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Dennis Miller born November 3, 1953 in Pittsburgh is an American entertainer, stand-up comedian, political and social commentator and television personality.
Comedy Style
Miller has been labeled by some critics as being somewhat obnoxious and blunt, with a dark and brooding sense of humor. His monologues and stand-up routines often feature elaborate metaphors and references to obscure historical and political events. Through most of the shows run, Miller's opinions were left-leaning, but he never merely regurgitated talking points for either party or ideology. However, this would change in the last years, post-9/11.
Early Years
Miller studied journalism and graduated from Pittsburgh's Point Park College. In the early 1980s he would host The Trolley Show, a Saturday-afternoon newsmagazine for teenagers, on Pittsburgh's KDKA-TV.
SNL/stand-up Career
He then became a fixture on Saturday Night Live where he served as a "Weekend Update" anchor from 1985 to 1991, where his closing catchphrase was "That's the news, and I am outta here!" In In 1990, he also released a stand-up comedy CD, The Off-White Album, which drew heavily from the language and metaphor-driven style he was known for on Saturday Night Live, as well as showing glimpses of the political based humor that would influence his later work. An well-received HBO special, Dennis Miller: Black & White, would air shortly after the release of the CD.
First Talk Show
In 1992, following his departure from Saturday Night Live, Miller launched a late night talk show, "Dennis Miller Live" on ABC. Airing opposite the late-night king, NBC's The Tonight Show, the show was swiftly cancelled after less than a year due to low ratings. (Miller's sidekick on the show, Nick Bakay, would go onto later fame voicing the cat Salem on TV's Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, as well as occasional appearances as a commentator for cable network ESPN).
HBO Show
Beginning in 1994, he hosted Dennis Miller Live, a half-hour talk show on HBO characterized by its simplicity. The show had no set, band, or even much lighting. It mainly consisted of Miller speaking to the largely unseen studio audience on a darkened stage. There would be one guest per show, either live in the studio or occasionally on air via satellite, whom Miller would quiz on the topic of the day. The show would also have a call-in segment (the number to call into the show was 1-800-LACTOSE, however call-ins were phased out entirely in the last years of the show). Miller and his writing staff won five Emmy Awards while hosting the show, which aired 215 episodes during its nine-year run. The show was cancelled by HBO in 2002.
The highlight of the show were Miller's self-described "rants" on various political issues. These monologues always began with the catch phrase "Now I don't want to get off on a rant here..." and ended with the phrase "Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong." Miller also used these monologues as a basis for a series of audiobooks and hardcover books released during the run of the show, starting with 1996's The Rants to 2002's The Rant Zone. In 1995, he served as host of the MTV Video Music Awards. He also was the host of HBO's 1996 series of election specials, "Not Necessarily the Election."
Monday Night Football In 2000, Miller became a commentator on Monday Night Football. He demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the game and its personalities, although, at times, some felt he tended to lapse into sometimes obscure analogy-riddled streams of consciousness similar to his monologues and stand-up routines. After two seasons, he was replaced in 2002 by former Oakland Raiders coach John Madden.
Conservative Shift
While Miller notes that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks changed him, he claims the main reason is because he believes liberal activists were too quick to cast disparaging labels on on people they disagreed with such as Rudy Giuliani and John Ashcroft. He became more partisan, and turned to political commentary.
Miller's new-found conservatism puzzled many of his former fans, as it seemed to be a complete 180-degree turn from his earlier positions on a number of issues. Miller's changed views were not limited to foreign policy, as he began bashing environmentalists, civil rights leaders, and the ACLU in his television appearances.
Criticisms
Miller's former head writer from his pre-HBO syndicated show, Barry Crimmins, felt the decision by Miller was an insincere attempt to establish a new career as a conservative commentator, in the style of Bill O'Reilly or Rush Limbaugh. Writing in the Boston Phoenix, Crimmins said that Miller "has carved a place for himself on the Rushmore of wrong-headedness, and there he will stay for years to come, a glowering, reactionary oaf for the ages. Hes ready for his close-up, Mr. Murdoch."
Miller's change of world view has also drawn flack from his stand-up peers, such as from Janeane Garofolo (who many perceive as continuing to champion many of the same views that Miller has abandoned) and from comedian David Cross (who likened him to a Republican 'court jester' on his comedy CD Shut Up You Fucking Baby!).
CNBC Show
In 2003, Miller provided short-lived regular commentary for the FOX News show Hannity & Colmes before moving on to do a prime-time political show on CNBC in early 2004 called Dennis Miller. The hour long show contained a daily news segment called "The Daily Rorschach", which was reminiscent of his "Weekend Update" segments. The show also featured a panel discussion on current topics dubbed "The Varsity", which offered a wide variety of political viewpoints. The panel often included Gloria Allred, Lawrence O'Donnell, Willie Brown, Harry Shearer, Mickey Kaus, and David Horowitz.
Though Miller had criticized John McCain for endorsing 'someone as insipid as George Bush" on Dennis Miller Live in 2000, Miller now stated that his show would not feature any criticism of the president. "I take care of my friends," Miller stated. Groups such as Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting and Media Matters (FAIR) criticized CNBC for airing what they believed to be a blatantly biased program.
Miller's show consistantly drew low ratings and was cancelled by CNBC in May, 2005. Miller's supporter claim that Miller can hardly be blamed for doing any harm to a ship that was already taking on water, citing that CNBC has low ratings.
Shortly after his cancellation, Miller appeared on Comedy Central's The Daily Show and attempted to make the case that he wasn't a conservative ideologue. "I'm only conservative on the war," Miller said. His critics were quick to point out that Miller is a registered Republican and, in addition to being one of only a few mainstream comedians to support the GOP, Miller has earned a ride on Air Force One and a top spot on the GOP's "celebrity" A-list. In 2002,GOP leaders called for him to run for U.S. Senator from California.
Dennis Miller Filmography
Actor
Joe Dirt (2001)
Murder At 1600 (1997)
Tales from the Crypt Presents - Bordello of Blood (1996)
Bordello of Blood (1996)
Never Talk to Strangers (1995)
The Net (1995)
Dennis Miller Live from Washington D.C. (1994)
Disclosure (1994)
Madhouse (1990)
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