Countdown to Colbert: TN's History on Late Night
Ain't our first time at the rodeo...
Whichever bills or legislators win this year's race to the punch line, it certainly won't be the first time the state of Tennessee has been the butt of a political joke. We've got quite the storied history on shows like "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" or "The Colbert Report," with years of mortifying mentions on a wide variety of civil liberties issues.
The Volunteer State's first segment of the year isn't the winner we were all expecting out of the Tennessee General Assembly. Instead, the (dis)honorable mention goes to Senator Bob Corker's interference with the free market:
Labor Fray (February 18, 2014, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart)
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We'll keep updating this section as the mentions start rolling in. Until then, check out some past instances when got the Volunteer State made national headlines for all the wrong reasons:
LGBT Equality
Mr. Smith Goes to the State Legislature - Stacey Campfield (February 7, 2013, The Colbert Report)
“Tennessee State Senator Stacey Campfield goes after sexuality in schools and the freeloadiest of all American freeloaders." (08:00)
We're Here, We're Queer, Get Newsed to It (May 10, 2011, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart)
"The 'Don't Say Gay' bill makes its way through the Tennessee Senate, and Gloria Allred simulates sex with a baseball bat." (06:17)
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Moment of Zen - Rhea County, TN (September 12, 2005, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart)
A Rhea County, TN commissioner of Rhea County, TN proposes that LGBT people be banned from Rhea County. (0:31)
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Religious Freedom
Sharia Mops (March 27, 2013, The Colbert Report)
“Despite Tennessee lawmakers' best efforts, Sharia law manages to work its way into the state building's men's room. (03:15)”
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Peter King Understands Violent Radicalism (March 10, 2011, The Colbert Report)
“Tennessee fights back against Sharia law, and Peter King holds a hearing to investigate radical American Muslims." (03:31)
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Municipal Land-Use Hearing Update (August 10, 2010, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart)
Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey calls Islam a "cult". (06:33)
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Tennessee No Evil (August 25, 2010, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart)
"Aasif Mandvi worries that a few good apples at an Islamic center in Murfreesboro, TN could ruin it for the rest of the terrorists." (10:36)
Evolution Schmevolution - A Heritage Tour (September 12, 2005, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart)
"In the first stop on his 'Evolutionary War' tour, Ed Helms visits Dayton, TN, site of the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial and full-fledged anachronism." (4:16)
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Equal Protection
Mr. Smith Goes to the State Legislature - Stacey Campfield (February 7, 2013, The Colbert Report)
“Tennessee State Senator Stacey Campfield goes after sexuality in schools and the freeloadiest of all American freeloaders." (08:00)
Please note that by playing this clip Colbert Nation may place a long-term cookie on your computer. Please see Colbert Nation’s privacy statement to learn more. To view ACLU-TN's privacy statement, click here.
Sodomy! Zygotes! Welfare! - State Laws (April 9, 2013, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart)
“Arkansas, North Dakota and Kansas pass strict anti-abortion laws, and Tennessee State Senator Stacey Campfield floats a radical welfare plan." (04:29)
Please note that by playing this clip The Daily Show may place a long-term cookie on your computer. Please see The Daily Show’s privacy statement to learn more. To view ACLU-TN's privacy statement, click here.
Reproductive Freedom
The Word - Gateway Hug (April 18, 2012, The Colbert Report)
“Kissing and hugging are the last stop before reaching Groin Central Station, so it's important to ban all the things that lead to the things that lead to sex." (05:03)
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Seen enough?
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