Feast of Stephen

Stephen mentioned again how Christmasy his studio is complete with a historically accurate nativity. It does have Stephen's latest book, "America Again: Re-becoming the Greatness We Never Weren't," lying in the manger which I have my doubts about, historically and Biblically speaking, but I'll take Stephen at his word.

Speaking of Number One books - "America Again: Re-becoming the Greatness We Never Weren't," has now reached Number One status over at Amazon, so great job Nation for buying the book. You will treasure it as I do.

As far as I can tell, Governor Nikki Haley still has not named Stephen Colbert, or someone less qualified than him, to replace Jim DeMint as Senator from South Carolina. Senator John McCain would be somewhat of a mentor to Stephen if (and when) Stephen goes to Washington. Senator McCain has said he would teach Senator Colbert how to shut up, which is funny because he can't make anyone shut up. Is it coincidence that there is a picture of Sarah Palin onscreen while Stephen is saying that? Also willing to help Stephen was Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico. He had great pointers for Stephen, including appropriate attire to wear and information about the Steam Room.

Mandy Patinkin who is the Chief Saul Berenson on Homeland, was Stephen's guest last night. It was another great interview and I'm not sure if it was funny or terrifying or confrontational or all three. One of the first matters to be discussed, of course, was beards and beard growing. It takes about 8-10 weeks for Mandy Patinkin to grow his beard and get it up to speed. Stephen had a suggestion for better beard growth. Mandy Patinkin took the time during the interview to write that down while Stephen waited, patiently it seemed, for him to finish and resume the interview. They then delved into just about everything - terrorism, patriotism, propaganda, personal responsibility, and things that are not magic tricks. I think they also solved the Mideast problems.

If you were paying attention to your TV schedules or the lineup from Colbert Nation, you were aware that Michael Stipe was also scheduled to be a guest. I was so excited. Finally, he would get to come off that shelf at The Colbert Report. WHAT??!!??!! He had to sit there, even while the three of them sang. Well, I guess if Michael Stipe is happy doing that, then who am I to question that decision?

So, anyway, Christmas Music. Michael Stipe, Mandy Patinkin and Stephen Colbert sang Good King Wenceslas with Joan playing the piano. It was wonderful as is to be expected. Three very different men with three very different vocal stylings and voices. If you want, you can go get that over at iTunes for a very affordable price. Just go to Colbert Nation for the link.

If you are not familiar with the song, here is how it starts and then how it ends. There's a whole bunch of stuff in the middle. You can find the lyrics on the Internets if you want or just buy the song at iTunes or else watch it online at Colbert Nation.

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen,

.......... stuff in the middle .......

Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.

So, it's truly a great Christmas song and has a message we can all embrace.

Fraud

Don't get alarmed. I am not calling Stephen Colbert a Fraud.

It was Stephen who was throwing the word Fraud all over the place tonight. It's about voting and voter registration and innocence lost and civics.

Dawn Quarles is a teacher. She teaches in Florida. She teaches politics. All that is good. What is not so good is that she could be fined for $1000 for turning kids into responsible, upstanding, patriotic citizens. What?

She registered her students to vote. Just like she's been doing since 2008. This doesn't seem to be a good idea. All these people in Washington D.C. with a flag pin on their lapel and yet when someone tries to get kids to be upstanding, patriotic citizens, we put up barriers. It's almost as if we don't really want young people to vote.What's wrong with us? Who turned Rock the Vote into Block the Vote?

Okay, time for a little humor. While watching the show tonight, I wondered if Stephen is descended from Babylonia. An ancient tablet (3,500 years old!) from Babylon was recently translated by experts. You know what? Jokes. It has a bunch of jokes on it. I wouldn't call them funny, but Stephen did enjoy them, so perhaps that kind of humor is in his genes.

Claire Danes was the guest tonight. She and Stephen talked about the Showtime hit Homeland. They both enjoyed themselves, but it would have been a much better interview if Stephen would have given her a gift of a green pen.