Stephen Colbert: I am calling you out. Denigrate Apollo, and you’re gonna have a snootful of me, mister.
Spread the word: I want Mr. Colbert himself to hear about this, somehow, some way. Bears are no longer his Number 1 threat. I am.
About Bad Astronomy
If you went to BadAstronomy.com and found yourself here, never fear: the BA Blog has moved to its new home at Discover Blogs. The original BA site (with the Moon Hoax debunking and all that) is still online, too.
Phil Plait, the creator of Bad Astronomy, is an astronomer, lecturer, and author. After ten years working on Hubble Space Telescope and six more working on astronomy education, he struck out on his own as a writer. He has written two books, dozens of magazine articles, and 12 bazillion blog articles. He is a skeptic, and fights misuses of science as well as praising the wonder of real science.
Contact me: The Bad Astronomer "at" gmail "dot" com
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August 30th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
You Americans never went on the Moon! It was staged somewhere on the Mars! Everyone knows it: http://xkcd.com/202/
But I doubt that Colbert will answer your challenge
August 31st, 2007 at 12:31 am
OK I happen to be stuck in the middle here. I like Stephen Colbert. I will say this in his defense 90% of what he says on his show is for laughs only, not statements of his true beliefs.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:06 am
I think it would make a really entertaining show!
August 31st, 2007 at 1:16 am
Oh man, don’t take Stephen Colbert seriously. But hey, if it will get you on his show, go for it.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:30 am
You have way too much time on your hands. Way way wayyyy too much time on your hands.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:31 am
I don’t know the guy but I was physically shocked by a couple of the flippant comments – was also shocked by the interviewee’s deprecation. Maybe it wouldn’t be SO bad if I thought (and I don’t) that this Mr Colbert would be as flippant and as aggressive for laughs if he had some Christian or Islamic bigwig there, “so, you hide behind Islam…?”
August 31st, 2007 at 1:57 am
As most folks realize, Stephen Colbert portrays himself in the style of a rightwing Faux News commentator in order to actually expose their stupidity. It would be great fun to see Phil Plait on Colbert’s show. Yes, Colbert would make outrageous statements but I think Phil would get enough in edgewise to win the day. Bravo Phil!
August 31st, 2007 at 2:23 am
[...] Efron Stephen Colbert: On Notice! » This Summary is from an article posted at Bad Astronomy Blog on Friday, August 31, 2007 This [...]
August 31st, 2007 at 2:34 am
Perhaps mr. Astronomer did this out of sarcasm, but for the other readers out there, what Stephen Colbert says on the show is pretty much a satire most probably inspired by Fox News. Meaning, what he says is quite the opposite what he personally believes. His approach is to make as ludicrous claims as possible, to get the people laugh at and realize the methods some media use in their argumentation.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:49 am
You do realise that Stephen Colbert’s show is a spoof? And a very clever one at that. This one of my favourite clips of him in action…
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-869183917758574879
Love to see you on his show though.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:51 am
Phil, I really hope you’re joking here! Never, ever take anything Colbert says seriously!
August 31st, 2007 at 2:55 am
Wait, wait… Some of you people think PHIL was being serious? You think he doesn’t GET exactly what Colbert’s shtick is on his show? o_O
Why do you think his comments are in the same mock-confrontational manner? (I mean, we ARE all here for the intelligent discourse, are we not? Do we actually think Phil so dim-witted as to not notice? Sheesh…)
Personally, I look forward to seeing what we can do to get Colbert’s attention with this and get Phil on his show to rigorously defend science!
August 31st, 2007 at 3:08 am
Sorry, but if Phil’s last performance, (with Penn and Teller?), is anything to go by, it will be Phil who will come a cropper.
Remember Phill how you were floored by the “Von Braun was an evil Nazi” gambit that was almost like a knock out blow. Have you mugged up on that aspect of HB lore so this does not happen again?
August 31st, 2007 at 4:35 am
Let the Games Begin… Good Luck !
August 31st, 2007 at 5:21 am
Precisely, jfatz.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:25 am
Stephen who?
August 31st, 2007 at 5:31 am
Didn’t I post like last week that I wanted to see you on The Colbert Report? Until you’re on it, you’re letting Neil deGrasse Tyson have all the glory.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:37 am
“Bears will are longer his Number 1 threat”? I can’t even figure out WHAT you were trying to type there! Clearly you were incoherent with sheer rage
August 31st, 2007 at 5:41 am
Yeah! Let’s kick his arse! (In an epistemological sense, of course)
August 31st, 2007 at 5:46 am
[Science] “It’s not the best tool for getting into heaven.”
Priceless. How Colbert says his stuff with a straight face is beyond me.
You may have more trouble getting a word in than you did on the Penn show, though it would be in fun.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:47 am
I agree with Jeremy and Amanda…Stephen was ragging on Michael to get laughs, I don’t think he was serious. But if it’ll get you on the show….
August 31st, 2007 at 5:57 am
@Mori, me too! HuH?!?!?!!? I just hope he has a good editor for that book
Colbert’s on twitter… (hint, hint)
August 31st, 2007 at 6:09 am
Phil, aren’t you supposed to be busy writing a book?
Seriously, you would rock on Colbert’s show. Sure, he’ll probably do his best to make you look silly, but I think the tables could be turned on that bear-fearing, slick-haired proponent of “truthiness.”
Stephen Colbert can’t handle the truthiness!!
Go get him Phil!!
August 31st, 2007 at 6:12 am
Oh man, what a great way to start the day… Phil, thank you. Your video was hilarious and I really hope it gets you on the show! Space Balls… I nearly spit my orange juice on that.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:16 am
jfatz is absolutely right here. In fact, I’m pretty sure I almost saw Phil crack a smile in that video… right after the clip of Buzz punching that dude out.
Pure gold, my friend. I hope you make it on there – what a matchup that would be!
August 31st, 2007 at 6:19 am
Hey Phil…
someone posted on his site (Colbert Nation) that you challenged him.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:24 am
Uhhhhm, Dudes, Phil knows Colbert is satire, this is very tongue in cheek.
However I DO remember a skepticality podcast where he said he was scared of Stephen Colbert, I wonder if Colbert would use that interview against him?
Still, I would loooove to see you on the show Phil.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:30 am
I don’t know about anybody else, but I went onto http://www.colbernation.com and sent e-mail to the webmaster (who is in contact with Mr. Colbert) about this page. Should be interesting.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:33 am
@Mori: I think “Bears will are longer his Number 1 threat†was meant to be “Bears will are no longer his Number 1 threatâ€. Yes, it should be changed. It doesn’t make sense right now.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:38 am
Man… Does that Buzz punch ever get old? I don’t think so.
And yes. I generally like this Colbert person and find him to be somewhat insightful, but I can’t abide by his blatant ignorance on an issue of such importance as the moon landing. It’s un-American, Phil. Could it be that Mr. Colbert has taken to lying about the accomplishments of genuinely dedicated American patriots because he secretly believes the Soviet space program is more superior?
August 31st, 2007 at 7:01 am
Nice work, Phil. I really hope he gets you on his show. The two of you would would be funny as hell.
August 31st, 2007 at 7:12 am
[Sigh] Just another angry skeptic thinking that confrontation and animosity is the best approach. Do you think you’re winning friends here?
August 31st, 2007 at 7:16 am
I’m tempted to let my last post stand alone, but I won’t be able to watch the antics from work. As the bird says, “It’s a, I say, it’s a JOKE, son! I made a funny!”
Okay, who can put together a nice YouTube video of the Ultimate Smackdown, Plait vs Colbert, in true WWF style? We need that gravelly announcer’s voice and good nicknames and ridiculous graphics.
August 31st, 2007 at 7:43 am
Phil,
You thought Joe Rogan was frustrating? Imagine if him without Penn “moderating”. That’s what Colbert would be like… You’re right to be afraid of Colbert (I remember that podcast). That said, go for it!
August 31st, 2007 at 7:49 am
Thanks for the link to Google, Mick, that was so frakkin funny I bout croaked! Now I know who Colbert is, thanks! Bush looked less than amused about the roast, couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy (snicker)!
But Phil, how are YOU gonna keep a straight face? Colbert will come at you with the most hilarious comebacks ever! It’ll be fun to watch, but I don’t have cable (small kids in the house, too much dirty stuff on cable, easier & cheaper to just not have it) so one of you guys will HAVE to post it to YouTube!
Rich
August 31st, 2007 at 7:51 am
That’s it, Phil!! Bite ‘em on the ankles!! Teach ‘em a good lesson!!
…and when you do make it on his show, steal his Captain America Shield, his D&D dice, and Lightsaber. That takes away his powers better than photographing him to steal his soul!
August 31st, 2007 at 7:59 am
Phil you are such a media whore.
good luck
August 31st, 2007 at 8:01 am
Good luck, Phil. Will be nice to see you sitting in that chair across from Stephen.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:11 am
You’re taking Mister Colbert far too seriously. He throws out outrageous crap all the time just to get the laugh; none of it reflects his actual beliefs.
There’s a local radio guy who does the same thing; he brings up (and pretends to believe in) the “faked moon landing” just because it’s funny, not because he actually backs that opinion.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:22 am
Rasputin, we all know what happens when one has too much time on their hands. They look at pictures of Mars until their brain cracks and they see pyramids and stuff. So find something else to do, BA! For that is the path to the Dark Side!
August 31st, 2007 at 8:24 am
You’re taking Mister Colbert far too seriously. He throws out outrageous crap all the time just to get the laugh; none of it reflects his actual beliefs.
Mr. BA, you owe me a new irony meter for spawning this thread.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:57 am
I’ve heard that the guests who fare the best with Stephen Colbert are those who have studied Sun Tzu’s Art of War.
Also, I think that Stephen has two big weaknesses: an Achilles wrist and Jane Fonda.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:03 am
“Bears will are longer his Number 1 threat”
No, I don’t understand that either.
Is it an “American” thing? (I’m English btw). All I can say in reply is “There’s nowt wrong wi’owt what mitherin’ clutterbucks don’t barley grummit!”
August 31st, 2007 at 9:08 am
Yeah, Phil. Take Jane Fonda with you. That’ll teach him about the REAL Force,,,
GAry 7
August 31st, 2007 at 9:19 am
Phil: For the sake of your brain: NEVER WEAR A TIE!!!
It can reduce blood flow to that organ by 20 to 30 %,,,
Besides, on Colberts show, he can ask you why you’re such a tieless hippy and you can feed him that factoid,,,might also include the origin of the tie, which arose as an honorarium to Henry the VIII, the king of beheading wives,,,
Gary 7
August 31st, 2007 at 9:40 am
I do love this blog and do like the stuff you write and most importantly *how* you write it, but, seriously, ranting is not for you dude
August 31st, 2007 at 9:57 am
Phil, before you (hopefully) go on his show, be sure to watch him interview Richard Dawkins… I think you could leave him equally speechless.
http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/?lnk=v&ml_video=76821
August 31st, 2007 at 10:00 am
Very funny, Phil…you are a shameless publicity whore…got to shore up the sales for the next book, huh
Rob
August 31st, 2007 at 10:12 am
I’m not trying to be mean, hale_bopp, but that is exactly what Zahi Hawass’ detrators call him, and even though I know you were joking, as an archeologist it makes me uncomfortable. Zahi’s a good guy who teaches lots of people about Egypt, fights to get stolen artifacts returned to Egypt and is not at all shy about taking the Buzz Aldrin approach to archeo-woos (Metaphorically speaking.)
I just had an idea. If you look up Sibrel’s movie on Amazon, it says his middle name. And it’s a funny, old-lady type name. Between that and his initals, he must have gotten heck in school. We know all about how bullied kids can do completley insane, immoral things as revenge. I’m not saying that this is why he’s like that, but it COULD be an answer…
August 31st, 2007 at 10:15 am
*applause*
Go get ‘em, Phil! Slay the dragons of bad astronomy wherever they hide!
August 31st, 2007 at 11:02 am
He may respond to your challenge but it well be a bit, The Daily Show and The Colbert are in repeats all of next week.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:11 am
I hope our beloved Bad Astronomer can pull a Woz (AKA, stun Stephen speechless like Steve Wozniak).
August 31st, 2007 at 11:18 am
Phil,
You’re wasting your time buddy. He wasn’t being serious, he never is serious, and he’ll never be held accountable for anything he says because everyone knows how he is. He’s a John Stewart clone.
I seriously doubt Steven Colbert thinks our exploration of the moon is a hoax. He was make a tounge-and-cheek comment because his guest labels himself a skeptic.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:20 am
A shameless attempt to see Colbert, eh? Total media whoring!
Good luck.
And I’m shocked to see how many people in this comment thread thing Colbert is serious. I guess satire is a dead art.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:25 am
Ryan Dawson says:
Naww uhhh! My neighbor’s cousin’s friend knows him personally and he’s for real!
Anyway…I’m not sure if challenging Stephen Colbert is enough to get on his show. Phil may still need to continue to build a name for himself as a skeptic. Write a third book and call out Sylvia Browne et al. Also, learning magic tricks from Randi couldn’t hurt. We’re rooting for him!
A Doctor Who fanboy can take on a Star Wars fanboy any day.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:39 am
Quick follow-up:
I was actually able to get photos of the inside of Stephen Colbert’s house. He has eagles everywhere: in carvings and paintings, as stuffed toy animals, as stuffed real animals. I also counted 34 self-portraits.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Do I see a stop on your book tour? Alert your publicist now!
August 31st, 2007 at 12:18 pm
@”Bears are no longer his number 1 threat”
Colbert often does a segment called “The Threat Down” where he details 5 or so threats to America. Very frequently, bears make the list, often number 1. Colbert also frequently admits to being mortally afraid of bears.
@Josh B “I hope our beloved Bad Astronomer can pull a Woz (AKA, stun Stephen speechless like Steve Wozniak).”
Link? I’d like to see this!
August 31st, 2007 at 12:19 pm
nevermind. http://colbertondemand.com/videos/The_Colbert_Report/Colbert_Interviews_Steve_Wozniak
August 31st, 2007 at 12:42 pm
You sir, are a taint. An attention hungry taint.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:48 pm
It continues to amuse me that people in comments 1) are taking Stephen Colbert seriously; 2) are taking your indignation at Stephen Colbert seriously and feel the need to explain that he’s a satirical newscaster; and 3) don’t realize just how dangerous bears really are.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:06 pm
First question to expect from Colbert if Phil gets on:
“Mr Plait. You, yourself, admit that you are a bad astronomer. So why should I believe anything you say about the moon landings?”
August 31st, 2007 at 1:19 pm
… all your bases are belong to Bears !
August 31st, 2007 at 1:23 pm
[...] versus Colbert: Apollo OK. I’m spreading the word, to this rabble here. Maybe it will help. BA Blog: Stephen Colbert: On Notice! Listen up, BAUTsters… [...]
August 31st, 2007 at 1:45 pm
About 90% of those commenting on this need to have their irony-meters recalibrated. They’re completely broken.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:58 pm
August 31st, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Phil’s too smart to believe in Colbert. This is clearly an attempt at shameless self-promotion.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
August 31st, 2007 at 3:59 pm
DO IT PHIL! TAKE HIM DOWN!
But actually, on a related note… and kinda funny coincidence. I happened to have just written something on the whole moon landing hoax which takes an angle I had not yet seen before. You may be interested:
http://depletedcranium.com/?p=90
August 31st, 2007 at 4:00 pm
That was the first time that I have ever seen the fisticuffs clip, sorry to ask a newbie question but what was that from?
It does bring up another question though. Are women allowed to have man crushes on Buzz Aldrin?
August 31st, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Sounded like a joke to me.
August 31st, 2007 at 4:28 pm
I like your ending line, Phil:
“Do you have the space-balls?”
BTW folks, that line alone should be a sign that this is not serious, but satire.
“What? You went over my helmet?!”
August 31st, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Well done Phil.
If you do get an invite to the show, do better than Shermer did. I don’t think he really “got it” with regard to what really happens if you’re Colbert’s guest. It looked to me like he thought he’d actually be able to get more than a few lines in. Don’t get me wrong, I like Shermer and know he speaks well.
have a great time on the cruise!!
August 31st, 2007 at 4:55 pm
QD said “All your base are belong to bears”. Laser bears, maybe.
(If you didn’t get that: in the game Age Of Mythology, you can use a cheat to summon an almost invincible creature called a laser bear that wears a Canadian flag cape and is also called a “canabear” for that reason. When you roll over your laser bear to check it’s stats, it says “all your base are belong to us”. When I first played AOM, I had no idea what that meant!)
August 31st, 2007 at 5:18 pm
You are dumb for taking anything that Steve says on his show seriously.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Umm, Stephen Colbert is joking you attention whore.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Umm, Stephen Colbert rarely says anything that isnt in jest you attention whore.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:24 pm
“Bears are longer his Number 1 threat. I am.” That doesn’t make any sense. Bad astronomer and a retard. You should know by now that most of the time Colbert is joking.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:28 pm
U just dreaming about free publicity…
August 31st, 2007 at 5:29 pm
I would like to point out that the comments here have caused me great amusement.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:38 pm
You’re putting colbert on notice?
Are you a complete moron?
He makes fun of the right wing pundits you idiot!
Nothing he says should be taken seriously.
I’m putting you on notice for being a complete jack-ass.
I hope you get raped by bears for attempting to drum up page views by taking satire seriously…
idiot.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Hey, take it easy man. The last thing we need in this world is more threats and belligerence. There is no need to stress, Colbert is just messing around… Do you really believe anything he says?
August 31st, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Go for it – should be fun! I’m with you Phil!
August 31st, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Spaceballs..
hehehehehehe
August 31st, 2007 at 5:53 pm
for some reason i just can’t take as anything but a stunt to get on his show, and draw attention to your blog. everybody knows that what he says is for laughs, if you don’t then you are far more dense than his character.
but im still gonna go with this as a publicity stunt.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Do you NOT know that that The Colbert Report is satire?
August 31st, 2007 at 6:02 pm
As so many are pointing out, if you take anything Colbert says on his show at face value, you’re so missing the point. It’s satire plain and simple. And often brilliant satire at that.
It’s a comedy show. Hello?!
August 31st, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Wow, that’s quite a transparent attempt at self promotion. Though it was funny watching Buzz punch that guy out. I hope you get on the show to reenact it. Stephen can be Buzz and you can be the jerk that gets punched in the face. Everybody wins!
August 31st, 2007 at 6:06 pm
The problem here is people who claim to have some inside scoop on the Ultimate Truth and Reality and how arrogant they are about.
Which includes Shermer, Plait, Pat Robertson, Islamic clerics.
Whoever claims that science has brought us Truth should just go back and read the ever-changing claims of science.
Science is repeated observations and drawing conclusions from those observations. We only see a part. Not all true things are observable or repeatable.
We know how electricity operates at certain levels but we don’t understand it completely. We know that gravity does indeed exist but we don’t understand what causes it.
We are all still in the dark and shouldn’t go around arrogantly proclaiming Truth.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Sir,
You know Colbert is acting, his whole show is a parody of Bill O’Reilly.
Please stop trying to jump on Colbert’s coattails – you’re embarrassing yourself.
Thanks
Used-to-be-fan-of Badastronomy.com
August 31st, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Rofl yea, Colbert is a comedian. His entire show is just a mocking embodiment of some ridiculous right winger. He’s definitely a leftie, watch his roast of President Bush. Don’t get offended just cause he takes a light hearted shot at skeptics.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Um, I’m pretty sure that Phil is aware that Colbert isn’t serious. For those of you that think otherwise, you are being ignorant. Furthermore, you are obviously the ones that can’t catch on to satire.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Ummm ever heard of a joke? Yah, that’s kinda what Colberts whole show is about. Look into it.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Um, I’m pretty sure that Phil is aware that Colbert isn’t serious. For those of you that think otherwise, you are being ignorant. Furthermore, you obviously have trouble catching on to satire yourself.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:17 pm
sorry for the double post. trouble with the computer.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Ummm ever heard of a joke? Yah, that’s kinda what Colberts whole show is about. Look into it weirdo.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:18 pm
What’s hilarious is how everyone is pointing out that Colbert is joking, when they can’t seem to spot that Plait clearly isn’t really being serious either in his “I’m callin’ you out!” rhetoric – it’s just a good chance to set the record straight on the science, and a chance to get on the show. Why not, right?
August 31st, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Exactly!
August 31st, 2007 at 6:24 pm
It’s AMAZING how many people out there think they’re the only ones smart enough to realize Colbert is satire. I suppose we should be thankful they came along to let us in on the joke.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:27 pm
You must maintain your temper as best as you can. If one man comes out looking like a lunatic the other man is seen as a lunatic as well.
Of course the question we all ask down here on Earth is this: When shall human beings return to the lunar surface?
So a fight would be good PR after all. By the way, would a punch on the chin (on the lunar surface) be six times weaker, or would the face fly back six times more than on Earth?
August 31st, 2007 at 6:46 pm
This isn’t satire. Its not funny.
August 31st, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Phil, I wish you the best of luck with your mission. I would love to see you on the show. You have a sort of sarcastic, witty, kind of attitude reminiscent of Colbert himself. It would be very entertaining to watch you two bump heads.
August 31st, 2007 at 7:28 pm
wow…
August 31st, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Phil, I posted a link to this entry at Tech Comedy Central. Just spreading the word!
And yeah, I think it’s hilarious (and sad) how many people think you are serious and that you don’t know Colbert is satirical. Wow.
August 31st, 2007 at 7:48 pm
doesnt he know colbert is part comedian and just joking, he plays the ignorant republican as a joke, when he’s clearly as liberal as san fransico.
August 31st, 2007 at 7:51 pm
I haven’t seen much of this guy but I’m pretty sure isn’t he supposed to be a parody of himself?
August 31st, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Amen.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:50 pm
[...] read more | digg story [...]
August 31st, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Yossarianon wrote:
“It’s AMAZING how many people out there think they’re the only ones smart enough to realize Colbert is satire…”
Really? – And it’s also AMAZING how many people out there think that the other people out there think that they are the only ones who know Colbert is satire. (But they know they’re not.)
It’s also AMAZING how many people think that other people don’t know that Phil is challenging Colbert in the Colbert style. (But he is and they do know.) – Except for “President” Bush and his staff who invited Colbert to speak at a function actually assuming he was some kind of conservative lackey. He got them good.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Wow, I need yet another irony gland transplant. I’m afraid mine might be dead for sure.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:20 pm
The moon landing WAS a fake.
http://www.moonhoax.com/
August 31st, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Decide for yourself.
http://digg.com/videos/educational/U_S_Didn_t_Land_on_the_Moon_Not_true
August 31st, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Dude, do you not realize that Colbert was being sarcastic?
His entire show is irony.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Wait a sec..I get it now…Colbert was making a joke!
Pete
August 31st, 2007 at 10:03 pm
See, this is what happens when you have an entire generation who thinks that “irony” has something to do with “rain on your wedding day”.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:19 pm
From the appearance:
RETURN FROM COMMERCIALS
Tonight’s guest is Phil Plait, The Bad Astronomer. He’s gonna find out how BAD I’m going to nail him.
STEPHEN RUNS TO AUDIENCE, CHEERS, RETURNS TO INTERVIEW TABLE
Doctor Plait, or is it Professor?
PP: Doctor.
SC: So you’re the Bad Astronomer? Why are you so proud of being Bad? and what are you bad at?
PP:(I debunk Bad Astronomy in the media, including your show (to get his attention))
AUDIENCE BOOS.
anyone want to continue this?
J/P=?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:25 pm
FemaCamper– that video uses my friend Jay Windley as the expert. He runs clavius.org and is a regular at http://www.bautforum.com.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Can we please get Phil on the show??? Because I live near New York and if they fly Phil out for the taping then as a fringe benefit I can give him that BIG HUG I’ve mentioned before…
September 1st, 2007 at 12:03 am
Don’t you people realize that the people who are mocking the people who are mocking the people who are mocking Phil for not getting the joke about Colbert are….
er…
um….
…
*whimper*
…
This has got to be the most bizarre comment thread I have ever seen on the Internet!
September 1st, 2007 at 12:21 am
Hey Phil, I think you would be great on the Colbert Report. It seems that he has scientists on his show a lot, so if he hears about your challenge I bet you’d have a good chance of getting on.
PS – Wow, I just listened to your interviews on the Penn Jillette show “debating” Joe Rogan about the moon landing. I don’t know how you deal with these complete morons without losing your temper. It’s almost embarassing to hear these conspiracy theorists talk, and its certainly infuriating! Penn Jillette did a terrible job moderating it too, he almost sounds like he believes Joe “Things I’m Too Dumb To Understand Can’t Exist” Rogan.
September 1st, 2007 at 1:37 am
It’s astounding how many on this thread thing Phil is serious and ge doesn’t realize Colbert was trying to get laughs and wasn’t serious himself. Phil’s clip was hilarious, sarcastic, and yes, Phil gets it, sheesh….
September 1st, 2007 at 1:38 am
This is the closest I’ve seen a comment thread come to youtube standards, outside of youtube.
And I’d pay to see BA on the CR.
September 1st, 2007 at 1:49 am
I really don’t think Phil is trying to be a ‘media whore’ or really even trying to get on Colbert’s show. It was just a hilarious clip Phil made (and another excuse to get Buzz’s punch in somewhere). I thought we had a higher standard of intelligence around here.
September 1st, 2007 at 2:04 am
Don’t you stupid people know who Groucho Marks was? Don’t you? Think Groucho!!! For the love of god!
September 1st, 2007 at 2:50 am
Oh, please, Colbert so obviously made fun about the moonlanding. I don’t understand the question(!) as his own opinion, rather then picking on his guest. You can also presume, that Colberts writers will know about his guests beliefs so he can act adequately in the “interview”.
September 1st, 2007 at 3:17 am
…hmm, looking at the clips I see I was too hasty in my comments! The guy is a total piss-taker – and good at it!!
Once again we see the danger of making judgements on too little evidence…
September 1st, 2007 at 3:39 am
Phil – that was class. Though I do understand the feeling among some that you have slightly lowered your standards in jumping on this bandwagon. Still, if it’s what you want, then… good luck to you, and I look forward to seeing the video!
September 1st, 2007 at 4:33 am
OK, so all these righteously indignant posts (”he’s joking, you idiot”) are really triple-whammy satire. I mean, of course we all know that Phil knows that Colbert is satire… but everyone is making a satire on dumb-as-rocks blog commenters.
Right?
September 1st, 2007 at 5:03 am
Hey Phil. You’re pretty stupid if you’re serious about this. Watch a few of Colbert’s shows and you’ll understand his humour.
September 1st, 2007 at 5:36 am
Anyone familiar with Photoshop can download the moon landing photos from NASA website zoom them to about 800 times and easily see that horizons in the photos are cut and paste job! The Moon landing photos are obvious fake!!!!
Moon is easily visible from earth, so whoever lands on moon has to hoist a balloon or fire a flair on moon to conclusively establish moon landing. If moon landing is possible only during day time on earth then landing party can do a differed time flair launch during night time on earth. Till someone does that, nobody has landed on moon rest in peace.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:09 am
I love the Colbert Report but ican’t stand the interviews. I know he’s supposed to be parodying loud-mouths like O’Reilly, but i actually want to hear what the person has to say, and he just doesnt shut up.
I wish he’d do the interviews not totally straight but a bit more-so. Just like playing the devil’s advocate, but not as over the top as he does it. And save the over the top stuff for the fake interviews he does with like Russ Lieber (played by David Cross).
September 1st, 2007 at 7:32 am
Phil,
You on Colbert would be hilarious. I wonder how many cups of coffee that guy’s on. I’m amazed he can talk like that and never trip over his own tongue.
I love (some of) your little video clips.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:58 am
By-the-by- for a few of the folks up there (in comments):
I *think* Phil is clued in to the satirical nature of the Colber Repor.
I’m w/ “idlemind.”
Yes, I’d love to see Phil go on & take some stabs at the ID (idiot denialist) crap!
September 1st, 2007 at 8:39 am
Sad attempt to try and get some publicity -
good freakin’ luck.
September 1st, 2007 at 10:45 am
lol @ all the retards who think phil is seriously pissed at colbert
September 1st, 2007 at 10:53 am
dork
September 1st, 2007 at 11:03 am
Colbert has gon too far.
September 1st, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Seriously, I’d love to see you on The Colbert Report. You were fantastic on Penn’s radio show against Joe (those were my favorite shows!) so I’d love to see you go up against Stephen Colbert’s character. Ah, I can picture it, already…
September 1st, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Seriously, I’d love to see you on The Colbert Report. I loved the shows you did with Joe on Penn’s radio show, so I’d be thrilled to see you go up against Stephen Colbert’s character, too.
Ah, I can picture it, already…
September 1st, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Aarrrggghhh!
A giant sphincter opened up in space-time and oozed out Colbert deniers.
He’s for real, bitches!
September 1st, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Dude I really hope this is a joke because he was obviously joking.
September 1st, 2007 at 1:26 pm
You’re just about as corny as my mom.
September 1st, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Phil would be great on the Colbert Report. The BA website and the Colbert Report are two of my favorite media/entertainment sources (scary).
Stephen gets so into his character sometimes that he doesn’t let the guests get to state their case, but I doubt that would be a problem with a BAD dude like Phil.
The funny part is that this comment thread actually contains comments from Colbert-fan moon-landing deniers who not only believe it was faked (and obviously didn’t read this website, since they link to sources that have been thoroughly debunked by Phil), but also probably think that Colbert is a fellow moon-landing denier – which means they themselves are most likely taking Colbert at face value and missing the satire. Which is what is so weird about The Colbert Report – there are a lot of people who agree with the outlandish views he satirically promulgates, and are actually swayed by his nonsensical arguments. In other words, even though Colbert is intended as satire, some people do take him seriously, and a certain segment of them actually are convinced the moon landings were really faked, because Colbert says they were. For real.
Which is why Phil should come forearmed with an arsenal of quick, witty rejoinders, should he enter the Chapel Perilous that is the Colbert Report.
Phil, be sure to casually bring up some astronomical phenomenon, and then ominously mention that it lies in the constellation Ursa Major – The Great Bear. That would be priceless.
Also, some completely over-the-top national pride about the moon landings – like Buzz’s – wouldn’t hurt. I’d like to see Colbert’s reaction to a hyper-patriotic scientist claiming that the moon-landing deniers are a bunch of America-hating commies. Phil asking him “Stephen, why do you hate America?” would be a choice cut of satirical beef, with a large side order of irony.
September 1st, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Colbert will own you.
September 1st, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Hi Phil,
as a BA blog and Colbert Report fan, your little video totally made my day! Neil DeGrasse Tyson did a good job on that show on the pluto controversy : do you think you can do better?
Also, I’m just wondering: did you tape yourself between two chapters of your new book (hey! you’re not supposed to procrastinate so many years after grad school…), or said book is practically done and now you need a plan to promote it? Colbert Report would be a good place then, I can’t wait to see you there.
-Melipal (long time reader, first time commenter)
September 1st, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Please stop with the cursing, you guys! This is supposed to be a family website!
I didn’t want to do that. I don’t like being mean, but it was neccesary. Now I’m going to hug my stuffed Chikorita.
September 1st, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Oh, lordy.
Phil: that was HI-larious.
I’ve been to a Colbert taping, and I think you’d be great. He’s that ‘caffeinated’ throughout the whole thing; I don’t know where he gets that kind of energy, but it’s a great show.
Can we go in on an industrial-size jar of irony-replacement pills for general distribution? I could check Costco….
September 1st, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Give ‘em hell, Phil! He wants the truth, but he can’t HANDLE it!
September 1st, 2007 at 9:03 pm
My cousin writes for the show (seriously… watch the credits and look for the same last name). I’ll be sure to let him know that you’re calling Colbert out. Maybe we can make this happen.
I’m on your side, Phil!
September 1st, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Yer yella Colbear, ya hear? Yella if you don’t face up. Yella belly…Yella!
September 2nd, 2007 at 4:47 am
Joe Public:
“Moon is easily visible from earth, so whoever lands on moon has to hoist a balloon or fire a flair on moon to conclusively establish moon landing.”
The Moon might be easily visible from Earth, but sending up even a large balloon from its surface would still not be visible except through a powerful telescope, and neither would a flare (note spelling). It would still not convince sceptics such as yourself, even if it were visible. And Photoshop wasn’t around in the 60’s, nor were powerful computers capable of clever image manipulation. I personally have examined plenty of genuine high quality lunar photographs with modern software, and as far as I can tell there is no evidence of a hoax. But of course sceptics will see hoaxes everywhere they look.
The Moon landings are the greatest achievement of the U.S. and possibly the whole world, ever. You should be proud of what your country’s done (I’m assuming you’re American), not pouring scorn on a stupendous achievement which was done in the name of Science.
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Oh my god, people get over it! Phil was obviously joking…those who are repeatedly pointing out that Phil is an attention-whore (whatever the hell that means) and an idiot for taking this guy seriously (never heard of him, myself) need to take a reality check.
Phil is a hero and a role model for a lot of people, myself included. Download a life.
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Sorry, balloons on the Moon? How would that work? I’m surprised Elwood Herring didn’t see what was wrong with that idea when he quoted Joe Public.
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I really hope you aren’t talking to me, Travis.
September 2nd, 2007 at 7:06 pm
I can guarantee that Stephen has seen this.
September 2nd, 2007 at 7:24 pm
I’m getting a really good laugh at the people who don’t understand that Phil is joking and call him an “idiot” because he supposedly doesn’t understand that Steve Colbert is joking. It reminds me of people who deny global warming by trotting out op-eds paid for by ExxonMobil which allege that the scientists claiming the climate is changing are just doing it for money. Or creationists who censor comments in their threads about how the evil atheist darwinists won’t let them speak their minds. You could point out the irony of this to them, but they can’t see it.
Phil, I thought your video was funny, and if Steve Colbert responds in some way I’d love to see it! If you really want to get to him, go for his wrists!
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Rock on!!!!! NASA’s got your back!!!!
September 4th, 2007 at 10:29 am
*grabs hold of the Bad Astronomers arm*
“Leave him Phil, he’s not worth it!!”
As we say in the UK
September 4th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Just Al got me thinking… WWF isn’t right.. for this kind of confrontation, you need Celebrity Deathmatch.. or my favorite Muppets – Waldorf and Statler.
September 4th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
nuts- I really wish I could edit my posts – I meant to comment on the number of individuals who fee constrained to post without bothering to read the OTHER posts. What’s the point – besides showing how you like to shoot your mouth off.
ee – that’s an image I can live without
September 5th, 2007 at 9:46 am
So, Phil, your visibility may have gone up through using Digg, but I have to say the quality of the blog comments has gone down – way down. I can’t even bother to respond to them because apparently none of them are reading the other blog comments, just posting their 956th iteration of the same comment.
September 5th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Awesome. For good measure, attach a solid rocket booster to your forearm.
September 6th, 2007 at 5:57 am
I know the moon hoax is true you see I was in a US army hasmat unit and we were sent to area 51 to cotain a germ outbreak my teem was killed but Ifound the movie set where the hoax was filmed and broadcasted .All this happed in march on my playstation2 maybe Mr Colbert is a big video game addict like me
September 7th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Ah Phil….
The entertainment you spawn with your ruminations…….
September 8th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Phil, I love your site and everything you have to talk about… but dude, Colbert purposely pushes the Bill O’Reilly gimmick. Don’t take him that seriously.
September 8th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Phil, that was very funny and I share your dislike of colbert. I hated him ever since he had on that founder of the minutemen. He’s just a bad entertainer who some crook at comedy central put on the air. Keep doing what your doing because we need it.
September 11th, 2007 at 7:58 am
[...] Stephen Colbert: On Notice! The Bad Astronomer challenges Stephen to a duel. Grab the popcorn, kids; someone questioned the moon landing. [...]
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:58 am
[...] read more | digg story [...]
October 4th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Aww, now Colbert’s gone and ruined it by “converting” from HB to landing believer on last night’s show (October 3rd). Maybe the threat of a possible confrontation with the BA was too much and he needed some sort of “out”…
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
[...] in the world but me. Stephen, what must I do? I wrote a book about the end of the world, and I even threatened to have Buzz Aldrin punch you. And yet you still invite Derrick Pitts on your show, and not [...]
August 24th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
[...] NASA launches the COLBERT treadmill into space. Presented without comment (except CURSE YOU STEPHEN COLBERT!) here’s Colbert’s NASA [...]
August 25th, 2009 at 5:10 am
Colbert in reality is a sci-fi and fantasy geek. He’s pro-science, and his satirical persona on the show is deliberately ridiculous. He’s had Neil deGrasse Tyson on his show repeatedly, and they seem to have a great time. I’d love to see Phil on the show.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Far out this guy (Phil Plait) is lame. get a sense of humour for heavens sake. Your clearly need to get out more…