As with so many other comedians, Dennis Miller became a star through Saturday Night Live, after the producer Lorne Michaels caught his routine and invited him on the show. He took over for Christopher Guest as the presenter of The Weekend Update. Other performers, namely Dana Carvey, Tom Hanks, and Jimmy Fallon spoofed his individualistic delivery. Dennis left the show after six years and was replaced by Kevin Nealon.
In the meantime, Miller was developing the political humor that was to be his trademark. He released a CD of stand up material and performed in a critically acclaimed television special, and his efforts were rewarded with his own syndicated talk show, called The Dennis Miller Show. Miller liked to book edgy guests and bands that were not welcome on other more mainstream shows. Unfortunately, his show was cancelled in the same year, largely due to its early morning time slot and the dominance of rival Jay Leno.
Next came Dennis Miller Live, a show with only one guest that mainly involved Dennis talking to the audience. The show won five Emmy Awards and ran for nine years. In 2000, Dennis went for a career change and became the color commentator for ABC’s Monday Night Football. Many pundits had applied, including Rush Limbaugh. The football fans were impressed with his football knowledge but were left confused by his many literary allusions. He lasted for two seasons and then both he and Dan Fouts and were replaced by veteran John Madden.
Miller bounced back with a political discussion show. Simply called Dennis Miller, it included a panel whose members would opinionate about various issues. Regulars on his show included Gloria Allred, Willie Brown, David Horowitz, Mickey Kaus, Lawrence O’Donnell, and Harry Shearer. It didn’t prove popular and was cancelled in 2005.
Hollywood has also appreciated his talents, and Miller has featured in a number of films, both humorous and dramatic. In 1994, Barry Levinson filmed Disclosure, based on the Michael Crichton novel and also starring Michael Douglas, Demi Moore, and Donald Sutherland. Never Talk to Strangers was a thriller directed by Peter Hall, and starring Rebecca De Mornay and Antonio Banderas. Miller also appeared in Murder at 1600, an action drama directed by Dwight H Little and also starring Wesley Snipes, Diane Lane, and Alan Alda. Miller really expressed himself in Joe Dirt, as a shock jock along the lines of Howard Stern. Dennie Gordon directed the romantic comedy and David Spade, Brittany Daniel, Christopher Walken, and Kid Rock starred.
Miller built his following during his long rants filled with articulate, political humor. Too highbrow and obscure for some, he has alienated others by changing his political allegiance from the Democrats to the Republicans, backing George W Bush and the war in Iraq. He has nevertheless, secured his place in comedy history at the intellectual end of the spectrum. Dennis is married to Ali Epsley, a former model, and they have two children.
YUDDY
