Episode
The Colbert Report: Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Overview
Stephen starts by talking about a photo of Barack Obama in Muslim dress, claiming he is a terrorist. He says that the photo does not devide people, but unites people by making them think that Obama is a terrorist. In "The Wørd", Stephen agrees with Bill O'Reilly that a New York Times article about Vicki Iseman, but mainly because he claims the article was written poorly. In a special "Movies That Are Destroying America" entitled "Oscars That Are Destroying America", he attacks the fact that too many awards went to foreigners. Stephen then talks to Henry Louis Gates, Jr. about race and agrees to have a DNA test to see how black he is.
Details
- Series
- The Colbert Report
- Season
- Season 4
- Episode
- Episode 25
- Air date
- 2008-02-26
Episode context
Henry Louis Gates Jr. is Episode 25 in Season 4 of The Colbert Report. It aired on 2008-02-26.
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Episode 24: John Feinstein, Leonard Nimoy
Stephen begins with "Who's Riding my Coattails now?", putting German comedian Oliver Pocher on notice for stealing his pose that he used on the front cover of GQ magazine. He then talks about the Roger Clemens hearing, defending Brian McNamee collecting used medical waste by claiming that he does it also. He then interviews John Feinstein about the use of steroids in sport. In "People Destroying America", Stephen talks about Susan Pagan, who refused to give his daughter a free Happy Meal for getting good grades. He then interviews Leonard Nimoy about a book featuring nude photos of overweight women.
Episode 26: Tony Snow
Stephen begins by discussing a recent John McCain rally, in which opening speaker Bill Cunningham said negative things about Barack Obama. The "Threatdown:" 5. Monopoly! 4. Richard Branson! 3. Bankruptcy! 2. John McCain! 1. Starbucks! He then talks about all Starbucks locations closing for three hours to re-train employees. Finally, Stephen interviews Tony Snow about his experience as White House Press Secretary.
More episodes from this season
Episode 23: David Gracer, Richard Thompson Ford
Stephen begins by talking about how he survived the writers strike. He brings his writers (including, strangely enough, Tiki Barber, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Kevin Bacon) onto the set and welcomes them back personally. He then interviews David Gracer about eating insects. Stephen then introduces a new segment, "Stephen Colbert's Fallback Position," where he investigates different jobs he may take if he loses his job as a pundit. He investigates becoming a astrophysicist with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Finally, he interviews Richard Thompson Ford about the Democrats, and how he thinks the "race card" is being played too often.
Episode 27: Richard Brookhiser, Ingrid Newkirk
Tonight Stephen welcomes the president and co-founder of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk. Also, Stephen talks with the senior editor for The National Review magazine Richard Brookhiser about the influence the late William F. Buckley Jr had on conservatism and political talk shows
Episode 22: Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Lisa Randall
Stephen begins with a discussion on Mike Huckabee's running mate. Stephen claims that via obligation, he should be the running mate. He also displays his dislike of John McCain, due to other right-wing political pundits, such as Rush Limbaugh, disliking McCain. He then talks to superdelegate Eliot Spitzer about superdelegates. He then talks to Eleanor Holmes Norton, another superdelegate, about her support of Barack Obama. Finally, Stephen interviews Lisa Randall about other dimensions.
Episode 28: Lorin Maazel, Shashi Tharoor
Tonight Stephen welcomes the former UN undersecretary general for communications and public information, and author of The Elephant, the Tiger, and the Cell Phone: The Emerging 21st Century Power, Shashi Tharoor.
Also, Stephen talks with the conductor for the New York Philharmonic, Maestro Lorin Maazel about their recent concert in North Korea.
Episode 21: Aubrey de Grey, Philip Zimbardo
Stephen begins with congratulating Barack Obama winning a Grammy award for "Best Spoken Word Album" for The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. He then talks about Mitt Romney dropping out of the race for President. He then interviews Aubrey de Gray about defeating aging and trying to make John McCain young. Stephen then talks about his portait to Marc Pachter (over the telephone). Pachter tells him that the portait has increased the number of visitors to the museum and that it will now be displayed in the National Portrait Museum until April 1. He then interviews Philip Zimbardo about "The Lucifer Effect" and how people become evil.
Episode 29: William Donohue, Howard Dean, Jennifer 8. Lee
Stephen starts by talking about John McCain and his support from John Hagee. Stephen expresses his anger of Hagee's views about Catholics. However, as a Christian, he is forced to turn the other cheek. Therefore, Stephen gets William Donohue to express his anger for him. In "The Wørd," he talks about McCain's continued claims of experience, but only over certain things. Next, Howard Dean calls Stephen to talk about the primaries. In "Nailed 'Em," he talks about a six-year-old girl who was cited for vandalism after drawing on the pavement in front of her front door with chalk. Finally, Stephen interviews Jennifer 8. Lee about Chinese food.
Episode 20: Mark Moffett
Tonight Stephen welcomes naturalist Mark Moffett, author of Face to Face with Frogs.
Also, Presidental candiate and former Arkansas Governaor Mike Huckabee stops by to discuss, and play air hockey with Stephen, about which state he hopes to win next.
Episode 30: Robert Reich, Gregory Rodriguez
Stephen begins by paying tribute to Brett Favre. He then becomes angry about Mike Huckabee losing the Republican primaries to John McCain. He then interviews Robert Reich about the Democrats. In "Difference Makers," Stephen interviews Jason Grunstra, a man who created a website which gives away free breast implants. He then interviews Gregory Rodriguez about race relations and Mexican immigration. Finally, he pays tribute to Gary Gygax.
Episode 19: Richard Brookhiser, Tad Devine
Tonight Stephen welcomes Democratic strategist Tad Devine. Also Stephen talks with the senior editor of The National Review Richard Brookhiser about whether the Republicans will vote for John McCain.
Episode 31: John Legend
Tonight Stephen welcomes musician John Legend.