CNBC Hires Dennis Miller to Host Show

ap ^ | By DAVID BAUDER

[hoosiermama]

NEW YORK (AP) - Dennis Miller, the sardonic comedian who delivered a fake newscast on "Saturday Night Live" and told jokes in the "Monday Night Football" booth, will host a prime-time political talk show on CNBC.

The network said Thursday it had inked Miller to a multiyear deal for the political chat show, set to begin in January.

Miller said he would work four nights a week at 9 p.m. ET.

He spent six seasons on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" before launching his own HBO show, "Dennis Miller Live," winning five Emmy Awards. He drew mixed reviews for his work in the "Monday Night Football" booth, leaving in 2002 when John Madden was hired.

Miller, who was considered for a prime-time talk show on MSNBC last year before Phil Donahue was hired, said he was looking for work and intrigued by the CNBC idea after being approached by Jeff Zucker, NBC entertainment president.

"I have the same approach I would use if I were crossing a prison yard late at night," Miller said about his career in an interview with The Associated Press Thursday. "I zigzag to stay ahead of everyone."

He said he's looking forward to competing in the political talk realm with people like Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly, who Miller said "runs a good show."

Zucker said it was the next logical step in Miller's career.

"Having Dennis Miller return to the NBC family is one of the most exciting things to happen to us in years," he said.

[hoosiermama]

Couldn't find this posted.

[hoosiermama]

SORRY Messed up the link, here's the rest of the article:


Miller, a registered Republican, has become increasingly known for his political views. He bashed anti-war activists on a "Tonight" show appearance last spring, calling filmmaker Michael Moore a "stupid moron" for criticizing President Bush at the Academy Awards.

A few months later, Miller was the opening act at a Bush fund-raiser in California, earning him a ride on Air Force One and the president's limousine. He said of Bush's Democratic opponents: "I haven't seen a starting nine like that since the '62 Mets."

There was talk among some Republican political strategists of running Miller as an opponent to California Sen. Barbara Boxer.

CNBC President Pamela Thomas-Graham said Miller was intelligent and brought a unique perspective to issues.

"Even if people don't agree with him, they'll find what he's saying interesting," she said. "Our audience isn't looking for someone to tell them how to think."

CNBC has recently begun making moves to boost a lackluster prime-time lineup that can't match the ratings strength it had in the 1990s with Geraldo Rivera. Brian Williams' nightly CNBC newscast will end next year when Williams takes over from Tom Brokaw at NBC's "Nightly News."

Currently, CNBC airs "The Capital Report" at 9 p.m. four nights a week. Maria Bartiromo's news show has the time slot on Monday nights. Thomas-Graham said CNBC will continue to look at other programming ideas, though they won't include scripted comedies or dramas.

Miller's show will be taped each night at NBC's studios in Burbank. Terms of his deal were not disclosed.

[God luvs America]

He said of Bush's Democratic opponents: "I haven't seen a starting nine like that since the '62 Mets."

Now that's funny....obviously NBC sees the light; Donahue's out, Scaraborough country's in, now Miller, "Saving Jessica Lynch" in a week...how long before they give Katie the Commie the boot.

[m1-lightning]

I'm glad other news channels are hiring conservatives rather than just Fox News.

[mhking]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1011917/posts

[spectre]

I was wondering how he would do as a guest host for Rush Limbaugh's show?

sw

[StarCMC]

I LOVE Dennis Miller. Don't always agree with him but he makes me LAUGH OUT LOUD!!! He did a little schtick on the Tonight show not too long ago talking about Nancy Pelosi and hubby and I alsmost fee off the couch laughing. He crossed up his eyes and said "Do you know why she looks like this? It's because she can't believe it either that she got this far!" He'll be great on CNBC -- O'Reilly better look out!

[SpinyNorman]

Miller, a registered Republican, has become increasingly known for his political views. He bashed anti-war activists on a "Tonight" show appearance last spring, calling filmmaker Michael Moore a "stupid moron" for criticizing President Bush at the Academy Awards.

God, I would love to see Moore on Miller's show. It would be like shooting puppies in a barrel. I wonder if Moore would simply be stymied into the heart attack he is long overdue for?

Did you ever wonder how many answers there were to the question "Why is Micheal Moore like a blood filled tick?"

[hoosiermama]

DOn't agree with a lot of people..... even a few that I love.

Think Dennis will make things even more interesting for the GOP. He can tell it like it is! THe rats won't dare attack or he'll give it right back! And EVERYONE will laugh about it!

[tkathy]

I would love to see Miller and Ann Coulter as co hosts. They would be awesome, funny, intellectual, and each bring their own viewpoints.

[kidd]

He's going head to head with Hannity&Colmes. I think he'll do well against H&C.

Larry King = R.I.P.

[theFIRMbss]

>I'm glad other news channels are hiring conservatives rather than just Fox News.

"Conservative" or
liberal, the key thing here
is he's Hollywood.

Hollywood is like
cancer -- Why would any news
outlet put on clowns?!

Just because this clown
is mean to people we hate,
he's still Hollywood,

and this is just more
empowerment of the scene
that's killing our world.

[Leto]

Between snagging Miller following Kudkow & Cramer, CNBC had the best prime time lineup of the news channels.

[hoosiermama]

I'm sure Anne will be on the show! Infact, wouldn't be surprised if either of the President Bush(s) or the spouses didn't show up too. He'll have no problems getting BIG names!

[qandahomeschoolmom]

He crossed up his eyes and said "Do you know why she looks like this? It's because she can't believe it either that she got this far!"

Why would you laugh at something that mean and insulting. My daughter has amblyopia, which almost caused her to go blind. Her condition is called accomodative esotropia and yes without her glasses her eyes are crossed. I think people should stick to the issues and not make personal attacks on people, it really adds nothing to the debate. But thanks for outing yourself as an idiot.

[hoosiermama]

If anything, he may cause the others to lean a little bit more to the right. That may be his best influence. (Look at Fox's influence on the other networks! They've had to turn right in order to compete)

Hope this is just the beginning.

[hoosiermama]

Leni
DId you see this?
:)

[Xthe17th]

head to head with Hannity&Colmes

That would be fine with me - I can take very little of Hannity's "hannitized" preachyness. Just as long as Miller isn't on opposite Colin Quinn's Tough Crowd.

[StarCMC]

I would never make fun of your daughter. Nancy Pelosi asks for it. Lighten up. Nuff said.

[m1-lightning]

"Conservative" or liberal, the key thing here is he's Hollywood.

Reagan was hollywoood. Was he a clown? There is a BIG difference between Dennis Miller and Tim Robbins. Dennis Miller actually researches the news. Tim Robbins just rants off what he heard from someone else at the bar he was at least night.