Steven Colbert and the Colbert Nation Save the US Olympic Speed Skating Team
December 17, 2009 – 8:50 am by Zach Krantz
One of the sponsors for USA Olympic Speed Skating 2010 in Vancouver is the Colbert Nation. Who is the Colbert Nation you ask? It’s the fans of Comedy Central’s Colbert Report starring Stephen Colbert. No, that’s not a misprint nor a joke. Colbert and Bob Crowley, the executive director of the show struck a deal in which Colbert promoted the sport to its viewers in exchange for the skaters wearing skin suits emblazoned with “Colbert Nation.” This all started in November when its financial-industry partner (DSB Bank) declared bankruptcy and waved goodbye to the team. Colbert asked the “Colbert Nation” to help and low and behold, according to USA Speed Skating, about 8,500 people have responded to raise about $250,000.
Colbert now appears on the front of Sports Illustrated’s latest issue wearing an Olympic speed skating uniform with a tie. This is not a joke people. This is really happening. But this is not all he has done. Colbert has launched a campaign against organizers at Vancouver’s Winter Olympics, labeling Canadians as “syrup suckers” and “ice holes,” after reports that his staff will have limited access to the Richmond Olympic Oval and other venues to international athletes. Again, this is not a joke, this is really happening.
Steven Colbert joined The Dan Patrick Show to talk about the Colbert Nation and what they are doing for the USA Speed Skating team and talks about what’s going on with Tiger Woods, amongst plenty of other things.
Asked to clarify exactly what he is doing for the USA Speed Skating team:
Asked if there were any members of the US team that did not like the offer for sponsorship by Colbert Nation:
“I think they all liked it. Now Mr. Shani Davis and I have had our differences. I don’t know why, I am a big fan of Shani; we are all pulling for him. He did call me a jerk, but I have challenged him to a speed skating race to settle our differences. All I asked for was a 1000 meter head start in the 500 meters. I will start skating and then I will call him on my cell phone once I have started to let him know he can start getting dressed.”
Asked if he gets a gold medal if anyone from the Speed Skating team wins:
“I am going to say yes and let’s see what happens. I am going to get a gold medal no matter who wins. Because if I am in Vancouver, when the other team is tearing up over the national anthem, I am just going to snatch that thing and run for the border.”
Asked what he thinks about Tigers situation:
“You mean destroying his life? I think it’s a bold strategy. I am down on Accenture and Gillette for dropping him. I can understand Gillette, because if you look at the women he slept with that may not be the best a man can get. But Accenture, they are a consulting firm, Tiger was just taking risks. You have got to be able to play from the rough and he clearly has been playing rough.”
Asked if he thought Tiger going on with Oprah is like feeding him to the Sharks:
“Gosh I don’t know. Going on theView would is being fed to the sharks.”
Listen to Steven Colbert on the Dan Patrick Show
Tags: Bob Crowley, Colbert Nation, Dan Patrick, DSB Bank, Oprah, Sports Illustrated, Stephen Colbert, The View, Tiger Woods, USA Olympic Speed Skating, Winter Olympics
