Let me preface this super quickly: I'm glad that a lot of you enjoyed my Colbert Report post from yesterday, but I'm afraid that was just a once in a while thing because I don't have the time to do both Daily Show and Colbert Report every single night. However, when Colbert does a crazy episode (first day back, Guitarmageddon, Papa Bear's visit, etc), TV Squad will get on it. On regular nights, I might add a little Report-related note in my section for the Jon/Stephen throw and I'm totally cool with TCR discussion in the comments. So, sorry if we got your hopes up. We still love you (and Colbert).Ahem, let's get started, shall we? First of all, the team really did follow through with
"Indecision 2008": I'm glad Jon pointed out Wilford Brimley's appearance in support of John McCain. I thought I was going crazy at first, seeing a walrus-y apparition on my television screen. Of course, no one can know for sure if that's Brimley until we make him say "diabeetus". I also propose that we send Huckabee's Chuck Norris and McCain's Brimley into a steel cage and make them fight to the death. Whoever wins will get the Republican nomination. If other candidates want to join in, they're going to have to step up their game and get their own informercial celebs.
Naturally, some time was spent on Hillary's New Hampshire debate "I've already made change!" outburst, which was so much fun to watch. The media has been following Hillary very closely, waiting for emotional outbursts and moments of weakness. She can't even let her voice crack without FOX News setting up a poll about it. Jon's a little more fair than that, though, and spent good time teasing others as well. Mitt Romney may have voluminous and shiny hair, but he hasn't been paying much attention to his words against McCain or the words that he approved. And surprise, surprise, Rudy Giuliani denies using 9/11 as often as people say he does, and then proceeds to name-drop it like it's hot.
Correspondent John Oliver made a brief appearance, reporting on the picketing writers just outside of the studio. I've forgotten how much I miss Oliver, for I have trained my heart to save myself by repressing the feeling. The love came back as soon as I heard "ceramic pineapple". An argument between a pre-taped Oliver and the greenscreen Oliver ensued after he revealed that he's only back on the job because he's on a work visa and if he protests, he could get deported.
The night's guest was David Frum, author of Comeback: Conservatism That Can Win Again. Obviously, one can gather from the title that Frum wants the conservative side to make a comeback, but Jon could not help himself from dropping a few jokes against him and then immediately apologizing, which was a bit awkward. It's okay, Jon, save most of the caustic jokes for the top of the show.
Jon/Stephen: The funny thing is that I like to pretend that the two of them really do have a friendship locket that they wear under under their collars all the time. You know it's true. Moment of Zen: FOX News doesn't think Hillary Clinton's tears are genuine. Well, at least 40% of the tears aren't.
TCR: Stephen actually had an audience that shut up quickly! Good for them for not following the previous night's bad example. Also, what was up with Stephen reading old material? I mean, it was a funny idea, but it seemed tremendously out of place. I hope "finding" old scripts isn't going to be a recurring thing.












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-09-2008 @ 12:21PM
Laura said...
Due to my whole "getting up early for college" thing, I never get to watch these the night they air. But I'll be watching these today online, like always!
Also, darn on not getting any Report recaps, but I'll take the "special" episode recaps over nothing. Thanks for your Daily Show recaps as always, Annie! :)
Reply
1-09-2008 @ 12:38PM
Malren said...
For the record, there were no actual tears, and Fox isn't the only news organization that thinks the voice cracking was utterly fake.
Not that anyone who worships Stewart this much would care about a silly thing like facts.
Reply
1-09-2008 @ 2:48PM
Annie said...
I may have Jon Stewart's face tattooed across my forehead, but I must remind you that I'm not reporting on the news. I'm reporting on TDS, and that FOX News clip is what what TDS decided to show.
1-09-2008 @ 1:19PM
Mike said...
Colbert without writers is MUCH funnier than Stewart without. Hands down!
Reply
1-09-2008 @ 2:37PM
Malren said...
Totally agree. I think they are both taking some risks here with what constitutes a script (they both have prepared material but no official scripts, etc.) but Colbert thinks so fast on his feet, he shows Jon up for the second-rate comic that he is.
And I *like* Jon as a comedian! Colbert is just in a whole other league. I never thought he'd make this show work with the same gag night in and night out and I am happy to say I was wrong.
1-09-2008 @ 3:02PM
ac said...
The ad for the news said Clinton won NH (damn!) right before I switched to A Daily Show so knowing she won made the crying seem funnier. Also Rudy mentioning 9/11 as he discussed Hilary's breakdown was the final straw. Stewart's right, shut the F@$k up about it already! It's not helping you win.
Reply
1-09-2008 @ 3:47PM
Matt said...
If you miss John Oliver, he does a fantastic weekly podcast called "The Bugle: Audio Newspaper For A Visual World". It's hysterical.
Reply