EPISODE NUMBER: 10006 (October 8, 2013)
GUEST: Paul Giamatti
SEGMENTS: Intro - 10/8/13 | Debt Ceiling Deadline | Pro-Pot Laws & Pointers | Thanksgiving Under Attack - Hanukkah | Sign Off - “TJ & Dave”
CHARACTER BREAK: Thanksgiving Under Attack (03:10 - 04:10)
SUIT REPORT: Dark Suit | White Shirt | Blue/Grey Stripped Tie
VIDEOS: Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Once Stephen abandoned the debt ceiling story, the show just got funnier and funnier from there. And yes, we (of the hardcore fandom) totally got the “Thanksgiving Under Attack” graphic: it is one of TCR’s more unforgettable images, to be sure. It takes kind of a strange theology to lead to Jesus waging a culture war from the walls of his tomb, but heck, it’s a funny premise, so we’ll go with it.
Paul Giamatti proved to be as charming and wonderful a guest as he is an actor; and it was interesting how Stephen complimented Paul’s approachability factor while making fun of his character’s lack of approachability. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a conversation between two gifted actors. Parkland looks like a great film, by the way, and I am not one to say that about every film promoted on TCR.
What did you think of the episode? Grab a sharpie and scrawl it in the comments. After drawing a men-urkey.
Pro-Pot Laws & Pointers
“21 states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes and just last year it was made legal for recreational purposes in Colorado and Washington state. Or should I say Cheech-Orado and Washing-Chong.”
Thanksgiving Under Attack - Hanukkah
- Now, instead of drawing a hand turkey, we’ll be expected to draw a hand menorah. It’s impossible! You need both hands to make the menorah and then what do you draw it with?
That sucks!
- Nation - Oh great. Now it’s on my f***ing face. That is … not coming out. I can’t believe I’m discussing Hanukkah, and I drew a mustache right there. That is bad form! Really … really not good.
Interview — Paul Giamatti
Paul Giamatti regales the young people with tales of old fangled technology such as “magazines” as they discuss his character’s unexpected association with the Kennedy assassination.
Paul Giamatti: [on his approachability factor] That’s nice to hear, because I think most of the characters I play seem like sociopaths.
Stephen: There are a lot of sociopaths.
Paul: And they’re very approachable, too.
Stephen: Because no matter what you do, their heart rate never goes up … when they kill you.
Stephen: There’s another great thing that makes you an every man, because you have these bursts of anger-
Paul: -suppressed rage-
Stephen: You have suppressed rage at all times, and at any moment it could just come out in a moment of delicious ire.
Stephen: Was [Zapruder] conflicted about selling [the assassination video]?
Paul: I think he was. I think he felt guilty about taking the film at all … I think he felt like he documented something that people weren’t supposed to see.
Stephen: [Conspiracy theories] make a much better story. Because the idea that one guy shot the president is kind of boring and sad … but if there’s an enormous conspiracy behind the scenes of our adult life, it’s kind of exciting.
Paul: It’s weirdly comforting, too, to people. I think it’s harder to understand one person doing it - you can’t fathom the psychology of one man snapping like that. I think it’s comforting to think it’s a whole system at work.
Sign Off - “TJ & Dave”
A very pleasant moment when Stephen plugs his friend Dave Pasquesi’s (Stew the Meat Man/Stepdad from Strangers with Candy) and T.J. Jagodowski’s improv show on TCR:
That segment about Thanksgiving had to have been one of Stephen’s better character breaks. It was absolutely hilarious.
Tip of the Hat!
+7
Let me say how happy I was last night that both shows slightly stepped away from the Government Shutdown. The report on weed got me high, even though I don’t do weed. And that Thanksgiving Under Attack: Best. Break. Ever. After watching him rigorously draw the Menorah, I think I saw where Colbert made that little mark with his Sharpie. Yes, it was a great character break the longer he couldn’t contain himself, which only magnifies the hilarity.
As for TDS, I’m so glad Jonny-bun had Malala. If you haven’t seen the full interview, I recommend it. She is truly genuine advocating rights for education for girls that she truly inspired me to not take my own education for granted. Plus, she definitely pulled that orange scarf/headdress very stylishly!
Oh, and kudos to J-Squared (Jason Jones) for expressing my feelings toward the GOP’s strategy for the shutdown through his segment. That strategist scared my pants off that I wish someone bought me a bullhorn to tell (compromise) her off. I also wonder if his final words to that woman inspired that “Not a Game” game from last night’s TCR. Either way, thanks TDS and TCR for the awesome episodes.
Tip of the Hat!
+4
The whole ‘Thanksgiving Under Attack’ was amazing. It was pure joy when he had his character break with his tiny little Hitler mustache!
Also, very nice shout out to ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, Mr. Colbert!
Tip of the Hat!
+3
Yesterday, both Jon and Stephen had extraordinary shows. I have never seen Jon better, more touching, and more heartfelt with any guest. “Nothing feels better than making you laugh.” What beautiful words to say to Malala-and what an amazing young woman she is. I fear for her, and feel that the world is graced with her presence. Jon’s awe of her shone through every his word, gesture, and expression. That TDS also had Jason Jones’s fantastic sequence was just icing on the cake-and Jessica Williams, too.
And then Stephen. The Menurkey sequence had me in hysterics-I knew it was coming as soon as I saw the War Against Thanksgiving graphic. And it’s the BEST word to describe this strange mix of holidays I have yet heard. I also agree: greatest character break ever. Because of Malala, I can’t say that TCR packed the emotional power of TDS last night, but Stephen sure put on a superb show.
Tip of the Hat!
+4
Would love to know why the crowd was so rowdy at the start of the show.
Te whole ‘Thanksgiving Under Attack’ was such a hoot, I love it when things go wrong. And the Baby Hitler mustache was just the icing on the cake. I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later, and the timing could not have been worse … or is that better?
What a delightful interview. Paul Giamatti seems like such a great guy, I really need to make an enough to watch more of his films. I do look forward to seeing him in the upcoming season of ‘Downtown Abbey’.
Tip of the Hat!
+3
Yes-I was hoping someone who attended the taping could provide some info about that opening! It sounded as if something happened.
Tip of the Hat!
+2