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.org/unsubscribe.php

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

You were awesome. Looking forward to the next film.

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!

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.

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

just compliment his "truthiness"

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 .

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 .

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.

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)

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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!

In response to the usual Geroge Bush great or greatest question you answer:
"Greatest,, lier, lier pants on fire. And always was."
at which point you hold up a picture of the young George Bush jumping out of his car (state police in the background) with a can of beer in one hand, and, his pants on fire.

Seductively lick your lips every 8 or 9 seconds and compliment him on his adorable ears. They remind you of that cute little elephant dumbo. If that doesnt' work throw him off my confiding in him about your recent case of genital warts.

Colbert willprobably ask:
Why do you hate/not support our troops?

Your answer could be that you support them home alive and well, rather than dead and maimed.

He will ask if George W. Bush is the "best" president.

Your answer could be that he's very good at lies, deception and cronyism.

He will ask why you hate "Papa Bear"/Bill O'Reilly.

Your answer could be that you agree with him entirely, that bears are a scourge on humanity! Dangerous and not to be trusted. And, the "bigger" the bear, the greater the danger.

He might ask why the "liberal elite media" refuse to tell the "good news" from Iraq.

Your answer might be that, if there is any news to be found, it would require the safety to actually leave their hotels in order to cover it!

He will undoubtably ask why you hate Wal-Mart.

Ask him how many times in the last week/month/year he has shopped at Wal-Mart. Then ask him if he plans on getting his health care in a Wal-Mart medical facility!

The show is going to be great fun! Enjoy!

I think you should go with a combination of Alex's and Mitch's advice. (Posted by: Alex at March 27, 2006 08:41 AM Posted by: Mitch Wertlieb at March 27, 2006 08:42 AM)

Be yourself, don't take yourself too seriously, and just "go with it".

I REALLY think you should mention the "upcomming bear documentary" too!

Good Morning Mr. Greenwald.

Mr. Colbert will undoubtedly have a copy of the e-mail you have sent to your mailing list,
in which you refer to his show as "brilliant and scathingly funny". So he may open with a question along the lines of, "Did you think that compliments about our show would make us go easy on you ? Brown-nosing doesn't work here on the Colbert Report."
After you stop laughing, have a few examples ready of when they were brilliant and scathingly funny. This shouldn't be difficult - they ARE.
Best of Luck.
Mike Coleman

Hey, why fight the bear thing? Be a bear! Go dressed in a bear suit. Invite Stephen to join you on the hunt for unbalanced journalists. If he doesn't know in advance that you'll be in costume and character, that would throw him off balance. But be a Steven Fromholz kind of bear -- "They just don't come no better than a bear."

Hello Robert,

Just remember that it is a show on Comedy Central......it is a comedy show! Thanks for your great work......so much more needs to be done but you have helped to give us hope here in the Fourth Corner. Can't wait to see you on the show!

Peace,

James Gillies
VFP, Bellingham, WA

Be Yourself.

Once again, always answer a question with a question, respond to the absurd with the utterly and completely absurd. Another good question for him: Isn't it true that you nailed a coffee table to Sam Donaldson's head at a convention of broadcast journalists last year?

If you really want to throw him for a loop if he puts you on the spot ask him to respond to the report from the Georgetown police that he was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior for pleasuring himself in a public theatre during a screening of Farenheit 9-11.

Change any subject you like immediately by telling him "you really should see a doctor about that festering pustule behind your ear".

Photoshop a picture of him wearing a Michael Moore for President t-shirt, pull it out for a screen shot at an appropriate moment, and simply ask "what about this?"

I think there is a good chance he will say, that by attacking Walmart, you are attacking america, it's values, and even the president..

be prepared to defend that from your perspective

Colbert just gave a teaser for Thursday's show...

"My guest will be Robert Greenwald, and we will find out why he thinks I should pay more than $4.99 for a gross of tube socks?"

Have fun and if you're a fan of Boston Legal remember "I'm Denny Crane, uhm I mean Robert Greenwald!"

Think of it this way... its baseball!

Colbert is on the mound - he's Bob Gibson. He stares you down, he's gonna knock you down. You know he wants your ass, and here it comes, the high, hard one.

But you're Roberto Clemente. And at the moment he winds up, you realize --

-- he's groovin' it for you!

Yes!

And you know it!

Its all in the attitude, baby. And you know it.

So hit it out of the park, man.

If he gets too harsh, just ask him about his ears... why they are so different. Is one right and one wrong? Does he sleep on only one side of his head everynight? Does he belong to any groups of people with 2 different ears? He'll back off after you fire a few of these at him. Good luck.

Piece of cake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HaveColbert do a search on google:
"one million dead children iraq"

Over ten million pages showing that our government and britain killed one million children by SANCTION.
Nothing to do with Saddam as the children were overweight before "we" liberated them.

Pray for peace on earth

Piece of cake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HaveColbert do a search on google:
"one million dead children iraq"

Over ten million pages showing that our government and britain killed one million children by SANCTION.
Nothing to do with Saddam as the children were overweight before "we" liberated them.

Pray for peace on earth

Hey, Robert,

I'm a fan of your films and wanted to say that I recently showed "Outfoxed" in my Service Learning & Leadership classes at the East-West Center in HI. My international grad students really enjoyed the film, and I would love to have you come talk to the Center if you are ever in HI.

As for your appearance on the Colbert Report, I would suggest saying that you want to do a documentary on him called something like "Colbert Uncovered: Outfoxing the Chickenhawk," a follow-up to "Uncovered." It could be an analysis of what is under the flag that he wraps around himself (not that we want to see what's under there!). You can ask him why he didn't volunteer to fight in Iraq if he's so pro-war.

It's hard arguing with a parody though. I went to school with Stephen at Porter-Gaud H.S. in Charleston, SC, and he was funny and political then, but not nearly as acerbic. I hope you have as much fun with him as he'll have with you--give as good as you get! Good luck, and I'll see you tomorrow night.

Aloha, STuart Coleman

first go to google and yahoo and put my name in FRED MAUNEY as well as "IMAGES" so you will know I'm real. I've got the documentation to back up what I'm about to say. ask where was the security at the SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT , UTAH before the 9-11 attacks, seeing how the 2002 winter olympics were to be held their and security is the olympics primary concern since the 1972 MUNICH games . UTAH's a REPUBLICAN state . MITT ROMMNEY is a personel friend with the BUSH family . U S SENATOR ORRIN HATCH is on the SENATES JUDICIARY'S SUB COMMITTEE on TERRORISM back then as its chairman and had a hearing in MAY 2001. 9-11 proves their was no security against a terrorist attack for the 2002 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES. WHY and how come unless they already knew something or worst still were in on it....the attacks of 9-11

Don't worry, you'll do fine. When you "lose" an argument with Colbert, it's part of his act, which is to, in essence, make an ass out of himself and make you look good. That's his act. He's America's ignorance and arrogance personified.

If he starts scaring you, just start growling like a bear and it'll knock him off balance (he's very "afraid of bears").

What can I say, though, Colbert is the triple threat: good-looking, funnier than hell and smart as a whip. Just go out there and have fun and know that the good forces are with you.

From: LEVASSEUR71363
To: bnf@democracyinaction.org
Sent: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 09:14:24 -0500
Subject: Re: Help me survive The Colbert Report this Thursday

Hi Robert,

Good luck and have fun on "The Colbert Report". I have a few thoughts for you:

Wall Mart
If Stephen asks you 'isn't Wall Mart just a great success story in our free market system?' Bring up Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations. Show how monopolistic corporations like Wall Mart betray the principles of a Market economy. The following are quotes from When Corporations Rule the World by David C. Korten:

"Smith, on the other hand, opposed any form of economic concentration on the ground that it distorts the market's natural ability to establish a price that provides a fair return on land, labor, and capital; to produce a satisfactory outcome for both buyers and sellers; and to optimally allocate society's resources."

Myth: By importing, Wall Mart helps the poor of China. Again I like to quote David C. Korten:

"The possibility that the productive resources of low income countries might better be used by their own people to produce the things they need to improve their own lives is never considered."

Make low wages and poor working conditions a moral issue.

Iraq
Robert, "Uncovered" is a master piece. If Stephen goes there just keep it simple.
The invasion was wrong
The occupation is wrong
Should we cut and run? YES. This is not cowardly. It takes courage to speak truth to power. I always think of Scott Ritter: "It's not patriotic to wave a flag. I can train a monkey to wave a flag. You can't train a monkey to read the Constitution."
Outfoxed
I think Stephen's whole act a parody on Bill O'Reilly.
Have FUN with it.

It's a tough act to follow, ole Georgy Boy. How can you one-up a man who is apt to say things such as,

"Mr. Bush, what do you say to the seeming revival of the Baathist Party in predominantly Sunni areasIraq, following the recent elections?"

"Well, ya gotta consider, lemme putit this way for you, I dunno exactly, I'm a Methdist myself." (smirk)

As several other people noted – this is a parody and Stephen ALWAYS stays in character. So you should too. To every outrageous claim he throws at you, you should bounce back an even more outrageous one. Tell him you’re a crypto-noecon. Tell him you’re a good friend with Jeff Gannon and paid like him for your “Unprecedented” by the Bush Administration. Bush’s second term as a President is a direct result of your shrewd work. The Wal-Mart film is a propaganda piece paid by the Walton clan. “Uncovered” is a product of an elaborated PSYOP planned and planted by the Pentagon. It’s even planted in the Arabic media and has an enormous success in “winning the hearts and minds” of the ordinary Iraqis. You know personally Karl Rove and Dick Cheney is your hunting buddy. Etc., etc... Show dry wit instead of attempts at seriousness. Be funny and have fun. Do not try to contradict him or even outwit him. In contrary, take his stuff even further and make it totally outlandish. Pay him over the top compliments and mention some of his idiosyncrasies – phobia of bears, “truthiness”, his fake novel “Alpha Squad 7”, Da Colbert Code, etc. Good luck :-)

If you can assimilate these pointed contradictions, you should do fine on the show!

Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of
homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.

Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad
guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when
Cheney did business with him, and a bad guy when
Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with
China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest
national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.

A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her
own body, but multi-national corporations can make
decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.

The best way to improve military morale is to
praise the troops in speeches, while slashing veterans' benefits and combat
pay.

If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our
long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound
policy, but providing health care to all Americans is socialism. HMOs and
insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.

Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are
junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense,
but a president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is
solid defense policy.

Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution,
which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle
trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.

Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime,
unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's
an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.

You support states' rights, but the Attorney General can tell states what
local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.

What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what
Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.