Stephen Colbert interviewing NASA's Steven Lindsey
Colbert at the Johnson Space Center
As his bloviating talk show host character from The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert can barely finish a sentence without yelling, wagging his finger or putting someone on notice.
So maybe it says a something about big Texas personalities that Colbert slipped in and out of Houston with almost no fanfare.
On Friday, Colbert fulfilled his April pledge to enter astronaut training at Johnson Space Center. Colbert stayed busy in his whirlwind trip to NASA, sitting down for an interview segment with former NASA Chief of Astronauts Steve Lindsey, watching the Atlantis space shuttle launch with employees — and yes, going through astronaut training exercises, all while wearing a bright orange astronaut jump suit.
According to tweeting NASA employees, Colbert was put through the rigors of the air chair on the Precision Air Bearing Floor (which simulates moving large objects in space without friction, working like a giant air hockey table) and the Partial Gravity Simulator (which looks like a giant Johnny Jump-Up).
No word yet on whether Colbert has the right stuff, though he's already circulating rumors he's headed for the International Space Station next.
Colbert also filmed a greeting to NASA that encouraging astronauts to use the Combined Operational Load-Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or the C.O.L.B.E.R.T. — the treadmill on the International Space Station named after Colbert after his fans deluged the online vote to name the new section of the space station.
"I think I'm a bigger fan now than ever. You are so kind, cordial, and impressive," tweeted NASA's Lucie Delheimer.
Legendary rockers Styx and Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon, will team up to co-headline the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour in 2025, which will include a stop at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on Friday, June 6.
The large, 40-city tour will take place over three months, starting in Greenville, South Carolina on May 28, and wrapping up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 24.
In addition to Houston, the tour will go to Austin on June 4 and Dallas on August 1. It will include special guest Don Felder, former lead guitarist for the Eagles, at all dates.
Fans can expect some of the greatest rock anthems of all time, including “Renegade,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Come Sail Away,” “Can't Fight This Feeling,” and “Hotel California.”
Styx and Cronin (as part of REO Speedwagon) first toured together in 2000 and in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, coming together to form the Rock to the Rescue 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This will mark their sixth time joining forces on the road.
2022 was the 50th anniversary of Styx's self-titled debut album, but they have yet to slow down. The band released their 17th album, Crash of the Crown, in 2021. Of course, not everyone is a fan, as this classic clip from The Simpsons illustrates.
REO Speedwagon's recording days appear to be done, with their last album coming out in 2009, but the main group of five has been together since 1989. On this tour, Cronin will be joined by REO's lead guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt.
General tickets for the tour will go on sale starting on Friday, December 13 at 10 am at LiveNation.com.
Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets in the U.S. beginning on December 9 at 10 am through the Citi Entertainment program.
Styx and Kevin Cronin will be offering VIP packages via their own exclusive pre-sales beginning on Tuesday, December 10 at 10 am, as well as at LiveNation.com.
Stephen Colbert interviewing NASA's Steven Lindsey
Colbert at the Johnson Space Center
