August 5, 2013 - Hugh Laurie

The Colbert Report Episode GuideEPISODE NUMBER: 9134 (August 5, 2013)
GUESTS: Hugh Laurie
SEGMENTS: Global Terror Warning | Sport Report - A-Rod’s Drug Scandal & Combat Juggling | Broadcast Networks Want More Indecency | Sign Off - Glossary of Terms
SUIT REPORT: Grey Suit | White Shirt | Grey Patterned Tie
TAPING REPORT: [Link]
VIDEOS: Monday, August 5, 2013

There has been a bit of a bromance between Stephen and Hugh going back to when Stephen first placed Dr. House’s picture on the bookshelf. Then “House” reciprocated in 2010. Stephen’s picture sat quietly gracing the background for years on the show, even after Dr. House went into the state Hospital for hallucinations and they completely renovated his office. The picture triumphantly returned when House did.

Then when The Report went high-def in 2010, and their set was revamped and renovated, the only TV doctor whose picture still survives is Dr. House!

Stephen’s picture made a huge appearance on the show in 2012, coming out from the background to be prominently displayed. Now since House has retired, we can only enjoy Hugh’s picture on the TCR set, but it also means he is more likely to be a guest, since he’s not stuck out in LA.

Global Terror Warning

The media has taken the global terror warning very seriously, even though they don’t have any specific details about it. They could attack anywhere at any time.

Man on the TV: …are they going to attack embassies, are they going to attack hotels? we just don’t know.

Stephen: Thank You, NSA. Now we know Americans just need to avoid…this area.

Stephen wants to know just how much he should be panicking.

At least during the Bush years, I could look at this helpful chart and know that my sphincter tightness is Orange. But that’s gone now because Obama gave all the colors to the gays for their rainbow.

The U.S. Embassies will be closed until Saturday, the 10th. After that it will be too difficult for the terrorists to carry out an attack.

“After that the terrorists have to re-book their flights and that’s $100 change fee, take off work again, cancel the babysitter, it’s a nightmare.”

Sport Report - A-Rod’s Drug Scandal & Combat Juggling

“Nation, I am a born sportsman. There are some doctors who have said I have athlete’s feet. This is the Sport Report.”

It’s been a while for the Sport Report and Stephen seems to be itchin’ to do the air guitar, drums, trumpet etc., to the opening theme song.

“Alex Rodriguez, or ‘a rod’, has been suspended til the end of next season. If he’s on your fantasy baseball team it’s time to swap him out for another hobby. Seriously, you’re an adult and your wife misses you.”

“MLB suspended him for 211 games, otherwise what is known as what a single baseball game feels like”

I have to agree with Stephen. I am a huge lover of “ball and stick” but I hate watching it. I’d rather play. Then again, I hate watching most sports.

Apparently ‘a rod’ can still collect millions of dollars even with this suspension. Yeah, that’s some punishment.

Then Stephen announced the sport of the summer. I would’ve never guessed this one.

“This summer we are all going to be into the hottest new game out there, Combat Juggling. I know Combat Juggling sounds complicated, so let me break it down for you. It’s juggling plus combat.”

“I wish more street performing sports would add a combat element to them like…Ultimate Balloon Animal Wrestling, where you not only have to pin your opponent, but tie him into a poodle.”

Interview - Hugh Laurie

Stephen: Do you know what England’s greatest gift to the world is? America!

Hugh Laurie has already made another blues album, but don’t ask him to whistle.

Hugh: Whistling is easily my weakest suit. One of the songs we do requires whistling and I just can’t do it.
Stephen: Why did you agree to do it then, if you can’t do it?

Stephen: Why is a white English guy, I assume you’re white because of everything you’ve done, why are you recording the blues? That is the great black American art form. Have you come to apologize?
Hugh: I suppose being English I could be singing Gilbert and Sullivan or Duran Duran…
Stephen: or Gilbert and Duran.

—-

Stephen: Since you played House for so long, do you still have the prescription pad, by any chance? because I could go for some Vicodin or Thalmadrac.
Hugh: I do have a stock of the relevant stationery.
Stephen: Did you take it from the set and go ‘you know this might come in handy later’?
Hugh: I was thinking charming memento to begin with, but as you say, could come in handy down the road.

Broadcast Networks Want More Indecency

Stephen, don’t forget to pick up your dry cleaning!

Good Luck blowing up the sun, sir. We’re all pulling for you.

“[Broadcast television] simply cannot compete with that bastion of clout and culture known as basic cable, home to such sophisticated cultural fare as the Arts & Entertainment Network’s symposium on the ancient Dynasty of Duck. And The Learning Channel’s informative series, and this is real, ‘The Man With The 132-Pound Scrotum.’ Every episode is a cliffhanger.”

A lovely transition shot from the reading:

Stephen informs Hugh that you can’t say … whatever it is he said that got bleeped. “Something-off”, I think, I’m not good at lip reading.The glossary of terms wasn’t all that shocking, but I used to listen to Howard Stern so … there you have it.

  • lockhart43

    Watching and hearing Hugh Laurie and Stephen read off that list of words in total seriousness was-and I am sincerely not trying to exaggerate here-one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I was rolling with laughter throughout, and that will indeed go down as one of those great moments in TCR history. Also, the simple fact that all of those words exist on a piece of paper used specifically for that bit is utterly hilarious to me.

  • StephenSmile64

    I was there tonight! Yes, yes! You will get a taping reporT. 🙂

    • Oh good, I was hoping there would be a taping reporT! I wanted to go to this one so badly, but unfortunately, being a responsible adult has to take priority these days. I look forward to all the juicy details!

    • llama

      You were there?? Why do I hate you and adore you at the same time now?? LUCKY!!!! LUCKY!!!! (you know I mean “hate” in the best possible way right?)

    • karenatasha

      Yay!

  • Well now, that was awesome. I’m disappointed there was no musical performance, but the opportunity to see Stephen and Hugh do a comedy bit together was priceless. There were truly great together. And now that the ice has been broken with Hugh’s first appearance, there need to be future appearances to make him an official “friend of the show.” Please ask him back, TCR Powers-That-Be!

  • Ivy

    FINALLY!!! I always wanted him to go to TCR.

    I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m sure it was brilliant.;)

  • Clem

    Stephen and Hugh were hilarious as they read those words. I loved the lighting and fancy classical music playing! Too funny!

  • colbaby

    Oh my lord, that last bit was a riot. I knew Laurie would be a great sport, and he didn’t disappoint. I agree with Ann, I hope this is just the first of many appearances.

    The other thing that made me laugh out loud was when Stephen asked him “Do you have to live the blues to play the blues? Cause I always heard *in raspy old black man voice* ‘you gotta live the blues to play the blues’.” Hahaha, oh Stephen. (Don’t forget to pick up your dry cleaning!)

  • StephenSmile64

    “(Don’t forget to pick up your dry cleaning!)”- Oh man, I have been seeing that ALL day on Twitter! So funny!

    I am almost done with my reporT. 🙂