EPISODE NUMBER: 7026 (February 22, 2011)
GUESTS: Randi Weingarten, Jon Erpenbach, Bing West
SEGMENTS: A Less Perfect Union, Wisco Inferno
VIDEOS: Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The cow moo that accompanied the “Turmoil in the Middle West” piece made me laugh much harder than it should. And that Evil Kneivel jumpsuit disturbs me as much now as it did the first time I saw the AP photos. Stephen Colbert is a brave, brave man. Also, the mid-90′s Sentras are very nice cars – I drove my Sentra until it got totaled. Of course, mine was more of that stylin’ mid-90′s Teal that was so popular for about six months (I bought mine 3 years after it was even a little bit popular).
Also, I’m going to go into a little bit of an aside here – my husband is from Wisconsin, and my brother-in-law has been marching on the Wisconsin legislative buildings this past week. All of my in-laws are from Wisconsin, and my mother-in-law in particular has amazingly thick and adorable accent. So Stephen’s Wisconsin accent bit made me laugh way, way harder than it should. The funniest thing I ever heard in a Wisconsin accent was when I went to Mass with my husband’s grandmother. After the reading at Mass, and the Priest says “The word of the Lord”, the Wisconsin accent bleating out “Thanks be to Gaaad” made me snicker so hard that I had to bite my tongue for it to to not be audible. Maybe you had to be there. But I digress. Back to Stephen!
And what a guest filled show it was tonight. The views of both Randi Weingarten, the teachers union head, and the Wisconsin State Senator-on-the-run Jon Erpenbach were a bit informative. But the Erpenbach interview was mostly played for laughs, with the multiple green screen background changes. I thought it was fantastic how Stephen made sure to show that the workers in Wisconsin were actually a really reasonable bunch, but they just wanted to make sure that the workers did not lose their ability to negotiate contract terms. I really thought that Bing West did an excellent job of talking about the differences between Iraq and Afghanistan, and showing the political options for getting out the region.
What did all of you think of the episode? Leave it in the comments!
As a born-and-bred Madisonian, I was in pure heaven listening to my favorite person talk about my hometown for the majority of the show!!
The one thing that irks me is the “You, Wisconsin, voted him in. What’s your problem now that he’s doing what he said he wanted to?” I can assure you there is very little overlap between the people who voted for Walker and the people protesting now. That seems kind of obvious, though.
The accent was adorable. “Flashy boots.” :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+4
I’m really glad TCR covered the situation in Wisconsin so thoroughly! They did one heckuva job at both being informative and hilarious at the same time. I agree with you too, DB, Stephen with a midwestern accent was priceless!! He sounded like ME! LOL. I think my favorite has to be when someone from our area says bag, pronouncing it baayyyg instead of baaag (which I do as well).
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
Thanks for that screencap, DB. It’ll disturb my peace of mind for the rest of the day.
Difference makers:
+6
*Giggle** Do you think perhaps it also needed a “do not look at this at work” warning?
Shout Out (Hey!):
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I don’t know who this Stewart Colbert fellow is, but he sounds dreamy.
Difference makers:
+13
Love Stephen’s double take at the pic of him in the jumpsuit and the finger motion that followed to have it removed! :)
Do you know how I know that I watch too much TCR? I recognized the interview with the Wisconsin legislator was taped earlier in the day because Stephen’s watch was different in Acts 1 and 3. Hello! I am luvtcr, and I am a geek. Still don’t know if noticing that is good or bad… :)
Difference makers:
+8
Yes! Yes! Yes! I was so thrilled at the way TCR covered what’s going on in Wisconsin. It was so great! Especially after TDS rather jaundice, pox on all their houses Monday take.
I particularly loved Stephen’s closing remarks in the first interview, “…Why should they get something good because they organize and fought for it, if other people don’t have it? No listen, listen! I know a rising tide lifts all boats, but I want to make sure that when the tide goes back out I drag you down with me. Shouldn’t everybody live a s****y life?!” Awesome Stephen! You and the writers outdid yourselves last night. One of their best shows ever. :D
Difference makers:
+6
Just by including that quote, you summed up everything that I loved about last night’s episode. That line, especially the “shouldn’t everybody live a s****y life?” part, was spot-on brilliant. :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+4
Oh yeah. I forgot. The call of the democrat: “NPR. NPR.” “Legalize pot. Legalize pot.”
I love this show! :P
Shout Out (Hey!):
+4
Haha, yes, I loved that, too. And fully agreed with everybody on his Midwestern accent-I’m from Iowa, but I am familiar with that accent and low-key attitude and such, and so I too got a kick out of it and I’d be more than happy to hear more of that accent (I’d also be thrilled if he and Jon took heed of that one person’s sign and did go to Wisconsin for a rally, since that’s a close enough drive for me, but eh…looks like that’ll remain a dream only).
The interview with the senator cracked me up, especially given some of the backgrounds they decided to put up behind him. And I got a real kick out of his comment, “My parents won’t be proud of this” as well-how’s that for some honest expression :p?
And the interview was great, too, SO much West said there that I agreed with. I’m not happy with the thought of Americans still hanging around in Afghanistan years from now for any reason, but it’s what’s most likely to happen, and if it’s the sort of people he suggested, I can perhaps deal with that, I guess (also, his mention of this war lasting 10 years or so hit me-my god, it HAS been that long, hasn’t it? Yeowza…).
Yeah. Entertaining show last night, really enjoyed it.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
What a solid show! The writing last night was impeccable; a massive high-five to Stephen and the writers for every moment of this episode, right down to the interview questions.
I really appreciated the fact that they dedicated two segments of the show to the situation in Wisconsin. I walked away from the episode with a much clearer understanding of exactly what’s going on. On a more adorable note, Stephen’s Wisconsin accent made me laugh so, so hard. And instantly made me watch to watch Fargo again.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+4
I have to agree – ****** did have real flashy boots. ;)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
Loved it! But that Stewart Colbert really should go to Wisconsin and visit the rally…whoever he is.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+4
For some reason the words “nut-hugger” have stuck with me (along with that image), popping into my head at the oddest moment and making me snort uncontrollably, as they did the first time I heard them. And Stephen’s reaction as the image continues to hover there on screen is delicious.
And I can’t wait to hear the Suit Report on this jacket/tie combination. I don’t know why it grabbed my attention so strongly, but I really like the look. (Of course, the guy in it kind of makes that a lock.)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
And I can’t wait to hear the Suit Report on this jacket/tie combination. I don’t know why it grabbed my attention so strongly, but I really like the look.
Totally agree with you! I loved that suit jacket, especially the texture of it. And that tie paired with such a crisp white dress shirt? *SIGH* And you’re right – the suit wouldn’t look nearly as good if it weren’t for the man wearing it. :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
This is completely off-topic, but I wanted to let y’all know that the SNL special “The Best of Saturday TV Funhouse” is on VH1 tonight at 7 pm (eastern time)! Just in case anyone’s interested in watching Stephen and Steve/Ace and Gary hilarity. :D
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2