USO cheers troops, but Iraq gigs tough to book (Al Franken featured)

[zippy890]

USA Today 12/22/05

In the Christmas tradition of the Andrews Sisters wowing World War II GIs with Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, comedian Al Franken is headlining USO shows at military bases in Iraq this week. Franken's troupe is touring the desert circuit from Baghdad to Balad, putting on a show that he calls "very Bob Hope.

Like Hope, the entertainment legend who died in 2003 at age 100 and was the mainstay of USO shows for three generations, Franken opens with a monologue about Army chow. Two Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders follow with dance routines. Country singers Mark Wills, Craig Morgan and Keni Thomas then belt out odes to patriotism. Franken, dressed as Saddam Hussein, then does a comedy skit with TV actress Traylor Howard.

more

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-12-22-uso-cover_x.htm

be sure to check out the photos of Al

[wakeme2008]

1. Al it is very HOT in this burka and I am wearing NOTHING under it...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[zippy890]

2. I bet thats a funny skit

also the one the article mentions where Al plays Saddam Hussein

pretty funny thinking of the dallas cowboy cheerleader under that burka

:rofl:

[Loonman]

3. O'Reilly is too scared to go

He'd rather stay home and make dirty phone calls to his co-workers.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

4. "I want to loofah you over there so I won't do it over here."

[Cooley Hurd]

5. Henry Rollins is there, too...

I wish he'd perform "Liar" and would dedicate it to Bush (although, in the article, he said he keeps his anti-war views to himself when he's there).

[quispquake]

6. He's been there a few times...

I saw him do his spoken word thing last year and he had some pretty good stories about doing his spoken word things over in Iraq for the troops...

[jackpan1260]

7. I saw Rollins in November

and was is very good. I am sure his performance in Iraq is very different than the one I saw, which was very anti war.

[DainBramaged]

8. How wonderful, USO can only get anti-war performers to go to Iraq

Where have all the Neo_Cons gone, long time stock splitting.
Where have all the Neo-Cons gone, big dividends to bury.
Where Have all the Neo-Cons gone, not one gone to Iraqi,
all turn their backs on the troops, all turn their backs, on the troops.

Where have all the Neo-Cons gone, big mouth Rushblo and Chickenshit Sean.
Where have all the Neo-Cons gone, Giftmas Bill and Gibson too.
Where have all the Neo-Cons gone, not to be found except on FAUX News.
Where have all the Neo-Cons gone, counting their money and ignoring the few.

Where have all the Neo_Cons gone, long time stock splitting.
Where have all the Neo-Cons gone, big dividends to bury.
Where Have all the Neo-Cons gone, not one gone to Iraqi,
all turn their backs on the troops, all turn their backs, on the troops.

My apologies to Peter, Paul and Mary, although I think they'd approve

[Hyernel]

9. Traylor Howard is a little cutie too.

There's no way she should be shrouded by a burqa.

[FredScuttle]

10. "Your leaders have lied to you and you're dying for no good reason..."

"...and now, please enjoy Daryl Worley"

Hilarious quote from Al's appearance on NPR's Fresh Air a few years back where he was joking about what he tells the troops on USO tours.

[othermeans]

11. I thought that this excerpt says it all

Powell said he followed Williams down a line of servicemembers as the comedian left Baghdad in 2003, three weeks after Bush had been there for Thanksgiving. Powell overheard a reporter asking a soldier to compare Williams' visit with Bush's.

Powell said the soldier replied: "The president's visit was really cool, but you know, sir, he had to come. And Robin Williams didn't."

"And that," Powell said, "is the point."