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Pussy Riot Were Great on ‘Colbert Report’

Pussy Riot, 'The Colbert Report,' Nadya Tolokonnikova, Masha Alyokhina, Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert’s show already has an aspect of translation to it, where guests of all political backgrounds are forced to figure out whether their host’s words are sincere or sardonic. On last night’s episode of The Colbert Report, the comedian-pundit interviewed the recently freed members of Pussy Riot through an actual translator, but to a certain degree, they were all speaking the same language. Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina, released from Russian prison last year after serving time for a protest against President Vladimir Putin, went wryly back and forth with their interlocutor, each side putting the other in stitches. Right from the opening Olive Garden reference.

Not to spoil it too much, but for example, when Colbert told them they’d be searched before leaving the building, their response: “We’ve had two years of practice hiding things from searches.” The conversation covered serious topics, such as anti-gay laws in the country that’s about to host the Sochi Winter Olympics, and ended up delving into the Pussy Riot members’ current cause, prison reform. Before the closing credits, Colbert donned the signature balaclava of the punk protest group.

The Pussy Riot members are speaking at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center tonight as part of Amnesty International’s Bringing Human Rights Home concert, where they’ll be joined by Madonna, the Flaming Lips, Imagine Dragons, and many more.

Watch the first part of the interview above, check out the second half below, and scroll down for Colbert signaling his masked support of Pussy Riot.

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