EPISODE NUMBER: 7041 (March 28, 2011)
GUESTS: Michael Moore
SEGMENTS: Shout Out to Cece Lederer, Tip/Wag – Cigarette Tax, Abortion Waiting Period & Bargain Travelers, Maine Squeeze
VIDEOS: Monday, March 28, 2011
I think the name Cece Lederer makes just a good of an Ultimate Fighting name as Brock Lesnar. Oh, the irony. I laughed way too hard at Barry Julien’s cameo at the opening of the Chaos in Chaonada intro. (Cut it oot. I’m trying to watch the hockey, eh?) Did anyone else see Dudley Do-Right and Alex Trebek in that graphic as well? You know, I don’t know if I’ve actually had peppermint schnapps. However, I’d be more than happy to bring some butterscotch schnapps and Bailey’s Irish Cream and we can make buttery nipples all night long. Oh wait, I forgot, I quit smoking. Also? The Travelocity gnome creeps me the frick out.
Stephen’s description of Scott Walker “Wisconsin governor and Best Buy floor manager” was awesome. I also liked the “Paul I think it’s LePage” set-up. Good to hear that Stephen’s great-grandfather moved up in the world working with urine sluice, and it paved the way for Stephen’s grandfather to be able make it as a goat ball licker.
The Michael Moore interview went nothing like I thought it was. While I was expecting Moore to be articulate, he almost seemed to be quiet and yielding to Stephen on multiple cases while drilling the point at every opportunities. The line that Moore said about how a person who works at McDonald’s pays more taxes than people who make Colbert-level buck was really shocking. And Stephen really nailed the end of the interview with the plug for Capitalism: A Love Story [Blu-ray]“>Capitalism: A Love Story on Blu-Ray at Amazon.
I too hope that Stephen continues to be a proud tool of Viacom for many years to come. Don’t forget to go to ColbertNation.com to hear Movitz’s new album “Out Of My Head” – as Stephen says, “If you stream just one Swedish jaz/hip-hop fusion album from one official website of just one late night television program, make it this one.”.
What did you think of the show? Leave it in the comments!
After I watched last night’s episode, I had a complete Colbert attack. A fit of Colberliciousness. A Colbasm. I am not kidding. I had to write something right away, so I posted something on Fantasy Colbert League. I could not wait to say how great this was. Now, maybe you think I’m over the top here. And perhaps you are right. However, that man’s spirit is so uplifting that he makes my heart dance and my toes melt. You did not read that backwards.
(Stephen, I have almost completely forgiven you for anything else. Enough said.)
On a more serious note (although trust me, I was completely serious), I was fascinated during Stephen’s interview with Michael Moore because there were several moments where Stephen was so in-character, I thought Michael Moore genuinely believed for a second that “Stephen” was being real. Of course, I know Michael Moore of all people understands what’s going on, but honestly, Stephen dialed-it up so high, I think there were split-seconds when he forgot that Stephen was being “Stephen.” Blink and you miss them, but I really felt they were there.
The Moore interview also made me think about the difference between Jon and Stephen’s shows. Part of it is inherent in the format, of course; however, Stephen has this natural ebullience that just helps the medicine go down. He reminds me of that famous quote, “angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.” I love both shows, and they compliment each other so well, but honestly; I tend to get “heavy” myself, as Jon does at times, and boy do I look forward to the deft way that Stephen parries with his guests. It really is like fencing, in that like a foil, Stephen bends easily to conform to the guest he’s jousting with. While staying in character, he can maneuver the interview so that his guest looks brilliant, or like an idiot. I love Jon, but with him I find I rely on his predictability, not the element of surprise the way I do with Stephen.
I also found myself interested in the short bit earlier on about South Dakota creating a law that forces a woman to wait 3 days before terminating a pregnancy, and how Stephen, or “Stephen,” contrasted that with how easy it is to buy a gun there. I thought that was brilliant; however, it did give me pause to wonder which Stephen that was coming from. If I had to guess, I’d bet that Stephen thinks that the ease with which people can buy guns is ridiculous. I’m not sure I’d be so willing to bet about the abortion issue, however. I don’t really feel I need to know, nor that it’s any of my business. But given the pride in his religious beliefs, however he interprets them, I would never presume to even guess how he might feel about that. It’s part of what makes him so complex and interesting.
Regardless, last night’s episode was absolutely on fire. What generosity of spirit he has. I love how he seems to genuinely care about the people who work for him and the guests who come on his show.
Sorry so long. I was just reliving that Colbert attack from last night. And I have absolutely never done this, but here goes: *Sigh.*
Difference makers:
+6
First of all, the way Stephen said “Cigarette party at the Motel 6!” was hilarious.
The interview was really great too, especially the very clever add-in by Stephen about Viacom. Tip/Wag was my favorite bit about the episode though. Loved every single second of it! Second favorite part of the show? The Barry Julien cameo. That was a welcome surprise.
I can’t wait to listen to the new Movits! album when I get home from class tonight. Big thanks to the folks at TCR for streaming it!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
I love episodes like these- informative an at the same time HILARIOUS!!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
No one can ever say that Stephen doesn’t care about his staff… From the fond farewell mentions to the recent baby pics and the shout out last night – it is all too obvious. And that is just one of the many, many reasons I love this show and its host! Honestly, I really don’t see it in other shows I watch.
Great interview. I like a dialed up Stephen when I know the person on the other end can take it and Michael Moore was perfect for that.
Very good show to start the week and a bonus appearance on his bffsm’s show?!? Love it!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+4