Screws fall out all the time, the world is an imperfect place.

I'm slow (ok, REALLY slow), but you knew I was going to blog about it. And you know I'll be watching tomorrow night (when it airs).



Considering they usually shoot in the afternoon and broadcast at night, I'm not sure what they did that night if this segment didn't air? I saw the episode but I honestly can't recall how they filled it out; (I also take just about anything in stride so it's not like I noticed anything awry).

Taken from Boing Boing: (But Richard Branson "cool?" Really? I'm going to go with TOTAL PENIS, but hey, I'm not biased or anything.)

Richard Branson dumps mug of water on Colbert and vice versa

Two of the coolest guys in the world, Sir Richard Branson and Stephen Colbert, apparently poured water on each other's heads in an unfriendly manner during a television segment taping that will likely never air.

BoingBoing reader George W. says,

Ian Bogost appeared on the Colbert Report on Tuesday, August 7 to discuss his [book and website] Persuasive Games. He mentions in his post, paragraph 7, that there was a segment filmed with another guest that went not exactly as expected. This guest was Richard Branson, presumably on to discuss one of his Virgin America planes being named in honor Stephen, the "Air Colbert." [Editors's note: Hey, I saw this plane chillin' on the SFO tarmac on on August 8! So cool.]

Apparently Branson got upset he wasn't able to advertise as much, and poured his mug of water on Stephen.

Here is a recount from a member of the studio audience that night. He posted this comment on a Stephen Colbert fan site under the name Rocktimus Prime (Link):

"I haven’t posted a recap anywhere else, but I’ll spill it here first. Branson was apparently upset that he wasn’t able to give a direct plug to the new Virgin service and doused Colbert with his guest mug of water. Stephen was DRENCHED. He took a beat, then signalled for his own “ammunition” for about twenty seconds until Alison (Silverman) ran and gave him her bottle of water, and Stephen retaliated. The two of them sat for a VERY uncomfortable second looking like two wet cats. Then Stephen thanked him for coming. I really don’t think it was planned, since Stephen had another bit to introduce (the American Samoa Better Know a Protectorate) and a full interview left to do. They had to get him a new jacket and even broke out a blowdryer. Everyone in the crew had a “WTF?” reaction."

Also of note, during the interview with Ian Bogost, there is a visible crushed poland spring water bottle sitting on the mantle. After approximately 1 minute the cameraman on Bogost adjusted to a different odd angle so the bottle was out of shot. There is a screenshot of Bogost with the bottle behind him in his blog posting, the first link.

I realize since this segment hasn't aired, and may never air, it might not something you would all normally post, but it is a very interesting turn of events.

I tend to like how Cinemablend puts it:

Colbert Vs Branson To Air: Best Awkward Water Fight Winner During a taping of the ‘Colbert Report’ last week some audience members reported that Sir Richard Branson, the eccentric rich British dude from Virgin Airlines and that space flight billionaire joy ride, dumped his mug of water on Lord Stephen’s head. Either the scenario was brilliantly set up, or there was some true tension between the two. We don’t know for sure. What is clear is seeing Colbert and Billionaire Branson get into a wet suit coat contest makes for great television.

Attendees had alerted BoingBoing to the shenanigans, and it was assumed the producers of the ‘Report’ would not allow the water fight to air. That seems incorrect on a number of levels. First of all, Colbert himself would insist on such golden television to air. He’s certainly not shied away from the controversy with his show and ‘The Daily Show’ making the rounds on Youtube. Not long ago he explained a broken wrist as an accident off-camera to work up the audience, at the end of the bit Colbert moans, “Please don’t put this on Youtube.” So yeah, Colbert and his rapist wit are fully prepared to air the Branson fight.

The altercation itself seems like either a poorly designed bit, or Richard Branson proving that rich and crazy doesn’t quite equal funny. After being denied the chance to name his new budget airline (a tactic Colbert uses to great effect in his parody of guys like Bill O’Reilly) Branson doused the host with water. Colbert retaliated with his own version of American justice, but during the break was reported to look angry and ruffled.

Whether scripted or not, the good news is that the taping is set to air on Comedy Central as planned on August 22nd.