Brave New Films - Latest Comments in Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Marble Floor Clean Boca Raton — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 04:31:45 -0000

Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Polishing Marble BOCA RATON — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 07:13:12 -0000

So as we go into battle with our honor high and our battle armor on, I salute your efforts at the barricades…..keep you advice filled attack ballons coming!! Loved going through the site and the comments!

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Jim Gilliam — Mon, 01 May 2006 12:45:43 -0000

Sorry for the unsubscribe problems. I'm probably more upset about it than you are cause it makes us look like idiots. The unsubscribe via email method stopped working recently, and there's no word on when it will be fixed. (this affects numerous activist groups using the same technology provider). In the meantime, anyone who wants to unsubscribe can do so here:

http://www.bravenewfilms.or...

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Annette — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 13:57:07 -0000

I'm with Janet on this... for someone so damn brilliant you'd think you could fix the unsubscribe email. Stop sending me this pathetic, low life trailer trash junk.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Janet — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 03:58:56 -0000

My suggestion is to take me off your mailing list. As I have requested MANY times and the email address you provide to "unsubscribe" does not work. I believe it is against the law to continue to send spam after you are asked not to. Thanks.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

chris — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 18:19:24 -0000

I just wanted to say congrats i was glued to the tv when it aired and it couldnt have went better. i have seen a-lot of people get chewed up by colbert and you held you own and gave him no fuel to use against you and your cause.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Carl Williams — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 09:24:22 -0000

Sorry to wait so long to comment, but I thought you did an outstanding job of holding Colbert to the agenda and you made your points very well, indeed.

You were also wise not to take offense at his trying to draw you out with potentially insulting "bait." You held up tremendously and I applaud your media savvy. I conduct media training for various clients and I must say, you get an A+ for your performance in what HAS to be one of the most difficult "lion's dens" in media today: the Cobert Repor(t). Way to go. You held up the progressive perspective with dignity and tenacity. You have my undying vote of confidence for being one of our most articulate spokespersons.
Carl Williams
261 N. Armour
Wichita, KS 67206

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Pat Bowen — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 10:59:54 -0000

Just wanted to let you know you did a great job Thursay night. Evidently everyone's advise helped.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Bob Sommer — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 09:55:05 -0000

Saw the show on my tivo this am. I'm a regular Colbert Report and Daily Show viewer. As such I've seen most every episode. You did GREAT! Nice job.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

jsinclair — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 07:07:42 -0000

Nicely done! I even learned quite a bit about DeLay from the interview. You did a nice job getting the key points across, and still keeping an amused demeanor, with good banter.

I'm really looking forward to your film.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Luz Santana — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 04:50:07 -0000

Hello Mr. Greenwald

I watched the Show and let me tell you were terific! Your message was loud and clear. I always watch the Daily News and the Colbert Show. I enjoyed your interview and looking forward to see the film.

Thanks
Luz

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Liz — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 19:23:23 -0000

You were awesome. Looking forward to the next film.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

KATHI — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 18:10:03 -0000

JUST WATCHED YOU ON THE COBERT REPORT AND YOU DID GREAT!!! HOPE YOU HAD FUN DOING IT.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR MOVIE ON TOM DELAY!

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

patti — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 16:00:14 -0000

Great job on the Colbert Report! Having never seen you in person, I was very impressed by your interview. I love your movies and website. Thanks, Robert.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

john — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 13:06:35 -0000

no advice, just moral support - you'll do great!

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

mslily — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 11:49:03 -0000

just compliment his "truthiness"

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

lindasue77 — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 09:40:01 -0000

you will be great! i love colbert, he's sooo smooth. you are all that and more, how lucky are we to have you on our side .

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

lindasue77 — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 09:39:03 -0000

you will be great! i love colbert, he's sooo smooth. you are all that and more, how lucky are we to have you on our side .

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Alex Henry — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 08:12:03 -0000

Colbert will likely use your role as a muckraking documentarian to continue his running gag of complaining about the media reporting things people would be happier if they didn't know. Expect questions along these lines. Just because his questions are funny doesn't mean your answers are supposed to be. You want to come across as a competent film maker, with a sense of humor if possible. You don't need to come across as a really funny guy who happens to make documentary films, especially since in trying to come across this way you run the risk of seeming awkward or creepy if your jokes don't work. Watch Paul Begala's interview for examples of what not to do. Supply the substance and let Colbert worry about the humor. Also, it seems like they shoot a lot more than they use, so if the interview falls flat at any point don't worry.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Federico Cura — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 08:09:02 -0000

HAVE FUN + AVOID FACTS + FRAME!

HAVE FUN - make sure you smile - pretend to be a Bush Repub or a corrupt GOP politician, etc. Play with him!

DON'T DWELL ON FACTS - don't get bog down in a fact pissing match

USE LOTS OF FRAMING! - frame in terms of values and morality (G.Lakoff,PhD) - you can't go wrong

DISCUSSING FOX NEWS:

I would stress from the start what your movie is all about in very simple terms.

It's about a demostrated lack of honesty, integrity, responsibility, open communication, and trust. Bottom line: Fox News is furthering "a culture of deceit" in this country.

I would talk over and over again about the network's pattern of deceit as examplified in its "fair and balanced" statement. Be very clear: They are not, by any mean.

"Honesty is a moral value and saying that you're something you're not is wrong." "Why are they so intent in misleading the American public?" It doesn't really matter if they are not fair, but don't insist in saying that you are. Just like a toddler outside a candy store, Fox News insists in misleading the public -- they won't drop the idea no matter how many times you tell him that too much candy will rot your teeth. They need to grow up.

Now that the other side . . .

-- be it corrupt Repub. politicians
-- or their corporate backers (such as Wal-Mart and Enron)
-- or their unfair and unbalanced media mouthpieces for the Bush folks such as Fox News and Rush Limbaugh

. . . WE, Democrats and progressives, MUST LEAD.

How?

We should stop answering useless/pointless/irrelevant Repub. questions (such as "Why don't you suggest a plan instead of complaining?"). Instead, we should start posing questions and providing answers (or "real solutions").

The main question that we need to repeat over and over again is: "Have you had enough?" For years now, the Repubs have controlled most of the fed govt and a majority of state govt. If you think govt is being responsive to the "real" needs of the American people, you are not paying enough attn.

For instance, the question on Iraq is not: "Do we have a plan?" The most crucial question is: "Have you had enough?" Do you want more of the same?

Regarding "The Big Buy," you can talk about "the GOP Culture of Greed and Corruption"

Other framing essentials you could touch on?

The GOP's narrowminded "pro-fetus and pro-rich" agenda is destroying this country.

You can mention: "the Bush Birth Tax" (every baby enters the world under the burden of massive Republican debt and fiscal recklessness)

Also, try repeating one of these two: "red-ink Republicans" or "Borrow-and-spend Republicans" "Tax cuts for the rich" "letting the rich off the hook" when it comes to paying their fair share of taxes

Republican policies make us WEAK economically, diplomatically, militarily, militarily, environmentally, and in homeland security.

In terms of "protection of the American people," you could mention two issues: 1) we have to take our shoes off at the airport, but the Bush administration only inspects a tiny fraction of the cargo coming into this country. 2) the nation focused on Bush's war in Iraq, after letting bin laden escape at Tora Bora.

Bush "is all hat and no cow."

Finally, I would avoid asking disrect question to Colbert. It may backfire.

Best. Fede (a big fan of your movies)

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Lamar — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 07:30:36 -0000

The show is satire, but whatever you say is going to be for real. So when you want to be silly, make it really zany. If he asks "why do you hate the troops"? The answer should either be "I don't", or something like, "well, one of them looked at me funny", or, "What" I LOVE them....physically", or you could go half earnest, "You're the one who wants them dead".

He'll be in character, and he'll be asinine as Bill O'Reilly. Don't expect to "win" any debate. Let him trounce you. That's the whole point: jackass O'Reilly steps all over everyone. Colbert is making fun of that. And hey, "Why do you hate America"? Because America has no respect for Christmas!!!

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

steve cormier — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 07:05:23 -0000

Robert,
Simply use the time tested actors ploy. If he is aggresive, you be passive. It works beautifully. Colbert's show is wonderful satire. Just enjoy yourself. Understand that he is the center, he will say all the forceful funny stuff, and you will have fun and "survive" by not pushing anything. Again, like an actor, relax and let it happen.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Aaron Quaday — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 06:20:28 -0000

Dear Mr. Greenwald &/or Staff,

I don’t know if you’ll be accessing this before you go on the show. Sorry to post it so late, and so long. I suspect you'll be filming soon. It may be that my posting this will benefit Mr. Colbert’s staff more than your’s, since you may be captive in their studio without access to your blog, or have a desire to insulate yourself from potentialy bad advice before going on.

You cannot avoid the possibility that Stephen's staff will use any suggestions on your blog against you (a task of which they are undoubtedly capable.) But do not fear this, for the objective is not to win a debate, but to be prepared enough to parlay ideas back and forth for the benefit of the audience. (You are undoubtedly up to the task.) Whether you or Stephen has the last laugh matters not, but getting your message accross is essential.

I believe that suggestions to play along with Stephen Colbert's parody are appropriate. I suggest you complement his character's right-wing rhetorical stylings with a character of your own. You have a variety of choices: the supplicant (conservative panderer), the defiant (virulent liberal analyst), or the non-participant (White house spokesman). Examples of each residein the text below. Employ whichever one better fits your personality, and if you see Colbert is made uncomfortable by that role-play within your first couple responses, choose another one.

Think of your presence as a way to stimulate dialogue between SC and himself. Channel Stephen Colbert’s true self. It is out their floating around, specter-like, in the studio's firmament! In my opinion, providing counter-point to Stephen's 'neo-con’ role, as the typical liberal analyst, is the preferable one.

Liberal Analyst Recipe

The Ingredients:

Executive-impropriety Bloodhound --
You've got a nose for the improper exercise of power.

Social spending & taxation are the answers to any problem: Spend, Spend, Spend...Medicare, Social Security & Tax tax tax...gas tax, preserve estate tax, meat tax, pollution tax, etc. Suggest one of these when faced with a question without an obvious answer. Growing bigger government always works, hasn't George Bush's Dept. of Homeland Security proven that in their Katrina response?

Environmental advocate: Ask why Colbert hates trees so much, murdering trees for his
fancy desk. If he justifies it by pointing out that it provides habitat for his much hated
bears, proceed to gift giving phase, and suggest gift confers bear-repellent power.

1 part Conspiracy theorist --
insinuate connections between Jennifer Anniston moving to Chicago and the influence of the Bear in Chicago. (or suggest that you've reviewed footage from old SNL skit, featuring Ditka and da bears, and what you've found is disturbing...one of every twenty
frames actually features bears in clothing pushing around human babies in carriages. Acceptance of the hegemonic Bear has been subliminally suggested for at least a decade.

The perfect gift: a Bull.
(You could preface it in two ways: depending on how you want to suck up to SC.)
a) Often when paying tribute to gods, human beings have presented animals to their gods as a gift. [Present Stephen with stuffed bull or t-shirt with bull on it...if Chicago Bulls,
good segue into future joke about Jen Aniston's move to Chicago]
b) Also, in that holiest place (Wall Street) of America's religion (Business), the Bull gives
the Bear a resounding goring.

As far as presentation goes I have only one comment, don't talk long-windedly. Give two word answers, (talking points) upon which Colbert may choose to ask for explanation.

Possible Responses to specific questions (though some admittedly contradict my suggestion to be concise):

If asked: GWB, great or greatest?
Respond: I think president Bush prevents our sewers from being clogged [or insert your own homophonic word play] and so, he is...a 'grate' president. If he follows with another question on the same topic, say: 'Bush is truly ingrate company.'

If asked: Why hate capitalism, Walmart, American Way of Life?
Be honest, and if you believe the following, suggest: I hate the aspects of capitalism that
allow for the perpetuation of social inequities, destruction of environment, and manipulation of markets for personal profit.
Or, point to the evidence you uncovered that suggests Walmart was promoting employee use of socialized medecine, in effect encouraging a socialist hand-out.

If asked: Why do all east coast-ivy league-liberal media elites support terrorism?
Answer: Evidence suggests that giving voice to a person's concern in a public setting will
do a lot to prevent that person from engaging in terrorist activities. As long as the media
is telling the truth, questioning ("dubya's") dubious decisions, and exposing other's
lies, global terrorism is defused.
If you're on a role, continue: It is abhorrent for our nation's leader to be so cold-hearted
and sadistic that he has explicitly stated his administration's agenda in Afghanistan and in Iraq is to engage terrorists abroad, (thereby putting innocent people of other countries at risk) in order to purportedly promote our own safety. Actually, if terrorists world-wide are not instilled with fervor by this policy, I'd be surprised. But, to return to a previous Q, the failure of the American people to stand up and say 'Not In My Name' to this outrageous policy is shameful. I hate an America that stands willfully ignorant or knowingly compliant with this supposed self-defensive measure. It boils down into the classic paradox of waging a war to introduce freedom: Can a country that claims to fight against terror, for liberty & freedom, cause terror to civilian lives to achieve that purpose?

If asked 'what is your exit strategy from Iraq?'
I suggest you say: 'Accountability and Reconciliation are integral components of my exit strategy from Iraq." (Pithy talking points)
If asked to clarify, say Bush made the error to go into Iraq in the first place, but we are there. We must hold our troops and associates accountable while we occupy. Urge attention be paid to the request Rep. Waxman made for a hearing
to investigate the consequences of penalizing companies (by denying them future reconstruction contracts) who have defrauded the US government on Iraq Reconstruction contracts by not awarding future contracts to that entity. This is aimed at Haliburton, who notoriously ripped the federal government off. Rep. Murtha stood opposed to this measure during the Emergency Supplemental approp. bill debate, on the grounds that it may cause some decrease in the quality of the support offered to our troops if those who've gained experience operating in Iraq are no longer allowed to do it. Chairman Hunter and Waxman seemed to agree, during debate prior to the St. Patrick's Day District Work Period) for a hearing to uncover the ramifications of such an anti-corruption measure before the House Armed Services Commt.,
This is important to our withdrawal from Iraq by making sure money extracted from the budget to pay for reconstruction is well spent, for increased protections for our troops, and for rebuilding Iraq.

General Advice
Expect Colbert's questions to be capable of spinning your take on Walmart, or Al Jazeera, so have some comments that complement the points discussed in your movie.

May I suggest, re: questions concerning your hatred of Walmart:
You begin with two words (unhealthy dependency) and await his further inquiry.

If he is interested, I'd proceed with: As many geologists believe that the Hubbert's Peak
of maximum oil production has already been reached, and oil prices are likely to rise in
response to diminishing supply, the 'mobile warehouse' business-plan used by Walmart likely will be unsustainable. It is the establishment of dependency on such a supply-strategy that will devastate America's ability to be flexible in coping with an emergency shortage of fuel.
If he still wants more info: it is necessary to work toward a post-carbon economy immediately.

Finally, this is important -- if Stephen asks the same Q twice (or if you don't want
to answer a question), take the white house spokesman approach and claim "you can't discuss an ongoing investigation," or quip "I hired mercenary Scott McLellan to advise me on Q's like these." [pretend to be listening to an earpiece] "I've already answered that. [point to Stephen, as though running a white house press conference], and say: 'Stephen, Next Question!"
If he's curious about what you're doing,
say: "I've got a live feed from Scott implanted in my inner ear (or brain.)"

I concur with someone who said, if you don't begin your answer quickly, he'll move on to the next question and talk over you. So, be prepared to be quick. Sometimes his objective for humor is achieved with his delivery of the question itself, and if you don't have anything stronger to say, it may be better to let him get the laugh and move on after two seconds, than to try to upstage him in a long response for minutes.

Really finally, sometimes Stephen will ask a guest questions totally unrelated to their work
or ideas. If this is the case, and you suspect it doesn't bridge well to what you want to
discuss, ask him, "did you invent, discover, or popularize the term: 'truthiness.'

Stephen Colbert has been able to mute or distract guests, by creating diversions from topics dear to the guest. While Mr. Colbert may be on your side, do not take this for granted. He took great pleasure in frustrating a visibly upset Al Franken, and there is no sacred cow for him.

The following are wild card warnings and suggestions:
Expect him to ask:
-Would you sell your movie for distribution in Walmart stores?
- What would you do about the illegal immigration problem? Maybe in the form: "How else will we supply China with the cheap products it will need in five years after its economy will have continued to grow.
Random suggestion:
-Try to find out what the 'word of the day' will be, and lead him into using it during the
interview. (If he does, stand up, start screaming, and do a dance around your chair screaming 'mot du jour' (french for word of the day.) Pronounced mow-due-'jour' -- no real equivalent for the first consonant of the word 'jour' in English, so ask a staffer if you don't know how to pronounce it.)
-Don't complement him on his beauty, unless you really find him attractive, or unless you can find a really original idea on how to do so.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Carol — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 05:48:00 -0000

Mr. Cooooberrrrrrrrrt, Wouldn't be great if we lived in a Democratic Society? It's all the chatter and seems to imply somthing about, "Liberty, equality, free speech, and boundless oportunity in the working mans dreams for a better life. The biggest obstacle however seems to be the Republic itself, in that individuals fail to take any responsiblity when abuses are prevelant. It mystifies me the lack of proactive voices in the general public that seems to want it all until it touches their personal life and income. Wouldn't a Democratic Society want fairness for all? And whats with these gas prices and the disperaity of company profits? Like Walmart these profits could rebuild New Orleans and secure a future all can thrive.

Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report!

Zack — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 05:36:46 -0000

If he starts to say something like "why do you hate America" or that your films may "hurt america", or certainly anything to do with morals or values, ask him about the fact that he is the writer and star of a show called "Stranger with Candy", about a 40 year old crack whore who goes back to highschool, and in which he plays a closeted homosexual that cheats on his wife with the male art teacher. He's also sociopathic. Good show...but you would NAIL him!