Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah aren't sure fake-arresting Frozen's Elsa is helping tame the polar vortex
Congress is trying to avert another government shutdown, Britain is writhing in Brexit chaos, and Venezuela is on the brink of civil war — "but nobody cares about any of that today, because it's too damn cold," Trevor Noah said on Tuesday's Daily Show. He showed news footage from the polar vortex bringing dangerously cold weather to the upper Midwest. "Seriously, I never get why reporters have to go into the bad weather to warn us about it," he said. "They're never like, 'Earlier today, a man was shot in the leg — and it looked like this. [Bang] Aaaugh!'"
"It's so cold that I looked in the mirror this morning told myself to go back to Africa," Noah joked. He puzzled over news anchors comparing Minnesota's weather to Mars, showed some scientific demonstrations, and joked about President Trump's confusion over climate change. "Most of us are miserable when it's this cold," he said, "but apparently there's one group that is having a blast right now: the police." He showed photos of cops freezing their uniforms, urging criminals to stay home, and arresting Elsa from Frozen
Arresting Elsa was an ice bridge too far for Stephen Colbert. "Look, officers, I know you're just being playful, but blaming a beloved children's character on a dangerous situation is just gonna scar the kids," he said on The Late Show. He came up with another example using Paddington Bear. "Chicago's so ridiculously cold that in order to keep trains running, they had to deliberately set the train tracks on fire," Colbert noted. "That's called Chicago improv. That idea came from Chicago Fire Commissioner Pyro Billy." He offered "some cold-weather tips to the good people of Chicago," based on his time there, and he brought props.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Late Show also had some bracing polar vortex advice from Skadi, the Norse goddess of winter. Watch below. Peter Weber
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Why are lawmakers ringing the alarms about New Jersey's mysterious drones?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Unexplained lights in the night sky have residents of the Garden State on edge, and elected officials demanding answers
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
10 upcoming albums to stream in the frosty winter
The Week Recommends Stay warm and curled up with a selection of new music from Snoop Dogg, Ringo Starr, Tate McRae and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
David Sacks: the conservative investor who will be Trump's crypto and AI czar
In the Spotlight Trump appoints another wealthy ally to oversee two growing — and controversial — industries
By David Faris Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published