The Colbert Report Season 3 Episode 33 Nicholas D. Kristof
- March 12, 2007
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5.6 (7)
In season 3 episode 33 of The Colbert Report, host Stephen Colbert welcomes Nicholas D. Kristof to the show. Kristof is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and op-ed columnist for The New York Times.
The episode begins with Colbert discussing the controversy surrounding the proposed Islamic community center near Ground Zero in New York City. He jokes about the many objections to the center, including the fact that it is located two blocks away from the site of the September 11th attacks, and that it includes a mosque. Colbert quips that he agrees with opponents of the center, saying, "We should not have any buildings located within 20 miles of Ground Zero. And if they have mosques in them, we have to burn them down."
Kristof then joins Colbert on stage, and the two discuss a range of topics, including Kristof's recent reporting on sex trafficking and forced labor in Cambodia. Kristof recounts his experience interviewing a teenage girl who had been forced into prostitution. He also discusses the work of organizations that are fighting sex trafficking, and the challenges they face in trying to rescue victims and bring traffickers to justice.
Colbert and Kristof then turn their attention to the situation in Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced by war and genocide. Kristof explains the history of the conflict, and discusses the role that the international community can play in bringing about peace. Colbert jokes that he has a solution to the problem: "We just need to send in George Clooney with a baseball bat."
The conversation then turns toward Kristof's writing and reporting, and the role that journalism plays in our society. Kristof argues that at a time when traditional media outlets are struggling, it is more important than ever for journalists to serve as watchdogs and hold those in power accountable. He also discusses the importance of foreign reporting, saying that it is crucial for Americans to understand the world beyond our borders.
The episode ends with a segment called "Cheating Death," in which Colbert spoofs extreme sports and dangerous stunts. In this episode, he attempts to jump over a shark tank on a skateboard, and narrowly avoids being devoured by the hungry predators.
Overall, season 3 episode 33 of The Colbert Report is a thought-provoking and entertaining episode that covers a range of important topics, from sex trafficking and genocide to the role of journalism in our society. Colbert and Kristof's banter is both witty and insightful, and the episode is sure to leave viewers laughing and thinking at the same time.