Dennis Miller Mouths Off
A new year, another TV gig for Dennis Miller. The alumnus of Saturday Night Live, NFL Monday Night Football and HBO's The Dennis Miller Show is moving to CNBC. Starting Jan. 26, Dennis Miller — his hour-long prime-time talk show — begins airing four nights a week. As a pro-Bush Republican, he'll do nada to hide which side he leans toward in this election year.
Yet, Miller's always been an equal opportunity heckler of politicians. Why is he so outspoken in favor of the right wing lately? "Well, as far as homeland protection, I am to the right," the comic says. "I'll be honest with you — 9/11 changed me. I'm shocked it didn't change everybody as much as it changed me.
"I'm of both persuasions," he wisecracks. "If two gay guys want to get married, I could care less. If some psycho from another country wants to blow up their wedding, I expect my government to kill him preemptively!
"In dangerous times, I think this country has to cover its a--," Miller goes on. "You know, the simple fact is that we are now simultaneously the world's most loved, hated, feared and admired nation. In short, we're Frank Sinatra."
Though Dennis Miller will usually take on newsy topics, Miller doesn't consider himself a journalist. Thus, he feels no obligation to be objective. "Essentially, I'm an entertainer," he says with a shrug. "[People] shouldn't trust me. And you know what? They're hip enough to know they shouldn't trust me. I'm just doing stand-up comedy. So they should trust me to the extent that I'll try to be funny for them."