Colbert Report to feature PSU department head

Jablonski will be promoting her new book, Skin: A Natural History, published in 2006 by the University of California Press.

The book has attracted coverage in the New York Times, Atlantic Magazine and other major publications, according to a press release.

"Skin deals with the evolution of skin, why we're hairless, why we sweat, human decoration of skin and other hot-button issues," Jablonski said. "As an anthropologist, I wanted to write an evolutionary history of skin."

Jablonski said she has been preparing for the interview by watching The Colbert Report.

"I watched it occasionally before, but now I've been watching it more often," she said.

Appearing on the show means facing host Stephen Colbert. A parody of right-wing political pundits such as Bill O'Reilly and Joe Scarborough, Colbert is noted for his unique interviewing style. Colbert describes his character as a "well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-class idiot."

"I'm told he's a very smart man and actually finds it uncomfortable to play the character," said Jablonski of Colbert. "So it will be interesting to see the man behind the persona."

The show will air at 11:30 p.m. tomorrow, with reruns on Thursday at 1:30 and 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 8:30 PM, according to the Comedy Central Web site.

Denise Liberton (graduate-anthropology) said she thought Jablonski's interview was important.

"She is a biological anthropologist, and sometimes being able to address that to the general public is a good thing," Liberton said.

Jablonski said being a guest on the show should be an interesting experience.

"I'm looking forward to having my say and being a part of it," she said.