Bill Maher: The Decider
July 27, 2007 2:28 PM Subscribe
Not a big Bill Maher fan. Not a detractor either. I'm pretty much Maher-neutral. But I gotta say -- the single funniest movie moment I ever saw was a scene between Maher and Clyde Kusatsu in an otherwise forgettable movie from the 90's called "Pizza Man".
Evidently, it impressed the ONLY guy to leave a comment about it on IMDB. He wrote: "I remember one scene in particular where Bill was tied up in a Japanesse restaurant and he was forced to pick 1 piece of fish to eat out of 3, with the catch being 2 of them were poisoned. The Asian guy there was telling him it some from of ancient mental torture where men would go mad trying to figure out which piece was edible, Bill cuts him off and points immediately at a piece he wants. The man goes crazy that he picked so fast. It was really funny."
posted by RavinDave at 2:38 PM on July 27, 2007
Evidently, it impressed the ONLY guy to leave a comment about it on IMDB. He wrote: "I remember one scene in particular where Bill was tied up in a Japanesse restaurant and he was forced to pick 1 piece of fish to eat out of 3, with the catch being 2 of them were poisoned. The Asian guy there was telling him it some from of ancient mental torture where men would go mad trying to figure out which piece was edible, Bill cuts him off and points immediately at a piece he wants. The man goes crazy that he picked so fast. It was really funny."
posted by RavinDave at 2:38 PM on July 27, 2007
Here we go.
My objection to Maher is his often callous and arrogant demeanor... usually when he's at his most righteous. Reminds me of a few people around here...
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 2:38 PM on July 27, 2007 [3 favorites]
My objection to Maher is his often callous and arrogant demeanor... usually when he's at his most righteous. Reminds me of a few people around here...
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 2:38 PM on July 27, 2007 [3 favorites]
I know you mean me! just use my name and stop being so unarrogant and uncallous
posted by Postroad at 2:40 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by Postroad at 2:40 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
I'm actually going to spam my address book with this; sanctimonious or not... Europeans need to see that there are plenty people in America who think this way [or applaud a man who has the balls to joke about it].
posted by chuckdarwin at 2:47 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by chuckdarwin at 2:47 PM on July 27, 2007
"Bill Maher at the top of his game" is an oxymoron.
Also, I don't see why "Europeans" need to see anything about Bill Maher. It's so edgy to make fun of George Bush! The guy is no more liberal than Hilary Clinton; he combines a dollop of mainstream Democrat rhetoric, some Libertarian "common-sense," tough talkin' 'Merican gumption, and wraps it up in a nice package of arrogant holier-than-thouism and a complete lack of subtlety.
And he's totally in the closet. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but come on man, just admit it already!
posted by papakwanz at 2:54 PM on July 27, 2007 [3 favorites]
Also, I don't see why "Europeans" need to see anything about Bill Maher. It's so edgy to make fun of George Bush! The guy is no more liberal than Hilary Clinton; he combines a dollop of mainstream Democrat rhetoric, some Libertarian "common-sense," tough talkin' 'Merican gumption, and wraps it up in a nice package of arrogant holier-than-thouism and a complete lack of subtlety.
And he's totally in the closet. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but come on man, just admit it already!
posted by papakwanz at 2:54 PM on July 27, 2007 [3 favorites]
My objection to Maher is his often callous and arrogant demeanor... usually when he's at his most righteous. Reminds me of a few people around here...
I resemble that remark. Bill Maher is indeed my role model for the conduct of public discourse. Take no shit, do not allow lies to pass unremarked, and demand rationality.
Except he's funny, and I'm just strident and arrogant. Sigh.
Already saw this, but it's a pleasure to watch it again.
posted by spitbull at 2:58 PM on July 27, 2007
I resemble that remark. Bill Maher is indeed my role model for the conduct of public discourse. Take no shit, do not allow lies to pass unremarked, and demand rationality.
Except he's funny, and I'm just strident and arrogant. Sigh.
Already saw this, but it's a pleasure to watch it again.
posted by spitbull at 2:58 PM on July 27, 2007
The average European can probably only name one influental liberal American: Jon Stewart. Surely having two is better than one.
posted by chuckdarwin at 2:59 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by chuckdarwin at 2:59 PM on July 27, 2007
He can be awfully funny, but awfully headache inducing, especially when he gets off the political stuff. or goes longer than 15 minutes.
posted by edgeways at 3:03 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by edgeways at 3:03 PM on July 27, 2007
Actually, if he's in the closet, he's "only" bisexual, papakwanz. A female acquaintance of mine used to date him.
posted by adipocere at 3:04 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by adipocere at 3:04 PM on July 27, 2007
Yeah -- this was his appearance at Berklee College of Music (Boston) last Friday night and shown live on HBO [schedule for re-airings].
posted by ericb at 3:05 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by ericb at 3:05 PM on July 27, 2007
Maher is fantastic. But it's hip to hate successful people with real talent. So edgy.
posted by tkchrist at 3:10 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by tkchrist at 3:10 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
But it's more hip to hate on haters. So meta-edgy.
posted by speicus at 3:14 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by speicus at 3:14 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
That was fairly lame stand-up. I don't like the way he laughs at his own jokes, both before and after. And what's with the Sunset Strip outfit. I enjoy his show on HBO much more.
posted by phaedon at 3:37 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by phaedon at 3:37 PM on July 27, 2007
Why should we care what Europeans think of our comics? let them get their own. I refer Dennis Miller--he stands tall (though he is short) for AMERICA!! and he is not bi or gay but a wholesome person with decent values.
posted by Postroad at 3:57 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by Postroad at 3:57 PM on July 27, 2007
Is he presumed gay due to being outspoken about gay marriage? That's mature. Otherwise, I can't find a reference to even rumors via Google, nor is there any discussion at imdb. Not that it's any of your business anyhow--or mine either.
posted by raysmj at 4:01 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by raysmj at 4:01 PM on July 27, 2007
Wow, maybe if I have enough hours in the day I can reduce everyone into some kind of recipe ("a dollop of this, wrapped up in that") rather than, y'know, actually analyzing what he's saying. It's Crazy Ad Hominem in a blender, dude! Fun times.
Uh, in the closet? Citation, please? You can say many things about him, but haven't heard *that* one yet. Also I think the Hillary bit would be going a bit far - if you've watched him before it's pretty fair to say he detests both parties.
posted by rmm at 4:07 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
Uh, in the closet? Citation, please? You can say many things about him, but haven't heard *that* one yet. Also I think the Hillary bit would be going a bit far - if you've watched him before it's pretty fair to say he detests both parties.
posted by rmm at 4:07 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
My "gaydar" has never gone off for Bill Maher -- nor, have I ever heard any rumor that he was gay. That being said, I'd more than welcome him into our ranks.
posted by ericb at 4:12 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by ericb at 4:12 PM on July 27, 2007
Bill Maher is like an unfunny and disinsightful Jon Stewart.
posted by sophist at 4:15 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by sophist at 4:15 PM on July 27, 2007
Yeah, re: Gaydar... Maher's not queer, he's just a Half Jewish vegetarian from Hollywood. I never considered he might be gay, and I've never been attracted to anyone who was.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 4:17 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 4:17 PM on July 27, 2007
"This man is saying things that upset and confuse me: he must be gay."
How enlightened.
posted by chuckdarwin at 4:17 PM on July 27, 2007
How enlightened.
posted by chuckdarwin at 4:17 PM on July 27, 2007
RavinDave: "Bill cuts him off and points immediately at a piece he wants. The man goes crazy that he picked so fast"
There's a similar moment in an episode of the doomed but delightful series Firefly. This bad guy captures and tortures Zoe's husband and best friend, and he demands she chooses one of them to rescue but she can't have both. He thinks he's developed this delicious mental torment for her and starts to gloat about it. Zoe just points at her husband and says, "Him... I'm sorry. You were gonna make me choose, right?" Still makes me laugh every time I see that. It's the deadpan look on Gina Torres' face that makes the joke work every time. She adds to the deadpan look a very slight taste of "don't forget I'm a gonna kill ya later."
Oh. Uh, Bill Maher rocks. Yeah.
posted by ZachsMind at 4:18 PM on July 27, 2007
There's a similar moment in an episode of the doomed but delightful series Firefly. This bad guy captures and tortures Zoe's husband and best friend, and he demands she chooses one of them to rescue but she can't have both. He thinks he's developed this delicious mental torment for her and starts to gloat about it. Zoe just points at her husband and says, "Him... I'm sorry. You were gonna make me choose, right?" Still makes me laugh every time I see that. It's the deadpan look on Gina Torres' face that makes the joke work every time. She adds to the deadpan look a very slight taste of "don't forget I'm a gonna kill ya later."
Oh. Uh, Bill Maher rocks. Yeah.
posted by ZachsMind at 4:18 PM on July 27, 2007
I'm totally straight, but I'm also totally gay for Bill Maher. He's great in that series and I've watched it more than once. Yeah, trenchant Bush and Christian bashing can get old, but it's also needed. After all, sometimes the only way to point out the absurdity of government policy is by laughing at it. 'Speaking truth to power' seems to get less attention.
posted by chlorus at 4:31 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by chlorus at 4:31 PM on July 27, 2007
Bill Maher is way funnier than Jon Stewart, and way more incisive. Sorry. It's just true. And way, way braver. When Jon Stewart loses his show for speaking the truth, then we can compare them.
And he is rather notorious as a womanizer, so the gay thing seems like a canard. Are you thinking of Matt Drudge, perhaps?
posted by spitbull at 4:37 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
And he is rather notorious as a womanizer, so the gay thing seems like a canard. Are you thinking of Matt Drudge, perhaps?
posted by spitbull at 4:37 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
Yes, I'm aware of the term "beards." However, unless I'm wrong, one does not enthusiastically pork one's beard until she gets repeated UTIs. Of course, he could be acting, but at that point, you've reached this sort of level of paranoia where it is now entirely impossible to tell one's sexual orientation from one's behavior. At which point you're in some kind of Charles Beaumont story where you're the only straight guy left on the planet and ...
posted by adipocere at 4:40 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by adipocere at 4:40 PM on July 27, 2007
My biggest problem with Bill Maher is that he gave Ann Coulter her first TV break... and I had always assumed it was in exchange for an undetermined number of blow jobs.
posted by wendell at 4:49 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by wendell at 4:49 PM on July 27, 2007
Bill Maher is a pretty clever guy, and I often find him really funny. Unfortunately,he is only about half as clever as he thinks he is. Coupled with his smarminess, this can make him very unlikable.
Just one small example I have never been able to forget: years ago I saw him argue in favor of marijuana legalization on one of his shows (and I am completely pro-legalization myself.) His most heartfelt and emphasized argument was that marijuana was "natural".
Wow. What an argument, eh? Want to sample this hemlock shake I whipped up for you, Bill? Perfectly natural. Then you and Socrates can discuss the issue further. (And if there is anyone reading who believes that "natural" automatically equals "healthy and beneficial for you" then for god's sake please do not go around eating and smoking every botanical you see, unless you actually intend to remove yourself from the gene pool.)
posted by John Smallberries at 4:59 PM on July 27, 2007
Just one small example I have never been able to forget: years ago I saw him argue in favor of marijuana legalization on one of his shows (and I am completely pro-legalization myself.) His most heartfelt and emphasized argument was that marijuana was "natural".
Wow. What an argument, eh? Want to sample this hemlock shake I whipped up for you, Bill? Perfectly natural. Then you and Socrates can discuss the issue further. (And if there is anyone reading who believes that "natural" automatically equals "healthy and beneficial for you" then for god's sake please do not go around eating and smoking every botanical you see, unless you actually intend to remove yourself from the gene pool.)
posted by John Smallberries at 4:59 PM on July 27, 2007
Jeez, I didn't think my joke about Maher's gayness would get such a reaction. My gaydar happens to go off like the dickens whenever I see him, that's all. I'm aware that he's probably not gay, but his whole womanizing routine seems a bit worked to me. In any case, his sexuality is, of course, immaterial.
"This man is saying things that upset and confuse me: he must be gay." | How enlightened. | posted by chuckdarwin
My problem with Maher is that he's a complete faux-liberal, not that I'm "upset" or "confused" by anything he says. I guess I would say that we're on the same "side" (although I'm way more liberal-progressive) but I can't stand the thought that he's taken as a voice for the left in this country.
Since rmm wants some specifics:
He's a self-proclaimed libertarian (and last I heard supported Ron Paul in '08, although that may have changed).
Supports privatizing Social Security.
Supported Bob Dole in '96 as a good, old-fashioned Republican war hero.
Endorses racial profiling at airports.
Friends with (and former boyfriend of) Ann freakin' Coulter. (unfair to dislike him because of this? Maybe, but you lay down with dogs...)
Am I saying the guy is Cheney Jr.? No, he certainly espouses some "liberal" values, but it's not like the guy is the American Che Guevara either. He's your standard moderate/center-right RepubloCrat with a few nods in the direction of social liberalism whose only insight is that politicians in this country lie. Well, duh. And he has that patronizing, smarmy delivery to everything he says which is just insulting and annoying. Jon Stewart is, to be honest, only slightly more to the left than Maher, but at least he has a warm and genuine personality and his comedy doesn't seem predicated on showing what a smarty-pants he thinks he is. Maher is the American version of Christopher Hitchens and a vaguely more Democrat-ish Dennis Miller.
posted by papakwanz at 4:59 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
"This man is saying things that upset and confuse me: he must be gay." | How enlightened. | posted by chuckdarwin
My problem with Maher is that he's a complete faux-liberal, not that I'm "upset" or "confused" by anything he says. I guess I would say that we're on the same "side" (although I'm way more liberal-progressive) but I can't stand the thought that he's taken as a voice for the left in this country.
Since rmm wants some specifics:
He's a self-proclaimed libertarian (and last I heard supported Ron Paul in '08, although that may have changed).
Supports privatizing Social Security.
Supported Bob Dole in '96 as a good, old-fashioned Republican war hero.
Endorses racial profiling at airports.
Friends with (and former boyfriend of) Ann freakin' Coulter. (unfair to dislike him because of this? Maybe, but you lay down with dogs...)
Am I saying the guy is Cheney Jr.? No, he certainly espouses some "liberal" values, but it's not like the guy is the American Che Guevara either. He's your standard moderate/center-right RepubloCrat with a few nods in the direction of social liberalism whose only insight is that politicians in this country lie. Well, duh. And he has that patronizing, smarmy delivery to everything he says which is just insulting and annoying. Jon Stewart is, to be honest, only slightly more to the left than Maher, but at least he has a warm and genuine personality and his comedy doesn't seem predicated on showing what a smarty-pants he thinks he is. Maher is the American version of Christopher Hitchens and a vaguely more Democrat-ish Dennis Miller.
posted by papakwanz at 4:59 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
I used to love Dennis Miller. Then the terrorists hit and he went crazy. That would have been fine, except it took his funny away.
Now I watch Bill Maher, his show Real Time on HBO has some honestly good debate. Mainly because he usually tried to get at least one guest that isn't going to agree with him, and he lets that person get their opinion out.
He disagrees with them, but unlike many other political debate shows, he doesn't cut their mic or drown them out.
I tend to agree with his politics, which helps, but not on everything. And even where we disagree, I still find him funny.
posted by quin at 5:04 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
Now I watch Bill Maher, his show Real Time on HBO has some honestly good debate. Mainly because he usually tried to get at least one guest that isn't going to agree with him, and he lets that person get their opinion out.
He disagrees with them, but unlike many other political debate shows, he doesn't cut their mic or drown them out.
I tend to agree with his politics, which helps, but not on everything. And even where we disagree, I still find him funny.
posted by quin at 5:04 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
papakwanz. The thing about being a boyfriend of Coulter was a joke, you DO get that, right?
He never "supported" Dole. But he did defend him from attacks about doles age.
And racial profiling? Do you WATCH him? Your pulling this shit out of your ass, bud.
Your criticisms are not even relevant.
posted by tkchrist at 5:36 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
He never "supported" Dole. But he did defend him from attacks about doles age.
And racial profiling? Do you WATCH him? Your pulling this shit out of your ass, bud.
Your criticisms are not even relevant.
posted by tkchrist at 5:36 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
I'm up to part four and so far I'm pretty much on board.
posted by Cyrano at 5:52 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by Cyrano at 5:52 PM on July 27, 2007
a complete lack of subtlety.
Subtlety is possibly the most overrated virtue.
posted by jonmc at 6:01 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
Subtlety is possibly the most overrated virtue.
posted by jonmc at 6:01 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
tkchrist. I think that. my criticisms. Are relevant. Here are some citations.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0002/09/lkl.00.html
"MAHER: Not at all, because you know why, Larry, remember in "Casablanca" when the guy said the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans, we have got too many people who don't understand that concept. Everybody thinks they're a big hill of beans. OK. I don't want to be one of those people. I mean, he's a war hero. We're talking about presidents. I can put aside my little -- OK, so -- no, I do -- I'm -- my rule has always been the guy who has been to war, unless he's a total nut or screwup -- he gets the job. I voted for Dole for that..."
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0212/16/ltm.15.html
"ZAHN: I want to go ahead to a stand that you take on racial profiling, and in the book, you say that's fine at airports?
MAHER: Absolutely.
ZAHN: Isn't that easy for you to say as a white guy.
MAHER: Yes, as a white guy, I'm not part of the fundamentalist Muslim problem that is attacking this country. That's just a fact. I mean, I'm sorry I'm white, but I'm not the one who flew into the World Trade Center.
The poster I think you're talking about in the book is a guy who looks very much like bin Laden breezing right through the metal detector, while they frisk grandma, and a four-year-old child has to take off her shoes, and they think, we all understand what's going on at the airport now, which is probably our first line of defense, and other places, is not going to get the job down. Places like Israel, where they have faced terrorism for a long time, of course understand that profiling is part of all detective work. It's part of all police work. If they stop calling it profiling and start calling it high- intelligence screening or something, people would go, it's about time."
As for whether or not he boned Coulter, he has put her on his show many times and seems to have a pretty solid friendship with her. He's put that shrill hack on TV many, many times, and giving her any open forum to air her views is a black mark in my book. Anything else?
posted by papakwanz at 6:02 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0002/09/lkl.00.html
"MAHER: Not at all, because you know why, Larry, remember in "Casablanca" when the guy said the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans, we have got too many people who don't understand that concept. Everybody thinks they're a big hill of beans. OK. I don't want to be one of those people. I mean, he's a war hero. We're talking about presidents. I can put aside my little -- OK, so -- no, I do -- I'm -- my rule has always been the guy who has been to war, unless he's a total nut or screwup -- he gets the job. I voted for Dole for that..."
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0212/16/ltm.15.html
"ZAHN: I want to go ahead to a stand that you take on racial profiling, and in the book, you say that's fine at airports?
MAHER: Absolutely.
ZAHN: Isn't that easy for you to say as a white guy.
MAHER: Yes, as a white guy, I'm not part of the fundamentalist Muslim problem that is attacking this country. That's just a fact. I mean, I'm sorry I'm white, but I'm not the one who flew into the World Trade Center.
The poster I think you're talking about in the book is a guy who looks very much like bin Laden breezing right through the metal detector, while they frisk grandma, and a four-year-old child has to take off her shoes, and they think, we all understand what's going on at the airport now, which is probably our first line of defense, and other places, is not going to get the job down. Places like Israel, where they have faced terrorism for a long time, of course understand that profiling is part of all detective work. It's part of all police work. If they stop calling it profiling and start calling it high- intelligence screening or something, people would go, it's about time."
As for whether or not he boned Coulter, he has put her on his show many times and seems to have a pretty solid friendship with her. He's put that shrill hack on TV many, many times, and giving her any open forum to air her views is a black mark in my book. Anything else?
posted by papakwanz at 6:02 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
also, now that I'm employed again and drinking less, discussions like this are a lot more boring.
posted by jonmc at 6:12 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 6:12 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
He's put that shrill hack on TV many, many times, and giving her any open forum to air her views is a black mark in my book. Anything else?
Stupid thrives in the dark? I learned from my Gastroenterologist that there ain't a lot of shitty places you can't shine a light on if you try hard enough.
Or don't use enough lube. And take a running start.
posted by Cyrano at 6:18 PM on July 27, 2007
Stupid thrives in the dark? I learned from my Gastroenterologist that there ain't a lot of shitty places you can't shine a light on if you try hard enough.
Or don't use enough lube. And take a running start.
posted by Cyrano at 6:18 PM on July 27, 2007
WOW. YOU BLEW MY MIND! I NOW HATE BILL MAHER! WE SHOULD KILL HIM! FAKE LIBERAL!
posted by tkchrist at 6:22 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by tkchrist at 6:22 PM on July 27, 2007
Coulter doesn't deny their relationship. Then again, I think she's a fraud: she'll say anything to sell another book. In private, she's probably just another bookish libertarian.
posted by chuckdarwin at 6:27 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by chuckdarwin at 6:27 PM on July 27, 2007
[derail] I find it a little sad that we all depend on comedians to lead us during these dark times. What does that say about our vaunted western democracies? [/derail]
posted by chuckdarwin at 6:29 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by chuckdarwin at 6:29 PM on July 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
I find it a little sad that we all depend on comedians to lead us during these dark times.
News flash: all times are dark. Humor lightens things up.
posted by jonmc at 6:32 PM on July 27, 2007
News flash: all times are dark. Humor lightens things up.
posted by jonmc at 6:32 PM on July 27, 2007
I find it a little sad that we all depend on comedians to lead us during these dark times. What does that say about our vaunted western democracies?
Because we only really desire to use the 1st amendment universally if what you say can be dismissed as merely "a joke."
If you're serious? Well. Then you must be racist. Or sexist. Or Anncoulterist. Therefore you shouldn't say what you said. Because it makes somebody, somewhere, sad.
posted by tkchrist at 6:36 PM on July 27, 2007
Because we only really desire to use the 1st amendment universally if what you say can be dismissed as merely "a joke."
If you're serious? Well. Then you must be racist. Or sexist. Or Anncoulterist. Therefore you shouldn't say what you said. Because it makes somebody, somewhere, sad.
posted by tkchrist at 6:36 PM on July 27, 2007
"If you're going to tell someone the truth, make them laugh. Otherwise they'll kill you." - Oscar Wilde
posted by brundlefly at 6:47 PM on July 27, 2007 [5 favorites]
posted by brundlefly at 6:47 PM on July 27, 2007 [5 favorites]
If I can't make a wisecrack, I don't want your revolution.
posted by jonmc at 6:50 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 6:50 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
What does that say about our vaunted western democracies?
Have you ever noticed that in Peshawar they drive like *this* but in Islamabad they drive like this?!?
posted by Cyrano at 6:54 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
Have you ever noticed that in Peshawar they drive like *this* but in Islamabad they drive like this?!?
posted by Cyrano at 6:54 PM on July 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
News flash: all times are dark. Humor lightens things up.
And moreso with alcohol. Let's do shots!
posted by ericb at 6:58 PM on July 27, 2007
And moreso with alcohol. Let's do shots!
posted by ericb at 6:58 PM on July 27, 2007
John Smallberries has it. Maher is very funny-- at his best, he's fantastic-- and pretty smart, but only about 70% as smart as he thinks he is.
The best example is that he insists (insisted?) on calling himself a "libertarian" for a long time, even though he's actually a liberal. People who are actually as smart as Maher thinks he is don't use an inaccurate word to describe their own beliefs merely because it has more syllables.
Sometimes his political stuff is excellent, but the first few minutes of part 1 weren't doing it for me. Gotta give it a try again later. Thanks for the post.
posted by ibmcginty at 7:06 PM on July 27, 2007
The best example is that he insists (insisted?) on calling himself a "libertarian" for a long time, even though he's actually a liberal. People who are actually as smart as Maher thinks he is don't use an inaccurate word to describe their own beliefs merely because it has more syllables.
Sometimes his political stuff is excellent, but the first few minutes of part 1 weren't doing it for me. Gotta give it a try again later. Thanks for the post.
posted by ibmcginty at 7:06 PM on July 27, 2007
I'm not hearing anything new, surprising, or funny - one after another, he drags out old topics of conversation that were beaten to death years ago; he's just spoon feeding.
posted by unmake at 7:09 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by unmake at 7:09 PM on July 27, 2007
Thanks, McLir. First I laughed. Then I cried. I had forgotten half these things he talks about ... this would be a good time capsule.
posted by madamjujujive at 7:51 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by madamjujujive at 7:51 PM on July 27, 2007
papakwanz, I wanted a citation on the rumour that Maher was gay - I won't bother asking for a citation on the other stuff, since I think you're misrepresenting most of his political opinions. Then again, if you want your comedians 'warm and genuine', well, what's the point of your comedy? Since when should they be 'warm'? This is comedy, not Oprah, no?
Then again, having Coulter on his show and having a friendship with her doesn't mean he's 'boning' her - not sure where you're getting that either. I'm no fan of hers, and find their friendship peculiar, but to each his own - as long as I don't have to be her friend.
posted by rmm at 9:26 PM on July 27, 2007
Then again, having Coulter on his show and having a friendship with her doesn't mean he's 'boning' her - not sure where you're getting that either. I'm no fan of hers, and find their friendship peculiar, but to each his own - as long as I don't have to be her friend.
posted by rmm at 9:26 PM on July 27, 2007
As an average European I have to say I like his "New Rules" snarks sometimes, but other than that... meh.
posted by DreamerFi at 11:10 PM on July 27, 2007
posted by DreamerFi at 11:10 PM on July 27, 2007
As an absolutely exceptional European, I thought he hit the funny often enough to keep me watching.
posted by Abiezer at 12:02 AM on July 28, 2007
posted by Abiezer at 12:02 AM on July 28, 2007
A lot of people are going to be shocked, and I mean shocked, if a Dem wins in '08, because by the second day of their presidency, Jon Stewart will be ripping them a new asshole, and all these people on the left are going to wonder where their great Jewish hope went.
Stewart has been quite clear in interviews that their job is to skewer the administration and those in power, whoever that is. In the one I saw on TV, he came right out and said that the biggest misconception is that he, and the Daily Show, are "on someone's side". He said quite bluntly he was on his own side.
I think a lot of liberals are going to be quite offended when Stewart opens a daily show discussing the relationship between President Clinton's hemline and the seriousness of the issue she is addressing, or lampooning President Edwards' ability to lapse into Mattlock type soliloquies.
posted by Ynoxas at 12:18 AM on July 28, 2007
Stewart has been quite clear in interviews that their job is to skewer the administration and those in power, whoever that is. In the one I saw on TV, he came right out and said that the biggest misconception is that he, and the Daily Show, are "on someone's side". He said quite bluntly he was on his own side.
I think a lot of liberals are going to be quite offended when Stewart opens a daily show discussing the relationship between President Clinton's hemline and the seriousness of the issue she is addressing, or lampooning President Edwards' ability to lapse into Mattlock type soliloquies.
posted by Ynoxas at 12:18 AM on July 28, 2007
John Stewart is making fun of Hillary and Obama already, and probably will be going after John Edwards more if he becomes more competitive. It's still absurdly early to be having debates and whatnot, however. The primaries don't start until late Jan. 2007.
posted by raysmj at 12:35 AM on July 28, 2007
posted by raysmj at 12:35 AM on July 28, 2007
I guess you guys missed my point: we used to have leaders who would, you know, LEAD [then, they got assassinated].
Stewart, as much as I love the guy, isn't MLK.
posted by chuckdarwin at 2:42 AM on July 28, 2007
Stewart, as much as I love the guy, isn't MLK.
posted by chuckdarwin at 2:42 AM on July 28, 2007
Europeans need to see that there are plenty people in America who think this way [or applaud a man who has the balls to joke about it].
After reading MetaFilter for the last 7 years we need to be told that many Americans don’t support George Bush? I think you underestimate us a little here...
As for stand up comedians, I prefer Bill Hicks.
posted by Termite at 4:38 AM on July 28, 2007
After reading MetaFilter for the last 7 years we need to be told that many Americans don’t support George Bush? I think you underestimate us a little here...
As for stand up comedians, I prefer Bill Hicks.
posted by Termite at 4:38 AM on July 28, 2007
People who are actually as smart as Maher thinks he is don't use an inaccurate word to describe their own beliefs merely because it has more syllables.
Oh no, he's that certain breed of Libertarian that's almost as useless as the "I really just want to own guns" Libertarian: Maher's Libertarianism is superiority cloaked as a political stance. Whatever the popular opinion says, he's against it. He traffics on a very short road between Mildy Amusing and Painfully Strident and all of his open-mindedness has led him to the conclusion banging 18 year old chicks is the Way to Happiness. Or maybe I'm upside down on this and he happens to have found a soulmate who challenges him intellectually inside a very short skirt.
I do appreciate he looks like the person you want to be if you feel like you are incapable of finding your own voice to complain about how BushCo has kept you from succeeding in life.
posted by yerfatma at 6:00 AM on July 28, 2007
Oh no, he's that certain breed of Libertarian that's almost as useless as the "I really just want to own guns" Libertarian: Maher's Libertarianism is superiority cloaked as a political stance. Whatever the popular opinion says, he's against it. He traffics on a very short road between Mildy Amusing and Painfully Strident and all of his open-mindedness has led him to the conclusion banging 18 year old chicks is the Way to Happiness. Or maybe I'm upside down on this and he happens to have found a soulmate who challenges him intellectually inside a very short skirt.
I do appreciate he looks like the person you want to be if you feel like you are incapable of finding your own voice to complain about how BushCo has kept you from succeeding in life.
posted by yerfatma at 6:00 AM on July 28, 2007
I think he's a Libertarian because it's one of the few parties that would keep porn legal if it were in total control.
posted by RavinDave at 7:15 AM on July 28, 2007
posted by RavinDave at 7:15 AM on July 28, 2007
also, now that I'm employed again and drinking less, discussions like this are a lot more boring.
posted by jonmc at 6:12 PM on July 27 [+] [!]
Well, you certainly are more boring. Go have a drink and come back before I yawn myself to death.
posted by sic at 7:40 AM on July 28, 2007
posted by jonmc at 6:12 PM on July 27 [+] [!]
Well, you certainly are more boring. Go have a drink and come back before I yawn myself to death.
posted by sic at 7:40 AM on July 28, 2007
A lot of people are going to be shocked, and I mean shocked, if a Dem wins in '08
You are correct there, yes.
because by the second day of their presidency, Jon Stewart will be ripping them a new asshole, and all these people on the left are going to wonder where their great Jewish hope went.
Ehh, not so much, no.
posted by kableh at 8:47 AM on July 28, 2007
You are correct there, yes.
because by the second day of their presidency, Jon Stewart will be ripping them a new asshole, and all these people on the left are going to wonder where their great Jewish hope went.
Ehh, not so much, no.
posted by kableh at 8:47 AM on July 28, 2007
My personal theory is that Coulter is a male to female transsexual who will reveal that fact the day she retires, at which point she will ride Maher into the sunset. It'd be so romantic.
posted by mek at 9:30 AM on July 28, 2007
posted by mek at 9:30 AM on July 28, 2007
Actually in his broadway show and in the book "If You Ride Alone...Bin Laden" he makes no bones about thinking that profiling at airports is not only ok, but a downright great idea.
I like Maher because while I'm mostly liberal about things, I hate that the Real Left are so ironically intolerant that if you don't swallow the whole wacky leftie package then you're a racist swine. He swallows most of the package, as do I, but not all of it.
And speaking of swallowing the package, I had an old girlfriend end up living with Maher for a while and from what she said if he's gay he goes WAY overboard in covering it up.
posted by umberto at 10:03 AM on July 28, 2007
I like Maher because while I'm mostly liberal about things, I hate that the Real Left are so ironically intolerant that if you don't swallow the whole wacky leftie package then you're a racist swine. He swallows most of the package, as do I, but not all of it.
And speaking of swallowing the package, I had an old girlfriend end up living with Maher for a while and from what she said if he's gay he goes WAY overboard in covering it up.
posted by umberto at 10:03 AM on July 28, 2007
rmm:
I said the gay thing was a inside joke based purely on my (and my friends') gaydar. I have no sources, because I made it up! Moving on...
Both he & Coulter have said before that they dated. Maybe they were joking, as tkchrist seems to think. Maybe not.
And I don't know how I could be misrepresenting his opinions when I QUOTED him saying that he voted for Bob Dole and thinks racial profiling at airports is good. Maybe he's misrepresenting himself?
umberto:
My problem with Bill Maher is not that he's not 100% left. Neither is Jon Stewart, and I like Jon Stewart. My problem with Bill Maher is that he's not funny(in my opinion). He could do nothing but a stand-up version of The Communist Manifesto and I would still think he's not funny. He's obnoxious, has a grating and smarmy delivery, and clearly thinks he's the hottest shit on the planet. Yes, his "New Rules" bit can be funny, but 99% of the rest of his schtick is tired and dickish. I also have a problem with Bill Maher fans who think he's god's gift to the left.
Stewart, as much as I love the guy, isn't MLK.
posted by chuckdarwin
Who said he was? Who said he should be? He's a comedian for god's sake. Are you implying that Maher scores higher on the MLK scale?
In any case, I have no problem with Stewart (or anyone, for that matter) skewering the Democratic party. Whoever is in power needs to be aware of the fact that they serve at the pleasure of the people and that we are watching them and will hold them accountable for their fuck-ups, even if it is only as the punchline to a joke.
In summation, yerfatma nails a lot of it.
posted by papakwanz at 10:31 AM on July 28, 2007
I said the gay thing was a inside joke based purely on my (and my friends') gaydar. I have no sources, because I made it up! Moving on...
Both he & Coulter have said before that they dated. Maybe they were joking, as tkchrist seems to think. Maybe not.
And I don't know how I could be misrepresenting his opinions when I QUOTED him saying that he voted for Bob Dole and thinks racial profiling at airports is good. Maybe he's misrepresenting himself?
umberto:
My problem with Bill Maher is not that he's not 100% left. Neither is Jon Stewart, and I like Jon Stewart. My problem with Bill Maher is that he's not funny(in my opinion). He could do nothing but a stand-up version of The Communist Manifesto and I would still think he's not funny. He's obnoxious, has a grating and smarmy delivery, and clearly thinks he's the hottest shit on the planet. Yes, his "New Rules" bit can be funny, but 99% of the rest of his schtick is tired and dickish. I also have a problem with Bill Maher fans who think he's god's gift to the left.
Stewart, as much as I love the guy, isn't MLK.
posted by chuckdarwin
Who said he was? Who said he should be? He's a comedian for god's sake. Are you implying that Maher scores higher on the MLK scale?
In any case, I have no problem with Stewart (or anyone, for that matter) skewering the Democratic party. Whoever is in power needs to be aware of the fact that they serve at the pleasure of the people and that we are watching them and will hold them accountable for their fuck-ups, even if it is only as the punchline to a joke.
In summation, yerfatma nails a lot of it.
posted by papakwanz at 10:31 AM on July 28, 2007
Damn you, tkchrist, you have no email listed. But, on the off hand chance you check in on threads where you have made a comment, I'm having some folks over tonight for food, beverages and general bon ami. We'll out on the back street side in the Broadway courtyard. So, if you're out walking the dog in the neighborhood, step on up and introduce yourself...
And pardon the now double post comment, the rest of you.
posted by y2karl at 10:55 AM on July 28, 2007
And pardon the now double post comment, the rest of you.
posted by y2karl at 10:55 AM on July 28, 2007
If Maher's pseudo-leftism has fuelled your anomie, comrades, may I recommend socialist magician Ian Saville's recoupment of the bourgeois presidigitatory paradigm?
posted by Abiezer at 11:33 AM on July 28, 2007
posted by Abiezer at 11:33 AM on July 28, 2007
The thing is, being smart and superior is a political stance these days. I don't really understand where this mistrust of intelligence comes from (is it because the dumb kids who were shooting spit wads in the back of the classroom are the ones in charge now?) but it is certainly the defining characteristic of American politics for the last decade.
The reason why I am a Bill Maher fan is precisely because he's not afraid to be arrogant. It's not like he's calling me an idiot because I haven't read Foucault, he's calling out the dumbasses in power because they didn't read the weather report before Hurricane Katrina.
I think it's a perfectly reasonable response to a small group of not-too-bright white guys who accuse anyone with a differing point of view of being anti-family, anti-America, anti-God. You match bullying with bullying until they stop. The fact that you can say things that are staggeringly obvious to anyone with common sense and make these self-righteous dyspeptic stuffed shirts look like the fools they are, well there's the comedy.
I realize that when Obama is president, Bill Maher and Jon Stewart will still be pointing out the hypocrisy where it exists, I just doubt very much they'll have as much to work with as they do now.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 12:05 PM on July 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
The reason why I am a Bill Maher fan is precisely because he's not afraid to be arrogant. It's not like he's calling me an idiot because I haven't read Foucault, he's calling out the dumbasses in power because they didn't read the weather report before Hurricane Katrina.
I think it's a perfectly reasonable response to a small group of not-too-bright white guys who accuse anyone with a differing point of view of being anti-family, anti-America, anti-God. You match bullying with bullying until they stop. The fact that you can say things that are staggeringly obvious to anyone with common sense and make these self-righteous dyspeptic stuffed shirts look like the fools they are, well there's the comedy.
I realize that when Obama is president, Bill Maher and Jon Stewart will still be pointing out the hypocrisy where it exists, I just doubt very much they'll have as much to work with as they do now.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 12:05 PM on July 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
Bill Maher is at his best, funnily enough, whenever he's on Larry King Live. Since it's so low-key, and he's not playing to his own adoring audience, he tends to be far less dickish and much more effective.
Genteel, even.
posted by Reggie Digest at 1:13 PM on July 28, 2007
Genteel, even.
posted by Reggie Digest at 1:13 PM on July 28, 2007
He's put that shrill hack on TV many, many times, and giving her any open forum to air her views is a black mark in my book. Anything else?
Can you preemptively put a black mark next to my name in your book as well? I'm too lazy to really earn it but I would really like one. That I find your ideological bookkeeping contemptible should suffice.
I like Bill Mahar precisely because he wouldn't put a black mark next to your name.
posted by srboisvert at 1:23 PM on July 28, 2007
Can you preemptively put a black mark next to my name in your book as well? I'm too lazy to really earn it but I would really like one. That I find your ideological bookkeeping contemptible should suffice.
I like Bill Mahar precisely because he wouldn't put a black mark next to your name.
posted by srboisvert at 1:23 PM on July 28, 2007
OK srboisvert, I've put an asterisk next to your name.
I like Bill Mahar precisely because he wouldn't put a black mark next to your name.
What the hell does that even mean?
posted by papakwanz at 1:59 PM on July 28, 2007
I like Bill Mahar precisely because he wouldn't put a black mark next to your name.
What the hell does that even mean?
posted by papakwanz at 1:59 PM on July 28, 2007
Thanks Y2Karl, We have a family obligation.
Rain check?
posted by tkchrist at 2:52 PM on July 28, 2007
Rain check?
posted by tkchrist at 2:52 PM on July 28, 2007
i have never been a big fan of this guy. guess it is part of being a republican.
posted by interchangez at 5:49 PM on July 28, 2007
posted by interchangez at 5:49 PM on July 28, 2007
Rain check?
Well played. Your head and your body wouldn't even be next-door neighbors if you showed up for that.
posted by yerfatma at 6:28 PM on July 28, 2007
Well played. Your head and your body wouldn't even be next-door neighbors if you showed up for that.
posted by yerfatma at 6:28 PM on July 28, 2007
*raises hand*
I'd like a black mark too, please. I hear they're going to be very fashionable come this fall.
posted by ZachsMind at 6:40 PM on July 28, 2007
I'd like a black mark too, please. I hear they're going to be very fashionable come this fall.
posted by ZachsMind at 6:40 PM on July 28, 2007
I love his show, hate his stand up, and agree with his politics for the most part.
I see no reason why social libertarians don't have as much a right to the name as economic libertarians.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 6:54 PM on July 28, 2007
I see no reason why social libertarians don't have as much a right to the name as economic libertarians.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 6:54 PM on July 28, 2007
As far as I've been able to surmise, and there's times when this blanket generalization doesn't work. I know. Don't go calling me on that. I already know.
Conservatives generally want the gov't to crack down on people socially, but leave people alone economically. They want gov't to tell you what to do, but not where your money should go.
Liberals generally are the opposite. They do not want the gov't to crack down on people socially, but they do want the gov't to tell those with money how to spend it.
Bill Maher wants the gov't to just leave him alone both socially and economically. Some say that makes him a libertarian. I say that makes him smart.
The devil's in the details though, cuz there's been times when he wants the gov't to "do its job" and handle extreme situations, but he'll say yes about X and no about Y and it becomes rather iffy where he actually draws the line, beyond the obvious selfishness of "if I might do it leave it alone, but if it's happening to those people over ther..."
He's got a conscience about that too. He'll make a face when he paints himself into one of those corners. Sometimes it's just fun watching him catch himself in one of those bear traps he sets for himself. Ouch.
posted by ZachsMind at 7:15 PM on July 28, 2007
Conservatives generally want the gov't to crack down on people socially, but leave people alone economically. They want gov't to tell you what to do, but not where your money should go.
Liberals generally are the opposite. They do not want the gov't to crack down on people socially, but they do want the gov't to tell those with money how to spend it.
Bill Maher wants the gov't to just leave him alone both socially and economically. Some say that makes him a libertarian. I say that makes him smart.
The devil's in the details though, cuz there's been times when he wants the gov't to "do its job" and handle extreme situations, but he'll say yes about X and no about Y and it becomes rather iffy where he actually draws the line, beyond the obvious selfishness of "if I might do it leave it alone, but if it's happening to those people over ther..."
He's got a conscience about that too. He'll make a face when he paints himself into one of those corners. Sometimes it's just fun watching him catch himself in one of those bear traps he sets for himself. Ouch.
posted by ZachsMind at 7:15 PM on July 28, 2007
Conservatives generally want the gov't to crack down on people socially, but leave people alone economically.
No. Fuck, no. The ghost of Barry Goldwater tries to strangle you hopelessly. These new big government neo-con clowns are not big C Conservatives.
posted by yerfatma at 7:29 PM on July 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
No. Fuck, no. The ghost of Barry Goldwater tries to strangle you hopelessly. These new big government neo-con clowns are not big C Conservatives.
posted by yerfatma at 7:29 PM on July 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
He swallows most of the package...
So he's only partly gay?
I have not yet seen this performance, but I will definitely check it out. I love Real Time. His stand-up, otoh, is kinda lame sometimes. Maybe this is better?
posted by GS1977 at 12:36 PM on July 31, 2007
So he's only partly gay?
I have not yet seen this performance, but I will definitely check it out. I love Real Time. His stand-up, otoh, is kinda lame sometimes. Maybe this is better?
posted by GS1977 at 12:36 PM on July 31, 2007
"These new big government neo-con clowns are not big C Conservatives"
Actually yerfatma, they ARE. They shouldn't be, but they are.
There was a time when Abraham Licoln was a republican, and I honestly agree with pretty much everything he did.
The modern-day Conservative leaders are Neo-Con Clowns (even and especially the ones that tell you to your face that they are not), and the many (little c) conservatives who still cling to the Republican party thinking that deep down the ones controlling their party are on their side are like sheep and chickens allowing the wolves and hawks run of the farm. You're blind to the fact your party has been stolen from you.
I'm not saying go become Democrats. I could care less anymore. I'm abandoning the Democrat party. I'm abandoning politics in general (except to snark at it from a safe distance). I think they're all wolves in sheeps' clothing. It's just that I hate seeing people who I know to be as sincere as Honest Abe being hoodwinked. Your party is not your party.
Some say Maher is Libertarian. I dunno what he is, but I bet he votes for whoever's WORST for the country. That's in his best interest, in his line of work.
posted by ZachsMind at 5:49 PM on August 2, 2007
Actually yerfatma, they ARE. They shouldn't be, but they are.
There was a time when Abraham Licoln was a republican, and I honestly agree with pretty much everything he did.
The modern-day Conservative leaders are Neo-Con Clowns (even and especially the ones that tell you to your face that they are not), and the many (little c) conservatives who still cling to the Republican party thinking that deep down the ones controlling their party are on their side are like sheep and chickens allowing the wolves and hawks run of the farm. You're blind to the fact your party has been stolen from you.
I'm not saying go become Democrats. I could care less anymore. I'm abandoning the Democrat party. I'm abandoning politics in general (except to snark at it from a safe distance). I think they're all wolves in sheeps' clothing. It's just that I hate seeing people who I know to be as sincere as Honest Abe being hoodwinked. Your party is not your party.
Some say Maher is Libertarian. I dunno what he is, but I bet he votes for whoever's WORST for the country. That's in his best interest, in his line of work.
posted by ZachsMind at 5:49 PM on August 2, 2007
ZachsMind writes "I'm abandoning the Democrat DemocratIC party."
/pet peeve
posted by brundlefly at 1:37 PM on August 3, 2007
/pet peeve
posted by brundlefly at 1:37 PM on August 3, 2007
"I'm abandoning the Democrat DemocratIC party."
That's just evidence that he already has.
Me, I go with Maher's esteemed predecessor (who did the schtick much better, IMO) Will Rogers, who said "I belong to no organized party. I am a Democrat." When and if they ever do become organized enough to be a threat, that's when I'll abandon them.
posted by wendell at 4:43 PM on August 3, 2007
That's just evidence that he already has.
Me, I go with Maher's esteemed predecessor (who did the schtick much better, IMO) Will Rogers, who said "I belong to no organized party. I am a Democrat." When and if they ever do become organized enough to be a threat, that's when I'll abandon them.
posted by wendell at 4:43 PM on August 3, 2007
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posted by chuckdarwin at 2:37 PM on July 27, 2007