Comedy Central’s “Colbert Report” tonight begins a four-night series of shows from outside the homeland of Stephen Colbert, author of “I Am America (And So Can You!).” The faux conservative pundit has been promoting this for months as the first time a US TV show has broadcast multiple episodes from a USO tour.
“The USO counts this as military service, right? I might want to run for office some day,” said Colbert on arriving at a US base in Iraq.
Each of the four shows this week, dubbed “Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando,” will be taped before an audience of about 450 troops. The week will feature many segments, including Colbert putting together USO care packages for the troops and “shout outs” from notable figures in society.
Guests who will appear on the show include: Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, Barham Salih; Gen. Ray Odierno, commanding general, Multi National Force- Iraq; Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., commanding general, Multi National Corps- Iraq; Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Grippe, command sergeant major, Multi National Corps- Iraq; Sgt. Robin Balcom, squad leader, 463rd Military Police Company; and Spc. Tareq Salha, Arabic linguist, 111th Military Intelligence Brigade (attached to 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment).
Proceeds from sales of “The Colbert Report” on iTunes during the week of June 8 will benefit the USO.
“Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando” is sponsored by Burger King.
“The Colbert Report” is produced by Jon Stewart’s Busboy Productions, Inc. in association with Spartina Productions, Inc. Stewart, Colbert and Allison Silverman are the executive producers with Meredith Bennett, Richard Dahm and Tom Purcell as co-executive producers. Jim Hoskinson is the director. Dan Powell is the executives in charge of production for Comedy Central.
