Stephen has given you homework. I did not know he had the authority to do that, but who am I to argue? You are all to read the words inside the book, "The Great Gatsby" by May 9. You see, Stephen has started his own book club, the COlbert Book Club, and the F. Scott Fitzgerald book is first on the list of must reads. And yes there will be a quiz, in that he will be discussing the book on air with Jennifer Eagan and Baz Luhrmann in two weeks. I'm hoping he will also be able to get F. Scott Fitgerald on as a guest in the future.
Better Know a District - Representative Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania's 17th District agreed to be interviewed by Stephen. The 17th includes Scranton, and of course you know that's where the documentary of The Office was filmed, and Easton, where Crayola Crayons are made. Even though Representative Matt Cartwright is a Democrat, he told Stephen he did not agree with what Stephen said was a plan by Crayola to rename the white Crayon "Republican." And although the white crayon is rather bland, Stephen enjoyed eating it. Other crayons Stephen might enjoy are Asparagus, Jazzberry Jam, and Cotton Candy. Please note: I'm pretty sure you are not supposed to eat Crayola Crayons. Stephen was able to create or clear up many misunderstandings including, religion, Spanish language, GLBT issues, transient farm workers and the Bike Caucus. Speaking of bikes, Representative Matt Cartwright taught Stephen how to ride a bike in what I assume was one of the Halls of Congress. Touching, heart warming, and head hurting.
"Turns out the Boston bombing suspect was singing like a canary until the judge showed up." And that is according to everyone, Everyone!, on Fox and Friends. Stephen gave a complete wrap-up of everything that the Fox and Friends missed about Miranda and Samantha as it relates to the Boston bombing suspect. Seems like everyone over at Fox and Friends was singing the exact same tune.
Bishop Gene Robinson, Episcopalian Bishop in New Hampshire, was Stephen's guest on Thursday. Bishop Gene Robinson is the author of God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage. No surprise to anyone, they talked religion, including Leviticus. When Stephen asked if being Episcopal was a choice, Bishop Gene Robinson compared it to Advanced Placement Religion. Even though Stephen did not assign "God Believes in Love," for homework, I think it would be a great choice for the second book to be read for COlbert Book Club.
Stephen's usual short sign-off was longer than usual. And so much cuter. I must confess, I wasn't even paying attention to Stephen. He was upstaged by someone much younger than him. And dare I say it --- better looking!
Showing posts with label Fox and Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fox and Friends. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
G gle - What Were They Thinking?
Silly me. Stephen said at the beginning of the show on April 1 that "This is not The Colbert Report." And so I turned off the TV machine. Only when I looked at TiVo and found that a whole half hour had been recorded did I figure it out. I watched the show and realized it was his April Fools joke. Guess that makes me his fool. Mea Culpa. What can I say?
Turns out that Easter was not as blessed as it could have been for Stephen. Fox and Friends were upset that Google honored Cesar Chavez as their Google Doodle on March 31. Cesar Chavez was born on March 31 and thus that is why the Google Doodle was there on March 31. Sometimes I think Google just loves putting things up for a Doodle that people don't know about. You know, kind of a, oh what do they call it? Oh, yeah, a teachable moment. I mean, well, did you know it was Cesar Chavez Day?
Anyway, Foxy is upset and wonders "What they were thinking?" Stephen echoed her sentiment, even getting her voice right. What indeed? Imagine honoring the founder of the United Farm Workers who said this, "The truest act of courage... is to sacrifice yourself for others." (March 10, 1968) It was even suggested by Gretchen Carlson that people might boycott Google. I would give you a link to "Google Boycott" but then it wouldn't be a boycott, so there's no way to find out.
After complaining that the new Pope, Pope Francis, was annoying him by acting too humble, Stephen started ripping into Obamacare. Congressional Republicans are doing what they can, in fact, they "have voted 39 times... to repeal 'Obamacare,'..."
We learned a lot about health care, specifically TennCare in Tennessee. Under Obamacare, 180,000 people would be added to TennCare which is what they call Medicaid there. Here's what Governor Bill Haslam of Tennessee said on March 13, 2013: "A lot of people say, 'hey, that's an easy call. Just expand three years 100 percent and then walk away at that point in time.' I don't think you can easily walk away." This points up the difference between telling people they are no longer getting health care versus telling them they are never getting health care. In Tennessee they do know a thing or two about health care because they have a health care lottery. Twice a year, residents who have high medical bills can call and ask for an application to the lottery. After about an hour, the lottery is over and if you didn't make it , you can try again in six months. If you don't win that lottery, Stephen suggested that you can call Nurse Brandy for $2.99 per minute.
About this point into the show, I was beginning to wonder if the whole show wasn't just one big April Fools Joke, but I will continue as if it was all sincere as any other day. Utah DNR is having an Earth Day Poster Contest. The theme is "Where Would WE Be Without Oil, Gas & Mining?" The contest is co-sponsored by the Society of Petroleum Engineers." One of the rules is "Do Not Use Glitter." That's right. If you spill that stuff, it is impossible to clean up. Stephen would know. He still has a bad case of Disco Lung due to an accident at a craft fair in 1998. If you want more information about Earth Day, you can look here, or here or here.
Stephen's guest on April Fools Day was Sigourney Weaver. They are mutual enormous tall fans of each other. When Stephen asked her what she topped out at, she told him, "Seven Four in flats." So taller than I would have expected. No wait, she was fooling with him. She's only Five Eleven. Stephen mentioned some of her more famous movies, the Alien series, Avatar, Ghost Busters. Of those, only Ghostbusters brought cheers and applause from the audience!
Currently Sigourney Weaver is in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. If you look around a little bit at that link there, you will learn that Sigourney Weaver plays Masha whose interests include jetsetting, signing autographs, and humility. Stephen did actually go to see the play and enjoyed it and even had the Playbill to prove that he saw it. He asked her why she would do theater - wasn't it a stretch to play a movie star since she actually is one? She admitted that it was difficult to play such a deeply shallow person.
Trivia fact. Sigourney Weaver's dad, Pat Weaver, started the Tonight Show. They talked a bit about the old days and Sigourney told Stephen that probably Johnny Carson would be impressed with Stephen Colbert. They talked a bit more about Hollywood, movies, TV and political involvement. I wondered if her views didn't tend toward a more liberal side than those of Stephen, a conservative, but he never tried to put her in her place.
Perhaps you can guess where that interview was headed all along and eventually Stephen did get there. He needed to ask her a question. She was a bit concerned but she let him ask his final question. As a journalist, he had to ask it. It's was a tough one, but a good question to end the interview with, so... "Sigourney Weaver, who ya gonna call?"
Turns out that Easter was not as blessed as it could have been for Stephen. Fox and Friends were upset that Google honored Cesar Chavez as their Google Doodle on March 31. Cesar Chavez was born on March 31 and thus that is why the Google Doodle was there on March 31. Sometimes I think Google just loves putting things up for a Doodle that people don't know about. You know, kind of a, oh what do they call it? Oh, yeah, a teachable moment. I mean, well, did you know it was Cesar Chavez Day?
Anyway, Foxy is upset and wonders "What they were thinking?" Stephen echoed her sentiment, even getting her voice right. What indeed? Imagine honoring the founder of the United Farm Workers who said this, "The truest act of courage... is to sacrifice yourself for others." (March 10, 1968) It was even suggested by Gretchen Carlson that people might boycott Google. I would give you a link to "Google Boycott" but then it wouldn't be a boycott, so there's no way to find out.
After complaining that the new Pope, Pope Francis, was annoying him by acting too humble, Stephen started ripping into Obamacare. Congressional Republicans are doing what they can, in fact, they "have voted 39 times... to repeal 'Obamacare,'..."
We learned a lot about health care, specifically TennCare in Tennessee. Under Obamacare, 180,000 people would be added to TennCare which is what they call Medicaid there. Here's what Governor Bill Haslam of Tennessee said on March 13, 2013: "A lot of people say, 'hey, that's an easy call. Just expand three years 100 percent and then walk away at that point in time.' I don't think you can easily walk away." This points up the difference between telling people they are no longer getting health care versus telling them they are never getting health care. In Tennessee they do know a thing or two about health care because they have a health care lottery. Twice a year, residents who have high medical bills can call and ask for an application to the lottery. After about an hour, the lottery is over and if you didn't make it , you can try again in six months. If you don't win that lottery, Stephen suggested that you can call Nurse Brandy for $2.99 per minute.
About this point into the show, I was beginning to wonder if the whole show wasn't just one big April Fools Joke, but I will continue as if it was all sincere as any other day. Utah DNR is having an Earth Day Poster Contest. The theme is "Where Would WE Be Without Oil, Gas & Mining?" The contest is co-sponsored by the Society of Petroleum Engineers." One of the rules is "Do Not Use Glitter." That's right. If you spill that stuff, it is impossible to clean up. Stephen would know. He still has a bad case of Disco Lung due to an accident at a craft fair in 1998. If you want more information about Earth Day, you can look here, or here or here.
Stephen's guest on April Fools Day was Sigourney Weaver. They are mutual enormous tall fans of each other. When Stephen asked her what she topped out at, she told him, "Seven Four in flats." So taller than I would have expected. No wait, she was fooling with him. She's only Five Eleven. Stephen mentioned some of her more famous movies, the Alien series, Avatar, Ghost Busters. Of those, only Ghostbusters brought cheers and applause from the audience!
Currently Sigourney Weaver is in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. If you look around a little bit at that link there, you will learn that Sigourney Weaver plays Masha whose interests include jetsetting, signing autographs, and humility. Stephen did actually go to see the play and enjoyed it and even had the Playbill to prove that he saw it. He asked her why she would do theater - wasn't it a stretch to play a movie star since she actually is one? She admitted that it was difficult to play such a deeply shallow person.
Trivia fact. Sigourney Weaver's dad, Pat Weaver, started the Tonight Show. They talked a bit about the old days and Sigourney told Stephen that probably Johnny Carson would be impressed with Stephen Colbert. They talked a bit more about Hollywood, movies, TV and political involvement. I wondered if her views didn't tend toward a more liberal side than those of Stephen, a conservative, but he never tried to put her in her place.
Perhaps you can guess where that interview was headed all along and eventually Stephen did get there. He needed to ask her a question. She was a bit concerned but she let him ask his final question. As a journalist, he had to ask it. It's was a tough one, but a good question to end the interview with, so... "Sigourney Weaver, who ya gonna call?"
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
I Get It
It will soon be Christmas Day. Of course, it has been Christmas for a long time now, maybe even since Halloween! It seems that the stores have their Christmas merchandise on the shelves earlier and earlier each year. Some people complain about this. And yet, if we want to keep Christmas in our hearts all year, well then it just makes sense, right? Oh, I know it's more about profit than a sense of good will towards all that brings out the ornaments, cards, and sales for Christmas at your local mall.
Think about it, though. First of all, it probably takes a lot of effort and time and coordination to get everything ordered and delivered and set up at the stores. Gifts that we buy need to be wrapped and mailed. That takes time. Christmas cards also take time and effort to get out to everybody. (Note to self: Get going on Christmas letter. Time is running out!) And second of all, if people had to wait until December before any of the stores had Christmas stuff, there would be just as much complaining.
Here we are a few days from Christmas and I don't have the cards done yet. I think about making Christmas cookies, but in a way it is better if I don't because then I eat a lot of them. They are so tiny, they couldn't possibly have many calories, could they? I don't have many more people to buy gifts for. Luckily, most of that shopping is done. So in a way I am glad that Christmas starts earlier every year to help me focus on what needs to be done. On the other hand, I fall into the trap of thinking there's a lot of time yet, it's only Halloween, or Thanksgiving or early December and then, kapowie! Christmas is here and I'm not ready.
I guess you can't win, no matter what.
So, that brings me around to what this is all about today. Christmas should be a nice thing. (That's my opinion. You may have a different opinion. That's okay.) But I almost dread the first time I see something Christmas-y or hear a Christmas song on the radio. That is almost guaranteed to bring out the grinches. No, not the kind that steal Christmas. The kind that dictate to everyone exactly how they should celebrate Christmas. Don't you dare say "Happy Holidays" to those people. Free speech goes out the window when it comes to what they want you to say.
Case in point from Seattlepi.com. The very same people who call out others for the generic greeting are guilty themselves. "Fox and Friends" are upset with a "Holiday" parade. And yet they celebrate the "Fox and Friends Holiday Party."
I also found a website that also tells you the correct way to handle all things Christmas. Yet I can't help but wonder how serious and pious the guy behind it is. There are eleven ads on the page. Seems like it might be more of a money maker than a wish for blessings to those who navigate to his website.
And why really do we say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas?" There's most likely as many reasons why as there are days in December. For instance, say it's December 23 and I see an acquaintance in the grocery store. We talk a little bit and then I say Merry Christmas. I like this person and I wish him well, so should I also say Happy New Year? Or should I wait until after Christmas and then wish him a Happy New Year? What if I don't see him after Christmas and before New Year's Eve? Simple solution. Wish him Happy Holidays! I have extended a greeting to him that will keep him merry and happy for more than a week. Santa would be proud.
Now I'm getting down to the "Who do you think you are anyway?" part. Why do I have to celebrate this wonderful time of year the way you want me to? In this land of the free, don't I have the right to do what I want? If I want to have a huge dinner on Christmas Eve with my folks and siblings and all their family members, I should be able to do that. If I want to get together with a few friends on Christmas day and write poetry, I should be able to do that.
This constant battle (and I think it might even be a battle for TV ratings) about what everyone should and shouldn't do at Christmas is ruining it for all of us. Sit down. Shut up. Let us enjoy Christmas.
And when someone says a greeting to you, respond back with the same greeting, a similar greeting, or a plain "Thank-you." No matter who you are or what traditions you do or do not have, the person is saying it to be kind to you. Be kind back to them.
"I get it. The meaning of Christmas is the idea that Christmas has meaning and it can mean whatever we want." That is from Abed Nadir on a recent (although rerun) episode of "Community." His friends were trying to cheer him up because he wouldn't be seeing his mother this year for Christmas.
So, Happy Holidays. That says it all in two short words.
Think about it, though. First of all, it probably takes a lot of effort and time and coordination to get everything ordered and delivered and set up at the stores. Gifts that we buy need to be wrapped and mailed. That takes time. Christmas cards also take time and effort to get out to everybody. (Note to self: Get going on Christmas letter. Time is running out!) And second of all, if people had to wait until December before any of the stores had Christmas stuff, there would be just as much complaining.
Here we are a few days from Christmas and I don't have the cards done yet. I think about making Christmas cookies, but in a way it is better if I don't because then I eat a lot of them. They are so tiny, they couldn't possibly have many calories, could they? I don't have many more people to buy gifts for. Luckily, most of that shopping is done. So in a way I am glad that Christmas starts earlier every year to help me focus on what needs to be done. On the other hand, I fall into the trap of thinking there's a lot of time yet, it's only Halloween, or Thanksgiving or early December and then, kapowie! Christmas is here and I'm not ready.
I guess you can't win, no matter what.
So, that brings me around to what this is all about today. Christmas should be a nice thing. (That's my opinion. You may have a different opinion. That's okay.) But I almost dread the first time I see something Christmas-y or hear a Christmas song on the radio. That is almost guaranteed to bring out the grinches. No, not the kind that steal Christmas. The kind that dictate to everyone exactly how they should celebrate Christmas. Don't you dare say "Happy Holidays" to those people. Free speech goes out the window when it comes to what they want you to say.
Case in point from Seattlepi.com. The very same people who call out others for the generic greeting are guilty themselves. "Fox and Friends" are upset with a "Holiday" parade. And yet they celebrate the "Fox and Friends Holiday Party."
I also found a website that also tells you the correct way to handle all things Christmas. Yet I can't help but wonder how serious and pious the guy behind it is. There are eleven ads on the page. Seems like it might be more of a money maker than a wish for blessings to those who navigate to his website.
And why really do we say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas?" There's most likely as many reasons why as there are days in December. For instance, say it's December 23 and I see an acquaintance in the grocery store. We talk a little bit and then I say Merry Christmas. I like this person and I wish him well, so should I also say Happy New Year? Or should I wait until after Christmas and then wish him a Happy New Year? What if I don't see him after Christmas and before New Year's Eve? Simple solution. Wish him Happy Holidays! I have extended a greeting to him that will keep him merry and happy for more than a week. Santa would be proud.
Now I'm getting down to the "Who do you think you are anyway?" part. Why do I have to celebrate this wonderful time of year the way you want me to? In this land of the free, don't I have the right to do what I want? If I want to have a huge dinner on Christmas Eve with my folks and siblings and all their family members, I should be able to do that. If I want to get together with a few friends on Christmas day and write poetry, I should be able to do that.
This constant battle (and I think it might even be a battle for TV ratings) about what everyone should and shouldn't do at Christmas is ruining it for all of us. Sit down. Shut up. Let us enjoy Christmas.
And when someone says a greeting to you, respond back with the same greeting, a similar greeting, or a plain "Thank-you." No matter who you are or what traditions you do or do not have, the person is saying it to be kind to you. Be kind back to them.
"I get it. The meaning of Christmas is the idea that Christmas has meaning and it can mean whatever we want." That is from Abed Nadir on a recent (although rerun) episode of "Community." His friends were trying to cheer him up because he wouldn't be seeing his mother this year for Christmas.
So, Happy Holidays. That says it all in two short words.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
You've Done It All
After starting out talking about non-perennial candidate Chris Christie and telling us about the latest hi jinks from Hank Williams, Jr. when he (Hank Williams, Jr.) was interviewed on Fox and Friends, Stephen treated us to his interview with actor, musician and author John Lithgow. It would be hard to find someone who watches TV or goes to movies and who has not seen John Lithgow at some time in the past. Surely you have seen "3rd Rock From the Sun" (not to be confused with "30 Rock)."
(Funny story here. I once heard a lady ask why they called it 3rd Rock. She had no clue. Duh - Earth!!!!!)
John Lithgow's latest book, "Drama An Actor's Education", is a memoir. He also has written other books such as "I'm a Manatee," "Marsupial Sue" and "I Got Two Dogs." Those last three are actually aimed at a much younger audience.
Stephen used his own acting skills to convince John Lithgow that he had actually read the book "Drama An Actor's Education". It didn't work. Lithgow was not fooled and called Stephen out, "Clearly you haven't read the book."
When asked by Stephen about acting and what sucked him in, Lithgow replied, "Applause!" Well that is something that Stephen understands.
(Funny story here. I once heard a lady ask why they called it 3rd Rock. She had no clue. Duh - Earth!!!!!)
John Lithgow's latest book, "Drama An Actor's Education", is a memoir. He also has written other books such as "I'm a Manatee," "Marsupial Sue" and "I Got Two Dogs." Those last three are actually aimed at a much younger audience.
Stephen used his own acting skills to convince John Lithgow that he had actually read the book "Drama An Actor's Education". It didn't work. Lithgow was not fooled and called Stephen out, "Clearly you haven't read the book."
When asked by Stephen about acting and what sucked him in, Lithgow replied, "Applause!" Well that is something that Stephen understands.
Monday, April 11, 2011
MythBusters Meet Jon Kyl
Stephen had some news about Jon Kyl on tonight's show. Senator Kyl, Republican from Arizona, stated with a straight face that abortion was well over 90% of what Planned Parenthood does. But then his office said, well it's not like that was meant to be factual. Apparently, it's just something that he said. Sort of like a myth.
It's kind of like the friends over at Fox and Friends saying something like Planned Parenthood is unnecessary for women's health for things like blood pressure checks, Pap Smears and breast checks because they can get all that at Walgreens. Oh, no. Another myth! You can't get Pap Smears at Walgreens. Walgreens does have some information about Pap Smears at their website, but they are certainly not health providers.
Stephen interviewed the MythBusters (Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage) tonight. He offered them ideas for several excellent myths that should be either busted or not busted. Time will tell if they consider his ideas.
And then on a lighter note, here is what Mike Pence (Republican from Indiana) said when talking about the Government Shutdown being averted. Note, he did not speak in complete sentences all of the time, so bear with me as I try to transcribe what he said.
"We're trying we're trying to score a victory for the Republican people for the American for the Republican people. We're trying to score a victory for the American people not to the Republican Party." It's hard to know if what he was saying was a myth or not, mostly because it's hard to know what he was saying.
Anyway, it was a time for myths tonight when what we actually need is a time for Truthiness in the Nation.
Note: I changed the incorrect spelling of Myth Busters on April 12. See posting from April 12 about Mythbusters. But I left the capital or uppercase "B" just to give it special attention for the TV show.
It's kind of like the friends over at Fox and Friends saying something like Planned Parenthood is unnecessary for women's health for things like blood pressure checks, Pap Smears and breast checks because they can get all that at Walgreens. Oh, no. Another myth! You can't get Pap Smears at Walgreens. Walgreens does have some information about Pap Smears at their website, but they are certainly not health providers.
Stephen interviewed the MythBusters (Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage) tonight. He offered them ideas for several excellent myths that should be either busted or not busted. Time will tell if they consider his ideas.
And then on a lighter note, here is what Mike Pence (Republican from Indiana) said when talking about the Government Shutdown being averted. Note, he did not speak in complete sentences all of the time, so bear with me as I try to transcribe what he said.
"We're trying we're trying to score a victory for the Republican people for the American for the Republican people. We're trying to score a victory for the American people not to the Republican Party." It's hard to know if what he was saying was a myth or not, mostly because it's hard to know what he was saying.
Anyway, it was a time for myths tonight when what we actually need is a time for Truthiness in the Nation.
Note: I changed the incorrect spelling of Myth Busters on April 12. See posting from April 12 about Mythbusters. But I left the capital or uppercase "B" just to give it special attention for the TV show.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)