John Podesta appears on The Colbert Report

Knox connections took center stage during the January 29, 2009 episode of The Colbert Report. Stephen Colbert interviewed John Podesta '71 about his work as head of President Obama's transition team. Colbert, Podesta, and Obama have all received honorary degrees from Knox College.

Colbert even credited Podesta for his honorary doctorate in fine arts from Knox in 2006, when he delivered the Commencement address.

View the full episode of The Colbert Report at:
http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=217086

Podesta talked about his new book, The Power of Progress and the transition team. Colbert joked with Podesta about why he didn't pick himself for a post in the Obama administration.

He also joked with Podesta about the impeachment of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Illinois connects all three: Obama was most recently Illinois' Senator, and his Senate seat was the subject of Blagojevich's impeachment. Podesta is a Chicago native, and Colbert spent time in Chicago during his years with The Second City Improv.

Knox College connects all three: Podesta is a 1971 graduate of Knox College and received an honorary degree in 1998, Obama received an honorary degree in 2005, and Colbert received an honorary degree in 2006. Colbert's degree is frequently a part of his comedy, even claiming at times that he is qualified to perform surgery, since he is "a doctor."

Stephen Colbert's Commencement address at Knox College in 2006

Barack Obama's Commencement address at Knox College in 2005