Dennis Miller Bombs Again

[subgenius]

Hasn't made me laugh ever with his smug, smarter-than-thou style. He is digging his own media grave by not making fun of everyone across the board. Going to limit his best potential material. He's looking for a big pay back.

"
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Dennis Miller has usually been happy to spray his acerbic wit across the political spectrum, but things will be different on his new CNBC talk program. President Bush is in a mock-free zone.

"I like him," Miller explained. "I'm going to give him a pass. I take care of my friends."
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040125/D809VIF00.html

Can't be a good satiric commentator when you're an ass kisser.

[Cain]

"I like him," Miller explained. "I'm going to give him a pass. I take care of my friends."

http://www.jonstewart.net/pics_tz/tds99_08_18/99-08-1806.jpg

How can you give the president a pass? He's completely open and unapologetic about it as well.

The Daily Show tilts Left, I think, but they take shots at whoever is important or in power.

[Dorian Gray]

Jon Stewart > Dennis Miller. Dennis has to be making fun of people to be entertaining. Dennis kissing butts will be less exciting than Donahue putting on another dress. And yes, The Daily show has made fun of both Dean for his yell and Hillary for her Ghandi-owns-a-gas-station "joke".

In fact, as far as television and satire, I would say Craig Kilborne > Dennis Miller (when Kilborne was on The Daily Show). However, in football commentary, Miller > Limbaugh - but not by much.

[Cleon]

Yeah, Miller's just being a Republican shill these days--he's not even hiding it, which is a shame. So much for being a comic. Or a responsible pundit (if such a thing exists).

Though I do have to give him some props--I saw one of his commercials the other day, where he said "Watch it [his show]--or I'll go back to doing football." I laughed my a$$ off.

[hgc]

Astounding.

I knew he became a Bush fan post 9/11, but to give the president a pass on your political humor show is like saying there's no reason to exist.

[Tricky]

I have always liked Dennis Miller since the SNL days and I have seen him on stage twice. He gave great shows and he was extremely clever, even when I didn't agree with him. I even own some of his "Rants" books.

But now he's famous, and like so many famous people, he has decided to sell himself like so much chopped liver. It is very sad to see, like watching aging athletes shill for coffee-makers and electric grills. I fully expect in a few years to see Dennis on QVC pushing his "Hypersonic WMD Finder."

[Chad Noles]

posted by Cleon
Miller's just being a Republican shill these days

I agree.Unfortunately more of the aftermarket programming on CNBC is just a shill for Republican ideaology these days.It's getting as bad as FOX.Miller's just wanting a paycheck and to ride some coatails after a botched career.Yeah Dennis,we get the joke,we just don't care anymore.Football kicked you out,you couldn't go back even if you wanted.

[KelvinG]

Didn't comics in Iraq steer clear of making fun of their leader as well?;)

[Upchurch]

I really liked Dennis Miller when he had his show on HBO. I didn't always share his opinion (although I mostly did), but at least he didn't sound like a sell-out. What a waste of talent.

[corplinx]

Miller on Bush: "this guy is so dumb he thinks his name is Gerald"

Seriously, Miller may give the pres a pass on his new CNBC show but if you want to see him mock Dubya then just get some episodes of the old HBO show from 1999-2000.

I've never been a big Miller fan either.

[Number Six]

I don't know exactly what Dennis Miller means by "I'm giving him (GWB) a pass" but he has a show that's on TV every night and if he just hammers one side over and over it's going to get old quickly. He can have his slant (to the right in his case) but ya still gotta make fun of everyone. The Daily Show is a good example...they got their slant but they're still really good because nobody is immune. Although Miller said he'd give GWB a pass I'd be surprised if he didn't poke fun across the spectrum because it would be dumb not too and Miller strikes me as a guy that's not dumb.

Miller has been conservative on TV a lot lately but he's still been funny and entertaining and that really is a key. I hear some say stuff like "Why is it that conservative celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger don't catch grief while liberal ones like Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins do catch grief?" and the obvious answer to me is always that Schawarzenegger is pleasant and amusing when he expresses his opinions whereas Sarandon and Robbins are screechy and scowling. It's not complicated. People are more apt to dislike you if you act like a pompous ass.

Proof that this goes both ways is Rush Limbaugh and Al Franken. Limbaugh is a grating windbag that non-ideologues automatically hate while Franken is always amusing and thus isn't automatically hated by non-iedologues. Dennis Miller should take that too heart. Get your slant in if you want but if you come off solely as just pushing an agenda instead of being pleasant or entertaining then it won't be long until all you have left following you are ideologues. And maybe you can make a living that way because there are a lot of ideologues around but you'll have the respect of no one, rather you'll have blind allegience of some and automatic dislike of others.

[subgenius]

Number Six: ".... it would be dumb not too and Miller strikes me as a guy that's not dumb."
__________

To me he is a pompous ass who's not as smart as he thinks he is. He sure likes to make it appear he's the smartest guy in the room. A clear indication of deep insecurity.
His rationale for supporting Bush the other night on Leno was simplistic in the extreme.
To the effect of: the other guys over-analyze everything, and weigh all the options, and sometimes you just got to kill the other guy.
Miller has gotten tired of thinking, but of course it is the hardest work of all.

[corplinx]

Originally posted by Number Six
The Daily Show is a good example...they got their slant but they're still really good because nobody is immune.

The Daily Show is a good example of how going from a mostly slanted comedy (1999-2001) to more of an equal opportunity destroyer can make you funnier and broaden your appeal.

More targets == more material.

[Number Six]

Was 2001 when Craig Kilborn left and Jon Stewart began? I thought the show got a lot better with Stewart. Speaking of guys that just come off as pompous...count Craig Kilborn for me. It's hard for me to believe that guy has a nightly show on a national network. He just doesn't do it for me. It's subjective I guess.

I generally have liked Miller ever since SNL although he does have a schticks and I can see how some may not like it. But like him or not he is very clever at times with his references.

[mumchup]

It was in January of 1999 that Jon Stewart took over.

I used to think Dennis Miller was often annoying but occasionally funny until the aliens got him and transposed his brain. Maybe someone should check and see how Dan Quayle has been behaving lately.

[Kodiak]

Originally posted by subgenius
Hasn't made me laugh ever with his smug, smarter-than-thou style. He is digging his own media grave by not making fun of everyone across the board. Going to limit his best potential material. He's looking for a big pay back.

By Bob, I just bet you love Al Franken, though...

[Silicon]

Dennis Miller used to have a great show on HBO. That was until he realized that his "shtick" was to build up to a rapid-fire-rant at the end of his monologue. Then it seemed like he farmed that rant out to another writer, and the joke would be "can Dennis get out the rant without breaking pace or totally tripping over his own tongue, while he laughs at himself". Moron. Totally killed any comedy or satirical impact.


Dennis. Watch the Daily Show. Understand why Stephen Colbert is everything you should aspire to be. Understand why he's 100 times funnier than you were at your height, and he's just the SECOND BANANA on the Daily Show.

I don't agree with most of Dennis Miller's politics, but I USED to love his old HBO show. Why? He used to have the balls to say what he wanted to. I respect that, if it comes from an intelligent point of view.

Giving Bush a pass isn't an intelligent point of view. Calling him on whatever issue you feel passionate about IS INTELLIGENT and BALLSEY. Honestly Dennis, do you think the illegal immi---er GUEST WORKER plan is everything you used to stand for as a Republican? What about the Deficit?



Here's a test of the superior political comedy show. If Democrats were in power in all 3 branches, instead of the Republicans, the DAILY SHOW would still have material.

Did anyone see the "Simple Life" sketch about Dean in Iowa on the Daily Show? "Dr. Dean... He laid a TURD!"

Anyone see the Samantha Bee spot where she labled all the Democrats as being unelectable fringe wackos like the Looneys that run every election cycle (Lobster-man for president, The guy who's Parrot is running for president). Samantha Bee is standing right in front of Lieberman, with a condescending "you're so CUTE!" expression, like "You're so CUTE, you know you can't POSSIBLY WIN!" Hilarious. ACID viscious. Funnier than all hell.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by Kodiak


By Bob, I just bet you love Al Franken, though...

Come on my friend. The involuntary reaction known as laughing is not dependent on the politics of the stimuli. Very much like an erection or orgasm. I'm not going to laugh just because of the poitical leanings of the comedian.
Comedy is the hardest form of drama because they either laugh or they don't. "Serious" drama is easier because the silence of the audience doesn't denote that you are dying.
Yes, Franken makes me laugh, sometimes. He made me laugh before his humor was political. I loved "Stuart Saves His Family" which was not political.
Your implication is mildly insulting, and I resent it. But I've gotten over it already.
I don't have a problem with anyone who laughs at Dennis Miller, or anyone else I don't laugh at. If you laugh at something, its funny to you. I don't have a problem if people don't like the same foods, music, women, etc., I like.
Degustibus non disputatum (There's no arguing with taste)
The point of the thread (other than he doesn't make me laugh) is that I think its somewhat strange and self-defeating to give a major political figure a "pass" especially if you are a political, topical, satirical humorist.
Sets yourself up to be ignored because you're not "fair and balanced", paints yourself in a corner, and, as others have pointed out, limits your material.
So, does he make you laugh? Does Franken make you laugh? And does it depend on political leanings to you?

[VicDaring]

Originally posted by subgenius

His rationale for supporting Bush the other night on Leno was simplistic in the extreme.
To the effect of: the other guys over-analyze everything, and weigh all the options, and sometimes you just got to kill the other guy.


Yeah, I saw that too and thought, "Sure Dennis, it'd be a real bummer to have a president who thinks about stuff...whatta dope."

[Kodiak]

Originally posted by subgenius


Come on my friend. The involuntary reaction known as laughing is not dependent on the politics of the stimuli. Very much like an erection or orgasm. I'm not going to laugh just because of the poitical leanings of the comedian.
Comedy is the hardest form of drama because they either laugh or they don't. "Serious" drama is easier because the silence of the audience doesn't denote that you are dying.
Yes, Franken makes me laugh, sometimes. He made me laugh before his humor was political. I loved "Stuart Saves His Family" which was not political.
Your implication is mildly insulting, and I resent it. But I've gotten over it already.
I don't have a problem with anyone who laughs at Dennis Miller, or anyone else I don't laugh at. If you laugh at something, its funny to you. I don't have a problem if people don't like the same foods, music, women, etc., I like.
Degustibus non disputatum (There's no arguing with taste)
The point of the thread (other than he doesn't make me laugh) is that I think its somewhat strange and self-defeating to give a major political figure a "pass" especially if you are a political, topical, satirical humorist.
Sets yourself up to be ignored because you're not "fair and balanced", paints yourself in a corner, and, as others have pointed out, limits your material.
So, does he make you laugh? Does Franken make you laugh? And does it depend on political leanings to you?

First off, don't be insulted. I was being mildly confrontational hoping you would reply in exactly the manner you did. Though we disagree politically pretty much straight down the line, I'd probably enjoy meeting you and adding you to my substantial list of leftist friends.

Neither Miller nor Franken make me laugh, though the SNL crew's take on Bush I, then Dole, and now Bush II are all damn hilarious...

[ArmchairPhysicist]

Has the show started up yet, and has he actually been giving Bush a pass in practice? Was he being sincere when he made the statement, or was it said in a joking manner?

Just curious.

[Cain]

Originally posted by Number Six
[B]Was 2001 when Craig Kilborn left and Jon Stewart began? I thought the show got a lot better with Stewart. Speaking of guys that just come off as pompous...count Craig Kilborn for me. It's hard for me to believe that guy has a nightly show on a national network. He just doesn't do it for me. It's subjective I guess.

I too despise Craig Kilborn. In an _Esquire_ interview some years ago as his star was on the rise, he said a co-creator for the "Daily Show", a woman, would give him a blowjob if he told her to, adding "You can print that." It was apparently a joke, but he got docked a week's pay.

He's also on record saying he doesn't really care too much for self-deprecating humor, which he finds "nerdy". (This is exactly what his late-night competitor Conan is famous for, and the same goes for his replacement). The guy is a f*ckwad. But Al Franken... Al Franken does a good job of acting like an arrogant prick.

the obvious answer to me is always that Schawarzenegger is pleasant and amusing when he expresses his opinions whereas Sarandon and Robbins are screechy and scowling. It's not complicated. People are more apt to dislike you if you act like a pompous ass.

I see none of that (what, because of the Oscar brouhaha?). And I rather enjoyed Robbins' political satire in "Bob Roberts", which he wrote and directed.

[subgenius]

K: Don't push me, I'm a time bomb. :)
How would you describe the manner in which I responded?
I'll bet we agree on more than we disagree.
Like fiscal responsibility? The smallest government possible? The least amount of government interference with privacy? Domestic security? Justice?
See? :)

[Kodiak]

Originally posted by subgenius
How would you describe the manner in which I responded?

Firmly and thoroughly, yet surpisingly concise.














(why are my lips getting chapped?!?)

[Snide]

Originally posted by Cain
He's also on record saying he doesn't really care too much for self-deprecating humor, which he finds "nerdy".

He still does it though.

[QUOTE](This is exactly what his late-night competitor Conan is famous for, and the same goes for his replacement).
Except Conan forces it to the point of it being painful to watch.

And yet I agree on the rest of this:
But Al Franken... Al Franken does a good job of acting like an arrogant prick.

...

I see none of that (what, because of the Oscar brouhaha?). And I rather enjoyed Robbins' political satire in "Bob Roberts", which he wrote and directed.

No accounting (argument) for taste, as sub says. :)

[FFed]

I never found anything Miller said funny. His whole stint on MNF was a joke and more then once I would put the game on mute and listen to music so I wouldn't have to hear his pathetic jokes.

[BTox]

Hilarious to see people bitching about a comedian who supports, God forbid... Republicans. Especially when most of comics are devout liberals who mercilessly bash Republicans and conservatives and only occasionally take tepid swipes at Dems.

[TruthSeeker]

I'm watching his new show right now.

He interviewed The Arnold and then did a "news" bit like the SNL days.

It doesn't matter who he gives a pass to or how he leans etc....This show is terrible. He is completely stiff and unnatural in his delivery.

This is painful.

John McCain tomorrow.....

A sample "GWB has announced he wants to put a man on mars. Well, you didn't expect him to let Saddam or Osama just sit around"

Groan.


Edited because I got the planet wrong!

[subgenius]

You, once again, are not reading the posts. This has little or nothing to do with which side he's on.
In fact its critical of anyone who gives a "free pass" to anyone, and therefore undermines their own credibility. Is Bush, or anyone, beyond all reproach?
The fact that you think he is speaks volumes about your objectivity.
His sh*t stinks, just like everyone else's. Or do you think he's godlike? And if you don't, tell us what you would criticize him for.

[TruthSeeker]

Originally posted by subgenius
You, once again, are not reading the posts. This has little or nothing to do with which side he's on.
In fact its critical of anyone who gives a "free pass" to anyone, and therefore undermines their own credibility. Is Bush, or anyone, beyond all reproach?
The fact that you think he is speaks volumes about your objectivity.
His sh*t stinks, just like everyone else's. Or do you think he's godlike? And if you don't, tell us what you would criticize him for.


Subgenius, are you addressing me? I don't think so but want to be sure. Thanks

[subgenius]

Originally posted by TruthSeeker
I'm watching his new show right now.

He interviewed The Arnold and then did a "news" bit like the SNL days.

It doesn't matter who he gives a pass to or how he leans etc....This show is terrible. He is completely stiff and unnatural in his delivery.

This is painful.

John McCain tomorrow.....

A sample "GWB has announced he wants to put a man on the moon. Well, you didn't expect him to let Saddam or Osama just sit around"

Groan.
Makes me grateful I don't choose to get cable.
Is there a live audience? I would bet not, since even the true believers would have a hard time forcing an orgasm, I mean laughter, at something like that.
He claimed to have a monkey on his show. If he does, I bet its wittier than he is.

[subgenius]

McCain on tomorrow? I bet this sycophant (Miller) gets a real surprise.
McCain=a real conservative Republican patriot.
My prediction is that McCain will be funnier than Miller, and may be the nail in his coffin.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by TruthSeeker



Subgenius, are you addressing me? I don't think so but want to be sure. Thanks
No, it was to BoTox.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by BTox
Hilarious to see people bitching about a comedian who supports, God forbid... Republicans. Especially when most of comics are devout liberals who mercilessly bash Republicans and conservatives and only occasionally take tepid swipes at Dems.
Why do you think most comics are devout liberals?
Aren't Bush republicans funny?
And if so please enlighten us on all the funny Bush supporters, or why there aren't any. Thanks.
If you don't understand the question, I can clarify.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by Kodiak


Firmly and thoroughly, yet surpisingly concise.

(why are my lips getting chapped?!?)

I take further offense (gotten over it already) at your surprise, but with regard to the lips, its cold and windy, as expected in Michigan.
I have a word of advice: Carmex.

[BTox]

Originally posted by subgenius

Why do you think most comics are devout liberals?

Lack of intelligence and/or education.

[Number Six]

I saw the show tonight. I thought it was alright but there are ways it could be improved. First of all the sets were kinda weird. When they did the bit with four people (Dennis and three guests) they were all kinda right next to each other, especially the guests, and when they addressed one another they had to turn their heads practically 90 degrees. It was awkward.

Also the news bit didn't work too well despite the fact that the material was good. First of all Miller delivered it in a really subdued manner like he wasn't alert or something. And secondly it was kinda awkward with no studio audience to laugh and with just a few stage hands yukking it up. They need to change something around there.

I liked how he let the guests talk a lot although at the end he said something about how he'll get better at contributing to the discussion. But I thought that part was okay and could get really good if he has good guests. It's not often on those kinda shows that people actually get to speak for more than 10 seconds.

Overall there awas something off about the show...it was too slow or too quiet or something...I can't put my finger on it. It was a little bit too subdued. We'll see if it changes over time.

[BTox]

Originally posted by subgenius
You, once again, are not reading the posts.

Yes, I have a habit of skimming bullsh!t.

Originally posted by subgenius
Is Bush, or anyone, beyond all reproach?
The fact that you think he is speaks volumes about your objectivity.

Where did I ever say that?

[epepke]

Originally posted by Kodiak
Neither Miller nor Franken make me laugh, though the SNL crew's take on Bush I, then Dole, and now Bush II are all damn hilarious...

Franken hasn't made me laugh since the Franken and Davis days, and Miller hasn't made me laugh since SNL, but put Franken and Miller on the same show, and you just might have something.

[KillerBob]

I really liked Miller's HBO show and looked forward to this one somewhat despite his comments about giving GW a pass, so I tuned in last night.

TERRIBLE.

As others have mentioned, he was stiff and a bit off-putting. You would think that even though format details may be a bit off in the first show, the comedy would be good because they had a while to build up for the first show. It wasn't. The jokes were bad to begin with and then it didn't help that you heard the laughter of one or two people in the background.

Never thought that I would actually advocate canned laugh tracks, but in this case, it might help.

[aerocontrols]

Since you guys are discussing Franken (http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/16692.htm), you might be interested in the story...

[hgc]

Originally posted by aerocontrols
Since you guys are discussing Franken (http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/16692.htm), you might be interested in the story... I'd like to see Dennis Miller try that!

Oh, nevermind. Bush has the Secret Service to keep protesters out of sight.

[Ed]

Originally posted by subgenius

Aren't Bush republicans funny?
And if so please enlighten us on all the funny Bush supporters, or why there aren't any. Thanks.
If you don't understand the question, I can clarify.

You, sir, live in a spider hole. If you don't think these guys a "Laff a Minute(tm)" you clearly need a chiropractor for your funny bone.

http://christianteens.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.christianspeaker s.com%2Fcomedy%2Fdefault.asp


(n.b. I would rather have my anus ripped out thru my nostrals than listen to a "set" by any of these characters. Stated just so there is no misunderstanding)

[Brown]

Gee, the implication of Miller's remark is that little Bush can't take a joke.

It is an important aspect of presidential character for a president to be able to take a joke. Lincoln was lengendary at joking, and often made jokes at his own expense. Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy didn't take it personally when jokes were made about them. Ronald Reagan, at his inaugural party, invited Rich Little to perform, with Little mimicking some of the aspects of Reagan's speaking ability (and Reagan began his remarks by doing an impression of Little!). These men could take a joke.

So what is it about little Bush that he deserves a "pass?"

If you're going to be a political humorist, you don't give anyone a "pass." Will Rogers didn't give FDR a "pass." Mort Sahl didn't give LBJ a "pass." Mark Russell didn't give Ronald Reagan a "pass."

[hgc]

Miller's problem: the zeal of the converted.

Dude, you're a comic. This is an afront to the basic principles of comedy.

[KelvinG]

Considering Miller's obscure, and often alienating style of comedy would a dim wit like George Bush even know if Miller was making fun of him?

[Charles Livingston]

Is saying you are going to give someone a free pass any different than just doing it?

I mean, when is the last time (and correct me if I'm wrong) you have seen Franken, Moore, O'reilly, Limbaugh, etc. criticize their own side? These guys are entertainers who have generally chosen a political side/position and entertain by criticizing the opposing view point. I know I am simplifying this into the left and right a bit but that is all I really see these guys doing.

I agree that Miller shouldnt give Bush a free pass, but isnt that what all these 'entertainers' are doing anyway? If you are going to criticize Miller for saying it, shouldnt you criticize Franken, Moore, O'reilly, Limbaugh, etc. for doing it.

[Brown]

Originally posted by Charles Livingston
I mean, when is the last time (and correct me if I'm wrong) you have seen Franken, Moore, O'reilly, Limbaugh, etc. criticize their own side? These guys are entertainers who have generally chosen a political side/position and entertain by criticizing the opposing view point. Actually, Franken gave President and Mrs. Clinton a hard time at a public function (possibly the Correspondents' dinner). The Clintons had previously been entertained by Garrison Keillor, who was quite polite to them. Franken, however, tossed a few barbs at the Clintons, saying, "I'm not Garrison Keillor. You're going to take some hits."

[Silicon]

What about Franken's joke about Al Gore doing his part to save old-growth forests by only changing the 2x4 up his ass every WEEK, rather than every day?


Miller, HA!

If anyone deserves to be tackled, it's Dennis Miller! Wimp!

[LFTKBS]

Originally posted by BTox
Lack of intelligence and/or education.

Speaking of, just off the top of my head:

Last Democratic President: William Jefferson Clinton, Rhodes Scholar

Current candidates for the Democratic nomination:
Wesley Clark, first in his class at West Point, Rhodes Scholar.
Howard Dean: medical degree, formerly a practicing physician.
John Edwards: successful trial attorney
John Kerry: law degree, former D.A.

Wow, those are some uneducated idiots, eh?

No, BTox, you're right. Conservatives often have stunning rejoinders like this one:

http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/graphics/moran.jpg

[Kodiak]

Originally posted by LFTKBS


Speaking of, just off the top of my head:

Last Democratic President: William Jefferson Clinton, Rhodes Scholar

Current candidates for the Democratic nomination:
Wesley Clark, first in his class at West Point, Rhodes Scholar.
Howard Dean: medical degree, formerly a practicing physician.
John Edwards: successful trial attorney
John Kerry: law degree, former D.A.

Wow, those are some uneducated idiots, eh?

No, they're wealthy elitists...

[BTox]

Originally posted by LFTKBS


Speaking of, just off the top of my head:

Last Democratic President: William Jefferson Clinton, Rhodes Scholar

Current candidates for the Democratic nomination:
Wesley Clark, first in his class at West Point, Rhodes Scholar.
Howard Dean: medical degree, formerly a practicing physician.
John Edwards: successful trial attorney
John Kerry: law degree, former D.A.

Wow, those are some uneducated idiots, eh?

No, BTox, you're right. Conservatives often have stunning rejoinders like this one:


Are you really trying to be this dense? The topic was liberal comics, remember? Sheesh... and since you made that dandy list of politicians, I agree, none of them are uneducated.

[subgenius]

Let's see I was just watching Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno, and David Letterman. At last report they were considered comics.
All were making fun of both sides. Guess the premise is wrong to begin with.
But still waiting for that long list of funny conservative comics, or the explanation for why there are none/so few. Or for that matter an explanation for the claim that comics are mostly liberals. Why would that be?

[BTox]

Shouldn't you be working on your north democrat/south republican thesis? :p

[tamiO]

Originally posted by Tricky
I fully expect in a few years to see Dennis on QVC pushing his "Hypersonic WMD Finder."

You know, the guy that pimps Oxy Clean looks like he could be Dennis Miller..

[VicDaring]

I've been thinking about this discussion the last couple days, including Miller's own comments about how 9-11 changed him and I've drawn what I believe is the one, inescapable conclusion:

Dennis Miller is a coward.

He got scared on Sept. 11 so he's rolling over and crying, "please protect me," and he's willing to stand blindly behind whoever offers him assurance that he's safe from the bad men. Whether the steps taken are the logically corrrect steps or the morally right steps is irrelevant, as long as they pat him on the head and tell him it's okay.

Kinda sad, really.

[tamiO]

I think he became infatuated with Ann Coulter and wanted to hang out in her circles. I have gone from being a fan to being disappointed.

[Silicon]

I've been thinking about that very same Miller quote. 9/11 changed him? And he can't understand why it didn't change everyone else?

Change us into what? All Republicans?

Listen, if it "changed" me, it changed me into someone who wants a more effective military, and a more effective coast guard. And maybe a spy agency that can tell a bioweapons lab from a milk factory.

It DIDN'T change me into someone who wants more tax cuts for the rich, who wants less protection for the environment, who wants fewer civil liberties, who wants a restricted freedom of the press, who wants to throw out half of the bill of rights, who wants to amend the Constitution to codify lesser rights for gays, who wants to put more prayer in schools, Commandments in Courtrooms and won't let citizens redress state governments because of a feudal concept of Soverignity.

Mr. Miller, I don't need to run to Bush to say "Daddy, protect me from the bad men." Dennis, you seem to have bought the modern lie that only Republicans can command a military. I'd like to remind you of who saved the world the last time evil knocked on America's doorstep:

http://www.let.leidenuniv.nl/history/image/roosevelt.gif

[subgenius]

Originally posted by BTox
Shouldn't you be working on your north democrat/south republican thesis? :p
Maybe it should be why there are no conservative republican comedians. :)
Maybe that's one of the reasons for Miller's conversion: big fish in a small pond.

[subgenius]

Right on Silicon. What does anyone think Bush did (besides invade Iraq and attack civil liberties) that anyone else, Republican or Democrat would not do?
The only political mileage he got was because of the old adage that nothing unifies the in group like an out group threat. Anyone would have gotten that bump.

[JesFine]

[brief hijack]
(From Family Guy):

Dennis Miller: I don't wanna go on a RANT here but America's foreign policy makes about as much sense as Beowulf having sex with Robert Fulton at the first Battle of Antietam. I mean when a neo-conservative defenstrates it's like Raskalnikov filibuster dioxymonohydrostinate.
Peter Griffin: What the hell does RANT mean?[/brief hijack]

[subgenius]

Now that's funny.

[Dorian Gray]

Dennis. Watch the Daily Show. Understand why Stephen Colbert is everything you should aspire to be. Understand why he's 100 times funnier than you were at your height, and he's just the SECOND BANANA on the Daily Show. Hell Yes! Colbert's roast of Chevy Chase at the Friar's Club Roast was better than anything Miller's ever done.

Did anyone see the "Simple Life" sketch about Dean in Iowa on the Daily Show? "Dr. Dean... He laid a TURD!" Jon Stewart got Dean to actually read lines that made fun of himself for a comedy bit on the Daily Show!

[Ælfgifu]

Especially when most of comics are devout liberals who mercilessly bash Republicans and conservatives and only occasionally take tepid swipes at Dems. Where were you during the Clinton years?

(I know this quote was at the beginning of the thread, but I just got here.)

Have a nice day,
Kelly :)

[Tony]

Originally posted by VicDaring

and he's willing to stand blindly behind whoever offers him assurance that he's safe from the bad men. Whether the steps taken are the logically corrrect steps or the morally right steps is irrelevant, as long as they pat him on the head and tell him it's okay.

Kinda sad, really.

You've just described every gun contol advocate.

[Tricky]

Originally posted by Tony


You've just described every gun contol advocate.
Yes, Tony, we are all aware of how much you care for your gun. When you're not shooting it you are playing with it or polishing it or letting a friend hold it (sometimes pointing it where it shouldn't be pointed). But really, do you have to turn every thread into another chapter of "Tony and His Gun: A Love Story"?

[Tony]

Originally posted by Tricky

Yes, Tony, we are all aware of how much you care for your gun. When you're not shooting it you are playing with it or polishing it or letting a friend hold it (sometimes pointing it where it shouldn't be pointed). But really, do you have to turn every thread into another chapter of "Tony and His Gun: A Love Story"?

The title is wrong, it should read. "Tony and Freedom: A Match Made in Hell". ;)


But please continue to indulge in your diluted and erroneous opinion.

[Dorian Gray]

Pardon me, Tony, but your agenda is showing. Unless you want to shoot Dennis Miller, what the hell do guns have to do with anything? When you hijack a thread like this, it's like you're saying, "Here - please push one of my most sensitive buttons."

So here goes: Guns should be outlawed, and the second amendment repealed. The time this amendment was written in was a different time, and the second amendment is hugely outdated and archaic, thus no longer necessary.

[Tricky]

Actually, Tony has previously said that he doesn't own a firearm. The "gun" I was referring to isn't covered by the Second Amendment.

[subgenius]

Back on track please.
To summarize:
Dennis Miller is a sell out who isn't funny.
Allegedly liberal comics make fun of liberals.
There are few, if any, conservative comics.

[epepke]

Originally posted by subgenius
Back on track please.
To summarize:
Dennis Miller is a sell out who isn't funny.
Allegedly liberal comics make fun of liberals.
There are few, if any, conservative comics.

What, doesn't Rush Limbaugh count?

Maybe he's not all that funny, but he's certainly comical.

[Tricky]

Originally posted by epepke


What, doesn't Rush Limbaugh count?

Maybe he's not all that funny, but he's certainly comical.
Don't forget Ann Coulter. At least one poster here thinks she writes satire. (http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&postid=1870012672&highlight=coulter+satire#post1870012672)

[Dorian Gray]

If Ann Coulter wasn't relatively hot, no one would have ever heard of her. She probably has a ghostwriter - the literary equivalent of Britney Spears.

[Tricky]

Originally posted by Dorian Gray
If Ann Coulter wasn't relatively hot, no one would have ever heard of her. She probably has a ghostwriter - the literary equivalent of Britney Spears.
Ewww! Relative to what? Rush Limbaugh? Phyllis Diller? Helen Thomas?

[subgenius]

Two week hiatus, you know what that means.

"February 27, 2004 -- DENNIS Miller is taking a two- week hiatus from his new CNBC talk show - which is being remade while he's gone. "
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/19121.htm

I have a suggestion. Have the same show but with someone who's funny.

[corplinx]

Originally posted by subgenius
Two week hiatus, you know what that means.

"February 27, 2004 -- DENNIS Miller is taking a two- week hiatus from his new CNBC talk show - which is being remade while he's gone. "
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/19121.htm

I have a suggestion. Have the same show but with someone who's funny.

That show has a lot of problems. I am sorry but the "Dennis Miller does the headlines thing" is sooooo late 80s SNL. Not only that, he just can't carry a serious news show for an hour.

I tried watching the show, but it was just painful. Miller actually shows promise and his strength may be more in the interview than elsewhere.

[Number Six]

I'm really disappointed in this show. I expected to like it and I don't.

Listening to the studio hands laughing at his jokes is just painful. If you're going to do something that essentially a live, straight comedy bit you've got to have a studio audience. They're getting a live audience after they re-tool so maybe that will help. And having his comedy bit at the start of the show like they do now instead of in the middle like they did before is good too.

But still, that is only a small part of the show and there is a lot of other time to fill. His varisty panel discussion...it's not working and I can't put my finger on why. Instead of a discussion it feel like he's doing three interviews at once. And also there is never time to get into anything...each of the three guests hardly gets any time to talk...they need to either lengthen it or reduce the panel to two guests. And they need to somehow turn it into more of a real discussion. I think that the fact that the guests are literally shoulder to shoulder messes things up. I hope they change that too.

Also, Dennis has a conservative bent (at least on security issues) and that's fine, but the way he refuses to poke even the slightest good natured fun at GWB is disconcerting. Poke fun at everyone and do it with your particular slant, but don't just leave some players completely untouched. And at the same time he's constantly digging at Dennis Kucinich. Okay, so Kucinich is kinda odd and it can be effective comedy to pick out one oddball and make as much fun of him as you can, but poking all kinds of fun at the least powerful Presidential candidate while simultaneously poking no fun at all at the most powerful one just comes off as creepy.

I hope things are better after the retooling. I generally like Dennis Miller and my only other TV talk options at 9 ET are Larry "Woo Woo" King, Deborah "I'm hot s***" Norville and Hannity & Colmes (aka, the biggest egomaniac in the world and the other guy that kisses his butt while pretending to oppose him). So a decent show by Dennis Miller at 9 ET could be useful but so far he's not even close to geting it done.

BTW, in an E-Skeptic Michael Shermer said he'd be on Dennis Millers' show Tues and Wed and it turns out he was just on Tues. I wonder what was up with that.

[Skeptic]

Hilarious to see people bitching about a comedian who supports, God forbid... Republicans. Especially when most of comics are devout liberals who mercilessly bash Republicans and conservatives and only occasionally take tepid swipes at Dems.

...as proven by the TOTAL LACK of Bill Clinton and Al Gore jokes... it's a conspiracy, I tell ya'.

[LFTKBS]

Originally posted by Skeptic
...as proven by the TOTAL LACK of Bill Clinton and Al Gore jokes... it's a conspiracy, I tell ya'.

Totally. Remember when M. Lewinsky performed oral sex W.J. Clinton and Leno never mentioned it?

And Al Gore inventing the internet* never had any play on Letterman.

It's like the whole Viagra thing. You'd think that's a comedy goldmine, but no one made any jokes about it.**

*yes, I'm aware he didn't say that
**and yes, I realize Skeptic and I are agreeing

[varwoche]

Originally posted by Dorian Gray
If Ann Coulter wasn't relatively hot, no one would have ever heard of her.
Ann hot? She's the only one among the slew of blond, female, right-wing pundits for whom a certain part of my anatomy, a part over which I have no intellectual control, has no response.

varwoche

[Oso]

I watched the Dennis Miller show for the first time the other night after I got notified that Dr. Shermer was going to be on it.

What the hell has happened to Dennis? It was just embarrassing. And no discussion of Dr. Shermer's book, which could have provided the only redeeming feature of the show. What a waste. My psychic powers tell me it won't be renewed.

[subgenius]

This smile is quite warm and genuine, not. Makes you uncomfortable to see it.
I think it may be a lesson about what might happen if you go off drugs.
There are no funny conservative comedians. Conservatism is humorless.

[subgenius]

"The main thing we're going to do differently is to have a studio audience," consulting producer Steve Friedman told The Post. "We're not doing the 'Tonight Show' - we want it more like a nightclub, and we're looking at an audience of around 100 people a day." Miller has, thus far, worked without a studio audience - relying only on laughs from his crew.

"Dennis' comedy is terrific, and it really helps if somebody is there to respond to it," Friedman said. "I love the crew, but that's not enough."
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/19121.htm

Right. With the choir that they'll get for him to preach to it will avoid the embarrassment of a laugh track.
Ya still got to get the folks at home to laugh you idiot, and they won't. He's not funny. Get it?
The only ones who give even a Cheney-smirk chuckle over his "poignant observations" are a minority.
I suppose Dennis Shill-er is happy with the current FCC censorship wave. I guess conservatives are too stupid to exercise their freedom of choice (change the channel and put them out of business....isn't that free market?) and like the rest of their small minded lock step agenda prefer to just do away with all freedom, including their own.
Thinking is the hardest work of all, that's why so few of us engage in it.---Emerson
"I can't think to reach my remote to change to something I prefer so let's let the state do my thinking for me."
Wow, I went away there for a while but I'm back now.

[Regnad Kcin]

Originally posted by varwoche
Ann hot? She's the only one among the slew of blond, female, right-wing pundits for whom a certain part of my anatomy, a part over which I have no intellectual control, has no response.Mega-dittos, wouche.

[subgenius]

Ewww. Although I'm certainly not one to judge others taste, especially in crack whores.

[Brown]

Originally posted by subgenius
Right. With the choir that they'll get for him to preach to it will avoid the embarrassment of a laugh track.
Ya still got to get the folks at home to laugh you idiot, and they won't. He's not funny. Get it?
The only ones who give even a Cheney-smirk chuckle over his "poignant observations" are a minority.
I suppose Dennis Shill-er is happy with the current FCC censorship wave. I guess conservatives are too stupid to exercise their freedom of choice (change the channel and put them out of business....isn't that free market?) and like the rest of their small minded lock step agenda prefer to just do away with all freedom, including their own.
Thinking is the hardest work of all, that's why so few of us engage in it.---Emerson
"I can't think to reach my remote to change to something I prefer so let's let the state do my thinking for me."
Wow, I went away there for a while but I'm back now. Look, I don't want to go off on some sort of tangent, but has anybody noticed this guy's star is fading more rapidly than than Sherwin-Williams expired garage paint sold at a 2-for-1 clearance sale?
Geez, I haven't seen anyone take a dive so fast since the time those pranksters snuck an anvil into Greg Louganis's Speedos.
You know, there may be an opportunity for Miller to get back into football--bear with me on this--in which he could exercise his abilities out on the field. Hey, he'd be a great as a trash-talking tackling dummy!
"No, I ain't never heard of Thoreau," says defensive lineman Bubba Gigantor, in response to Denny-boy's clever motivational taunts. "But how 'bout I Thoreau you to the ground??"
Listen, Chico, in this business, there's no liberal and there's no conservative. There's only funny, and not funny.
And sorry to say, this ain't the NRA. There's no "life membership." Even if you were in the "funny" club a while ago, you still got to pay your dues, buddy-boy, or you get tossed out the door faster than a Jehovah's Witness making a call at the home of an atheist bouncer.
Of course, that's only my point of view, and I respect those who disagree.

[Regnad Kcin]

Originally posted by Brown
There's only funny, and not funny.And that...is funny!

Bravo, Brown!

[Renfield]

Originally posted by subgenius
Hasn't made me laugh ever with his smug, smarter-than-thou style. He is digging his own media grave by not making fun of everyone across the board. Going to limit his best potential material. He's looking for a big pay back.


I think Miller sucks too. So many of those references he likes to drop sound forced or were not appropriate, like he'd researched them before hand anticipating that he'd need them later, especially when he was doing Monday Night Football.