Stephen, Call Me
PHILADELPHIA - Hillary Clinton poked fun at her own 'readiness to solve problems' mantra, during a taping of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report."
Former Dem candidate John Edwards is also on the show tonight, and he and Clinton spoke backstage before she taped a minute-and-a-half bit today with comedian Stephen Colbert. The campaign would not provide details about Clinton's chat with Edwards.
The HRC bit begins with Colbert introducing a segment on Wednesday night's debate. The giant screen behind him shows color bars instead of a picture of what is supposed to be the city's Liberty Bell.
Colbert asks his technician, a disembodied voice whose owner we never see but whom he calls Jimmy, to fix the picture. Jimmy says he can't because all the technicians are back in New York.
Colbert: Are you telling me there's no one in this theater who can fix the mess we're in?
Clinton comes on stage to save the day, to laughter, cheers and applause.
Clinton: I can. I can, Stephen.
The crowd continues to whistle, yelp and cheer.
Clinton: Well, let me handle this. Jimmy?
Disembodied voice known as Jimmy: "Yes, Sen. Clinton?"
Clinton: About the screen. Are you using a digital or analog production truck?
Disembodied voice known as Jimmy: It's digital.
Clinton: Well, you've got a signal so the lamp is good. How are you feeding this? Through the router or the aux buss on the switcher?
Disembodied voice known as Jimmy: It's an aux.
Clinton: Well, try toggling the input.
The unseen Jimmy toggles the input, which fixes the picture, to cheers from the crowd.
Clinton then moves on to the next problem.
Clinton: You know what, Stephen? Your forehead is a little shiny. Makeup, makeup can we get some translucent powder please?
Laughter from the audience as makeup people come to his assistance.
Colbert: Wow, Sen. Clinton, you're so prepared for any situation.
More laughter from the crowd.
Colbert: I just don't know how to thank you enough.
Clinton: That's ok, Stephen. I just love solving problems. Call me anytime.
Colbert: Really?
Clinton: Sure. Call me at 3 am.
The senator then leaves the stage, waving to the audience as she goes, and Colbert ends with: "I am gonna call her at 3 am. I'm sure she left her cell phone number."
The episode airs tonight, re-airs several times tomorrow and can be seen online.
(NBC/NJ's ATHENA JONES)
What a sad commentary when this kind of show has such an influence on voters. Rowen and Martin must be rolling over in their graves. Sock it to me.