Hello, Hubsters,
I am going to write only a brief introduction to this week’s programs. All I wish to do is convey my sorrow over the events in Aurora this past Friday, my sympathy to the victims’ families and friends, and my solidarity with the people of Colorado. My sister used to live in Aurora many years ago, and though she’s moved from that neighborhood, she still lives in the state. Needless to say, though I know she is highly unlikely ever to go to a midnight screening, I called her first thing in the morning to check up on her and her husband, my niece and her husband, and anyone else we know. I visit frequently and am simply in shock, unbelieving that once again, after Columbine, Colorado is suffering another senseless tragedy. When are we going to get rid of the guns? Why are we as a nation so violent? It’s beyond my comprehension.
Stephen and Jon will, I am sure, figure out a good way to acknowledge this terrible moment. They’ve had to cope with terrible events before, and have never failed. Jon, of course, gets to be heartfelt and sincere; Stephen has to somehow work with his character. It’s a great challenge for anyone who does comedy. But I’m sure he’ll be up to it.
Now—to the guest list.
Monday, 7/23: Mike Tyson
Watch out Stephen! Don’t let Mike Tyson give you an earful. Okay—that bad pun might not be exactly fair, given how long it’s been since the defining day when Tyson took a bit out of his opponent.
These days, the former champion heavyweight—the youngest fighter ever to hold that honor–is venturing onto less violent territory, shifting from the boxing ring to the stage as the star of a play based on his own life. Earlier this year, Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth premiered at the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand Hotel in Vegas, and now it’s coming to Broadway for a brief run. This one-man show, directed by the great Spike Lee making his own Broadway debut, focuses on the pugilist’s downfall—which among other things, included a rape conviction for which he served a jail term. Note that Lee did not direct the Vegas production, and I wonder if he’ll tinker with the visual montage that runs on a screen behind Tyson. Lee’s films are brilliantly edited, and I doubt the original could equal what Spike is capable of doing with the filmed excerpts.) Even though this show is a footlights first for Tyson, he has acted on film previously, in the Hangover franchise.
The Brooklyn-born Tyson, who ruled the ring by winning the WBC, WBA and IBF championships, lived a rough young life: he grew up in the projects of both Bedford-Stuyvesant and Brownsville, raised by a single mother who died when he was just 16. Sent to reform school after committing numerous, mostly petty crimes, he found his ticket out when a detention officer discovered his talent for fighting. Tyson won gold in the junior Olympics and embarked on a stellar professional career when only 18 years old, and earned fame for his ability to deliver the knockout punch that would swiftly end a match. It was in 1997 that he bit Evander Holyfield’s ear, an act that cost him his license. It’s something he’d never do anymore: Tyson’s become a vegan.
At the risk of another bad pun: in this showdown, who will deliver the (verbal, I hope) knockout punch: Stephen Colbert or Mike Tyson? And… would it be too much to hope for a boxing lesson? All the great silent film comedians had boxing scenes—Chaplin and Keaton most notably. I’d like Mr. Colbert to have his moment in the comic ring. And Mr. Tyson, this would be about HUMOR; hold off with that right hook!
Read a review of the Las Vegas production.
Follow Tyson on Twitter.
Click here to buy Broadway tickets—he’s only doing 12 performances. If you also click on the “About the Show” link, this is part of what it says: “MIKE TYSON: UNDISPUTED TRUTH is a rare, personal look inside the life and mind of the one of the most feared men ever to wear the heavyweight crown.” Also, apparently (see next Times article) a “meet and greet” package is available.
Read a New York Times article on the show.
Here’s a fan website dedicated to his career.
He appeared on the Today show in June to discuss his play. It went a little…awkwardly.
According to Mike, his appearances in The Hangover films have helped him maintain his sobriety.
Subscribe to his Facebook feed.
Tuesday, 7/24: James Fallows
We all know Stephen always like to talk about China and the threat it poses to the US. Now, he can worry about danger from the sky. James Fallows’s glowingly reviewed new book, China Airborne, examines the country’s aviation industry, which seems to be on the rise—although not quite risen yet. It’s apparently one where there are plenty of airports but few commercial planes and the military has tight control of flight. Obviously, China would like that situation to change, so they can produce planes to rival the biggest world manufacturers (like Boeing). Will they do it?
James Fallows has been a correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly since the 1970s, does stories for NPR’s All Things Considered, and was a speechwriter for President Carter. He also contributes articles to Slate, the New York Times Book Review, and US News & World Report. In 1983, he won the National Book Award for his work, National Defense. In addition to his writing, he’s a visiting professor in U.S. Media at the United States Studies Centre at University of Sydney. And for good measure—because those aren’t enough accomplishments, I guess—he’s also won an Emmy® for hosting a documentary called Doing Business in China.
Fallows appeared on TCR in 2007. A vocal opponent of the Iraq War, he discussed his book Blind into Baghdad.
Follow him on Twitter.
Visit his page at the Atlantic. There’s also a special page there dedicated to China Airborne.
Kirkus Reviews reviewed the book.
Read an article he wrote on China’s low wages for the New York Times.
The Economist also reviewed the book.
Visit his NPR page.
Wednesday, 7/25: Vikram Gandhi
Have you ever wondered what makes people fall for leaders like David Koresh (of Waco fame), Jim Jones (who led the Jonestown massacre), or really just anyone who sets him or herself up as godlike? After seeing a number of American and Indian yogis who competed fiercely for followers, each trying to seem more devout than the other, director Vikram Gandhi grew fed up. And he wondered: if he imitated their shtick, would people fall for it? So he posed as a swami named Sri Kumare to find out the answer. His film, Kumare, the Story of a False Prophet, tells the story of what happened. I gather, from the reviews I’ve read, including Stephen Holden’s in the New York Times, that Gandhi’s intentions weren’t primarily comic–though, as Holden rightly points out, it does sound rather Borat-like. Kumare ended up winning the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the SouthBySouthWest Film Festival last year, and this summer it’s finally released to theaters. As a film person who’s always interested in new documentaries, this sounds intriguing. And the Colbertian side of me is looking forward to this interview because of Stephen’s fascination with and knowledge of religion.
Vikram Gandhi, a first-generation Indian-American, has directed three films and worked as a cinematographer, editor, and writer on documentaries, music videos, and commercials. He’s a graduate of Columbia University.
Watch the official trailer.
Visit Gandhi’s IMDB page.
Gandhi wrote an article on his experience for the Huffington Post.
Gawker had a discussion with him.
Like the movie’s Facebook page or follow it on Twitter.
Watch this video of Gandhi discussing his direction of Kumare.
He spoke at Tedx Grand Rapids.
Indiewire interviewed him.
Thursday, 7/26: Ambassador Peter Westmacott
Remember Stephen’s tea-drinking lessons? Maybe he can put them to good use today, because Peter Westmacott is England’s Ambassador to the United States—a job he began just this year, although he had been posted to the US in a different position earlier. The Oxford-educated ambassador joined the Foreign Service in 1972, where he was trained in Persian and ultimately sent to Tehran. Since then, he’s worked for the European Commission in Brussels; served in Paris and Ankara; and worked as a private secretary to Prince Charles. All quite prestigious… and now he’s with US. And oh—he’s a Sir as well as an ambassador, because he received his knighthood in 2003.
I’m sure, for this visit, the Ambassador will put aside politics in favor of the Olympics, which will soon take place in London. There certainly is plenty to address, as the country has had a massive shortfall in security, and must “borrow” from other countries. Will they be ready? It also can’t be a coincidence that today is the day that Stephen is scheduled to show off his new dressage skills. What could be more appropriate than Stephen performing an Olympic sport beloved by the British for the host country’s ambassador? This could be classic.
Visit the Ambassador’s website.
Visit London’s Olympics site.
Sir Peter blogged for the Huffington Post.
Follow the British Embassy in Washington on Twitter.
The Washington Post profiled Sir Peter.
He spoke at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Westmacott greeted Prince Harry for his first visit to DC—as well as Jill Biden and many wounded soldiers.
And now, let’s check in with our good friend, Jon Stewart!
Information on guests to come… but here’s the list! Most should be very familiar, as almost all are return visitors.
Monday, 7/23: Fareed Zakaria
Tuesday, 7/24: Matthew McConaughey
Wednesday, 7/25: Joseph Stiglitz
Thursday, 7/26: Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell
Let me know which guest you’re most looking forward to!
Have a good week everyone. Cheers.
Better Know a Guest: July 23 – 26, 2012
Hello, Hubsters,
I am going to write only a brief introduction to this week’s programs. All I wish to do is convey my sorrow over the events in Aurora this past Friday, my sympathy to the victims’ families and friends, and my solidarity with the people of Colorado. My sister used to live in Aurora many years ago, and though she’s moved from that neighborhood, she still lives in the state. Needless to say, though I know she is highly unlikely ever to go to a midnight screening, I called her first thing in the morning to check up on her and her husband, my niece and her husband, and anyone else we know. I visit frequently and am simply in shock, unbelieving that once again, after Columbine, Colorado is suffering another senseless tragedy. When are we going to get rid of the guns? Why are we as a nation so violent? It’s beyond my comprehension.
Stephen and Jon will, I am sure, figure out a good way to acknowledge this terrible moment. They’ve had to cope with terrible events before, and have never failed. Jon, of course, gets to be heartfelt and sincere; Stephen has to somehow work with his character. It’s a great challenge for anyone who does comedy. But I’m sure he’ll be up to it.
Now—to the guest list.
Monday, 7/23: Mike Tyson
Watch out Stephen! Don’t let Mike Tyson give you an earful. Okay—that bad pun might not be exactly fair, given how long it’s been since the defining day when Tyson took a bit out of his opponent.
These days, the former champion heavyweight—the youngest fighter ever to hold that honor–is venturing onto less violent territory, shifting from the boxing ring to the stage as the star of a play based on his own life. Earlier this year, Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth premiered at the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand Hotel in Vegas, and now it’s coming to Broadway for a brief run. This one-man show, directed by the great Spike Lee making his own Broadway debut, focuses on the pugilist’s downfall—which among other things, included a rape conviction for which he served a jail term. Note that Lee did not direct the Vegas production, and I wonder if he’ll tinker with the visual montage that runs on a screen behind Tyson. Lee’s films are brilliantly edited, and I doubt the original could equal what Spike is capable of doing with the filmed excerpts.) Even though this show is a footlights first for Tyson, he has acted on film previously, in the Hangover franchise.
The Brooklyn-born Tyson, who ruled the ring by winning the WBC, WBA and IBF championships, lived a rough young life: he grew up in the projects of both Bedford-Stuyvesant and Brownsville, raised by a single mother who died when he was just 16. Sent to reform school after committing numerous, mostly petty crimes, he found his ticket out when a detention officer discovered his talent for fighting. Tyson won gold in the junior Olympics and embarked on a stellar professional career when only 18 years old, and earned fame for his ability to deliver the knockout punch that would swiftly end a match. It was in 1997 that he bit Evander Holyfield’s ear, an act that cost him his license. It’s something he’d never do anymore: Tyson’s become a vegan.
At the risk of another bad pun: in this showdown, who will deliver the (verbal, I hope) knockout punch: Stephen Colbert or Mike Tyson? And… would it be too much to hope for a boxing lesson? All the great silent film comedians had boxing scenes—Chaplin and Keaton most notably. I’d like Mr. Colbert to have his moment in the comic ring. And Mr. Tyson, this would be about HUMOR; hold off with that right hook!
Read a review of the Las Vegas production.
Follow Tyson on Twitter.
Click here to buy Broadway tickets—he’s only doing 12 performances. If you also click on the “About the Show” link, this is part of what it says: “MIKE TYSON: UNDISPUTED TRUTH is a rare, personal look inside the life and mind of the one of the most feared men ever to wear the heavyweight crown.” Also, apparently (see next Times article) a “meet and greet” package is available.
Read a New York Times article on the show.
Here’s a fan website dedicated to his career.
He appeared on the Today show in June to discuss his play. It went a little…awkwardly.
According to Mike, his appearances in The Hangover films have helped him maintain his sobriety.
Subscribe to his Facebook feed.
Tuesday, 7/24: James Fallows
We all know Stephen always like to talk about China and the threat it poses to the US. Now, he can worry about danger from the sky. James Fallows’s glowingly reviewed new book, China Airborne, examines the country’s aviation industry, which seems to be on the rise—although not quite risen yet. It’s apparently one where there are plenty of airports but few commercial planes and the military has tight control of flight. Obviously, China would like that situation to change, so they can produce planes to rival the biggest world manufacturers (like Boeing). Will they do it?
James Fallows has been a correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly since the 1970s, does stories for NPR’s All Things Considered, and was a speechwriter for President Carter. He also contributes articles to Slate, the New York Times Book Review, and US News & World Report. In 1983, he won the National Book Award for his work, National Defense. In addition to his writing, he’s a visiting professor in U.S. Media at the United States Studies Centre at University of Sydney. And for good measure—because those aren’t enough accomplishments, I guess—he’s also won an Emmy® for hosting a documentary called Doing Business in China.
Fallows appeared on TCR in 2007. A vocal opponent of the Iraq War, he discussed his book Blind into Baghdad.
Follow him on Twitter.
Visit his page at the Atlantic. There’s also a special page there dedicated to China Airborne.
Kirkus Reviews reviewed the book.
Read an article he wrote on China’s low wages for the New York Times.
The Economist also reviewed the book.
Visit his NPR page.
Wednesday, 7/25: Vikram Gandhi
Have you ever wondered what makes people fall for leaders like David Koresh (of Waco fame), Jim Jones (who led the Jonestown massacre), or really just anyone who sets him or herself up as godlike? After seeing a number of American and Indian yogis who competed fiercely for followers, each trying to seem more devout than the other, director Vikram Gandhi grew fed up. And he wondered: if he imitated their shtick, would people fall for it? So he posed as a swami named Sri Kumare to find out the answer. His film, Kumare, the Story of a False Prophet, tells the story of what happened. I gather, from the reviews I’ve read, including Stephen Holden’s in the New York Times, that Gandhi’s intentions weren’t primarily comic–though, as Holden rightly points out, it does sound rather Borat-like. Kumare ended up winning the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the SouthBySouthWest Film Festival last year, and this summer it’s finally released to theaters. As a film person who’s always interested in new documentaries, this sounds intriguing. And the Colbertian side of me is looking forward to this interview because of Stephen’s fascination with and knowledge of religion.
Vikram Gandhi, a first-generation Indian-American, has directed three films and worked as a cinematographer, editor, and writer on documentaries, music videos, and commercials. He’s a graduate of Columbia University.
Watch the official trailer.
Visit Gandhi’s IMDB page.
Gandhi wrote an article on his experience for the Huffington Post.
Gawker had a discussion with him.
Like the movie’s Facebook page or follow it on Twitter.
Watch this video of Gandhi discussing his direction of Kumare.
He spoke at Tedx Grand Rapids.
Indiewire interviewed him.
Thursday, 7/26: Ambassador Peter Westmacott
Remember Stephen’s tea-drinking lessons? Maybe he can put them to good use today, because Peter Westmacott is England’s Ambassador to the United States—a job he began just this year, although he had been posted to the US in a different position earlier. The Oxford-educated ambassador joined the Foreign Service in 1972, where he was trained in Persian and ultimately sent to Tehran. Since then, he’s worked for the European Commission in Brussels; served in Paris and Ankara; and worked as a private secretary to Prince Charles. All quite prestigious… and now he’s with US. And oh—he’s a Sir as well as an ambassador, because he received his knighthood in 2003.
I’m sure, for this visit, the Ambassador will put aside politics in favor of the Olympics, which will soon take place in London. There certainly is plenty to address, as the country has had a massive shortfall in security, and must “borrow” from other countries. Will they be ready? It also can’t be a coincidence that today is the day that Stephen is scheduled to show off his new dressage skills. What could be more appropriate than Stephen performing an Olympic sport beloved by the British for the host country’s ambassador? This could be classic.
Visit the Ambassador’s website.
Visit London’s Olympics site.
Sir Peter blogged for the Huffington Post.
Follow the British Embassy in Washington on Twitter.
The Washington Post profiled Sir Peter.
He spoke at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Westmacott greeted Prince Harry for his first visit to DC—as well as Jill Biden and many wounded soldiers.
And now, let’s check in with our good friend, Jon Stewart!
Information on guests to come… but here’s the list! Most should be very familiar, as almost all are return visitors.
Monday, 7/23: Fareed Zakaria
Tuesday, 7/24: Matthew McConaughey
Wednesday, 7/25: Joseph Stiglitz
Thursday, 7/26: Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell
Let me know which guest you’re most looking forward to!
Have a good week everyone. Cheers.