Hubster Karenatasha has sent us this wonderful “Taping ReporT” of her trip to the February 4th, 2014 taping of “The Colbert Report”.
Hello, Hubsters!
Those who knew I attended a taping waaaay back in February must have despaired of ever seeing a reporT. But fear not! I may come through slowly, but I do come through in the end. And fortunately, we have had such fantastic taping reports from other Hubsters to tide us over that I feel a little less guilty. A LITTLE. That said . . . let’s GO!
When I heard that the women (or some of them, at least) from Pussy Riot were going to appear on TCR, I knew that I had to go. I had just seen the incredible documentary chronicling their antics, and felt inspired and touched by their bravery, their humor, their intelligence, and their anarchic, guerrilla approach to protest. They’re the living spirit of political punk, and as far as I’m concerned, Putin deserves all the mockery anyone can aim at him – and more.
So on a cold February 4th, I set out and went to stand in line. I arrived a little later than usual due to the
weather, but still was very far up. And the crowd was lovely. Is there something about Stephen that simply brings out the kindness in people? (Why do I even bother to ask? Of course!) Someone actually bought a box of Dunkin’ Donuts Holes and passed them down the entire line! Spirits were so high and everyone was chatty and friendly.
By now, I’m sure everyone’s aware of the changes in the room, the new clip reel, and the spiel delivered by Stephen’s staff and the warm-up comic. So I’m going to skip that. (Although I will say that when Paul Mercurio learned the person sitting next to me was alone, he asked her whether she didn’t have any friends. She was pretty snappy, and quickly answered “no.” He actually seemed a little caught off guard! In fact, she was with the group sitting in front of us.)
Finally, Stephen bounded on, ready as usual to take on questions before he transformed into character. The first one was asked by a woman just in front of me, and she pointed out that it was National Cancer Day, and wondered if Stephen could do an interpretive dance in honor of the occasion? I think he seemed a bit nonplussed at the unlikely connection of cancer and interpretive dance, but he quickly did a couple of his famous moves—jumping up with his back leg bent and his arms flung in the air as he arched backwards. It was, of course, shorter than I would have liked –but then, probably anything less than a full-out ballet would have disappointed me!
A second audience member asked if he was a cat person or a dog person, and he said he had a dog, but that he liked both. Next up: What else would he want to be besides a comedian? Stephen first responded by joking that of course there had to be something else. (Doesn’t every would-be comedian need a fallback?) He then spoke about his childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist and the ear operation that put an end to those hopes. He then also did his famous ear trick. It never gets old.
Then we got a surprise: because he would have to miss a taping due to the White House dinner for French President François Hollande, he was going to record extra segments and an additional interview in advance. He discussed the dinner and the speculation over which woman would attend with Monsieur le President: his mistress or his . . . second mistress. As we now know, Hollande came alone and Stephen claimed the seat of honor!
The taping began – and almost immediately, Stephen made a mistake by turning to the wrong camera and needing a redo! And that turned out to be the first of several uncharacteristic flubs. On previous occasions, he pretty much flew through everything with nary an error; sometimes the single retake wasn’t even his fault, but a technical problem. But some of the Chris Christie sequence also needed a second go. As Stephen wryly noted to the audience, that there’s nothing fresher than comedy the second time when you know what’s coming.
In addition to the material for this episode, we also got to watch Stephen tape a segment on Obama’s approval of the Keystone Pipeline (and Bill O’Reilly), which ended up airing two days later. That meant we had to cheer him on as if it were the beginning of the show again! No problem. What could be easier than chanting “Stephen! Stephen! Stephen!” I could do it over and over. So could everyone else, apparently.
Before Pussy Riot came on, Stephen and the writers (including Mr. Paul Dinello) conferred for what seemed like ages. I’ve never seen so long a break during a taping—or at least I can’t remember one. Just before the discussion wrapped up, Nadia Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina came out from backstage with the translator and settled themselves at the desk; the applause upon their arrival was explosive. At one point, Stephen started waving to them, but their backs were to him and they didn’t see. He kept waving a little more wildly until finally they realized what he was doing (perhaps the translator noticed?) and they turned around to return the greeting. I cannot express how much I loved the interview: Nadia and Masha were so sharp, and thank heavens the translator so good, that the conversation flowed seamlessly and there really was a great give-and-take. Usually, you shouldn’t try to be funny with Stephen, but the women’s anarchic humor worked perfectly. Let’s just say that when you deal with Putin regularly, Stephen’s “well-meaning idiot” of a character probably can’t intimidate you! (That said, they did have to worry about the rest of Pussy Riot, who kicked them out of the group very shortly after. I guess Stephen’s admittance has been rescinded, especially as the remaining Rioters in Russia have made it clear that men cannot belong.)
The end of the Pussy Riot interview turned out not to be the end of our show, however, because Stephen did a SECOND interview, with Charlie Crist, the former governor of Florida who left the Republican Party to become a Democrat. Now, that ALSO needed a retake, due to a problem with Crist’s microphone. The interview was good—but certainly not as much fun as Pussy Riot.
All in all, it was a wonderfully full taping, and it finished with two more questions, of which I can only
remember one. Someone asked whether any guest had truly been antagonized by his character. Stephen responded by saying that Bob Kerrey had gotten really angry. He noted that in spite of the fact that Kerrey had been informed in advance that the character was an idiot, he just forgot during the taping.
After the question that I cannot recall (something naughty that played on the name Pussy Riot, I believe, to which he responded, “I like both” – so we can kind of figure it out), he strode off with a “good night.” Which it certainly was. I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact that there won’t be many more of these. I’m sure he’ll have guests in the new show, though, although he won’t be able to come out and request questions “before he becomes that character.” I walked out into the winter’s night, very happy.
But before I go, here’s an interview with Pussy Riot that StephenSmiles sent over to me. They discuss their experience on the show positively. Enjoy! [Link]
February 4th, 2014: The Taping ReporT!
Hubster Karenatasha has sent us this wonderful “Taping ReporT” of her trip to the February 4th, 2014 taping of “The Colbert Report”.
Hello, Hubsters!
Those who knew I attended a taping waaaay back in February must have despaired of ever seeing a reporT. But fear not! I may come through slowly, but I do come through in the end. And fortunately, we have had such fantastic taping reports from other Hubsters to tide us over that I feel a little less guilty. A LITTLE. That said . . . let’s GO!
When I heard that the women (or some of them, at least) from Pussy Riot were going to appear on TCR, I knew that I had to go. I had just seen the incredible documentary chronicling their antics, and felt inspired and touched by their bravery, their humor, their intelligence, and their anarchic, guerrilla approach to protest. They’re the living spirit of political punk, and as far as I’m concerned, Putin deserves all the mockery anyone can aim at him – and more.
So on a cold February 4th, I set out and went to stand in line. I arrived a little later than usual due to the
weather, but still was very far up. And the crowd was lovely. Is there something about Stephen that simply brings out the kindness in people? (Why do I even bother to ask? Of course!) Someone actually bought a box of Dunkin’ Donuts Holes and passed them down the entire line! Spirits were so high and everyone was chatty and friendly.
By now, I’m sure everyone’s aware of the changes in the room, the new clip reel, and the spiel delivered by Stephen’s staff and the warm-up comic. So I’m going to skip that. (Although I will say that when Paul Mercurio learned the person sitting next to me was alone, he asked her whether she didn’t have any friends. She was pretty snappy, and quickly answered “no.” He actually seemed a little caught off guard! In fact, she was with the group sitting in front of us.)
Finally, Stephen bounded on, ready as usual to take on questions before he transformed into character. The first one was asked by a woman just in front of me, and she pointed out that it was National Cancer Day, and wondered if Stephen could do an interpretive dance in honor of the occasion? I think he seemed a bit nonplussed at the unlikely connection of cancer and interpretive dance, but he quickly did a couple of his famous moves—jumping up with his back leg bent and his arms flung in the air as he arched backwards. It was, of course, shorter than I would have liked –but then, probably anything less than a full-out ballet would have disappointed me!
A second audience member asked if he was a cat person or a dog person, and he said he had a dog, but that he liked both. Next up: What else would he want to be besides a comedian? Stephen first responded by joking that of course there had to be something else. (Doesn’t every would-be comedian need a fallback?) He then spoke about his childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist and the ear operation that put an end to those hopes. He then also did his famous ear trick. It never gets old.
Then we got a surprise: because he would have to miss a taping due to the White House dinner for French President François Hollande, he was going to record extra segments and an additional interview in advance. He discussed the dinner and the speculation over which woman would attend with Monsieur le President: his mistress or his . . . second mistress. As we now know, Hollande came alone and Stephen claimed the seat of honor!
The taping began – and almost immediately, Stephen made a mistake by turning to the wrong camera and needing a redo! And that turned out to be the first of several uncharacteristic flubs. On previous occasions, he pretty much flew through everything with nary an error; sometimes the single retake wasn’t even his fault, but a technical problem. But some of the Chris Christie sequence also needed a second go. As Stephen wryly noted to the audience, that there’s nothing fresher than comedy the second time when you know what’s coming.
In addition to the material for this episode, we also got to watch Stephen tape a segment on Obama’s approval of the Keystone Pipeline (and Bill O’Reilly), which ended up airing two days later. That meant we had to cheer him on as if it were the beginning of the show again! No problem. What could be easier than chanting “Stephen! Stephen! Stephen!” I could do it over and over. So could everyone else, apparently.
Before Pussy Riot came on, Stephen and the writers (including Mr. Paul Dinello) conferred for what seemed like ages. I’ve never seen so long a break during a taping—or at least I can’t remember one. Just before the discussion wrapped up, Nadia Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina came out from backstage with the translator and settled themselves at the desk; the applause upon their arrival was explosive. At one point, Stephen started waving to them, but their backs were to him and they didn’t see. He kept waving a little more wildly until finally they realized what he was doing (perhaps the translator noticed?) and they turned around to return the greeting. I cannot express how much I loved the interview: Nadia and Masha were so sharp, and thank heavens the translator so good, that the conversation flowed seamlessly and there really was a great give-and-take. Usually, you shouldn’t try to be funny with Stephen, but the women’s anarchic humor worked perfectly. Let’s just say that when you deal with Putin regularly, Stephen’s “well-meaning idiot” of a character probably can’t intimidate you! (That said, they did have to worry about the rest of Pussy Riot, who kicked them out of the group very shortly after. I guess Stephen’s admittance has been rescinded, especially as the remaining Rioters in Russia have made it clear that men cannot belong.)
The end of the Pussy Riot interview turned out not to be the end of our show, however, because Stephen did a SECOND interview, with Charlie Crist, the former governor of Florida who left the Republican Party to become a Democrat. Now, that ALSO needed a retake, due to a problem with Crist’s microphone. The interview was good—but certainly not as much fun as Pussy Riot.
All in all, it was a wonderfully full taping, and it finished with two more questions, of which I can only
remember one. Someone asked whether any guest had truly been antagonized by his character. Stephen responded by saying that Bob Kerrey had gotten really angry. He noted that in spite of the fact that Kerrey had been informed in advance that the character was an idiot, he just forgot during the taping.
After the question that I cannot recall (something naughty that played on the name Pussy Riot, I believe, to which he responded, “I like both” – so we can kind of figure it out), he strode off with a “good night.” Which it certainly was. I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact that there won’t be many more of these. I’m sure he’ll have guests in the new show, though, although he won’t be able to come out and request questions “before he becomes that character.” I walked out into the winter’s night, very happy.
But before I go, here’s an interview with Pussy Riot that StephenSmiles sent over to me. They discuss their experience on the show positively. Enjoy! [Link]