July 23, 2012 — Vikram Gandhi
EPISODE NUMBER: 8125 (July 23, 2012)
GUESTS: Vikram Gandhi
SEGMENTS: Interview No-Show, Mike Tyson | Shepard Smith’s Personal Reporting Style | Partisan Speculation & Campaign Pauses Around Colorado Shooter
SUIT REPORT: Dark suit | White shirt | Light blue stripped tie
VIDEOS: Monday July 23, 2012
Best Quote Ever: “There are over 25 gun homicides everyday. If you’re really pulling those ads down to be sensitive, I don’t see how you can ever run them again.”
Mike Who?
Who’s Mike…am I saying it correctly, TY-SON? Meh, must be some nobody. He cancelled because “and I want to make sure I get this right, He is a huge pussy”. He undoubtedly felt too intimidated by Stephen and his one good ear.
“…he’s too scared to face me. I get it, I’ve only got one good ear and that takes away your best move”
Because Tyson forfeited his chance to get the C-bump, that makes Stephen the new…
“HEAVYWEIGHT eight eight CHAMPEEN een een OF THE WORLD orld orld”
However, Stephen wants us all to go see Mike’s one man Broadway show. Or at least “promise to go see it for weeks and then don’t”.
Fox News’ Shep Smith is a favorite among the libs.
How can I pass up an opportunity for a good break:
“[Fox News is] my one stop shop for news, opinions and ads for walk in bathtubs. Easy access to your tub, with the therapeutic benefit of sitting in your own filth while it drains before you can open the door to leave.”
I’ve heard from a lot of people who hate Fox News, that they love Shep Smith. It certainly seems like he likes to go Rogue. He’s not an unabashed liberal, he just seems like as Stephen said, “the bored kid in the band who plays out of rhythm on purpose and creates jazz”
Yeah, Fox is pretty much a bastion of pasty white-ness:
So if Shep ever wants to run for office, Rachel Maddow will quit her job and work for him. That’s how much he’s revered by the left. I wonder why he’s on Fox News?
Shep Quotes:
I’m looking over your shoulder, Do you think [Romney's] aware that he’s wearing mom jeans?
(Okay question… What type of jeans should he be wearing?)
There’s a lot to hate about North Korea right? but the way they always look at things…and the way they throw parties is pretty awesome.
Somebody put goats on the roof. What kind of noise does a goat make? baaah bah ah ah.
A lot of people have decided to try to be safe than sorry but this isn’t safe this is stupid/that was stupid/some kinda stupid health issue/…that was really stupid
Kitty cat meow thousand dollars…….Snooki’s pregnant
Stephen: WOW! He’s like a combination of Edward R Murrow, Walter Cronkite and Gary Busey
The Aurora Shooting
I didn’t know if they would cover this or not, but I knew if they did they would take on the media’s role in covering it, because that’s all they can do.
As I said at the top, the last sentence of the segment was the best. The politicians don’t know what to do when this stuff happens because no matter what they look bad. I think the only time I can remember thinking of them as people and not politicians, during a major crisis was 9/11. I think they just don’t know how to get out of campaign mode and just be people.
I loved how Stephen addressed David Brooks, (friend of the show?) when he was saying we need to debate why these 20-somethings are seeking fame and attention. Yeah, stop talking about them in this vein and they won’t seek that attention that way.
That whole thing about banning costumes from theatres is truly stupid, as Shep Smith would say. What good is that going to do? *walks out of blog in disgust*
Okay I’m back.
Vikram Gandhi
I’m glad he was able to fill in at the last minute. When I saw who the guest was, I thought, ‘wow, I’m really out of it because I don’t remember reading his name in the BKAG post’. PHEW! I’m not losing it. EDIT: I am losing it. He was listed as the guest on Wednesday. I should really read ahead. Sorry!
I think his film sounds interesting. He made a documentary called Kumare (Koo-mah-ray) He impersonates a spiritual leader and tries to develop a following. He was teaching a made up philosophy called the “mirror”.
I felt like there would be some kind of Love Guru reference, but as far as I know, there was none.
Best Quote:
Stephen: Are there more men following you or more women?
Vikram: more women
Stephen: Did you get crazy tail?
Vikram: The rules of a fake spiritual leader are more restrictive than a real spiritual leader.
NAMASTE!
Wow! I thought Mike Tyson was branching out, in this post Hangover phase of his career, trying new things….and punking out on Stephen was not one of them. I suppose Stephen’s take on it was meant to rile him up and get him to come on. If Mike rebooks, make sure to have Doris Kearns Goodwin available just in case a standby is needed.
I had no idea that the many years spent at Fox News was taking its toll on Shepard Smith. I hope he doesn’t “Glenn Beck” out. Just make sure he doesn’t start using chalk boards, etc., on the air.
I thought Stephen’s take on the shootings was measured and appropriate. It’s great that we are taking a bold stance on costumes — clearly, the root cause of the violence.
I am litte stymied about Vikram’s project; on the hand, it’s interesting that he created this whole guru character (btw, that line to Stephen about playing a character, and Stephen’s reaction, was priceless), but on the other hand, he duped people. So I am little torn to his approach.
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I was glad Mike Tyson cancelled, cause I’d groaned when I first saw he was a guest. Every time I have seen Tyson doing interviews in the past it’s been painful. Plus it gave “Stephen” a chance to get mad.
I also had mixed feelings about Vikram’s project, but he was a fun guest and he gets extra points for agreeing to change his show appearance date on such short notice.
I had never seen Shepard Smith before. I now better appreciate Bill Hader’s SNL impression of him! (here’s an example: http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/gop-debate-cold-opening/1358180 ) Shepard seems to be rebelling against his Fox bosses. I like the often confused reactions of his guests and co-hosts.
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I guess I am the only one without mixed feelings about Vikram Gandhi. To me, he didn’t fool people…. they fooled themselves, and that is the point. I don’t think anyone was harmed in the process and who knows: maybe they actually did find some illumination and he perhaps Gandhi saved them from a future and worse false prophet. We should be careful who we follow. For example: Stephen = good follow. People claiming to be god/chosen: bad.
Mike Tyson’s absence was our gain, given Stephen’s approach to the cancellation. And kudos to our favorite host for his brilliant handling of the Aurora killings. I knew he’d find a good way to broach the subject. Perfect.
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I agree with CN Helper’s comment, “that line to Stephen about playing a character, and Stephen’s reaction, was priceless.” For me, that moment was the highlight of the whole show.
And I completely understand what you’re saying, Karen, but I did feel that Vikram Gandhi was taking advantage of people’s weaknesses. I won’t pass judgment unless/until I see the documentary. I do have to admit that Stephen’s interview made me interested in seeing it. I’ve always been sensitive to this kind of bait and switch thing though. Back in the day, I couldn’t even watch Candid Camera. My reaction from the interview was that it does seem that he broke the trust of his “followers” and took advantage of how easily fooled and vulnerable they were. Then again, Fox News does the same thing every day.
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susan209 Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Follow-up to my previous comment… I watched the trailer to Vikram Gandhi’s film on YouTube and then saw an IFC (Int’l Film Channel) interview that was also on YouTube. I was interested to hear him in the IFC interview say that he considers himself religious and to hear the producer say it was a “pro-spiritual film.” I guess I do like the message that we don’t need a “guru” of some kind to feel connected to one another or to find spirituality… but I’m still feeling a little queasy about fooling people. Anyway, if you watch the trailer on YouTube, you can see some more follow-up videos of interviews, etc. and see for yourselves… Stephen certainly has guests that can make a person think. (But he’s not my guru! I just think he’s wonderful!)
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karenatasha Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Do read the review I posted from Stephen Holden in my BKAG; he implies that this was no “Borat” situation, and that Gandhi took his followers pretty seriously, and with great care. He really didn’t want to mock them. I think he just wanted to highlight a situation that saddened him. Again, I haven’t yet seen the film, but I don’t think in principle what he did was wrong. I certainly do plan on attending a screening somewhere, if it’s available.
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susan209 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:21 AM
Let me know when you’re planning to go — It could be time for another NYC meet up if you’re game! And yes, I do realize there was no malicious intent in the film. It’s just my personal thing about bait-and-switch. It would seem from the interviews on YouTube that Gandhi was very touched by his “followers” and considered the whole thing a spiritual experience on his own part. I just have a predisposition against bait-and-switch — but I can be convinced otherwise. I would definitely like to see the film!
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Karenatasha Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:51 AM
Don’t know if it’s opened-but I’ll check and we’ll plan!
Yes, it’s time for a meet-up!
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somuch2kno Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 6:49 AM
Meet-up! Meet-up! Meet-up! My schedule for the next month is a little horrifying, but I would love to join y’all, if possible! I, too, was a bit wary when I first heard about this undertaking, but it does seem as if, even as he was illustrating a somewhat troubling factor in may people’s nature, he kept the angle inquisitive and remained sensitive to the human beings he was interacting with (and acting upon?). I’d very much like to see if the movie reflects this.
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karenatasha Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 7:18 AM
New Yorkers-”Kumare” will be playing at Symphony Space on:
July 29 at 8pm
August 5 at 8pm
August 12 at 8pm
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I’m pretty glad Tyson didn’t show up. I got to avoid an interview that I was hesitant about, and it made for a great bit. The drop-down microphone was a really nice touch.
The ending line for the Aurora segment was just perfect. I love that writing-style that the TCR crew has adopted: verbally punch you in the gut, then cut to commercial and leave you thinking about it. Genius.
I’m with Karenatasha on whether or not Vikram Gandhi duped his followers or not. From what I gathered, he did not create his character with the intentions of duping anyone; he even said that he didn’t seem any of them as foolish. They were people just looking for something to believe in, and chose to follow him because of his message which, fake or not, was still something positive. Finally, like everyone else, I loved Stephen’s reaction to Vikram’s line about playing a character. That was too great!
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Great ep! I did really enjoy two bits in the Shep Smith segment - his intro as a Mantis-American was just a small aside but had me laughing out loud… And that character break was so sudden and unexpected - a lovely joy moment
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lockhart43 Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 11:41 AM
The “Mantis-American” joke made me laugh too, Anna - their descriptions are always so strangely spot-on (ex: Mitch McConnell absolutely looks like a turtle!). And I can’t believe I forgot to mention the character break! I loved it too, but I think we all knew that.
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Speaking from the point of view of a non-religious person, I was intrigued by Vikram’s film. I would like to see it. It seems as if he was not trying to be like a Borat type and mock them. I am always interested in religious stuff from a more psychological perspective.
I didn’t notice the line about being in character. I’ll have to go back and rewatch.
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I really enjoyed the whole non-Mike Tyson segment, how could “Stephen” not use the opportunity to declare himself World Heavyweight Champion? And the “one good ear” bit is great also, I love when the two Stephens blend and collide as they often strangely do.
As far as the shootings are concerned, it was good that they had a few days to reflect on the tragedy but I am also so glad to see Stephen not hesitate to again take on the gun lobby. It really needed to be said. Again. Let’s pray there will not be another Again.
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Erika Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 10:09 PM
Me too, Roseha. I also loved The Daily Show’s mention of the same thing, and how he said something to the effect of “I’m not saying Gun Control is the answer but it has to be in the conversation”. Their whole first segment on the tragedy (and coverage of it) reminded me of why I love and watch TDS.
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Great show all together! Loved all the segments! I also love how they already added “World Heavyweight Champion” to Stephen’s name during the closing credits!
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“Kumaré” actually premiered at the Montclair Film Festival. I didn’t see it, but after this I’m kind of intrigued by it.
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susan209 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:24 AM
Another reason I wish I had gone!
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