Dennis Miller Live

If you want to hear humor talk at it's best then "Dennis Miller Live" is the show for you especially if you like to hear a rant! This HBO late night series for years has caught many viewers attention for the way that Miller is very opinionated on the world of politics, entertainment, and society in general. Each show Dennis starts off with telling what's new in the world for the week talking in a funny manner, then he rants about a selected issue making the most fun and humor he can. Yes famous guest are always on "Dennis Miller Live" to talk about the topic that Dennis has selected. Believe me if you want the most laughs and enjoyment from an honest and most opinionated talk show host then "Dennis Miller Live" is a show to watch. Be like me and millions of others and watch and listen to Dennis.

We didn't get HBO until a couple of years ago, but since we've had the channel, we've watched Dennis Miller. The guy is sharp as a tack, and a lot of fun to listen to. Sure, he's a little on the pedantic and self-important side, but not to the point that it gets annoying. It was nice to see many of the re-runs that HBO would show throughout the week, and it's a shame that the show was canceled. Of course, I'll take Bill Maher's show over Miller's any day.

This show is much better than Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Conan O'Brien because it's on HBO. On HBO, there's no limits. You can do anything you want on HBO. The only problem I have with this show is it's only on 30 minutes. I think the show should be on longer than that. What about 60 minutes??

Before I start my review of this program, I should probably mention a few things first.

First of all, I live in Canada. Therefore, we only got Dennis Miller Live earlier this year. Here in Canada, the HBO program airs on a channel known appropriately enough as "The Comedy Network" as comedy is the only genre it deals with. (Its basically the Canadian version of Comedy Central, except no bad movies)

Here is the unfortunate part. You see, The Comedy Network is supported by airing comercials like most channels are. However, Dennis Miller Live does not air commercials. For this reason, some material has to be cut for the Canadian airing to make room for advertisements (here in Canada, the show is sponsored by Volkswagon). Fortunately, the producers only cut what they find to be the least funniest moments, (this includes the closing credits). Unfortunatly, this editing and shipment takes 8 days, therefore, episodes air 8 days after there original airdate on HBO. It is a pain, but I've pretty much gotton over it.

Now on to my review. I think this is one of the most funniest programs on TV today. For those of you who have never seen the show, here's the basic overview. The program begins with Dennis making one quick comment about something going on in the world today. After that, the opening titles roll. Following the titles, Dennis presents a typical talk show-esque monolouge (albeit, with abrasive language wherever Dennis can find a place to put it.) Following the monologue is something known as The Rant. As its name suggests, Dennis begins a pre-writen rant on a particular topic. He begins by saying, "I don't want to get off on a rant here, but..." (famous last words) and always finishes with "...Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong," which is a line that I'm sure he only uses to avoid lawsuits, but its funny too. After his rant, Dennis brings out a guest. Normally, this guest is on tour promoting a movie or TV show or book or whatever, but on Dennis' show, they are usually just there to chat. People call in at this time and chat with Dennis and the guests as well. The topic they chat about is usually the same topic of the rant. After this is over, the show closes with The Big Screen, or as Dennis calls it, "I gotta go do the news." In The Big Screen, Dennis presents pictures from various newspapers devoid of their origianl stories. Dennis then gives his own amusing line for it (Example:A picture of Bill and Hillary Clinton, in which Bill is holding the side of his face prompts the following line from Dennis, "Message received, Hillary. Could you please let go of the left one now?" As soon as the show is done he announces his infamous line from SNL's Weekend Update: "Folks, that's the news, and I AM OUTTA HERE!!"

What I like about Dennis Miller Live is that, although it is a comedy show, more than half the stuff that Dennis talks about are true. While he rants about a particular topic, you can't help but laugh , and then say, "Hey, he's right!" Its funny, 'cuz its true, which has always been Dennis Miller's style of comedy. Overall, I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Dennis Miller Live is the very reason I watched HBO to begin with. Miller's fast-talking, metaphor-filled, vulgarity-laden jokes and rants make the show one of the most edgy, provocative, and therefore funniest talk shows in the history of television.

And HBO is canceling it.

Sure, it's been nine seasons, and most shows are lucky for lasting that long, but there is no conceivable reason for HBO to cancel DML while Miller still has some steam left. His rants after September 11, 2001, were some of the funniest he has ever done, since he was chronicling a very severe change in American society with the same rapier wit that he used to observe the minutiae of that same society in the days of pregnant chads and Monica Lewinsky.

HBO has really let go of a true gift to television, and they should have let it run until Dennis himself felt is was time to close up shop, not because the network wants to fit an extra episode of "Six Feet Under" or "Sex in the City"...

Well, there will always be the reruns on the "HBO Comedy" subnetwork, so I could be able to enjoy the episodes that I haven't seen yet when they first aired, and I can enjoy Miller's books of rants- however, they will not be topical anymore. I'll be hearing jokes about President Clinton and his affinity for French fries. The jokes will still be funny, but just dated.

First Monday Night Football, now this... 2002 is just not the year of Miller, cha-cha.

Here's to hoping that DML can get picked up by another cable network (I know that none of the broadcast networks will allow Dennis Miller's seemingly vicious language) for at least a couple more seasons. Good luck, Dennis. You've done a great job with a fantastic show for the past 9 seasons, and we will miss you when you leave the airwaves, babe.

Of course that's just my opinion.... well, you know the rest.