Miller’s Rants Canned

CNBC pulled the plug on comedian Dennis Miller’s talk show last week.
Personally, I never understood the logic in putting that show on CNBC in the first place.
The cable network is supposed to be the purview of the financial arts, a haven for stock brokers and accountants.
Ever met an accountant with a sense of humor?
Every night, Miller must have stepped onto the set saying to himself “Tough network, tough network.”
I’m glad his show is over.
To me, Dennis Miller isn’t just a comedian.
He’s a 21st century philosopher.
He was also the victim of an uninspired writing team that could have served as poster children for the Peter Principle.
Hopefully, if he doesn’t just kick back on his jillions in the bank and hang around the house annoying his wife, this will free Miller to return in a format more suitable to his style, one which will allow him to go back to the winning formula of writing his own material.
His HBO show was fantastic in the early years because it was only once a week, allowing Miller to write most of his own jokes and rants.
Unfortunately, I don’t think he’ll ever get the hang of interviewing guests, because so few of them match his intellect.
“So, Jessica, you have a take on this whole Iraqi torture tale?”
“Well, Dennis, you know I believe in equality, and if the guy wants to be a welder, who are we to say no? Just because he’s from South America doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be allowed to use a torch! By the way, did you see the cute Jimmy Choo shoes on the cover of my new CD?”
Also, even if you’re Dennis Miller, making commentary on bad skits featuring untalented members of your incompetent studio crew and staff isn’t comedy.
In redneck parlance, it’s shooting over a baited field.
I don’t always agree with his stances, particularly on handguns and the Constitution, but I will quickly submit that he is one of the smartest guys ever to grace the small screen.
I’m glad that he is free at last.