MovieChat Forums > Dennis Miller Discussion > Does anyone think this guy is funny?

Does anyone think this guy is funny?

posted 6 years ago by Jehosaphet (1063)
36 replies | jump to latest

I've always liked Dennis Miller, but...its more about him seeming like a likable guy; his continual smile while delivering the monologue on his talk show back in the day, how his "wink and nod" style of delivery makes you feel like you're 'in' on the inside joke he's sharing.

His analogies are so obscure that the only way to really be able to enjoy his humor is to be sitting in front of a computer, mouse in hand with the cursor blinking over the search box at Wikipedia.org.
He references movies from the fifties, actors from the thirties, obscure names from poetry, things that require you having prior knowledge of a sub-movement in French culture shortly before the renaissance. And if you're lucky enough to understand the reference, you're often left wondering how it applies to whatever he's currently analogizing.

Listen to him with a search engine at the ready and it quickly becomes obvious that despite all the knowledge in this man's head, there's a disconnect between it and the points he's trying to make. Like he can't help his mouth from grinding it into a paste and shitting it onto the floor for others to sift through for meaning.
https://theoutline.com/post/4835/dennis-miller-option-podcast-really-bad?zd=2&zi=27pj3bqp

"Being able to understand a Dennis Miller analogy is like being able to recognize a brain tumor on your own CT scan — the sense of accomplishment only lasts a few seconds before the existential dread sets in."

IMO, there's a part of him that relies on the obscurity of his references...because it often seems like even Dennis Miller doesn't know what Dennis Miller is trying to say. But whatever it is, its generally pretty far away from "funny", and I can't help but wonder if its always been that way and we just didn't realize it.

Sorry if anyone's a fan of this guy, he's just seeming more and more a hack to me as time goes by here.

[–] brux (14724) 5 years ago

I thought he was OK on SNL ... until I found out he was a right wing jerk, like Steve Martin, and Kelsey Grammer ... I cannot abide these SOBs who are so lucky and make a lot of money and then become right wing a-holes. When I find that out about a celebrity I go well out of my way to avoid anything they do, or at least paying for it. Shit stains on humanity ... same with James Woods ... a never was anyway.

[–] Jehosaphet (1063) 5 years ago

So I'm going to blab a second, because I just got home from work and have the brain damage? Absolutely agree...at least with the 'jerk' part. Because James Woods specifically? Dude is an angry jerk. It doesn't get much more jerky than James Woods.
The blabbing part, and I shit you not...this is absolutely true. On the way home just now, there was this asshole in a jeep, weaving in and out of traffic, hauling balls and acting like he owned the road. The highway came to the merge point, and rather than let the car next to him in, he was staying within inches of the car in front of him, revving his engine to make sure the other car knew that he meant business about this whole "not getting in front of me' thing. Apparently. He'd fall a few feet behind...rev the hell out of his engine and jump back up to close the distance. Just a way aggressive jackass in the middle of a commute we all have to share daily. And of course, out of his truck's back-end, a full size Trump 2020 flag waving in the wind "Keep America Great".

And I realize its purely anecdotal, but my personal take is that Trump seems to appeal to the worst parts of us...but he definitely appeals to the worst of us. Really seems like a safe bet that anyone wearing Trump paraphernalia is more in-tune with their inner douche than the next guy. Even maybe enjoying it some. Like they've given themselves over to the dark side and can't help but relish in it some.

I can see maybe being a fan of Trump's policies, but being a fan of Trump himself...yikes.

Anyway, sorry I get ya =]

[–] xanthas (3215) 2 years ago

I don't think Steve Martin is republican.

[–] brux (14724) 2 years ago

Republican is capitalized.
Well, I really didn't say he was a Republican, I said he was a Right-wing asshole.
But, that's pretty much the same as a Republican.
I think he is. Maybe he doesn't advertise it because no one likes a performer that gets rich and stingy and doesn't want to pay taxes because they think they'er better than everyone else, but I bet he votes Republican, and acts like Republican.

[–] rateater (10014) 3 years ago

watching him on an old snl right now, in this particular news report he's not funny he's just being a prick.

[–] Jehosaphet (1063) 3 years ago

Oh yeah, I forgot about that...some of those segments were less funny and more just...snarky and/or snide.

[–] Seperatrix (1214) 3 years ago

He's never been my cup of tea. But I'm sure he has his fans.

[–] Gd5150 (11747) 3 years ago

Yes he’s hilarious. Any questions?

[–] Redsfan001 (6144) 3 years ago

I picture the late Alex Trebek being a big fan of his, laughing his ass off sitting in his recliner watching a 2hr Dennis Miller special.

[–] ebhaynz (3688) 3 years ago

Dennis Miller had several great runs he was great on SNL's Weekend Update, then he had his hit Dennis Miller Show on HBO and at least 5 of his HBO Specials were not only special, but truly hilarious. TBH I rank Dennis Miller #3 standup comedian of all time with Carlin 1st(of course) and Robert Klein 2nd. All HBO alums.

But yes, after Miller's 2010 HBO Special The Big Show, he had a steep decline, which corresponds with when the U.S. really started tearing itself apart. Miller stuck to his guns, he wouldn't bow down to anybody and even though he ruined his career he was a comedic force for 34 years, which is extremely rare in entertainment.

[–] Jehosaphet (1063) 2 years ago

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[–] Jehosaphet (1063) 2 years ago

Just wanted to point out that I've read this twice and really appreciate what looks like tact in your explanation. Whether you disagree politically with him or not, there's a palpable sense of objectivity here that you wouldn't normally find in discussions like this.
Very well said...you not only seem intelligent as hell, but as a great candidate for arbitrating a discussion between two people with opposing political viewpoints.
Just impressed, is all...very good ebhaynz.

[–] ebhaynz (3688) 2 years ago

Thanks for the nice words!

[–] Tabbycat (878) 3 years ago

Yes.

[–] johnmiller (3889) 2 years ago

He was before 9/11. Since then, he decided that being a reactionary was more profitable. He stopped being funny. Don't know if he made the money he was expecting to.

[–] Jehosaphet (1063) 2 years ago

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