Robert Gibbs: I Am Afraid Stephen Colbert Might Show Up Obama
Extraordinary.
At TIME’s Swampland blog, Michael Scherer relates a conversation he had with White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs about Obama’s appearances on Leno and Letterman. Gibbs said: “It was two of the easiest decisions that we had to make. Tons of people are watching it, and different types of people.” This exchange followed:
So I asked the natural follow up, “Do you want to do the Daily Show?” Gibbs did not hesitate.
“I think the President would love to, just maybe not Colbert.” He went on to explain: “I have yet to see a politician best Stephen Colbert in an interview on his show,” Gibbs said, laughing. “I mean, he’s really, really good.”
Bush’s “Pet Goat” might show up Obama.
Mike Myers (3c9845) — 2/24/2010 @ 8:25 amI can’t understand why _anybody_ would agree to go on Colbert or Jon Stewart’s shows.
gp (72be5d) — 2/24/2010 @ 8:45 am“Bush’s “Pet Goat” might show up Obama.”
You thikn the GOP will bring their pet goat to the health care meeting?
imdw (ae4236) — 2/24/2010 @ 9:48 amNo. Biden will be there one pet goat is enough.
Stu707 (0981d5) — 2/24/2010 @ 10:02 amDon’t they allow teleprompters on Colbert’s show?
George (d57b1d) — 2/24/2010 @ 10:02 amSomewhat should ask Gibbs which fictional characters Obama *could* match wits with.
Dame Edna?
Pee Wee Herman?
The Trailer Park Boys?
Blue Ox (ff919a) — 2/24/2010 @ 11:26 amRemember the Great Seal of Obama. Remember tuxedoed, wall-leaning Obama smirking down at Biden over crossed arms.
If that cat had to sit in the shadows at the interview table while Colbert did his mandatory “Look-at-me! Not-at-the-guest!” spotlighted entry into the interview section of his stage set, I do believe his head would explode before Colbert finished.
Beldar (2257f6) — 2/24/2010 @ 12:10 pmPresident Obama has, in fact, already appeared on Colbert’s program during his broadcasts from Iraq last year when he entertained the troops. During the telecast, President Obama ordered a general to personally shave Colbert’s head to a ‘regulation’ military cut.
DCSCA (9d1bb3) — 2/24/2010 @ 2:45 pmDCSCA (#8 — 2/24/2010 @ 2:45 pm): Here’s a short promo clip of the head-shaving “order” and its consequences. Note that Obama is not on Colbert’s regular stage set and is not submitting to his regular humiliating interview process. Instead, Obama appears by video link-up — apparently from the Oval Office, with an American flag at his shoulder — while Colbert is with troops in Iraq.
I’ll agree that it was a pretty good gag. An example of Obama being humble or spontaneous, or of him actually jousting with Colbert? Not so much; in fact, not at all.
Beldar (938d8d) — 2/24/2010 @ 4:40 pmAh, the richness of Youtube.com! — here’s a longer “behind the scenes” clip showing the “making of” what was later broadcast on “The Colbert Report.” Indeed, Obama was taped in the Oval Office by Colbert’s crew delivering the carefully scripted gag lines (complete with prompts) that they had written for him. And then that pre-recorded tape was displayed, with live dialog intercut, while Colbert was with Gen. Odierno and the troops in Iraq.
The clip reveals that Colbert (a not-so-secret lefty in real life) was fawning all over Obama, practically rolling over on the carpet for The One to rub his belly. That’s no surprise, and I have no problem with Colbert’s fake-conservative schtick in general. But Colbert has worked quite hard at using satire to humiliate quite a few other politicians, both from the right and the left, and no one should be under any illusion that this was such an effort on his part.
Beldar (938d8d) — 2/24/2010 @ 4:55 pmAh, but what is the International Man of Parody without self-delusion?
SPQR (26be8b) — 2/24/2010 @ 5:48 pmMore proof that a reality show is missing its star. Why oh why couldn’t Obama have hooked up with Ari Emanuel instead of Rahm.
Vermont Neighbor (1a9eb2) — 2/24/2010 @ 6:05 pmThe election was a year and a half ago, boys. That is entirely too long to hold onto these sour grapes.
Intelliology (00d844) — 2/24/2010 @ 6:12 pmWhen Obama quits blaming Bush for Obama’s own lack of performance, then the lying troll can tell others about sour grapes.
SPQR (26be8b) — 2/24/2010 @ 6:18 pmObama should appear on Leno again and debate that funny Bush impersonator. But not without a script, cue cards and teleprompter of course.
Vermont Neighbor (1a9eb2) — 2/24/2010 @ 6:24 pmThe election was a year and a half ago, boys. That is entirely too long to hold onto these sour grapes.
Yes, but while the election was indeed a year and half ago, the problem is that the President still has several more years (at least) to bring great harm to the country. Judging from how it’s going so far, I’d say the concern is completely justified.
Dana (1e5ad4) — 2/24/2010 @ 6:38 pmObama should appear on Leno again and debate that funny Bush impersonator. But not without a script, cue cards and teleprompter of course.
What! You would have him go on naked?
JVW (fd30ab) — 2/24/2010 @ 6:54 pmThanks for that mental image, JVW, … not.
SPQR (26be8b) — 2/24/2010 @ 6:57 pmActually, I’m changing that skit to William Shatner. Think of the bongo drums against all that status quo tripe. He could read any speech by Obama, any gaffe. The corpse-man fluff would be especially good.
Vermont Neighbor (1a9eb2) — 2/24/2010 @ 7:20 pmAre you kidding? The ‘redistribution’ hasn’t even started yet.
Vermont Neighbor (1a9eb2) — 2/24/2010 @ 7:24 pm#10- The clip reveals that Colbert (a not-so-secret lefty in real life) was fawning all over Obama, practically rolling over on the carpet for The One to rub his belly. Hmmm. Colbert has made no secret of the fact that he plays a ‘character’ on his show, (a not so subtle parody of ‘Papa Bear’ O’Reilly) and briefs guests accordingly before they appear. Most regular viewers laugh knowingly, aware his schtick, evolved from ‘The Daily Show,’ since his first program. And if you aren’t up on current events, his show, and the Daily Show, are meaningless. Glad to read you’re finally in on the joke.
DCSCA (9d1bb3) — 2/25/2010 @ 9:35 am> Robert Gibbs: I Am Afraid Stephen Colbert Might Show Up Obama
Considering that, without his teleprompter, it appears that a rabid chipmunk could show up Obama, that’s not really “news” is it?
IgotBupkis (79d71d) — 2/25/2010 @ 10:09 am😀
> Somewhat should ask Gibbs which fictional characters Obama *could* match wits with.
Anyone besides me willing to bet on Beavis OR Butthead? We know he couldn’t handle Cartmann.
IgotBupkis (79d71d) — 2/25/2010 @ 10:13 am