Dennis Miller: Capitalist Hero
by Matt Patterson
Dennis Miller started out on the political left and, as he matured (helped along considerably by the shock of 9/11), he migrated to the political right.
In this wayward sojourn, he is in fine intellectual company: To name but a few, David Horowitz (former campus radical), Irving Kristol (one time Trotskyite), and Ronald Reagan (early FDR-New Dealer). And as is usually the case with someone who has viewed the world through both left and right prisms, Miller possesses exceptional insight into the relative strengths and weaknesses of both ideologies.
On a recent broadcast of his syndicated West Wood One radio show, taped live at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California (to commemorate the imminent release of the unabridged Reagan Diaries), Miller reflected on the terrible spiritual toll taken by socialism’s attempt to take the fight out of life. Noting that comfortable social democracies like Sweden nonetheless have high suicide rates, Miller professes not to be surprised:
“I like fighting….I don’t know about you, when your cat heels are hanging over the abyss, isn’t that when the game is on? Isn’t that part of being a human being? I mean, if somebody comes in behind you and stuccos the abyss over and you can’t fall anywhere, I think that eats into your head somewhere down the road. It’s about the challenge….”
Somehow in this wonderful, seemingly off-the-cuff remark to a live audience, Miller crystallizes the best arguments of Ayn Rand, Alexis de Tocquevile, and Thomas Sowell–and gets a laugh doing it.
But he wasn’t through. Only a few minutes later he mock-accepts the coming Obama socialist revolution. He won’t leave the country, he informs his listeners, as so may conservatives have threatened. Instead:
“You know, you get to a point if they’re [the government] taking too much money, I’d quit working. Wouldn’t you? There’s two lines: Here’s the line where you get your money for working, and here’s the line where you get it for not working. If this line…the stacks about as big as this line, I’m jumping lines.”
Here Miller distills the issue outside of ideology and into the realm of nuts and bolts practicality–socialism does not work, because sooner or later, everyone is on the public doll, with predicable and horrifying consequences for the spiritual and economic productivity of society. A brutal analogy which, again, got a laugh.
Dennis Miller’s radio program is often a great listen–politicos, comedians, and authors all rub elbows with equal ease in his gentile and eminently courteous broadcast. And Miller himself has lost none of his devastatingly precise comedic chops.
But occasionally, and here is where Miller often stands heads and shoulders over his talk radio peers, he provides something more–sober, sane assessment, and (shock) a little perspective.
Thank God he’s–finally–on our side.
Matt Patterson is a columnist and commentator whose work has appeared in the Washington Examiner, The Baltimore Sun, Town Hall, and Pajamas Media. He is the author of “Union of Hearts: The Abraham Lincoln & Ann Rutledge Story. His email is mpatterson.column@gmail.com.
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92 Comments
Excellent take on Mr. Miller. I do enjoy his comments.
Good piece on a good guy with some top notch intellect. Great weapon against socialism
"Miller distills the issue outside of ideology and into the realm of nuts and bolts practicality–socialism does not work, because sooner or later, everyone is on the public doll…" a person just has to appreciate this ability to jab home the basics. Miller is like an ideological rollercoaster ride that rises and falls, twists and turns the human arena of thought, yet when the ride is over, alas, one cannot wait to get back on!!
I think his command of the English language is elipsed only by that of the late William F. Buckley jr. It's a joy
to listen to him go on a rip.
I've always enjoyed Miller when he was on the Left and now more from the Right. He was always the best Weekend Update host that came after Akroyd and Murray. He does have a way with distilling all the back-and-forth arguments into a bitingly accurate dart. And like mentioned above always gets a laugh. I….am…outta here!
http://shermansmarch.blogspot.com (Peabody's boy – Sherman)
I try to listen to Dennis Miller's show as much as I can. He's very polite to those that call in with opposing views, he presents his views with clarity and intelligence, and he's a damn funny guy.
I'd love to see a column from him on here sometime, guaranteed it'll break records for posts….
I love Miller. I'm like a lot of people (and Miller) in that I held to more liberal beliefs when I was younger but matured into a conservative as I learned to live in the real world. There is a certain insight it gives you when trying to understand the mindset. My previous beliefs were based more on ignorance than anything else– though I would never accuse Miller of having been one of those libs. I guess my point is that I appreciate it when someone is willing to admit that their belief system was mistaken and seek better answers going forward.
Mr. Miller is one of the greats. I was a fan when he was still a lib, I think our paths were timed about the same, as we both headed right. I continue to be a loyal fan. There truly is no other like him. Thanks for writing this mini tribute.
Which conservatives have threatened to leave the country?
Dennis Miller can slice and dice the socialist with the best of them, and you smile in the process, win, win.
I heard that interchange on Miller's show. And I thought it Randian as well.
In Atlas Shrugged the entrepreneurs packed up and left, leaving the nation without goods.
Aren't states and the country just doing the same thing with taxes rather than regulation? (not that regulation isn't happening) I wonder why the rich in the nation wouldn't just take their money and leave in an effort to avoid taxes.
Another question. With the auto manufacturers in such trouble. How does it make any sense in imposing on them additional CAFE standards? This will raise the cost by a reported $1300 per vehicle. They can't sell the cars they have with the economy the way it is. What the hell?
We love you Dennis, keep up the great work.
Dennis Miller is one of the best and brightest additions to the conservative movement since Ronaldo Maximus switched parties in the 50's… not an ideologue by any measure, Mr Miller brings an intellectual honesty and literate bravura to his commentaries. His radio show is a particular delight; equal parts policy, politics and humor.
Classic Dennis Miller line: (speaking about Obama and his continuing comparisons to Lincoln and Washington)
"This cat's got nothing in common with these greats- matter of fact, they're turning over in their graves faster than the twin screws of the Disco Volante in hydrofoil mode"
gotta love it…
I love most of the conservative hosts but Dennis is my favorite because you forget you're even listening to political talk, he seems like a buddy that's fun to hang out with but in the end ends up making a lot of sense. I wonder if Bill Maher's show will be as good when he comes to his senses and becomes conservative eventually?
I too followed the same path as Mr. Miller.
I had a chance to meet him @ "Area 51".
One cool cat.
move him to minnesota, and run him for senate.
He doesn't have the depth that Miller does.
He's witty AND funny and that combination is very rare, my friend, very rare. I do enjoy intellect but I also enjoy a gut busting joke. With Dennis Miller, I get both. I'm so glad he's one of us.
i invented dennis miller.
No. The sun will burn out first- his Religion is anti-american Socialism.
My Dennis Miller Story
My fiancee, her brother and I were on a flight out west to visit their dad in '06. We had a layover at LAX. While waiting outside the restroom, I saw Dennis Miller walking towards the bathroom. I'm a huge Miller fan. I have his book "The Rants" and always watched his show on HBO and even the one he had on CNBC. I wanted to approach him, but I also didn't want to bother him. We made eye contact, and I simply nodded. He noticed the recognition I had in my eyes, and nodded back. Pretty cool, I think. We make our way to my future in-law's home.
Some background, my future dad-in-law and his wife are very high up and influential people in the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey). Basically, a government run, ultra liberal, ultra environmentalist establishment. Very cool people, but when it comes to conversation, it's impossible to join in. It's always about work and it's always boring, because I don't know what the hell they're ever talking about. When they're not talking shop, it inevitably turns into bashing W. Bush and all republicans and conservatives. Though I'm not a republican (no party affiliation), not conservative (libertarian), and while I did twice vote for W., I was never a really big fan, I found myself constantly forced to defend them. They are generous people, and I don't want to be rude, but it gets to the point where you have to say something.
Some background, my future dad-in-law and his wife are very high up and influential people in the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey). Basically, a government run, ultra liberal, ultra environmentalist establishment. Very cool people, but when it comes to conversation, it's impossible to join in. It's always about work and it's always boring, because I don't know what the hell they're ever talking about. When they're not talking shop, it inevitably turns into bashing W. Bush and all republicans and conservatives. Though I'm not a republican (no party affiliation), not conservative (libertarian), and while I did twice vote for W., I was never a really big fan, I found myself constantly forced to defend them. They are generous people, and I don't want to be rude, but it gets to the point where you have to say something.
We were dining at their plush home with some of their workmates and the entire conversation consisted of nothing but work, work, work. My future bro-in-law is in the same field, so my fiancee and I are left to twiddle our collective thumbs. There was a pause in the conversation, so I decided to chime in.
I said, "At LAX, I saw Dennis Miller". That's a nice conversation starter, right? I was met with, "Did ya kick him in the nuts?". "No", I responded, "why would I do that?". Then the conversation turned into an unabashed assault on Miller and his views and all of those who lean right. I thought liberals were the open-minded, accepting ones. Guess not.
It was because of that, I no longer hide my opinions. People, mostly liberals in my encounters, have no boundary that they won't cross in order to belittle and besmirch those they disagree with. If you're going to be so bold in your rants, prepare to be challenged.
So, I thank Dennis Miller for inadvertantly giving me the backbone to stand up for what i believe and not merely take it.
P.S.
When W. was in office, the conversation was always about how dumb he is and how he's ruining the country. Now that their man is in, I don't here them even mention the word politics when I'm around.
Lol – now that is a brilliant suggestion! (But would Miller take it?)
He doesn't want in on that fight. Franken is an old friend.
Miller is my favorite talker because he keeps brings his Hollywood friends on. I love the mix of entertainment and politics. Also, he doesn't cause my blood pressure to rise like when Hannity and O'Reilly bring on people just to have a shouting/pissing match with them.
My respect for him went off the charts when he ranted on the death penalty. It made so much sense that I knew he was tilting right. Something like "it is our way as a society to say that there are some things so heinous that we cannot allow it." There was also the bit about child abuse. If you feel you need to harm a child, kill yourself. God will forgive you.
Dennis' show is a wonderful combination of politics, religion, humor, and truth. Many of the best moments aren't the big interviews, but random conversations with phone callers where he really hits home the importance of our soldiers or our freedoms (or how the two are intertwined). I saw him at an appearance in Chicago and a soldier tried to present him with an award for his support of the troops. Dennis listened awkwardly while the young man went on and on complimenting him, then ignored the handshake offered, opting instead for a huge bear hug with the surprised soldier. You can't mistake the sincerity of his beliefs.
Oh yeah, he's really funny too.
then run piscopo, or carrot top, the corpse of belushi would be preferable.
If the Democrats ever actually spent the money on the social ills like they say, I would probably still be one. They have too much invested in treating the symptoms to ever fix them. All they do is form another commitee, hire more of their self-labeled intelligent friends to study the problem and then tell you that it's because of too many whites in construction jobs.
Damn right!He was the LAST classic,great SNL performer and lets us all in on the left's agenda and criminal methods.He's one of only a few performers I wish to hang with and drink beers(like I did with Jonathon Frakes here in my hometown).I….am…outta here! LOL!
Oh, how I wish . . . Would a beg letter from Minnesotans help?
I never thought he was especially funny as a standup or on SNL. But I recall watching his short-lived TV talk show, and being genuinely impressed by how intelligent and thoughtful he was, what a skilled interviewer he was, and what a real variety of opinions he invited on. I still don't know if I think he's funny ha-ha. But he's enlightening and impressive, and very much so.
I'm not so sure he's fully on our side. I believe what I see with my own eyes. I listen to his show all the time, but has he asked ME to appear on the show? NO! I tried to get up at 5:30 to see him at the Reagan Library thing to try to right this indignity, but my brain had other ideas (as usual).
When I can report from first-hand experience that he's on our side, then brother, will I believe.
Miller's one of the few comedians who will take shots at Obama, unlike most of the others who appear in this Onion-style newspaper parody:
http://optoons.blogspot.com/2009/05/late-night-co...
The aforementioned Mr. Miller is in my permanent radio queue, along with Michael Medved and Glenn Beck. Dennis Miller knows how to dissect a punchline, and he has great taste among classic movies, among other things. And part of his charm is his exquisite vocabulary and turn-of-phrase. I'm really happy that it took this long for Dennis Miller to finally come into his own, to find a platform where he could disseminate his knowledge and wit to the masses.
i have heard more than a few articulate what miller has. they are all dead on. if something doesn't change we'll all be jumping to the other line, yelling for our cheese.
Tell his people (Christian) that you have a book coming out. He seem to love "selling the soap".
Dennis Miller pulls a lot of his punches these days.
Pro "war on terrorism", supporting the troops big time, gives GWB the benefit of the doubt regarding his intentions and decency, sees Reid and Pelosi for what they are, BUT clearly not going to touch Obama,racial politics and the Economic Hurricaine Katrina the Obamaites have unleashed on this country. He's very mushy on the MASSIVE, GIANT, UNHEARD OF, INSANE deficit. Where is he, or anyone really turning a lasar at the theft of the automobile industry from its owners, the Soviet Style Union controlled disaster that has been created, and now, today, the centrally planned emmission/gas mileage death blow.
This is why they hate Rush Limbaugh. He is the only one mocking them.
I'm not a celebrity, I only play one at BH. But I'll hang and throw a few back witcha'
http://shermansmarch.blogspot.com
Maher is a mental lightweight compared to Miller. An earlier poster had it right……Miller is more like Buckley, providing thoughtful, insightful and measured responses ……….with a right dose of wit and humor……….plus, I do not believe Maher can be rehabbed…………
First, Maher would have to find a brain donor.
[...] *Dennis Miller: Capitalist Hero, by Matt Patterson. [...]
Unfortunately, it's lost on socialism. This is like attacking an Islamic Extremest (aka terrorist) cell with a fuel air bomb. You know it's going to do the job but wouldn't a few shots from a .50 cal at long range take care of the problem? Then again, fuel air bombs do have their purposes. Get em Dennis!
Unfortunately, it's lost on socialism. This is like attacking an Islamic Extremest (aka terrorist) cell with a fuel air bomb. You know it's going to do the job but wouldn't a few shots from a .50 cal at long range take care of the problem? Then again, fuel air bombs do have their purposes. Get em Dennis!
I wish he was still doing Monday Night Football
..Quite simply, The Samuel Clemens of our time. Kudos Mr. Miller.
I've spent 25 years working in Japan 3 or 4 months out of each year. I have seen, with my own eyes, the death of the "work our asses off to get this country great" generation and rise of the new "who cares, our ass is covered by socialized everything and I'd rather text my pals than work at anything useful anyway and you know, living in Mom and Dad's spare room is okay."
Why do you think one of the most innovative and technically sophisticated countries in the world was been stuck in a recession for nearly 20 years?
Oh, yeah, there was a bank failure the government tried to bail out by ramping up government spending. Sounds familiar.
" He won’t leave the country, he informs his listeners, as so may conservatives have threatened. "
If conservatives run out now, where are their grandchildren who have been raised by cowards going to go when the commies reach their forts in Costa Rica and New Zeland?
And the sniper shots, being personally delivered mano a mano (or to be gender non-specific, human being to human being), are much more satisfying.
Soup of the Day
Earthquack Duck Soup.
TaxMasters – Txmstr.com – no vowels just SAAAVINGGS!
Not a bad idea, even if you are Cranky.
You touched on one of the more important aspects of his broadcast; he is courteous. This is something severely lacking in the broadcasts and opinion shows from the left. He can cut someone down surgically, and still do it with a modicum of respect and class. he also happens to practice what he preaches; he strives for excellence in not only his topics but in the character of his argument and the level of discussion.
He is the most rational and thorough voice currently speaking to our nation. Bravo Dennis, and thank you!
Dennis Miller endeared me forever when he tagged Ross Perot (whom I was embarrassingly "FOR" back in my political infancy) a "Simon Barsinister replicant". His ingenious associations are often to pop culture references so arcane that I have spontaneously consciously acknowledged: "Okay – now, about FIVE people across America got that, and I'm one of them. Thanks for the 'in-joke', Dennis." (Sometimes I feel like he comes up with this stuff just to amuse *me*!)
If John Nash had chosen to pursue comedy rather than mathematics, he'd likely have been Dennis Miller…
Dennis Miller endeared me forever when he tagged Ross Perot (whom I was embarrassingly "FOR" back in my political infancy) a "Simon Barsinister replicant". His ingenious associations are often to pop culture references so arcane that I have spontaneously consciously acknowledged: "Okay – now, about FIVE people across America got that, and I'm one of them. Thanks for the 'in-joke', Dennis." (Sometimes I feel like he comes up with this stuff just to amuse *me*!)
If John Nash had chosen to pursue comedy rather than mathematics, he'd likely have been Dennis Miller…
Soup of the Day__Earthquack Duck Soup.__TaxMasters – Txmstr.com – no vowels just SAAAVINGGS!
Unlike many blowhards on the Left, Dennis is well read and can spar with the best of them. He also stays calm and treats callers and guests with respect. I listen to his radiio show on KRLA 870, and he has a sincerity and authenticity about him that stands out.
I remember his HBO show. I hated his liberal rants. When after 9/11 he suddenly shifted to the right I embraced him with open arms.
Now I wish he were back on MNF!
The MILLER MEN…………
Zell and Dennis.
Love 'em both.
Thanks! I'm only cranky when watching CNN/ABC/CBS/NBC news. I became the Cranky Neocon shortly after 9/11. Now I'm just cranky.
BTW, count me in for one purchase to the Idiots Guide to Screenwriting.
We still haven't gotten Dennis Miller out here where I'm at yet. I wish we would. Miller was the only reason I watched SNL for years; all for weekend update. I've seen him do some spots for O'Reilly and others and I miss Dennis Miller.
Hey, what a GREAT idea, whoever you are!
"Everyone is on the public doll." I guess that's better than being on the Dole, but where can I find this doll?
+1
Dennis is the man. Always was, even when he was a liberal. Now, he is just cooler.
What a great piece on Mr. Miller. As an active duty Sailor, I can tell you that there are few who Champion our cause to the degree of Dennis Miller. He serves us who serve. God Bless him!
wont work
The lib's worst nightmare. One of their own who saw the light and switched to the sane side, and now skewers them with such ease they never know what hit them.
Absolutely love Dennis Miller. I appreciate his support for our troops.
I've been a fan of Dennis Miller for years…..even when he was a Lefty. Now that he is somewhat more conservative, he totally rocks!! Love ya, Dennis!
Dennis is a daily reminder of how much nicer and warmer conservatives are than their liberal counterparts. His show is a breath of fresh air and his commentaries on O'Reilly are always guaranteed to bring up a chuckle and raise at least one eyebrow. Even though I think Dennis has cut this president more slack than he could possibly earn, when it comes time to cut the mustard, Dennis always knows exactly where to stick the knife.
"Dennis Miller started out on the political left and, as he matured (helped along considerably by the shock of 9/11), he migrated to the political right."
I'm sorry, but that's simply a MASSIVE mischaracterization. I don't care if it's even how Miller describes HIMSELF at this point, it's demonstrably innacurate.
One need only go back to the bulk of his pre-millenial work to see that Miller's strength from the get-go was that he had very little filter and no operative "bias" aside from his own cynicism toward power, authority and celebrity. He wasn't an "equal opportunity" offender… he was an ANY OPPORTUNITY offender. His enemy was stupidity, and he targeted anyone and anything that left itself even remotely vulnerable… in a way, he and other comics doing this kind of "act" served as a kind of human bridge between the Mad Magazine/National Lampoon/George Carlin era of satiric comedy and the modern era of South Park/Daily Show/Colbert.
(continued)
(continued)
But, at some point, he lost it. Not the timing or the talent, but the SOUL. "Everyone is either stupid or lying but me and I'm gonna call them on it" has morphed into "Those guys are stupid liars, but THESE guys are awesome and I'm on their side."
He says it's a post-911 thing, I hope it isn't because it makes him sound (frankly) like a coward: frightened by terrorism, fleeing behind the pantleg of the nearest convenient daddy-figure. My hope is that it's simply a matter of age and lessening "drive." I regard abject cynicism as the only sane day-to-day reaction to have when dealing with the depressingly-ridiculous human race, but keeping one's guard up in that regard can be exhausting. It's understandable that, as a man ages, he may wish to relax and pick a "side" rather than continue flogging both. Too bad, either way. He used to one of the ones who mattered.
Something is off with Miller. I’ll second a previous commenter’s take that Miller seems “mushy” on some core issues.
Miller has said that Sean Hannity (who is clearly on our side without any mush) has a problem with him, without going into detail what that problem is. Hannity himself has only hinted at this problem on-air, without engaging in any cat-fighting. My sense of it is that Hannity believes Miller to be an opportunist who took the old Gay for Pay model to conservative talk radio.
The only programming making legitimate money on AM radio over the past few years has been conservative talk radio. Miller got in when the going was good to collect a paycheck.
I want to believe Miller is legit. I appreciate the wit, wisdom, English mastery and personality he brings to the table. But something about the guy smells a tad trouty.
"Aren't states and the country just doing the same thing with taxes rather than regulation? (not that regulation isn't happening) I wonder why the rich in the nation wouldn't just take their money and leave in an effort to avoid taxes."
If you look at the migration of US citizens between the states, you will see that the rich are doing just that: leaving states like California and New York for places like New Hampshire, Nevada and Texas.
"move him to minnesota, and run him for senate."
Now that mania of the election is over, I wonder how many Minnesotans are regretting their vote for Senator?
"…BUT clearly not going to touch Obama,racial politics and the Economic Hurricaine Katrina the Obamaites have unleashed on this country."
I get the feeling that you don't listen to his show.
He criticizes Obama daily. He goes on rants about how tired he is of hearing the word "racist" being used to silence opposition. And, as quoted in the original post here, he is definitely not into Socialism.
http://www.dennismillerradio.com/
One of the best guests on Fox News by miles.
oh yeah I know that. But why stop there? Why wouldn' t they just keep on going?
The guy lost his HBO show because he started veering rightward, he no longer is welcome with open arms within the Hollywood community as he was when he was more liberal (save for Leno, who keeps his show non-partisan even though he's a lefty) and he often is verbally accosted by celebs because of his change in politics (Gandolfini has been mentioned several times). Loss of a job, community stature & friends….yet he did all that because of getting a paycheck within a medium that he'd never tried, eh?
Relax & please stop looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Ever since the left started loosing power at the ballot box (was it 1992 Gingrich & Co. took up residency in the House majority?) the left has been changing the battle field. Realizing they don't have a chance in a reasonable, logical, rational, debate, they moved the field from the open forum to the class rooms and to pop culture. There, they have little or no opposition.
I firmly believe the reason so many voters for the Obama cult was because they were clueless about what he was proposing. Many voters, friends, and even my own family don't have the slightest clue what communism is, or socialism, capitalism, free markets, the US constitution, checks and balances in the federal government. They don't even have the slightest clue what a court of law is supposed to be (other than how to get out of jury duty).
So consequently, all the old tired ideas and ideologies of the world's sordid past, to them, are exciting new ideas full of hope for transparent change.
It's not that they're stupid, its that modern liberals in the class rooms, and pop culture in adult world, have worked long and hard to wipe away all the blood, mud and death associated with these terrible ideologies. I had a modern liberal actually tell me once communism was a great idea that had never been tried. I spent hours explaining that yes, communism has been tried, and yes, it doesn't look in practice much like how it's supposed to work in theory, that's because before long, the communists have to pick up a gun to make people obey.
He called me a racist and smugly walked away, enjoying his mental orgasm.
Only by continuously pounding the absolute, and irrefutable truth behind the real experiences of what practicing these voodoo ideologies, really has produced.
The Ukraine famine. The Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward. Pol Pot's killing fields. They were real, they were planned, and they were carried out by real live human vermin. We can not let that be forgotten.
I'm convinced its education. My daughter attends a private high school (thank God). She explained to me that her Global Studies teacher allows only two people from history to called worse than Hitler: Stalin and Mao.
There is hope, she now knows the truth.
Miller doesn't just command the language – he owns it!
And much to my disappointment, his sharp wit, silly puns, and acute observations fell absolutely flat on Monday Night Football.
Ah, well, not all of us who enjoy football can be educated. Some of us need to be in the line where we get paid for NOT working.
I'm as big a fan of Dennis as anybody and have listened to his radio show from the start. I missed a lot of his good material because I've never had HBO and I have a sensitivity to profanity. However, since his show is distributed in part by Salem radio, which is religiously based, he keeps the language in bounds. I especially like his mixture of feisty independence of thought and humility. He's a real gentleman who tries to give his listeners a fair chance to be heard, and only drops people who only want to to spout and not interact. He dislikes people who talk on and on and never seem the slightest bit willing to listen to his views, but he often gives the most obnoxious callers from the left more time than he does friendly ones.
He's not a activist or political type, and doesn't get caught up in partisan politics, as opposed to commenting on events in the news.
The quote about "your cat heels hanging over the abyss" is a great illustration of Miller's greatest skill – finding funny, yet spot on, analogies. The other key to his comedic chops is his vocabulary and obscure references to current and historical events, culture and people. I have to Google about 5 of them per show, and 5 more if I'm reading and posting on his website's message boards. He has some very sharp and witty subscribers.
You'll forgive me if I give more weight to Sean Hannity's insights about Dennis Miller than yours. Perhaps you can explain why Miller cares more about defending hacks like Bill Maher and Jon Stewart than defending the ideology he allegedly champions.
As to his HBO deal, I know waiters who make more money than people with HBO contracts. Try again.
And I really like the cut of that young mans jib.
Dennis Miller, is the salt of the earth and a cool cat to boot.
///Perhaps you can explain why Miller cares more about defending hacks like Bill Maher and Jon Stewart than defending the ideology he allegedly champions.///
They're his FRIENDS, from way back in the day when he was a struggling stand-up comedian. Heck, my godparents are FDR Democrats & I love them and would defend them to the hilt; if one puts petty political bickering above friendships, then that's a personal issue that they must work out. Personally, I have my faith in God that I place above being a conservative/libertarian & I surely wouldn't let that interfere with one of my best friends who happens to be Jewish, so why in the world should I place something a lot lower on the priority list – political ideology – in front of friendship?
///As to his HBO deal, I know waiters who make more money than people with HBO contracts. ////
Total B.S. Dude/dudette, we're probably ideological soulmates, yet – like you're doing with Miller – you're antagonizing the situation because I'm not on board with you 100%.
BTW, I've met Hannity (long before he was on FNC or 'big') & he's a very nice & classy person. I think that he has politics higher than friendship whereas Miller has friendship higher than politics (as do I). I can understand Hannity getting his cackles up since Maher (an a-hole, btw) attacks him & Miller defers to their friendship, but that's Miller's right.
At the end of the day, my friends are going to be there for me….the GOP, not so much (go look at spending under Bush).
You can go to Dennismillerradio.com and download the show without the commercials. I listen to it on my Blackberry as I fly cross country. It is the best 2+ hours on the air.
Dennis is a good man!
Well, Miller had already finished "tilting right" long before he ever stepped behind a radio mic. On his post-HBO TV show (was it on MSNBC? CNN? One of those…) he was already doing barbed conservative commentary and never once took shots at George W. Bush. In fact, Miller considered Dubya to be a "friend" and stated flat out just before his first show premiered that he would be giving his friend the POTUS "a pass." And he did.
Miller is a man of nuanced political views. And I think this is a good thing. No, strike that. I think it's a great thing. Miller is mostly conservative… but not afraid to take things issue by issue. I like that, and hope I am the same way (as our friends on the Left so frequently are NOT)
Furthermore Miller is a brilliant host… always insightful and courteous… not to mention breathtakingly fast, eloquent and riotously funny.
Bill Maher has never made me laugh, whatever his ideology. I laughed at Dennis Miller even when I disagreed with him politically. It comes down to a talent issue, and Maher has none… if he "changed" and became a conservative, he'd be an unfunny conservative – and those don't get shows…
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