Susan Smith: Stephen Colbert on the Union Terrace! (Kind of)

Originally published Aug. 10, 2008

By Susan Lampert Smith

Everyone shows up on the Memorial Union Terrace on a fine Friday afternoon.

It was a little too early for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's weekly field trip, but comedian and political commentator Stephen Colbert made an appearance.

OK, just by phone. But still it was cool.

Your Wisconsin Native columnist was lunching with Newsweek senior editor (and frequent "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" guest) Jonathan Alter, his wife, Emily Lazar, and their two younger kids. They were in town because their son is looking at Wisconsin as a college choice.
And, of course, yours truly is an expert on all things UW, from the Statue of Liberty on the ice days of the 1970s up to and including the Halloween celebration and the current price for UW football tickets on eBay.

Anyway, Emily is, as her husband says, "a fake journalist,'' and her boss, Stephen Colbert gave her a ring because he wanted husband Jon Alter to give him a phone number for Rahm Emaunel.
Turns out that Colbert wanted to warn the Chicago congressman and Dem party mover that he'll be tweaking the Dems and their convention on Monday's show.

The word will be "Catharsis." You heard it here first. See, you don't ever have to leave the terrace. The world will come to you!