In this week’s Tip of the Cap/Wag of the Finger on The Colbert Report he wagged his finger at a British reporter who claimed that baseball originated in Britain after finding the term used in a Jane Austen novel. Stephen explains why this is not possible and explains what Jane Austen’s version of baseball would be like.
The baseball part starts at 1:42, but the rest of it is great as well.
South Park has been pretty weak the last few weeks. The 2-part Pandemic show and the Obama/McCain Ocean’s Eleven spoof made me forget that there were good episodes only a month ago. This week they spoofed High School Musical. While that part was enjoyable, this clip is really why I love South Park.
By now I’ve have had time to sift through all the new shows from this season that looked promising. Thanks to the strike there haven’t been as many as usual. I used this list to remember which shows were new.
First, I’ll start with the ones I tried and failed.
90210 (CW)
I was too young the first time around. Hearing all the people that were hooked on it, I’m fairly certain I would have been a fan. I tried the new version, and was not impressed. Nothing special about it. Just more spoiled kids, I have enough of that on my schedule.
Fringe (FOX)
Had X-Files like story lines, except no aliens. When you include aliens, at least for me, it makes it more believable. I realize that sounds crazy.
Kath & Kim (NBC)
I like the rest of the NBC Thursday comedies, so I gave this a shot. I was nervous cause I’ve never been much of a Molly Shannon fan. Still, it was getting a lot of buzz (wherever that comes from). I’m not sure where the comedy part came in. I was bored.
Here are the ones that stuck, hope you have HBO.
The Life & Times of Tim (HBO)
It’s a poorly drawn cartoon. It may not look like much at first, but hang in there. Tim is just a regular guy who is very friendly. Of course he winds up in bad situations and while trying to be nice, makes it worse. It is a half hour show but it’s split into 2 15-minute stories.
True Blood (HBO)
I watched the preview shows, but those spent most of their time talking about the history of vampires, which was very cool. However, I almost gave up after the 1st episode. I wasn’t blown away and I already have enough on my plate. I came back and by episode 3, I was hooked. Not only my favorite new show, it might rank up there with my current favorites. There are only 2 more episodes this season, but that is even better if you haven’t watched. This is the perfect DVD show. Something dramatic seems to happen right at the end of each episode so you want to see the next one right away. There are also a ton of storylines you want figured out. If you have HBO, just tear through them On Demand, otherwise be sure to get the DVDs.
And one other not so new show …
Celebrity Rehab (VH1) – Not new, the 2nd season just started. I’m not sure how many people got hooked last season. I thought the 2nd season wouldn’t be as interesting. I was very wrong. Every week I put it on saying I’m only going to watch the first segment then finish the rest later. I always wind up watching the whole thing. You really get to know each of the characters while they try to figure out where their addiction comes from.
Dan Savage appeared on The Colbert Report on Tuesday to discuss Prop 8. Savage has been on Real Time a few times and is always enjoyable. Here he really gets Stephen a few times, he seemed to be having an odd night right from the start of the show. I can’t remember too many times that Stephen lost it on his own show. It usually happens more often on the tosses from The Daily Show. A few times Stephen uses his cards to cover his face as he cracks up.
One of the more enjoyable parts of The Colbert Report is when you can tell Stephen is really enjoying himself. Especially during interviews where a guest, who is not all that well known, keeps up with him and even gets him to laugh.
Tuesday night Sherman Alexie was on. He wrote a book called The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. They didn’t talk too much about the book. The author came loaded with jokes and was able to toss back whatever Stephen through at him.
The Daily Show using clips from the same people just months apart contradicting themselves. It’s almost like they don’t listen to themselves. Oh, wait.
I never watch Leno but I heard Norm was on this week and thanks to Hulu I was able to check it out. Norm seems much more animated than usual and just as hilarious. Right after Norm is Nastia Liukin, the US Gymnast. I included her segment in the clip as well.