Stephen Colbert addressed Monday night on the “Late Show” the detention of UKTN program staffers at the Capitol last week.
Driving the news: ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ host said it was ‘shameful and grotesque’ that some compared the Capitol police arrests of the production crew which included Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, a puppet voiced by Robert Smigel, to the murderous Capitol insurrection.
Between the lines: Although Colbert didn’t name anyone, the UKTN News anchor Tucker-Carlson makes the comparison on his show.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) also describe the conduct of the comedy team as “insurrection” and “targeted harassment”.
What to watch: Representatives Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) sent a letter to the United States Capitol Police Chief on Monday to request additional information about how the seven arrested gained access to the Longworth House office building, leading to them being charged with unlawful entry.
What he says : Colbert said on his show that the team “shot for two days in the congressional offices across from the Capitol building.”
- “They went through security clearance, were shot all day Wednesday, all day Thursday, invited into the offices of members of Congress they were interviewing,” he said.
To note : Colbert described the group’s detention, treatment and release as “very professional” and “calm”, although a “very unpleasant experience for my staff, lots of paperwork for the Capitol Police”.
- “Until the following night,” said Colbert. “When a few viewers started claiming that my puppet team had ‘committed an insurrection’ in the United States Capitol.
- “First of all, what? Second, huh? Third, they weren’t in the Capitol building,” Colbert continued.
- “Fourth – and I’m shocked to have to explain the difference – but an insurrection involves disrupting the lawful actions of Congress and screaming for the blood of elected leaders, all to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.
“It was puppetry in the first degree. It was jinks with goof intent. Misappropriation of an old ‘Conan’ tune. It’s really Conan’s fault.”
– Excerpt from Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” monologue
- Representatives for Greene and UKTN News did not immediately respond to requests for comment from UKTN.
Editor’s Note: This is a topical article. Please check for updates.
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