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Mr. C & me.

Hooray, for America! On Monday's "The Colbert Report," M. Night Shyamalan made #2 on the "ThreatDown," thanks to my diligent review of "Lady in the Water." I wrote:

The key to deciphering M. Night Shyamalan's fractured fairy tale, "Lady in the Water," is to remember that it is rooted in the mythology of Stephen Colbert and "The Colbert Report." It is a warning to Mankind about the dire threat posed by ferocious topiary bears in America today, and a salute to the gigantic, soaring eagle who swoops in to rescue Wet Ladies from pitiless ursine jaws and claws. Colbert oughtta sue.

Colbert had the perfect topper: "Well, I am suing... Spoiler alert: I was fatally shot in 1995 and I'm a ghost." Thank you, Mr. Colbert -- you will never be Dead to Me. As a proud citizen of Colbert Nation for years (going back to "The Daily Show"), I could not be more honored if I'd received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Wait a minute, let me think: George Tenet, Paul Bremer, Tommy Franks... To get that medal these days you have to commit fraud, perjury and/or war crimes. No, I'm more honored to be cited by Stephen Colbert!

VIDEO CLIP: Go to the official site for "The Colbert Report." Open the Comedy Central media player and click on the video link for "ThreatDown: Kix Cereal."

Comments

That is absolutely incredible. And very fitting, too. These days sharp political satire is more valuable than any serious political dialogue for two reasons: 1) there is hardly any of the latter, and 2) it helps keep us sane amidst everything that is not.

Congratulations! Keep exposing those absurdities, both on screen and off.

Posted by: Robert Humanick | July 24, 2006 10:13 PM

For about two weeks now, caught in the welcome avalanche of the Dances with Films film festival in Los Angeles (writing reviews for what seems like most of the short films and some of the feature films shown there), there have been times where I've been struggling to keep my writing on par. And of course I sometimes go to Ebert for reference, while keeping with my own style, but tonight, I decided to click on your blog because I was curious about what had been going on with you lately. And after seeing this entry about your mention on the Colbert Report, I wonder what the hell is wrong with me that I haven't watched it in such a long time. I'm Tivoing the 5:30 a.m. repeat of this episode tomorrow, and making the show appointment viewing again. I'd forgotten what inspiration The Colbert Report can be most of the time.

Posted by: Rory L. Aronsky | July 24, 2006 10:55 PM

I was watching earlier and I was shocked, shocked (delightfuly so)when you came on screen. Congratulations on being honored by an honorable man. I don't know why but I always thought of this blog as somewhat small but you're blowing up, Emerson.
Vive Le Scanners

Posted by: Nick | July 24, 2006 11:27 PM

Jim, this is flat-out amazing!

Posted by: girish | July 25, 2006 04:10 AM

This is great news, and congratulations Jim, but I think we're losing perspective: remember, despite all the huzzahs, those bears are still out there...waiting...

Posted by: Aaron Reynolds | July 25, 2006 05:48 AM

Jim, this is absolutely hilarious! Congratulations! And you're absolutely right-- you've gotten the higher honor, for sure. But now I'm going to be on pins and needles waiting for the next M. Night Shamalayan film, because surely there will have to be someone in the cast who will be flamboyantly, violently killed on screen (He wouldn't dare make that someone a film critic again, would he? That would be redundant, after all, and we all know Shamalayan never drinks from the same well twice) and I'd like to starting taking bets now that that person, whatever his vocation, will be named Mr. Emerson! I'll keep my fingers crossed!

This is great stuff!

Posted by: Dennis Cozzalio | July 25, 2006 11:59 AM

Jim, I've come to admire your blog greatly. I damned near screamed with glee when I read your review of "Lady", and had to cut & paste your take on the Ghost of Joseph Campell... Rotten Lotus indeed!

Angry Smart People appreciate you!

Posted by: Mr Baker | July 25, 2006 12:31 PM

Congrats on keeping the Colbert World safe from the bears. Stephen Colbert gave the commencement speech at my college this year. Last year was Barack Obama, this year Colbert. Talk about two different views on graduating. If you want to see the perfect mash up of Colbert's humor and fairly heartwarming advice to college kids, look it up on youtube.

Posted by: Jake | July 28, 2006 08:54 AM

Congrats! It's a little disorienting, though, when my TV world and internet world start to collide... Ah, the technology.

I did so love your review of Lady in the Water!

Posted by: Ashley | July 31, 2006 01:30 AM