I do love Jon Stewart, but

[Phredicles]

what the heck kind of pictures does Dennis Miller have of him? Every few months this guy is back on the Daily Show taking lameass potshots mirroring publican talking points while Jon just sits there and acts like it's funny, as was the case last night. He's normally a very good interviewer, respectful but not afraid to challenge his guest. But every so often he seemingly rolls over, and with Dumbass Miller it's starting to look like a pattern. Does anyone know what's up with that?

[Bukowski Fan]

1. I don't know for sure

But I think it's like, "comics code". They're both comedians and so I think Jon kinda gives him a free pass that he wouldn't to a politician.

Just a guess.

[tuvor]

2. Miller gave him nothing to challenge.

All I recall from that chat last night was Miller mocking Democrats for their physical appearances. Quite a change compared to when the USA was, er, winning the war.

I also recall Stewart and Colbert trading obscure cultural references during the handoff at the end of the show. It didn't strike me that they were laughing with him.

[Richard Steele]

3. Maybe he knows what a pathetically needy little man Miller is, and takes pity?

Some form of Talk Show charity, perhaps?

Or maybe he realizes that the worst thing he
can do to Miller is just let him talk.

[yurbud]

8. someone wrote an article about exactly this phenomena with Gorbachev speaking to business meetings

The author couldn't figure out why they'd invite him since the didn't even bother to listen to the speech he gave. then he realized it was like the Romans keeping the kings of vanguished kingdoms at court like a novelty or performing bear.

[Richard Steele]

12. That never occurred to me. You may well be onto something.

There was a time when Miller was being hailed as a "big star",
while Jon was doing standup in dive clubs and living on ramen.

Now, Jon's achieved success like Miller never did or will,
and Miller is grateful for the few hundred bucks "union scale"
he gets for being a guest.

Maybe Jon doesn't really give a damn what Miller actually
says on the show- he certainly never challenges it. He just
kinda listens and smiles....

Yes, you may well have put your finger on it. Something I'm
gonna think about for awhile.

[yurbud]

16. like Arsenio going on Jay Leno. Jay was perfectly polite. Didn't have to be rude for it to be a

humiliation.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

4. But he and Colbert had a grand old time making fun of him afterwards. n/t

[Mad_Dem_X]

33. True - that was funny! n/t

[swimmernsecretsea]

5. I don't particularly detect a pattern.

I did notice his awestruck reverence when Tom Waits appeared. It was less an interview than Jon Stewart simply agog at meeting someone he's admired. I do have to admit that I would have acted the same.

I think he was allowing Miller to be Miller. I have never thought of Dennis Miller as funny. Quite the opposite: I think of him as one of the most annoying celebrities out there. I'm not a fan of Howard Stern, but I realized that his criticism of Miller as a touchy, sensitive, and irritable personality was unfortunately correct.

I know Stewart is respectful of a fellow comedian and performer, and I'm sure he was just standing back and trying to let him be relaxed and funny, but it simply didn't work. If Miller had simply been critical and took straight potshots at Pelosi's looks instead of trying to do a "bit" I know Stewart would have cut in. In a way, I appreciate Stewart's attempt to just let the material speak for itself. Honor amongst performers is a show business tradition, and Stewart is honorable. It's really Miller's fault. His material sucked, and it reflected his fearful cowtowing to his new bosses. How horribly sad to watch someone who once had such great potential and is now just a shadow of his former self.

Despite how critical Miller can be of others looks and talent, remember that his most notable movie is "Bordello of Blood." That should say it all.

[ClusterFreak]

6. Ya it rubs me the wrong way too.

Last night Jon could have nailed Miller's ass to the wall too. Miller gave Jon that nauseatingly disingenuous hat tip regarding giving "equal time" to making fun of Democrats on his show. It was phrased something like that anyway. Jon didn't need to get into a big thing with him, but at least he coulda shut him up with "Ya, you're right Dennis, we do give "equal time" to who we make fun of on this show. You should try it some time!"

That might have shut the smarmy fuck up.

Hey Dennis...where's your casually delivered though painstakingly researched obscure comic reference now, bitch?

[Phredicles]

31. That's the thing - it was the "equal time" comment I really felt

demanded a question. After all, has Miller taken even the teensiest swipe at any publican anytime this century?

I realize I'll never agree with what anyone does 100% of the time. It's just rather glaring in this case becuase usually Jon is an excellent inteviewer: He genuinely listens (which not every host will bother to do), and he'll let a person talk (I realize Colbert is playing a character, but I wish he'd interrupt less), but he more often will pick up on internal contradictions in what a person is saying. But every once in a while - nothing. And I think that's been the case the last three or so times he's had Dennis Miller on.

[Dr Fate]

7. No biggie- John gives the floor to his guests now & then...

he was letting another comedian get all his lines in- I think he does it with all comedians.

Yeah- I know "comedian" should be in quotes...

[MrSlayer]

9. Comedians have a network and a code.

They all help each other out whenever they can because they've all known each other from the comedy club days.

Miller was using the same tired bits from his last stand up routine. He did make me laugh once though.

[FightingIrish]

10. Jon Stewart is dead to me

He laughed with Miller as though his stuff was actually funny. He allowed a film clip of Robert Byrd to be shown as a prop for Miller's hateful attack. I didn't watch the Daily Show to watch a failed comic treated with deference and given a platform for unchallenged hate speech. The Comedy Central message boards are on fire with posts of people who didn't appreciate Miller's cheap shots that fell far short of funny.

[spoony]

18. Wee bit dramatic don't you think?

Why DID you watch TDS? If you are taking it that seriously, it isn't for comedy that's for sure. Every show has a dud once in awhile, doesn't mean you have to open a vein over it.

[jollyreaper2112]

20. Dead to you?

Isn't that a bit premature? Couldn't you just put him on notice first?

[Cabcere]

30. Or maybe just

call him out, like Stephen did? Hell, you could probably even make him walk a mile in Geraldo's mustache...oh wait, that's been done. :P :hi:

[mac56]

26. Overreacting, much?

Perhaps you were looking for a reason to diss Jon anyway.

[Hippo_Tron]

11. It would've been a waste of breath for Jon to call out Dennis Miller

He's a clown and being called out by Jon Stewart would imply that he's actually important. Jon calls out people that are considered to be respected commentators that don't deserve that status (Bill O'Reilly for example).

[ellisonz]

13. Stephen Colbert is amazing.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

14. FFS

Yeah Jon Stewart is teh 3vil!!!1111

He has people from the Left and the Right on his show all the time. I can't stand Dennis Miller, but then I can turn off the TV (or close the AVI file) and watch the Daily Show another time.

DU, get a grip.

[rpannier]

15. Gotta agree 100%

I saw dennis on the Daily Show a while back spewing his "I support the President because I support the troops" nonsense and not once did John challenge him onit.
Stewart has challenged kristol and others on that crap.

I'm almost at the point where I won't watch his show anymore because I think he's getting soft. I thought his interview with Satanorum was weak.

[riverdeep]

17. Poeple often decide what's funny

based on whose ox is getting gored. I mean really, let's be honest, dems never make fun of someone's physical appearance? Comedians in general never make fun of someone's physical appearance? For many, it's their bread and butter. Hell, Jon was making fun of Gore's supposed weight the other day. Miller's political views are repugnant, but I'm not so delicate that I can't say the guy isn't a reasonably talented comedian, even if I don't agree with what he's saying, I can think if I was a pub I'd probably find that funny.

And what are people here going to do when the dems take the White House?
He's going to be saying things about them every night. Besides, I think Jon and Dennis are friends and he was doing him a solid.

[GirlinContempt]

23. Good post

[MadHound]

19. I think that it is out of respect for Stewart's role model

Back in the day, Miller used to just kill with his Weekend News spot on SNL. It is obvious that Stewart lifted much of his style and substance from this comedy bit, and I think that Stewart is just paying Miller the respect that he feels is due to a guy who came this way first.

[Chimichurri]

21. No need for Jon to point anything out. He gives Miller the rope to do

that to himself. I mean his outfit alone was as bad as his jokes.

[NashVegas]

25. Ding! Ding! Ding!

Of those who are disappointed with his treatment of Miller, I'd hate to see their reactions to his infamous Ann Coulter interview.

[TZ]

22. two reasons maybe

One is he could be friends with him and genuinely wants to help him with his career, political beliefs aside. Two- probably to squash complaints that he is pro-democrat and anti-republican. I imagine comedy central wants him to try to appear to be "fair and balanced". Judging by the whining I hear about Jon Stewart on other cable networks (not just Faux either) that might be the case.

[noonwitch]

24. I just wish he'd ask Miller this:

"Do you find yourself having to dumb down your act now that your audience is mostly conservative republicans?".

[KiraBS]

27. Sometimes all he has to do is let them talk...

They show themselves up that way because they don't have the excuse that they are being defensive.

[AwakeAtLast]

28. Yup, I was thinking "Give them enough rope"

Then I saw your post. I think Jon just lets him be the blowhard that he is. Jon thinks the public is perceptive enough to figure it out. Don't know if all of the public is, but maybe most of his audience is.

:hi:

[KiraBS]

34. And Colbert will put the boot in later....

"The meaning of the word Obsurity" Big ouch.

[JitterbugPerfume]

29. I simply put Miller on "mute"

and went on with my life. Jon Stewart has one of the best shows on tee vee , and when he banters with Colbert , they are unbeatable

[Mad_Dem_X]

32. That was just painful to watch

Miller trying his pseudo-intellectual best to seem witty, but failing miserably. I cringed all the way thru the interview.

[Skittles]

35. I didn't even crack a smile

I can laugh at my own - if it's funny; you are correct, it was simply painful