Reports | April 11, 2012 23:52

Carlsen to appear on The Colbert Report, but not in Star Trek 2

Carlsen to appear on Colbert Report

On April 24th, Magnus Carlsen will appear on the popular satirical tv show The Colbert Report. This was revealed today by the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang (VG), who also report that Carlsen was asked by the famous film director J.J. Abrams to perform a role in Star Trek 2.

VG, Norway's second largest print newspaper, has been following Magnus Carlsen closely ever since he emerged at the top of the chess Olympus. Today the tabloid reports several interesting facts related to the highest rated chess player – their headline goes 'Star director asked chessplayer Carlsen for role in Hollywood movie'.

As it turns out, this headline is about U.S. filmmaker Jeffrey Jacob "J.J." Abrams, who apparently asked Carlsen for a role in one of his new projects. Abrams is famous for directing movies such as Mission: Impossible III (2006) and Star Trek (2009) and is also the co-creator of the series Lost (2004–2010) and Fringe (2008–present). According to VG, the filmmaker was so fascinated by Carlsen that he wanted the Norwegian on the cast of his Star Trek 2.

It was after Carlsen's appearance in the prestigious 60 Minutes on American television screens that the request came. Abrams wanted Carlsen in his role as a future chess player in a scene in the movie which is expected in theaters in 2013. However, it didn't come about because Carlsen couldn't get a work permit for the United States on short enough notice. To VG, Carlsen said:

I was surprised by the inquiry; it was completely unexpected. It would have been a fun experience, so it's a shame that it did not happen.

The same VG article reports that Carlsen recently agreed to make an appearance in the American satirical talk show The Colbert Report, on April 24th. This show, which airs Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central, stars political humorist Stephen Colbert, a former correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Big celebrities like Barack Obama and Paul McCartney have previously been guests, but also Garry Kasparov.

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Peter Doggers's picture
Author: Peter Doggers

Founder and editor-in-chief of ChessVibes.com, Peter is responsible for most of the chess news and tournament reports. Often visiting top events, he also provides photos and videos for the site. He's a 1.e4 player himself, likes Thai food and the Stones.

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Comments

stevefraser's picture

stevefraser

1 year 2 months ago

"...On April 24th, Magnus Carlsen will appear on the popular satyrical tv show The Colbert Report...". Colbert is an American Lefty that mocks only conservative small government, liberty loving types here in the States. Colbert will love getting MC to extoll the virtues of Socialism in Scandinavia....just today tell the American Lefty MC is sponsored by an evil "greedy" corporation.

Frank van T's picture

Frank van T

1 year 2 months ago

Dear Steve, you succeed very much in corresponding to the typical picture people in Europe have of Americans thinking about politics, especially when it comes to other countries. This typical picture being: not knowing at all what they are talking about. In Norway there is no socialist system at all; for your information it is a multi-party democracy where liberalism, socialism, egalitarianism, populism etc. are evenly represented. It is a pity that anyone who is able to think for themselves in the States - like e.g. Jon Stewart - is not judged by any valid logical arguments against certain types of reasoning, but only has to deal with ad hominem judgements.

Tarjei's picture

Tarjei

1 year 2 months ago

"VG, Norway's second largest print newspaper, has been following Magnus Carlsen closely(...)"

VG is actually the leading Norwegian newspaper. Online they are beyond far the biggest. In addition, they are one of Magnus' sponsors.

Igor's picture

Igor

1 year 2 months ago

Leonard Nimoy has a successor!

MJul's picture

MJul

1 year 2 months ago

What would Sheldon Cooper think about that?

Janis Nisii's picture

Janis Nisii

1 year 2 months ago

As usual, the Americans are very strict about work permits in their country, but invade the world with people who work in other countries with no legal permit. We have example in the chess world too... Arrogance is the fist word that comes in my mind, oh and disrespect.

MJul's picture

MJul

1 year 2 months ago

Not the americans, just USA government, their education system and media.

RuralRob's picture

RuralRob

1 year 2 months ago

LOL, the government, education system, and media pretty much ARE "the Americans". There is not much else any more!

MJul's picture

MJul

1 year 2 months ago

In fact, just saying the government would be enough. They program people to think how they think (just like all countries in the world, but more notorious).

Coco Loco's picture

Coco Loco

1 year 2 months ago

The Colbert Report is a lot of fun. I hope Magnus will do a better job than Kasparov did. Btw, for those unfamiliar, the show is available online, I think the day after, at comedycentral.com and on Hulu.

noyb's picture

noyb

1 year 2 months ago

A pity! Carlsen in ST2 would have been quite a coup for everyone. I'm surprised that the "red tape" can't be cut to make this happen?

Parkov's picture

Parkov

1 year 2 months ago

That's a pity. Magnus certainly has the forehead to play a kling-on

chorus's picture

chorus

1 year 2 months ago

HAHA! Fantastic casting!

Zeblakob's picture

Zeblakob

1 year 2 months ago

Breaking news: king's gambit was solved by Rybka cluster and you are talking above movies here???

Janis Nisii's picture

Janis Nisii

1 year 2 months ago

You mean that April Fool's Prank? Funny :)

Zeblakob's picture

Zeblakob

1 year 2 months ago

yes :)

Frank van T's picture

Frank van T

1 year 2 months ago

Dear Steve, you succeed very much in corresponding to the typical picture people in Europe have of Americans thinking about politics, especially when it comes to other countries. This typical picture being: not knowing at all what they are talking about. In Norway there is no socialist system at all; for your information it is a multi-party democracy where liberalism, socialism, egalitarianism, populism etc. are evenly represented. It is a pity that anyone who is able to think for themselves in the States - like e.g. Jon Stewart - is not judged by any valid logical arguments against certain types of reasoning, but only has to deal with ad hominem judgements.

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