Stephen Colbert broadcasted The Colbert Report on Sunday from Camp Victory in Baghdad.
The trip to Camp Victory has been talked about for weeks. It was teased by Colbert and rumored about on countless Twitter, Facebook and MySpace accounts before the location was released. The military urged caution, so he only announced a vague trip to the ‘Persian Gulf.’
But the fans, and more importantly, Tuesday the troops got what they have been waiting for.
‘It must be nice here in Iraq because I understand some of you keep coming back again and again,’ Colbert said during the taping of the first show. ‘You’ve earned so many frequent flyer miles, you’ve earned a free ticket to Afghanistan.’
Colbert was a hit the moment he walked in. The loudest cries of laughter came when first guest General Ray Odierno played a videotape of President Obama ordering Odierno to shave Colbert’s head. The job was started with an electric razor, but a stylist finished it off.
Although the banter was comical, it took on serious undertones. Colbert made a point to spotlight the declining attention paid to the war in Iraq. Colbert is an ardent supporter of the troops, both in real life and in his television personality.
The four shows were taped in the domed marble hall of Saddam Hussein’s former Al Faw Palace.
Colbert declared during the show that the war was over. He then suggested Obama deploy the troops to General Motors. But General Odierno disagreed, telling Colbert and the public that the war is definitely not finished.
‘Things are moving forward but again, it’s about bringing long-term stability,’ Odierno said.
Colbert responded by asking Odierno, when finished in the Middle East, to bring long-term stability to the United States.
The public agrees, Stephen. America could use some help.
The Baghdad episodes of The Colbert Report will air through Thursday, June 11.
Matthew Keever is a communication junior and may be reached at [email protected]
