Not Very Funny

The Palm Beach Post reports on Congressman Robert Wexler's latest television appearance.

U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler has sat in front of some of the hottest television lights in the world of news talk, barking about political rivals, demanding action and mostly holding his own in on-air squabbles.

Then he sat down with comedian Stephen Colbert.

Wexler thought he knew what he was getting into — but really he didn't.

He found himself talking about whether caribou meat should be used to fuel sport utility vehicles. And he found himself being cajoled into staring at the camera and saying, "I enjoy cocaine because it's a fun thing to do," in a segment that aired Thursday night.

Welcome to Comedy Central, congressman. Those tough political crowds in Boca Raton have nothing on the sharp wit of Colbert and the editing skills of the staff on his popular comedy show, The Colbert Report.

Go and watch the video here. (Thanks to Rick at Stuck on the Palmetto for pointing the way. I'm glad to have found your blog too.) It is really quite funny.

The taping lasted 90 minutes, which the producers artfully trimmed and rearranged for five minutes of the best comic effect.

The show, which airs at 11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, is political satire, a takeoff on shows such as Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor.

After poking fun at the "fighting 19th" Congressional District, Colbert introduced Wexler with the question, "Which well-tanned politician has the SPF to represent this district?"

Throughout the taping, Wexler — like all of Colbert's subjects — was forced into the role of straight man. Asked about the show Friday, the normally exuberant Wexler seemed a bit subdued after watching it Thursday night.

His verdict? "Not my cup of tea."

You'll get no argument of there Congressman. It was even funnier than when I gave you this and this.

So as Wexler sat watching the show with his 17-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son, he cringed. At one point, Colbert asked Wexler about drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Colbert: "Should we drill in ANWR?"

Wexler: "No, no."

C: "So caribou are more important than my SUV?"

W: "No, no."

C: "That's what you just said."

W: "What's most important is that your SUV be required to have better efficiency in the future."

C: "What if I could make it run on caribou meat? Would you be in favor of that?"

W: "On caribou meat?"

C: "Or hide — it doesn't matter — or bone?"

W: "Probably not."

That wasn't even the highlight for me. It was when Colbert asked Wexler about where he wanted to redeploy our troops currently in Iraq. Wexler waffled and said nearby. Colbert than pointed out Iran was nearby! LOL.

Congressman Wexler if you ever leave office you may have potential as a comedian.

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