More Fun Than a Kamikaze Attack

Stephen started out with a refreshing Pepsi, of course, and then handed the show off to Stephen up on the bridge. Summer is ending soon and as the season leaves, so do the summer interns. We got to see them on stage for a send-off from Stephen, all 4 guys and all 9 gals. He also welcomed a new batch of interns who are extremely athletic and also helpful.

I'm happy to report that tonight Stephen finally took us on a tour of the USS Intrepid. First as a guide was Jessica Williamson, ship historian and curator. Stephen was under the mistaken impression that the USS Intrepid would actually submerge and he wondered what happened to all the airplanes on deck when that happened. Jessica corrected him, explaining to him that an aircraft carrier never submerges. That would be submarines. Stephen suggested that they agree to disagree. So, the belief that an aircraft carrier goes under water has the same validity as the belief that an aircraft carrier just carries aircraft. Okay, got it.

We found out many fascinating facts from Jessica Williamson, including that the StePhest Colbchella 012 Rocktaugustfest is more fun than a kamikaze attack. We saw two models of the ship, including one made out of a quarter million Lego bricks. We then were joined by USS Intrepid veteran Merino Deleo (and I hope I spelled his name correctly). Stephen was excited to be shown around more of the ship by a veteran and even passed all the tests with flying colors. We were treated with a musical number about New York. Seems somewhat familiar, but can't quite place it.

By now we should not be surprised that Stephen would interview the guest somewhere that is a little bit off the beaten track. He interviewed Santigold in a helicopter, a small 2-person helicopter. We saw that Santigold indeed can be very wide-eyed. The two of them compared their own differing musical styles. Quite interesting. Although Stephen didn't specify exactly how he finds inspiration to sing, I think we can agree that Santigold is more mainstream than Stephen is. She agreed to sing and Stephen agreed to leave the helicopter, the very small helicopter. Santigold sang The Keepers from her album Master of My Make-Believe.

A word of wisdom from Stephen: "If it's too loud, you're too old."

Confusing and Disorienting, But Smooth

It's day two of the StePhest Colbchella 012 Rocktaugustfest and tonight's guest was Grizzly Bear. Stephen started out on stage waving a large American Flag and only gave it up in order to enjoy a cold, refreshing Pepsi. Thank- you Corporate Sponsor! "I cannot believe how much money we got from them," Stephen told us. Obviously, it must be a lot. I don't think battleships come cheap.

Friend of the show, Stephen Colbert was again up on the bridge of the USS Intrepid and Stephen waved to Stephen who waved back. Up on the bridge, in the exact replica of the studio, Stephen got right into politics. No doubt you've heard that Mitt Romney has chosen Paul Ryan as his running mate. Stephen wondered why and offered some ideas. Big question on his mind was if they are ready for the international stage. GOP pinata Tim Pawlenty suggested that they are ready. Mitt Romney has traveled to other countries a lot. If that doesn't count as foreign relations, I don't know what does.

More stuff, but I just have to get right to the interview and music. Stephen ran through the ship, slowly, and had to fight off a group of camera hogs blocking the stairwell. Luckily there was a fire extinguisher handy and that really got them moving. Stephen did make his way to a Life Boat where the four members of Grizzly Bear were sitting calmly, quietly, waiting for Stephen. Only after Stephen hopped on board did the life boat begin to rock dangerously during the whole interview. He apologized, as if that would help.

Anyway, Grizzly Bear, what kind of music do they play? According to the tastiest member, Ed Droste, their music is like the life boat, confusing and disorienting, but smooth. Yes it is and has a jazzy quality. The guys got a very harmonious Colbert Bump for the Grizzly Bear and we were treated to a song. And good news -- more songs are over at Colbert Nation. Enjoy!

Note: I apologize for having the wrong link to Grizzly Bear at the beginning of the post. That goes to the actual bear type of Grizzly Bear, so not who Stephen would have on his show. Again, apologies and I hope no one was offended or scared.

Four More Pegs Before We Sink

Well, now I just feel foolish. I had assumed the USS Intrepid would be on The Colbert Report. Apparently, The Colbert Report was on the USS Intrepid. I really misunderstood that whole situation. I will have to pay closer attention to what Stephen says from now on.

So, Stephen dressed up in his finest Admiral uniform for the Stephest Colbchella '012 Rocktaugustfest aboard the USS Intrepid on the Hudson River in New York and enjoyed a refreshing sip from his excited bottle of Pepsi. His second in command was there, Grandmaster Flash and what looked like a deck full of eager young fans. Wouldn't you just know it. As soon as the fun started, Jon Stewart interrupted so that he and Stephen could continue with their game of Battleship. Jon scored a hit on Stephen which is a little bit disconcerting if you are on the actual battleship at the time.

Surprising to me and maybe everyone else was the fact that Stephen at the helm waved up at Stephen on the bridge. How can he be in two places at once? And yet, there he was, up on the bridge, which was made up to be an exact replica of The Colbert Report studio.

Mitt Romney made an important announcement on Saturday morning. It looked like he was on the USS Intrepid, but, probably just another boat. Anyway, he announced that Paul Ryan would be the next president of the United States. This was a great relief to Stephen. He could relax knowing all the hoopla about Mitt Romney for President was just that, hoopla. Drat. It was a mistake by Romney. He meant to announce that Paul Ryan would be the next Vice President of the United States. Oh, well. At least it was a bold choice of another white, Christian, male candidate.

The guest tonight was Fun. I know what you are thinking, every guest is fun. But tonight, it was Fun. not fun! Either you know or you don't. Stephen ran all through the ship to get to them. Eventually he caught up to the three guys on a bunk bed. Tired by all his running, Stephen reclined in the bottom bunk and conducted the interview from there.

Sometimes interview questions are boring, but not so with Fun. Stephen asked great questions. And then he asked more questions. After a quick commercial break, more fun with Fun. They performed "Some Nights" for the whole shipload of fans.

For bonus songs go to Colbert Nation. Some lucky fans were in the right place at the right time and got to see just what a T Mobile "good-night" looks like.

StePhest Colbchella '012 Rocktaugustfest -1

Tonight is the night. I am so excited. Tonight Stephen will have as a guest the USS Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum. And there will be music, lots of music. I wish I had more details, but soon the lucky audience members at The Colbert Report Studio will be in for a musical feast, or musical Phest. I can't wait.