Help me survive The Colbert Report this Thursday - Robert Greenwald

[meegbear]

Dear activists, colleagues and friends,

With your support, we had no trouble taking on Bush, and friends in "Uncovered," Bill O'Reilly in "Outfoxed" or Lee Scott and company in "Wal-Mart." Exposing Tom DeLay and other corrupt politicians and corporations (in our upcoming "The Big Buy") doesn't scare us. But a formidable challenge is in the wings, one that has all of us at Brave New Films very nervous...

Stephen Colbert.

Yes, I've been invited to be a guest on Comedy Central's brilliant and scathingly funny "The Colbert Report" next Thursday, March 30th 11:30pm.

My first instinct was to run and hide. (Has anyone emerged from that show with their dignity intact? Could I even begin to imagine a more daunting adversary than Stephen Colbert?) But "The Colbert Report" is my 13-year-old son's favorite show, and I didn't want to seem cowardly in his eyes. Nor did I want to seem hypocritical by following in the footsteps of Billy O'Reilly, who's refused our many requests to debate us on the "fair and balanced" lie of Fox News.

So I agreed to appear. And now I need your help!

http://www.robertgreenwald.org/colbert.php

I need you to prep me, grill me, educate and advise me. Undertake a mission of mercy to save me! What questions will Stephen ask, and how should I reply? What questions should I turn back on Stephen? How can I make the political points we want his audience to hear, without totally embarrassing all of you Brave New Films supporters?

Stephen has his team of researchers and producers, but I have you -- our loyal activists and savvy media consumers whose collective experience and intelligence I have no doubt will help me give the "Colbert Report" team a run for their money.

Post your advice on my blog, and the BNF team will pick the winning submission, whose author will get a free copy of "The Big Buy" DVD AND an advance copy of our top secret, blow the lid off things film that is coming in the fall.

http://www.robertgreenwald.org/colbert.php

And after my triumph (or humiliation!) on March 30th, check back on the blog and give us your analysis. Those so inclined can take the episode and re-edit it, replacing me with yourself and your better answers.

Take a minute NOW to send off some advice for me... I'm counting on you!

-- Robert Greenwald

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C'mon gang, he needs our help!

[Ian David]

1. If he can't find a good argument against something Stephen says...

he should say, "That's the kind of attitude that just gives aid and comfort to the grizzly bears."

[DFW]

2. I saw Colbert

This was last December, and he was grilling Howard Dean. It was all good fun,
but Dean admitted, it was the toughest one-on-one he had ever had to do!

[xxqqqzme]

3. the best advice I can give is 2 watch Olberman's

'Report' appearance. Keith held his own and even managed 2 fire back at Colbert a couple of times. He even had Colbert breaking character which had both of them laughing. Olberman was obviously enjoying himself as was Colbert...I even got the feeling that a couple of the 'question's' had been outlined in advance....I'll ask this...oh, OK, then I'll come back w/ something like this....

Olberman was a great guest to Colbert's o'lielly channeling.

[Ian David]

5. Shows usually do a "pre-interview" and offer guests scripted questions

It's a very common practice.

It helps put guests at ease when they know that they'll be able to say at least one thing that makes them look witty if they don't screw it up.

[rocktivity]

9. Of course Franken and Olbermann did well against Colbert

they're all pretty much in the same line of work--showing off on camera.

I think the interview Greenwald needs to watch is the one with congress-critter Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, who was asked to provide recipies and do a impromptu remake of Judge Judy (plantiff Steve wanted to collect from an ex-girlfriend who'd set his belongings on fire). She handled him perfectly--stayed calm, never stopped smiling, and managed to plug the work she was getting done in her district. I fell in love with her that that--she came out of it WAY ahead.

:headbang:
rocknation

[NoAmericanTaliban]

4. Colbert is a parody of O'Lielly best way to prepare is to

watch old segments, especially the one with Al Franken on it. Comedy central should have those. If he gets nailed he will thrown in an off-beat joke to keep you off stride. Laugh and then say- 'that was funny but back to the corrupt Bush administration...." "you think that is funny, have you heard what Bush said the other day." If all else fails, throw in a getting shot by Cheney joke.

[MrPrax]

6. The Colbert Reporrr...is difficult...

because you don't know if Steve is being 'tongue in cheek' all the time.

That's part of the 'disarming' schtick on the show--no 'frame' or set ideological 'labels' for the guests to argue to, or partisan positions to argue from...

Not always successful, but Colbert is smart enough to lighten up on certain guests that struggle--like Jeffery Sach. But then he KNOWS he can go full out against Huffington because she is formidible political animal in any context.

The Achilles Heel in this format of course is when BOTH guests ape 'rightwing' nostrums and Bushisms--then it falls apart. LOL

Greenwald should have NO problem...he has just cleverly promoted himself and I can't think of a better cause for 'manipulation'

:yourock:

[ThoughtCriminal]

7. Since it's your icon

You can always bring up "Smokey the Bear". I really wonder where Stephen stands regarding this particular bear.

[meegbear]

10. LOL!

[rocktivity]

8. He's gotten over 100 comments, and the central theme is

Relax, play the straight man rather than try to "top" Colbert, and though he will no doubt take Greenwald to task for his anti-right wing activtivies, he should remember that Colbert really IS on his side.

:headbang:
rocknation

[ThoughtCriminal]

11. Make sure you bring your Peabody Award with you! -nt

[pacalo]

12. I loved this e-mail!

It's a given that Colbert will ask him about his films. Since "The Colbert Report" is a parody of Faux News, Colbert may ask Greenwald about the "Outfoxed" film. Another good bet will be questions about "The Big Buy: How Tom DeLay Stole Congress", since DeLay is in the news.

[babylonsister]

13. Yikes! His 13-yr. old son's favorite program is The Colbert

Report? Sounds like the kid must be pretty savvy. Brush up, Dad!