Dennis Miller: the opposite of comedy

[rmcrobertson]

Hey, was it just me, or did I just tune in for the wrong ten minutes, but was the new Dennis Miller show remarkably unfunny?

Part I saw, he was doing news items, replete with snotty comments about stuff like Howard Dean's wife, and standing there waiting for the laff-riot to start...

Which it didn't.

 

[Cruentus]

Originally posted by rmcrobertson
Hey, was it just me, or did I just tune in for the wrong ten minutes, but was the new Dennis Miller show remarkably unfunny?

Part I saw, he was doing news items, replete with snotty comments about stuff like Howard Dean's wife, and standing there waiting for the laff-riot to start...

Which it didn't.

I don't know what Millers deal has been for the last few years. He was funny at one time. Although alot of people considered him "liberal," his opinions had a nice healthy variety. And, he was very good at finding ironic contradictions in our society and government, and making satirical comparisons that were very funny, I thought.

Yet, since he has recently bought into the "conservative" agenda (the last couple of years) he seems to have lost his ability to be funny. His jokes and comparisons are often a very weak stretch, and his act has been reduced from an educated satire to a series of "cheap shots."

I don't think this is because of his newly found "conservativism" per say; I think his loss of humor is because he bought into an "agenda" period. He was funny before in part because he wasn't afraid to take risks and state his opinions in a witty manner, regardless of whether he might be wrong, or where on the political spectrum those opinions were. Now since he has "found an agenda" so to speak, he seems to be more conscience of conservative opinions, and the possability that he might be "wrong". This makes his rants less interesting and less comical to me. His rants sound more like a regurgitation of current conservative viewpoints, added with a load of cheap shots, and a little Dennis Miller "charm". His humor has become predictable and boring to me at best.

I hope that he does a diving roll off the bandwagon he is on right now. I think he could be funny again if he would go back to generating his own opinions.

 

[rmcrobertson]

That was kinda my impression too...

but that thing last night? The only reason I watched for ten minutes is that I was so frozen in horror I couldn't work the remote...

Not even the "Chevy Chase Show," was that gawdawful...

I tend to agree with getting frozen into an agenda...but Carlin's incredibly funny, and I'd identify him with liberal/left ideas, pretty much...

 

[Makalakumu]

Originally posted by PAUL
I don't think this is because of his newly found "conservativism" per say...

I would say that it does flow from that cause.

Originally posted by PAUL
Now since he has "found an agenda" so to speak, he seems to be more conscience of conservative opinions, and the possability that he might be "wrong".

Big Brother tends to do this to people. After a month or two in the Ministry of Love, anyone would be a little "aprehensive."

Originally posted by PAUL
His rants sound more like a regurgitation of current conservative viewpoints, added with a load of cheap shots...

Which is all conservatives have now days. Forget logical discussion of issues, people don't have time for that anymore.

Originally posted by PAUL
I think he could be funny again if he would go back to generating his own opinions.

It's too dangerous now. He's acquired a label. Once you A$$ociate yourself with Limbaugh, you make an a$$ out of yourself forever!

 

[arnisador]

He sure seems to have changed his tune since 9-11.

Of course, that was an event that should have affected people.

But, I find him less funny now.

 

[MisterMike]

I've never found him that entertaining. He's alsways been an HBO puppet for the most part of his career.

Anyone who flip-flops from liberal to conservative is either right in the middle or willing to pander to the latest trends.

What's more amazing(horrifying) is how many people look to Hollywood for political leadership.

 

[Cruentus]

Originally posted by MisterMike


Anyone who flip-flops from liberal to conservative is either right in the middle or willing to pander to the latest trends.

What's more amazing(horrifying) is how many people look to Hollywood for political leadership.

No kidding!

 

[TonyM.]

That's not Dennis Miller. That's the stepford Dennis Miller. Or a slow motion train wreck. Saw it last night for the first and last time. Dear Lord that was awfull.

 

[rmcrobertson]

OH, good. It wasn't just me.

 

[Cthulhu]

He started to be unfunny when he started to act, I think.

Personally, I much prefer the Daily Show.

Cthulhu

 

[rmcrobertson]

Yeah, me too.

Hey...this'll start an argument. Is there any such thing as truly funny right-wing comedy? I mean, I can think of lotsa anarchist types, lefties and socialists (the Marx Brothers come to mind fast), who remain funnier than hell right up until they start shilling for Stalin...

But really. Who's funnier?

Al Franken or Ann Coulter?
Michael Moore or Bill O'Reilly?
George Carlin or Rush Limbaugh?
Margaret Cho or Sean Hannity?
Mad TV or Crossfire?

I realize that the lefties and anarchists types are are pro comics. But the other guys are always TRYING to be funny...and then too, "Crossfire," is funny as hell, in its way...

I mean, even old Russian Commies were funny.
Leonid Breznev is supposed to have said, after the neutron bomb was invented by the US, "Oh good, they've finally come up with the perfect capitalist weapon...only kills people, leaves property untouched."

Then there was the old Moscow joke of the 1970s--"Under capitalism, man exploits man. But under Communism, things are the other way around."

But then, Mao apparently was never a lotta laughs...

 

[michaeledward]

Great thought there mcRobertson ... but I wonder, is it fair to ask the question.

I am not certain that Coulter or O'Reilly are working for jokes. But that is the trade of Franken, Cho, and Carlin.

I guess I am wondering :

Is there a difference between trying to be political with humor, versus trying to be funny with politics.

I think Carlin and Cho are funny, funny people who can bring politics into their act.

I think Limbaugh (the funniest of the four you list) is very political, and not very good at being funny while discussing politics.

<< ducking from the onslaught from the [unfunny] right>> Mike

 

[Cruentus]

Originally posted by Cthulhu
He started to be unfunny when he started to act, I think.

Personally, I much prefer the Daily Show.

Cthulhu

Dude...the daily show is like one of my favorite shows!

 

[TonyM.]

Jon Stewart is funny but please please please someone ask him to 86 that God awfull theme song. It's like the jeopardy theme on PCP.

 

[arnisador]

George Carlin is great. He's almost too serious at times--I think he'd make a great English professor.

 

[hardheadjarhead]

Miller BOMBED. When he signed off for his opening monologue, he did so with what appeared to be a mixture of relief and disgust.

I didn't stick around for the rest of the show.

I like Miller...his switch in politics is understandable (this coming from a Democrat), though I wish he hadn't done it. Al Franken said he's always had a conservative streak.

He'll bring, perhaps, a dose of common sense to the Right when it comes to certain issues. He's somewhat left in certain areas. And he's bright. He reads. That's more than we can say for the President.

But, again, that opening monologue SUCKED. The jokes were bad and obviously written by others who don't have a sense of Miller's timing or style...the delivery awful. It may be a mortal blow...we'll see. In any case he has to assume responsibility for it.


Regards,


Steve

 

[RCastillo]

Are funny anymore. I'll take Jay Leno anyday!

 

[howardr]

Hey Robert,

While right-wing comics might not get a lot of press, you might want to check out (or not) this interesting article about their growing popularity:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/culture/20031105-093420-8305r.htm

As for your comparison:

* Al Franken or Michael Moore: not really funny at all (I'm sure you'd figure as much).
* Coulter: don't really care for Coulter's "humor" either. She really just (at least on the TV panels/interviews I've seen with her) just substitutes deadpan sarcasm for argument.
* O'Reilly: don't really think he's pegged as a funnyman, at least I don't think he is. But, I also wouldn't label him a right-winger. I think he's much more of an elitist in populist clothing.
* Cho: I've heard she is amusing, but haven't heard her personally.
* Hannity: while he's "entertaining" sometimes, I really don't find him funny at all.
* Mad TV: never seen it.
* Crossfire: generally wouldn't call it funny (but have heard some pretty good one-liners on it from both the Left and Right fairly frequently). Also, I certainly wouldn't place this on the right-wing side.

Both Communist jokes are quite funny. I especially liked the one I hadn't heard about the neutron bomb. Now that's a classic!

Finally, while I often disagree with your political commentary, I find I agree quite a bit with your martial arts/Kenpo posts, and I frequently find your writing style and content humorous (in a good way).

Thanks, Howard

 

[hardheadjarhead]

O'Reilly: don't really think he's pegged as a funnyman, at least I don't think he is. But, I also wouldn't label him a right-winger. I think he's much more of an elitist in populist clothing.

That's a take I never heard before. Interesting.



Regards,


Steve