Archive for News
Ujjal Dosanjh: Stephen Colbert’s message “worth reflecting on”
Posted by: | CommentsThat “Better Know a Riding” on last night’s Colbert Report was wild! I’ve noticed a few comments around the ‘net this morning that said “Stephen” was being particularly … over the top, and it’s certainly true that Ujjal Dosanjh experienced the character in all its bombastic and ignorant glory last night. But never fear, he was always in on the joke. Today’s Vancouver Sun features the MP’s thoughts about the experience, and you really couldn’t ask for a better it-getting response:
The truthiness about Colbert, according to Ujjal Dosanjh
He’s a satirist, not an insult comedian, and his message is worth reflecting on
By Ujjal Dosanjh, Special To The Sun February 23, 2010 9:05 AM. . .
Some would find it strange that Canadians would flock to cheer along an American who had been waving his flag in our faces for months. But Canadians should know that the real Stephen Colbert is not the man we see on our TV screens, but instead a man who wants to see the backward character he plays disabused of the very ignorance he represents. It’s a kind of brilliant new sarcastic satire that Canada could use much more of — taking on our politics and culture in a way that largely discards political correctness on its way to the truth, or “truthiness” as Colbert would call it.
. . .
It’s been a wild ride. After his producers contacted my staff in October, I sat down with Stephen in Washington, D.C. a month ago to tape what would turn out to be one of his longest-ever interviews: an hour and 45 minutes, all for what became a seven-minute segment. Few interviewers are as tough as Stephen Colbert, but keeping a straight face was almost as tough as Stephen’s questions as we bantered back and forth on subjects ranging from gay rights to gun control and health care to the Canadian identity. It was a thorough back-and-forth on some of the issues that most differentiate the United States from Canada. Through the lens of Colbert’s satire, it is my hope that many more Americans will begin to take an interest in our values and experiences as Canadians.
. . .
It’s so cool that Mr. Dosanjh took the time to write such a complimentary article; I’m glad he understood Stephen’s brand of humor so well (it would have been a shame if he’d misunderstood Stephen the way the very cool Barney Frank did).
Here’s the Better Know a Riding segment, if you missed it (the intro segment is here):
EDITED TO ADD: There’s a little more on the taping and Mr. Dosanjh’s reaction to the final interview here. I loved the part where he talked about Stephen shouting that he was the white MLK and Ujjal just broke into laughter!
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Stephen Colbert ‘Reports’ to Olympic Games
Posted by: | CommentsFrom the Vancouver Sun:
Stephen Colbert welcomed to the Vancouver Olympic Games by cheering crowd and Canadian bald eagle
By Harold Munro, Vancouver Sun
February 17, 2010 12:47 PM
Hundreds of fans went wild Wednesday morning as late-night comedian Stephen Colbert brought his faux conservative talk show to Creekside Park, located next to Science World in Vancouver.
He shared the stage with a stuffed moose, First Nations’ thunderbird totem, fake snow, assorted skis, hockey sticks, snowshoes and U.S. and Canadian flags.
There is also a giant poster of Colbert astride an eagle carrying an Olympic torch.
As hoot, cheers and hollers greeted the U.S. comic to the stage, Colbert implored the crowd: “One last thing — if I f—k up, forgive me.”
. . .
I seriously love this gig. I read someone’s tweet earlier that said Stephen and Michael Bublé did a rendition of “O Canada” to the tune of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, and I can only wait with bated breath to see whether it shows up on next week’s episodes.
EDITED TO ADD: You can find more photos from the event here and here.
FURTHER ADDING: The AP has some video of Stephen making his way through the Canadian “mob”. They had a great turnout for today’s taping; here’s hoping tomorrow’s is equally impressive.
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Spoiler Alert: MP Dosanjh wants you to ‘Better Know a Riding’
Posted by: | CommentsGood morning, all!
We’ve already linked a few articles on the blog that mentioned Stephen’s upcoming ‘Better Know a Riding’ segment with Ujjal Dosanjh, but there’s a new article in The Province that quotes Dosanjh at some length on taping that Colbert Report segment. In deference to those who prefer remaining (relatively) unspoiled, I’ve put an excerpt behind the fold. For those of you eager to know more, read onward!
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Stephen Colbert heads to Vancouver, talks about Olympics and his Canadian roots
Posted by: | CommentsHey, gang! The Winter Olympics are finally upon us, and CTV’s Olympics site has a great article on Stephen posted to really kick things off:
Colbert goes for the cold
The Globe and Mail By Marsha Lederman, The Globe and Mail
Posted Friday, February 12, 2010 4:15 PM ET. . .
In a rare out-of-character moment, Colbert is speaking to me in advance of his first trip to Vancouver, next week, where he will tape segments for The Colbert Report, and also have face time with the U.S. speed skating team that he sponsors (or, more accurately, that the Colbert Nation sponsors). “It’s a great feeling to be able to support the team,” he says. “And it’s given us something to talk about [on the show] that is both nationalistic and not violent – and too often nationalism leads to guns.”
. . .
He calls speed skating “the most Summer Olympic Winter Olympic sport. It’s running. Basically it’s a track-and-field event. But you go way faster.” And he now knows that personally – after “racing” against U.S. speed-skating sensation Shani Davis for a segment on The Colbert Report.
At the end of the televised segment, Colbert was named the team’s assistant sports psychologist. He’s promising (and now we’re pretty sure he’s joking) to follow through in Vancouver on that assignment. “I’ll be getting in their noodles and helping them work through some of their issues. They’ve all made a lot of sacrifice to get to this moment, and I’ll just remind them of the amazing amount of pressure that’s on them and just to never forget that. [There'll be] a lot of yelling. A lot of suck it up and go. Be a man. Stop crying. Stuff like that.”
. . .
Although it’s not in the part I excerpted, I think my favorite bit in this whole article is where the author notes: “Even out of character, [Stephen] is deadpan funny, hilarious really, sometimes cracking a joke he likes so much he has to stop and laugh.” I *love* that Stephen still has so much joy in life that he’ll take the time to savor his own jokes in that way.
The article is also full of teasers on upcoming segments, a bit on the Canadian portion of Stephen’s family tree, and the usual high level of Colbert-generated charm. So what are you waiting for? Get reading, already!
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Stephen Colbert issues call for Canadian members of the Colbert Nation
Posted by: | CommentsUPDATED BELOW
Here’s one for all you “syrup-suckers” out there. ;)
Stephen will be taping public interviews on False Creek during his trip, and he wants YOU to be there [emphasis added]:
Colbert issues open invitation to Vancouver tapings
The Globe and Mail By Marsha Lederman, The Globe and Mail
Posted Thursday, February 11, 2010 3:53 PM ETWhen The Colbert Report is in Vancouver next week for the 2010 Olympics, the show will be taping interviews in a public park on False Creek, and host Stephen Colbert is extending an invitation for the north-of-the-border contingent of Colbert Nation to show up.
“It’s sort of come one, come all,” Colbert told The Globe and Mail Thursday.
“[The set is] festival style: big stage and speakers and large-screen TVs for people to see.”
The show will be taped Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. at Creekside Park, next to Telus World of Science, which has been converted to Sochi World for the 2010 Games.
“We’re going to do it outside with the beautiful backdrop of the water behind us and be able to see the Olympic Village off in the distance,” Colbert said from his New York office.
. . .
There’s more information on Stephen’s trip to the Olympics in this AP article (h/t to Ann G. and Melanie W. for this one!):
Colbert heads to Olympics for medals and mockery
By Jake Coyle, AP Entertainment Writer. . .
[Stephen's] preparing for the big event. While The Colbert Report is in repeats next week, the comedian will be in Vancouver, British Columbia, for the first week of the Olympics. He’ll be there recording a wealth of material for his show (to air beginning Feb. 22), attending events, conducting interviews and doing a kind of half-show from a stage set up outside the Olympic center.
“We’ll bring snow because I don’t think Vancouver has any,” he said in an interview, taking a swipe at the city’s sometimes watery precipitation.
. . .
As part of an arrangement made with NBC and NBC Universal Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol (who recently appeared on The Report ), Colbert will be allowed to film inside the Richmond Olympic Oval. In exchange, he will join Bob Costas for commentary Feb. 17 on NBC.
But for all of his satire, it’s clear Colbert has a genuine love of the Olympics.
“It’s a festival,” he says. “What a great, rare honor it’s been to be helpful in any way to these beautiful athletes. I’m really in awe of what they do and I want to be there to support them.”
I’ve mentioned before that I’m a bit of a dork about Olympics, and I’m sure I’ll be glued to my TV for a lot of the events. Having Stephen there will just be icing on the cake; I can practically hear that Olympic theme now!
UPDATED TO ADD: The link on the Colbert Nation suggests a 9:15 am arrival time for people wishing to attend the live tapings in Vancouver. Please plan accordingly, and have fun!
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Stephen Colbert on “Citizens United v. FEC”
Posted by: | CommentsArrrrgh! The Supreme Court handed down a truly disturbing ruling in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case today, and while I can’t say I’m surprised by it, I’m deeply, deeply disappointed. To remind everyone what this case was about (and why I’m so disturbed), here are the segments Stephen dedicated to the case from four months ago:
The WØRD – Let Freedom Ka-Ching
| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| The Word – Let Freedom Ka-Ching | ||||
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Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission – Jeffrey Toobin
| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission – Jeffrey Toobin | ||||
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Here’s hoping Congress exercises its legislative powers soon to limit corporate participation in campaigns … not that I’m holding my breath for that, either.
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NBC Olympic team talks about Stephen Colbert (oh yeah, and Vancouver)
Posted by: | CommentsGood evening, everyone, and I hope you’ve enjoyed your weekends. This article from the Vancouver Sun brought a smile to my face as we head into the next work week; it seems that no discussion of the Olympics is complete without determining what people think of Stephen Colbert, and we get opinions from NBC stalwarts Bob Costas, Mary Carillo and Dick Ebersol in this installment.
Olympic ‘saviour’ Stephen Colbert slammed as jerk, hailed as genius
By Alex Strachan, Canwest News Service
January 10, 2010 2:02 PM. . .
Saviour or jerk, which is it?
“He is not a jerk,” Costas said, with a straight face. “He’s a genius.”
Costa has been an occasional guest on The Colbert Report in the past, where he learned to appreciate the cut and thrust of Colbert’s candour in conversation. The truth can hurt, and so can truthiness.
“I’ve long been a fan,” Costas said. “I don’t know that the Olympics needs saving but it certainly gets a boost from Stephen Colbert. Shani Davis is mistaken.”
Carillo described Davis as a speed-skating phenomenon, but Colbert is “hilarious,” she said. “I cannot imagine our friends up north taking anything he says too seriously.”
“Remember,” Costas added, deadpan. “Speedskating lacked the requisite trash talk that distinguishes most modern sports, until Stephen came along.”
. . .
Poor Shani Davis; he’s getting way too much ink about that “jerk” remark, IMO (and I’m guilty of adding to it too, I know). That said, I love that people are rallying to Stephen’s defense — not that he really needs it — with such fine words of praise. And I can only agree with Dick Ebersol’s comment about Stephen’s “astute marketing mind”; it’s so much fun to be a part of the Colbert Nation when Stephen brings us along on these wild rides!
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