“Same old stories and anecdotes with the same punchlines, same observations on life, same line of reasoning, same witty remarks.”
Alcoholism?
I have no idea, and certainly didn't mean to imply anything of the sort.
I'm no psychologist, but it sounds to me more like he has developed one very narrowly delineated and closely circumscribed worldview - a "world formula," if you will, that explains everything (or at least: everything political) - and feels that he has found the perfect five stories, three anecdotes, two jokes, and one reminiscence to convey it to the public - and he ain't budging from that!
I repeat: I have made no deeper study of Mamet: Is he perhaps slightly autistic? I get the feeling that he'd give the same "performance" if he were being interviewed by Robinson, Mike Wallace, or Charles Manson. I don't see any "connection" forming between himself and his interviewer.
As I said before: His affect in the interviews was that of someone who is rolled out onto the stage, then fed the occasional catchword or "nudge" to keep him going, and then rolled back out again.
A one-trick pony?
I realize that I am really speculating here - perhaps someone else can enlighten us - or at least present an opposing view?
Regards,