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After Iraq broadcasts, can Stephen Colbert declare “Mission Accomplished”?
(Writing and reporting by Laura Isensee)
Two presidents, a major general and a shaved head all played a part this week in comedian Stephen Colbert’s declared mission to bring attention to the 6 year-old war in Iraq and the troops still fighting abroad.
On Thursday, Colbert broadcast from Iraq the last of four episodes he starred in this week from the battle-torn country. On Thursday’s edition of “The Colbert Report,” a program which spoofs U.S. politics and culture on cable channel Comedy Central, the show featured a special shout-out to the troops by former President George W. Bush. It was one of several guest video spots that included politicians from right and left, from Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to President Barack Obama.
The political satirist went to the Middle East under the humorous title “Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando,” but he seemed serious about his mission. This week he guest-edited Newsweek magazine, albeit as his fictional on-screen persona.
“I know what you’re thinking: ‘Isn’t the Iraq War over?’ That’s what I thought, too. I hadn’t seen it in the media for a while, and when I don’t see something, I assume it’s vanished forever, like in that terrifying game peekaboo. We stopped seeing much coverage of the Iraq War back in September when the economy tanked, and I just figured the insurgents were wiped out because they were heavily invested in Lehman Brothers,” Colbert wrote in Newsweek.
“Turns out there are still 135,000 troops in Iraq, which I don’t understand because we’ve already won the war,” he continued in his column.
Colbert, who is splashed on Newsweek’s front page this week, also helped select stories for the issue that focus on Iraq. But he didn’t drop his humor, also publishing fake letters that his character has sent to the magazine over the years.
President Barack Obama’s stance on “The Tonight Show”
On Conan O’Brien’s second night hosting “The Tonight Show,” his coveted new assignment, received a nod from none other than President Barack Obama, who gave a tongue-in-cheek shout out to the pompadoured comedian.
It came in the form of an ironic answer to a joke question that NBC newsman Brian Williams asked Obama during an interview on the eve of the president’s trip to the Middle East. O’Brien aired the exchange on “The Tonight Show” on Tuesday night, starting with Williams’ question.
“I couldn’t help but notice, your trip this week coincides with Conan O’Brien’s first week on the air,” Williams said to Obama in the video. ”Is it because of that or were there considerations perhaps that you almost canceled to stay and watch his first week as host of the ‘Tonight Show’?”
Obama countered in a deadpan tone.
“This is something we’ve discussed several times in the Oval Office, how to manage this transition between Leno and Conan, and I think he’s up to the task,” Obama said. ”But I just want him to know that there’s not going to be any bailout coming from Washington if he screws it up.”
Obama appeared on “The Tonight Show” back in March when Jay Leno was hosting it, becoming the first sitting president on a late-night talk show as he discussed his economic plan for the recession, in a venue normally reserved for Hollywood stars pitching their latest film or TV projects.
Media writer Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune called the tactic “Bypass the Press,” a play on the name of the more staid news show “Meet the Press” where politicians normally try to sell their policies.
Stephen Colbert supports the troops. This wasn’t just about ratings. If you watch the show on a regular basis like I do, you see what is real and what isn’t. It is a part of his character to appear as self absorbed as he does. He had on regular troops on his show also besides all the big names and was honestly impressed with them.
Being a vet, and a spouse of an active army man, the whole thing was even more hilarious and I know for a fact the troops really appreciate it. Thank you USO for helping getting him out there.