Photo by Morgan Woodbury
My husband and I are huge fans of Colbert, and were happy to see that he was going to do some segment taping in Vancouver for mid-next-week’s show. These tapings were free to the public and organized in such a way that we got to Creekside Park, near Science World, pretty early (7:30 a.m.) to stand in line. Of course, around 8:30 a.m. or so, the organizers said “go!” and so we just ran with everyone else over the hill into the muddy but still frozen lawn of the park — but still got rather close to the stage.
The morning was cold but sunny and ripe with red-and-white Canadian colors waving through the crowd, a few people sitting in trees, and at least a couple folks with a kangaroo wearing boxing gloves — you know, typical stuff. We found Colbert’s personality with the audience fun and down-to-earth, and we had a great time that morning watching the workings of a show being filmed. On stage were a totem pole, a big poster of Colbert with a torch, some skis, some hockey sticks, and a moose. You know, typical stuff! A brass band, decked out in patriotic colors, played some old tunes and some Queen. I’m pretty sure they were playing songs that you only remember one or two lines from. During those lines, the audience sang out too. Otherwise, we just danced and sang “bah boo bop” or mumbled.
In keeping with the press’s line of vision, here is a Goodreads list of books featured on the Colbert Report. Colbert has also written and contributed to quite a few books.
Spoiler for next week’s show (click Show below):
I should add that I’m aware of the controversy of the Olympic Games and Vancouver’s overspending during an economic downturn, which has cut out necessary funding for many beneficial programs in BC. I do not like the corporate overlay of today’s Olympic Games, nor do I agree with that aspect of the games. On the other hand, I can appreciate international peaceful competition and funny men like Stephen Colbert! There simply is a portion of this overspent, corporate atmosphere that has another side. As I have traveled downtown this week, I have been struck by the prospect of many different people from all over the world congregating in Vancouver. I have seen blocks-long lines for Japadogs, church choirs on street corners, smiling people everywhere, and a lot of patience and goodwill.
Further, another issue of this year’s Games is one that has fallen by the wayside. This Olympics was supposed to be the greenest ever. I like what the Calgary Herald said: It’s clearly not easy being green, but at least Vancouver is trying — bit by bitumen.
Another issue not yet picked up by the international press is Fraser Riverkeeper’s study of the water surrounding Olympics Village — water that the Journal of Commerce referred to as safe enough for children to wade in, in order to examine marine life.
I contract with Fraser Riverkeeper, and therefore saw how this issue has so far been ignored by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and others.
Fraser Riverkeeper’s study found elevated levels of PCBs, PAHs, copper, lead, and other heavy metals in the waters near Olympic Village, in False Creek — levels that surpass BC’s own set chemical parameters for the protection of marine and aquatic life. There is no way children or anyone should be wading in this water!