genuine answer and got the complete runaround. Another frustrating moment in the interview is when Stephen brought up the recent issue about the government pushing cheese sales. Instead of making any attempt to answer the question, he presented Stephen a bust made of cheese. While I’m totally for getting affordable food to the people who most need it, I also have a huge problem with the government pushing and subsidizing food with low nutritional value.
So leave all your enthusiasm about tonight’s show in the comments – I can’t wait to hear what you thought about the show!
- Three cheeses, one bagel, two bites – there’s nothing this guy can’t do!
- It’s not his fault, his hand was full of football.
- Or I can dump God from my Fantasy Football League. Sorry Chief, it is time to hit the big bench in the sky.
- That’s not surprising – after Thanksgiving, you should always expect a pretty big dump. [Peabody award]
- When ‘All My Children’ comes on, all my children know to keep out of the living room. That’s daddy’s crying time.
- Now the untrained eye may not have noticed it, but in that scene about Chex Mix, there was some product placement for Chex Mix.
- Talk about sexual tension. Tune in tomorrow to find out whether they do it with or without milk.
- Pavlos: That’s not the only thing you’ve said in the past. Hello, Stavros.
Stavros: Pavlos, my long lost evil fraternal twin! You were dead!
Pavlos: I was just holding my breath.
Stavros: But we cremated you!
Pavlos: Check that urn again.
Stavros: Oh my God, it’s not ashes. It’s Fresh Step scoopable kitty litter!
Pavlos: Now with carbon to eliminate odor.
Stavros: You madman!
Pavlos: No, not mad, just crazy … about these Pillsbury Strawberry Toaster Strudels! I’ve waited a lifetime to get my revenge, but in just one minute, I’ll have a delicious, piping hot pastry. Your children will love them … your grieving children! Goodbye, Stavros.
Stavros: Pavlos, no! Noooooooo!
Pavlos: I’m off to my mountain lair, but not without my strudel!
Stavros: Cheerios! Cheerios! Cheerios, no! Why did you take that bullet for me? Don’t die, don’t die, oh no! Cheerios, you have so much to live for! Like your 25% daily value of riboflavin. Let me stop the bleeding. Oh, Cheerios, so delicious! You can’t die, Cheerios, I’m carrying your baby! - I watch the Glenn Beck show and he says it’s like$11 for an ear of corn now, that’s what it is.
- I would not say that that is slenderizing.
- It may be cheddar, but I have to say, I look gouda.
All I have to say is…YAY Paul!!!!
Whenever he makes an appearance, I’m reminded of two kids playing. I love it!
Difference makers:
+7
Someone should have popped Vilsack in that toaster, he was waffling that much. *sigh*
How wonderful was the skit with Paul? It was gloriously daft, and they both looked like they were having a ball. Great to see him pop up again!
Difference makers:
+12
“I’m off to my mountain lair, but not without my strudel!” is pretty much the best line ever in the history of the world, and I can’t wait for a chance to use it! Given that I don’t eat strudels or have a mountain lair might mean I’m waiting for a while, but, oh, I WILL get my opportunity… muhuhuahahahahaaa!! Wait, what was I saying? Oh yeah, fantastic scene! Well-played, Pavlos and Stavros! :)
Difference makers:
+10
I loved that line too! That, and “long lost evil fraternal twin.” I have to think of some way to use that one.
Difference makers:
+5
How effing great did Paul’s hair look?
Now I’m craving toaster strudel.
Difference makers:
+5
Silly and fun!!! I was wondering if he would lick the cheese head- He did not disappoint!
Difference makers:
+5
Two words to express the awesomeness of this episode: PAUL DINELLO. How weird is it that I just said a few days ago how ecstatic it would make me to see Paul on camera again? Complete coincidence that he showed up in this episode, I’m sure, but still a little freaky. And that scene he and Stephen did together was really one of the silliest things I’ve ever seen. Best use ever for a box of Cheerios! I loved how both of them were fighting not to break character pretty much as soon as Paul appeared.
And my other favorite moment of the show was the appearance of the Peabody award. I’m ridiculously amused whenever he does that.
Difference makers:
+7
I must say Paul is certainly aging well. He would make an excellent Bond villain!!
I have to say that the product placement in soap opera’s actually makes me want to watch them. They seem to get suddenly interesting when your playing “Spot the Brand Name”. It reminds me of that episode of “30 Rock” with the deliberatly obvious product placement. OT but Stephen really needs to be a guest star on “30 Rock”!!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
Didn’t that cheesehead kind of remind you of Keith Olbermann?
I wonder if it’s possible for Stephen & Paul to do a sketch anymore without cracking each other up? Hope not. Because that was freaking great! :D
More please! *Grabby hand*
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
Last night’s episode was full of so much awesome, but for your health and mine, I’ve managed to narrow it down to three favorite moments, in chronological order:
1) It’s a tie between Stephen’s suit and tie, and that stupidly hilarious joke prompting the Peabody cameo. As soon as I saw Stephen at the top of the show, I said out loud, “He looks fantastic! I love that shirt and tie!” And something that was even funnier than the joke was the fact that Stephen was smirking about it before he even said it. :)
2) PAUL DINELLO!! I shouted that when I saw him (I can just imagine my mom hearing me from downstairs thinking I’m an absolute lunatic, lol). So happy he finally showed up again! That bit was goofy and silly and so absolutely in tune with the show (and soap operas), and I loved it. Stephen and Paul looked so giddy together. And I can’t help but laugh at the fact that there was someone under Stephen’s desk holding that box of Cheerios, moving it in slow motion, lol. And the eyepatch over Paul’s glasses? HI-larious! I hope Paul realizes that now that he’s shown up on the show after what seemed like forever, he can’t stop again. You’re in high demand, Mr. Dinello. XD
3) “It may be cheddar, but I have to say, I look gouda.” THIS. Stephen looked so pleased with himself after that joke. That might be the funniest and most adorable terrible pun I’ve ever heard.
Difference makers:
+7
firstly- I <3 THE SOAP OPERA SEGMENT- i have watched it like 5 times hehe
secondly- i also noticed the guest trying to avoid the questions- especially towards the end. i was following the interview and than while the senator was answering the q abt the gov subsidizing unhealthy foods i was like- how the heck did he get to that. you could tell that it was a pre-planned answer bc usually if a normal unprepared person were to be confronted like that their answer would be very defensive and the secretary was super calm bc he was basically saying "stephen i havent been paying attention at all to the question u just asked bc im trying to remember the line i rehearsed"
and that could have all been forgiven if the cheese had looked like stephen!!!
besides the annoying guest this was an amazing episode!!!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
I have to admit…when Paul came out, I sat up on my couch and smiled like a school girl who was just asked to Homecoming by the cutest boy in the class.
I was more than pleased by their performance…LONG LIVE NOBLET & JELLINECK!!
Difference makers:
+9
Totally OT, but I keep meaning to tell you that I love your gravatar :). I can’t see it without saying “Whooooooo?” LOL
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
Thanks! I think he’s adorbs in that picture
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
This episode was a perfect example of why I love this show. One segment is about a major news story, then the next is pure inspired lunacy. Hilarious. I’m going to be giggling over that soap opera segment for days.
And then? Giant cheese head and bad pun. Love it.
Difference makers:
+5
Hehe, when he made that pun I immediately thought of Jon’s rant about newscasters making puns from the other night, which I happened to agree with. In Stephen’s case, though, I can forgive him, especially since he gave an adorably sorta apologetic look to the camera afterward :).
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
I’m glad you mentioned the TDS-pun segment, I really liked it and thought Jon was spot-on with the whole thing. Here’s how I justify my appreciation/love of puns: there are good puns, and then there are bad puns. The bad puns just make you groan and are only said by someone reaching for a joke and trying too hard (like newscasters). You can tell they’re trying too hard so you don’t laugh. The good puns might be the stupidest things you’ve ever heard, but they’re good because yes, you’re groaning, but you’re laughing even harder and longer. Stephen’s “gouda” pun was like that for me. It was a terrible pun, but it was a silly yet smart terrible pun. If that makes sense. It sort of follows the “look and be smart so you can act stupid” logic, I guess. :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
When I saw Paul enter the stage, I was squealing with joy! That soap opera act is hilarious, absolutely loved it! And the Cheerios lol
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
I thought the subsidizing question was a very good one, too, something I hadn’t really thought about much. And Vilsack’s answer to it wasn’t very much of one, no. Too many everyday farmers here in the Midwest getting pushed aside by factory farms, too much crap getting into food that’s supposed to be healthy because a quick sell and profit is more important than naturally letting plants and animals grow and develop and produce the foods we eat. It is something the government should look into and deal with.
On a lighter note, the skit with Paul and Stephen…oh, that was just too priceless for words :D. The moment I saw him there I immediately thought of all the other fans of those two, pictured the buzzing and squealing and excitement (all of which I tried to quietly express at home, hehe). And my mom being the “All My Children” fan she is, she got a real kick out of his mention of watching that show. So hilarious, would much rather watch THAT soap opera instead of the obnoxious clip from “Days” they showed.
Difference makers:
+5
PAUL DINELLO! WOOOOOOOT!
Difference makers:
+5
I really, really wanted to write a comment here that would describe my utter jumping-up-and-down-screaming-with-delight joy at seeing Paul and Stephen working tog- scratch that, playing together – and the glorious and wonderful silliness, and how they looked like they were having such fun, and fumbling with the toaster at the end, and everything about it. But I cannot adequately express my elation, except by saying that it was probably what everyone else here felt at seeing it.
I loved that they played brothers. Because let’s face it, they kinda are.
Anyone else feel like we’ve been spoiled lately with all the awesome? First the GQ article, then the Reddit Q&A, and the Northwestern article, and now with added Paul Dinello!
Difference makers:
+5
I’d say that elation was actually expressed quite adequately. :) “Utter-jumping-down-and-screaming” kind of does sum it up, mostly because that’s pretty much what I was doing when I saw Paul – it was just more of a kicking-my-legs-and-excitedly-flapping-my-hands-while-sitting-in-bed type of thing, lol. But yours sounds better, and is a lot shorter, so let’s just go with your description. :P
And yes, even with the break, I have felt spoiled with all of the awesome, especially after last night. The Joy Machine has definitely been heavy on the JOY lately!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
I think that active members of government (particularly in the executive branch) make for boring guests on virtually every program, because they have to appear to be charming without really saying anything controversial. With the exception of Joe Biden, who has been around too long to really be self conscious about anything, most of politicians out there seem extremely guarded in their responses to the most simplest questions. So not surprising that the guest was more Vilsack and less attack.
Anywhoo, as an SWC fan, anything with Paul is a win. I loved his Stephen-esque pompadour. I turned on the TV when the soap opera popped on and it was like Christmas for me, I was definitely squeeing (quietly due to the late hour). I hope while he is with the show on a regular basis we get to see him more often. Paul is very smart and very funny, in good and worthy company of our beloved SC.
Difference makers:
+5
I loved the Soap Opera segment for so many reasons. Mostly, of course, because of wonderful Paul Dinello!!!! Also, Guiding Light and As The World Turns were the two soaps I grew up with as a kid because they were my mom’s “stories”, who grew up watching them with her mother. Even though I couldn’t really stand them anymore, it was still weird seeing them end. I thought the giant box set of season one was hysterical as well as the line “and just when they were about to wrap things up!!!” I know full well just how some of their story-lines would go on and on and on.
I hope Paul pops up again when Amy is on the show soon!!!!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
I hope Paul pops up again when Amy is on the show soon
I almost forgot that she’s on the show in a couple of weeks! Just knowing that the three of them will be together in the same building makes me happy. Fingers crossed for Arts & Crafts and Tumbling Part Deux!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+4
Big ol’ EEEEEEEEEEEEEE when Paul walked out. Then it was YAY!! it’s really Paul!
My mom watched “Days” back when Bo and Hope were first introduced. That was just hysterical to me to see that segment and with Paul, YAY!!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0