Stephen Colbert, You Were Too Subtle This Time
I love irony, and I love Stephen Colbert — he’s the son I never had. But sometimes, irony is too subtle; people don’t catch it and end up taking what they see and hear at face value, maybe even as an endorsement.
I think this is the case with a recent segment on the Colbert Report about myfreeimplants.com. That terrible website allows women to create profiles of themselves and communicate with men willing to “help them with their self-esteem” by “donating” a certain amount of money per communication to her implant fund, and apparently the more sexy pictures a woman uses, the more likely she will reach her goal.
The Colbert Report segment features the young man who founded myfreeimplants.com, his friends, and a few of the women who financed their implants through the site. To my mind, these young people — who evidently spend a lot of time in bars and subscribe to the idea that every woman needs a good pair of breasts to be socially successful and valuable — appear laughably thoughtless and superficial. Unfortunately, in an MTV and Maxim world, they are representative of how many many young people think these days, among whom the Colbert Report is very popular. Now, I know that Stephen Colbert is highly intelligent, and while it’s not likely that he’s done his research on the dangers of implants, I know in my gut that he personally doesn’t think very highly of them. But does his audience?
I wish, I wish — oh, how I wish! — the show had done just a little research and thrown in a closing zinger about painful, missile-hard breasts and/or how plastic surgeons are getting rich from re-operations!
Thank you, Feminist Peace Network, for writing about it or I would have missed it, and for calling for people to protest to Comedy Central. I urge all our friends to do so, here.
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Aaron Wakling
Comment by Aaron Wakling — March 7, 2008 @ 9:01 am
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I think you’re severely underestimating the intelligence of the majority of Report viewers. The fans I know are all very switched-on people, many of them with a keen interest in current events, and I find the idea that any of them might take that segment as an endorsement of breast implants frankly rather laughable.
Are there going to be people who do believe that Stephen is promoting breast implants? We can’t rule out the possibility. Nor can we say that none of them are nodding along approvingly as his character “attacks” the Democrats. But I simply can’t imagine any regular viewer of the show seeing the segment you’re referring to as anything other than what it is: a mockery of a group of idiotic, superficial men and their disgusting objectification of women.
And really, there are far too many real, serious women’s issues out there to get distracted by this kind of nonsense.
Comment by Jess — March 7, 2008 @ 5:28 pm
you shouldnt underestimate the majority of the viewers. I am sure most of us understand subtlety and irony… well, except the republicans… plus dont forget what Jon said in Larry King, that people think their shows are very funny, until they make fun of an issue they care about. Then it’s not funny anymore… They are jesters, they are suppouse to make fun of the world and point out the obvious and its flaws, not to change it.
Comment by EvilDevil — March 7, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
To Whom It May Concern:
We’re not stupid, even if many of us are on the younger side.
Also, beware the critic, who whines much and creates little!
Love, Colbert Nation
P.S. Hasn’t the piece done its job by opening this dialogue?
Comment by Hillary — March 8, 2008 @ 3:03 am
The people who watch Stephen Colbert are many and diverse. I’m sure Sybil knows that lot of them totally got the satire of the myfreeimplants segment, but all of them? Anyway, why the rush to defend Stephen Colbert? This post wasn’t critical of him. In fact, Sybil clearly loves him. It was just an expression of her wish that the segment was clearer in its mockery of the people attached to that website.
And Jess, breast implants is a serious women’s issue. It involves women’s health, and a society that sets unrealistic expectations of how women should look to the point that it’s become totally acceptable for her to get her chest cut open for the sake of her looks. Also, implants are available and aggressively marketed to women - DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEIR LONG-TERM SAFETY HAS NEVER BEEN PROVEN. That’s why NOW and Our Bodies Ourselves are very involved in the breast implant issue. About 400,000 women got them last year, and the demand is rising. But they are not safe and a lot of those women will get sick, some of them really really sick.
Comment by Gloria — March 8, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
I never said breast implants weren’t a serious women’s issue. As it happens, I believe that they are, and I think that there needs to be much greater attention paid to the serious health risks that they pose - not to mention, in a wider sense, the increasingly unrealistic standards that are placed on “beauty” and the lengths it is now considered acceptable to go in order to achieve this. I just don’t think it’s the duty of a comedy show to address all of this. And that appears to be the issue raised in this post, which I think is pure nonsense.
As I said, there are far too many real issues to be address - yes, including the country’s increasing fixation on breast implants - to get hung up on a silly five-minute comedy segment.
Comment by Jess — March 8, 2008 @ 11:30 pm
It’s because of “that ad,” “that music video,” “that TV show” which cumulatively has set our impossibly high beauty standards and created the cult of plastic surgery. There are so few media outlets and public figures that resist this trend, that when one of the few that we trust to be too smart, too sane, too clear-eyed and too good a guy to knowingly help propagate the “you must be more beautiful” dynamic, decides to comment on the one issue, breast implants — the ultimate symbol of that dynamic — in a way that falls short of our high expectations, that leaves us wanting reassurance that we know exactly where he stands on an issue important to us, well, then I think it’s understandable for people working on this issue to be disappointed. And if you’ve read Sybil’s bio, you’d know that she’s dedicated her life to this issue.
Comment by Gloria — March 9, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
I can understand that, but I also think you need to lighten up. Stephen Colbert is not a spokesman for anybody’s cause. He’s not a newsman or an educator. He’s an entertainer. Now, I suppose some could make the argument that as many young people claim to get their news from his show and The Daily Show that he has some educational responsibility - but that’s just silly. He’s not paid to be anything but funny. And as he’s often pointed out himself, the notion that people come to his show for news is flawed, because much of the humour on the Report relies on the viewer’s knowledge of current events and issues.
So Colbert made a joke about a bunch of sleazy, moronic bogans and their objectification of women, and you’re disappointed he didn’t press the issue further. Fair enough. The show’s content isn’t always going to appeal to everyone and it being an issue that’s important to you, it’s quite understandable for you to lament that.
But complaining to Comedy Central, as this post urges? That’s where it gets silly for me.
Comment by Jess — March 9, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
Any time breast implants are presented in any form, comedy or not, some consideration should be given to the effects breast implants have on some offspring of implanted women.
It’s NOT funny!
It’s one of the ugliest secrets in America!
Comment by Rogene — March 15, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
Here is my Commit to Stephen Colbert’s remark..I happen to be one of the Women on myfreeimplants.com..and it is very important you get the TRUE facts about the site..before you judge it..and those of us on it!
First I am a actual model..have been one for over ten years..so that is what I mean by model. SO that is why I say Model on myfreeimplants.com (Have been retired for three years..because I am deadly ILL which is why I am on myfreeimplants.com) THE MORE Photo’s and video’s a woman sends out on the site…the LONGER she will be on the SITE…WOMEN who dont do that..WILL Reach their goals faster..and with their self respect! So Again…people dont have their facts CORRECT! I can name SEVERAL of the Ladies who made their GOALS and are in the HALL OF FAME and never SENT ANYTHING to benefactors for donations. The men on the SITE really do become my friends..and I cherish their, and their wife’s friendship.
Secondly..no one ever said that a woman has to have LARGER breasts to be a woman…It is up to the woman..but people like you should not judge us for wanting to get larger breasts for ourselves…NO woman goes to myfreeimplants.com with out doing her home work first!
So you can BET that each woman on the site..is there FOR HERSELF..and no one else. It is a PERSONAL choice..and one that is not anyone elses concern. ;0)
Thirdly…THERE ARE around 60% or more of women out of the Thousands on the myfreeimplants.com who are there FOR surgery because of BREAST CANCER, Batched Breast Surgeries in the past, or for REAL breast issues such as only having one boob, or having part of one cut out..and beling lop sided. So this is A GREAT AND NEW CAUSE! (THE other 40% are there because of losing alot of weight, and chest size…or because of breast feeding alot of children..and losing their size)
WE are there because we cant pay for it ourselves..and ACTUALLY
Around 80% out of the 40,000+ Men on the site are there to HELP..and never ask for anything..and infact will get angry if a girl send them photo’s or video’s..so AGAIN YOU HAVE YOUR facts all WRONG… Only 20% of the men are there to get things..and will quickly get bored, and leave the site..because it is not what they thought it was…lol
As I stated before…please get your facts straight..before writing about a new site..or a new cause.
Just because it is not a Save the Environment, or a Find a cure for Breast cancer (By the way Myfreeimplants.com has DONATED ALOT of money for BREAST cancer research..so they are trying ot help out in more way than one..and alot of the MEN on the site..are son’s, brothers, husbands, and nephew’s of Breast cancer suffer’s or surviviers…) or a cure for AID’s..or any other cause you can think of..does not MEAN it is not a WORTHY CAUSE! Any time a group of people start a new Cause, or have a NEW Invention..or idea..they will always have small minded individuals..who are so set in their ways..that they miss the boat.
Just think of The Wright Brothers and their airplane…they were told that they were CRAZY..that the plane would never fly..but look what happend..we all fly in small, and commercial planes now!
Now I want to point your attention to Alexander Graham Bell who invented the Telephone…he was told YOur NUTS..but look what we all cant live without..the TELEPHONE!
J.H. Smith was the one of the FIRST men to invent the Computer..but his idea at the time did not fly…now look at all of us on the Computer..and the INTERNET!
Yes granted Shelters, Women’s shelters, orphan’s, rap crises, and pregnancy crises centers are VERY IMPORTANT..I am not saying they are not…to the contrary..I have been a top supporter..and donator myself for each of them..and also other causes.
But that does not Make getting a surgery on a women’s breasts because of having them removed for cancer..is not a a GOOD CAUSE!
It is just a new ONE! I want to point out to you the Definition for CAUSE( New Oxford American Dictionary):
1) A person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition.
2) Reasonable grounds for doing, thinking, or felling something.
3) A principle, aim, or movement that, because of a deep commitment, one is prepared to defend or advocate.
Now let me point out the Following:
1) We all are being more aware to the Female image..now that Myfreeimplants.com started their site…alot of women have ADMITED their feelings about their breasts removal/shrinkage/or lack there of.. It is a REAL ISSUE…everywoman should feel GOOD about herself..and confident. When a woman is self concious..she tends to do not well in life, family, school, work, motherhood in general. So if all it takes is a Little surgery to help her…feel GOOD about herself..then who are we as a population to try to tell her she is wrong? Also if a woman is fine with small breasts..that is up to her as well..no one is saying that those women need to get surgery!;0)
As much as MEN WANT THE CREDIT..they are not the REASON Why women get BREAST IMPLANTS(Yes granted two male doctors created the first silocone implants in 1960, but women where wanting larger breasts long before then! lol)…Not at all! Woman are not so concerned with the mens point of view..especially when it comes to cutting our bodies up…PLEASE! Men are not the end all to be all of our desires..and concerns! So please once and for all..for ALL FEMALE KIND I say this: IF A WOMAN CHOSES TO GET BREAST IMPLANTS,or any other SURGER done on herself..it is FOR HER ALONE! Any man who believes they have that much power over us ladies..is just fooling himself! lol
2) EVERY WOMAN who has come to the conclusion to get implants…has REASONABLE Grounds to get them…and EVERY MAN/WOMAN who donates money to us on myfreeimplants.com have REASONABLE grounds to donate. They are not thinking with their small brains..and mindlessly donating money to see some GOODIES! Please! These men are married…and or in commitments and can see the GOODIES for FREE!lol They are not looking for any thing! They are tired of donating at their local strip club,sports bar, casino and to all the girly magazines..instead they want to do something good with their money..and most the men on the SITE are there because their WIVES are there too..and they are all DONATING to each others wives..for no photo’s..or video’s. It is the best way to POOL the money together..and help each other out!
THEY ARE there only after their wives told them they want larger boobs…all on their own..if it is not for surgical, or medical reasons..then the ladies are their for the fact that they lost their chest..when they breast feed all their kids. So any man who has a heart would support his wifes dreams..and find a way to help her feel like her OLD and NEW IMPROVED self!
So again…some reporters/writers/columnist need to do their RESEARCH better in the future!
3) LASTLY every soul on myfreeimplants.com (the owners, workers, ladies, and benefactors male and female) will all fight for this WORTHY NEW CAUSE! Because we all believe in it…and know it is worth fighting for…
Can you say the same for yourselves..do you have a cause that you are passionate about? Would you allow anyone to tell you that your Cause is not a real one? I think not!
By the way..I am not saying that all women want larger or fake breasts..but a great deal of us do need them for GOOD resons, and sincerely want them..and we are here to say we need HELP from warm hearted people..who CARE ABOUT us!
I am not only there for BIG BREASTS..I am there to help SAVE MY LIFE! I need a procedure that I can not pay for myself..and I am very ill.
Please be more kind in your future comments about myfreeimplants.com,and myself. Thank you!
Regards,
Sieanne
Comment by Sieanne — March 20, 2008 @ 11:29 pm
Firstly Sieanne,,, I want to say that I am sorry for your illness….
That said…your defense of MY FREE IMPLANTS caught my attention.
You continually point out that the comments toward My Free Implants were posted by people that had not done their homework. I would like to point out that you have may not have fully done your homework either.
You stated…. “ THERE ARE around 60% or more of women out of the Thousands on the myfreeimplants.com who are there FOR surgery because of BREAST CANCER, Batched Breast Surgeries in the past, or for REAL breast issues such as only having one boob, or having part of one cut out..and beling lop sided. So this is A GREAT AND NEW CAUSE!”
I find it difficult to believe that such a large number of the women on MFI site are breast cancer patients. Why would a breast cancer patient need to depend on a site such as MFI for reconstructive surgery when 10 years ago the Woman’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 was passed. THAT IS FACT!
It states: … Under WHCRA, group health plans, insurance companies and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) offering mastectomy coverage also must provide coverage for certain services relating to the mastectomy in a manner determined in consultation with your attending physician and you. This required coverage includes all stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed, surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance, prostheses and treatment of physical complications of the mastectomy, including lymphedema.
Another thing that concerns me with a “service” such at MFI…. I agree that it is a woman’s right to choose what she does to her own body, and MFI is helping a woman obtain the breast size that she desires. The one thing to remember, is the fact that breast implant LONG TERM SAFETY has never been proven.
What has BEEN PROVEN is that there is a long list of complications. These are listed on the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastimplants/breast_implant_risks_brochure.html
Many times these complications result in re-operations or implant removal. My concern is WHO is going to pay for these additional surgeries?? If a young woman cannot afford the $$ for the initial breast augmentation, where is she going to get the money for her follow up care?
Women need to know that breast implants are not lifetime devices. A small percentage of women will have ruptured implants within a few years. The FDA recommends that implanted women get an MRI every few years as more than 15 percent of implanted women should expect re-operations within 3 years. The rates are even higher for mastectomy patients.
Being as most insurance companies will not pay for the MRI’s unless there is a concern for breast cancer I would like to point out that the breast MRI that I had last year was $2800.00 No small chunk of change!
I am not posting a comment to be combative. When I post on blogs, or respond to articles, it is because I am genuinely concerned. I had breast cancer when I was 25 years old and had silicone implant reconstruction. I suffered from numerous local complications, re-operations, and illness, before finally having the implant permanently removed after 10 years. I speak from my experience and want women to know the real facts before they choose a surgery that will affect not only their physical appearance, but EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR LIFE!
Comment by Pam Noonan Saraceni — March 21, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
I might be a little late on making my comments, but I too am concerned about the girl, Sieanne who left the comment in defense about the free implant site.
Sieanne- I guess I am not understanding why you are getting implants if you are deathly ill. At one point you said that you are on the site BECAUSE you are deathly ill. You said “and SO that is why I say Model on myfreeimplants.com (Have been retired for three years..because I am deadly ILL which is why I am on myfreeimplants.com)” and “I am not only there for BIG BREASTS..I am there to help SAVE MY LIFE! I need a procedure that I can not pay for myself..and I am very ill.”
I guess I am not understanding why you would be on a free implant site if you are trying to save your life. I know breast implants don’t save anyone’s lives (quite the opposite actually.) Are you also trying to raise money for another surgery? I hope you will post again and explain what you mean by your comments. I also hope you will re-think getting breast implants, especially if you are already ill. If you already have a compromised immune system, the implants will only damage your body further.
I hope you will post again!
~Krista
Comment by Krista — March 26, 2008 @ 3:51 pm