I too didn't quite realize how fresh it was, until I noted some of the things SC was dropping into his bit, like the fact that the President's approval rating was at 32%. Once I heard that, I knew that this had to be very recent.
I think the second question's a tough one to answer, as it suggests we were supposed to find it funny. I think there are those who didn't find it altogether funny because they didn't like seeing their president attacked, and those who didn't find it altogether funny because the subjects on which he was speaking were no laughing matter. Personally, I think Colbert was spot on in that regard; where I didn't laugh, it was because he'd set the audience up for a disquieting moment of "reality," and not because I think his "jokes" bombed.
... Also, I find it weird that he's being lambasted for his perceptive comments... yet it's all right for Bush to do a comedy skit about not being able to find WMDs???
I think we're past the point in our march toward fascism where the phrase "appropriate venue" has any meaning. There's no such thing as decorum in a global police state. I'm just happy Colbert found a way to walk right up to the edge of the cliff and shout without jumping, so that he's still around and has a chance to do it again. He made some wonderfully salient points without, I think, marginalizing himself. That's important.
I saw it online, and there was no mike on the audience. I found the lack of any audience response disturbing. Then I read the link to the way Bush and his press pack treated that Irish reporter....Colbert is probably feeling some heat, but at least he's not floored by it.
Well, I've only *just* seen it, and I thought it was quite funny. I didn't get the reference about McCain and South Carolina, but that's just my limited ignorance. ;)
I thought it was funny, and an appropriate venue, but I honestly think there was more. I think he achieved his goal, but I think there is more than needs to be said. To the president. In public. And generally, people who have access to the president don't talk to the president that way. Which is why I was hoping for more. As it is, Colbert won't be invited to the White House as long as Bush is still there. So why not have gone further?
When McCain was running against Bush in the 2000 primaries, the race was quite close coming up to South Carolina's vote. In fact, many people believe that had McCain eked out a victory there, he would have been on the ballot.
Bush's campaign ran a telephone survey in key districts, asking voters if they would vote for McCain if they knew that he had fathered an illegitimate child with a black woman. Of course, this was not true. But the insinuation itself was enough to swing the vote in Bush's favor.
I was skimming blogs the night of the event, and saw some commentary about it (must have just happened), including some great quotes, so when I later found a link to online video, I watched it. I thought I would die laughing - it was a brilliant performance - and I don't find his show generally quite that funny (just sorta funny).
The response from the press is irritating, but not terribly surprising, given a) he criticised the President, oh my stars, fetch me the smelling salts! only the _President_ can mock the President! and b) he slammed the press but good.
I happened upon it from a couple of friends here on LJ, and I agree, it was much funnier than his show normally is.
The response from the press, to me, was akin to a blackballing, an expunging. They obviously were trying to protect the President; they were protecting his feelings. And that was because they shared his indignation.
If you are witnessing the barbs, you might laugh, but you certainly wince. If you are the one who's barbed, you only feel what smarts.
We wouldn't be in this mess without a complicit press.
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-02 02:01 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-02 02:21 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-02 02:23 pm (UTC)Have you discussed it with any of your friends? How did you come across it?
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-02 02:30 pm (UTC)I've had a few friends pass it on, and no one was outraged, if that's what you're asking.
I haven't been to work, so I haven't seen the news. Frankly, I didn't realize it was so fresh when I watched it last night - I presumed it was older.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-02 02:52 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-02 04:59 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-02 03:39 pm (UTC)... Also, I find it weird that he's being lambasted for his perceptive comments... yet it's all right for Bush to do a comedy skit about not being able to find WMDs???
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-02 06:24 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-02 08:49 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-02 10:58 pm (UTC)I thought it was funny, and an appropriate venue, but I honestly think there was more. I think he achieved his goal, but I think there is more than needs to be said. To the president. In public. And generally, people who have access to the president don't talk to the president that way. Which is why I was hoping for more. As it is, Colbert won't be invited to the White House as long as Bush is still there. So why not have gone further?
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-03 01:05 pm (UTC)Bush's campaign ran a telephone survey in key districts, asking voters if they would vote for McCain if they knew that he had fathered an illegitimate child with a black woman. Of course, this was not true. But the insinuation itself was enough to swing the vote in Bush's favor.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-03 07:08 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-03 08:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-04 11:42 pm (UTC)I was skimming blogs the night of the event, and saw some commentary about it (must have just happened), including some great quotes, so when I later found a link to online video, I watched it. I thought I would die laughing - it was a brilliant performance - and I don't find his show generally quite that funny (just sorta funny).
The response from the press is irritating, but not terribly surprising, given a) he criticised the President, oh my stars, fetch me the smelling salts! only the _President_ can mock the President! and b) he slammed the press but good.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-05 12:44 am (UTC)The response from the press, to me, was akin to a blackballing, an expunging. They obviously were trying to protect the President; they were protecting his feelings. And that was because they shared his indignation.
If you are witnessing the barbs, you might laugh, but you certainly wince. If you are the one who's barbed, you only feel what smarts.
We wouldn't be in this mess without a complicit press.