Every interview guest on The Colbert Report takes a big risk of not getting his or her story into the media. Stories are routinely sacrificed at the Colbert altar for the host’s brand of fake neo-con humor.
Nonprofit co-founder Dave Levin of KIPP bravely took the risk. (KIPP schools report sending 80% of their students, all from underserved communities, on to college.) During the Colbert interview, Levin was quick, pivoting nimbly on Colbert’s off-beat suggestions such as steroids for star students, and segueing into his own key words, bringing home the message: knowledge IS power, and his organization is making the world a better place with it.
Great interview, Dave.
Multiple choice questions can change your story.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Once Cynthia explained the challenge facing Colbert guests, the quality of Mr. Levin’s interview was obvious. He even seems to stump Colbert at one point. This drives home the value of training. Levin stayed on message and deftly turned things around, like ‘not mystical, Dave, magical.’ Mr. Levin should be very pleased.
I think Dave did a great job. I actually watched The Colbert Report that night and saw Dave on. The only problem I noticed half way into the interview was everytime Dave would laugh, he would drop his head and then let it bounce for a second. It became predictable. Other than that, he seemed to have gotten a good chunk of his story in there. I know how hard it is on The Colbert Report. I’ve watched Colbert interview some guests where 5 minutes later I still have almost no idea who they are (aside from their name) or what they do.
I think Dave Levin was trying to stifle his laughter.
But, right, his story prevailed.
Cheers Dave. Cheers KIPP!
So nice to hear good things about charter schools (even through Mr. Levin’s jokes). I am the head of another very successful charter school in Colorado, American Academy, that has a focus on STEM education. I would love to take on Mr. Levin!
And I mean “successful”!
Thank you for chiming in Roberta. Yes, the clarity of Dave Levin’s interview was a boost to charter schools everywhere. All the best to American Academy.