BS: Bill Maher

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Stringsinger
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 11:42 AM

Here we go again. Apples and oranges.

Both are tremendously talented comedians in different incomparable ways.

Maher is certainly more relevant since he is still around but Carlin was a brilliant
genius.

Occasionally, as many forget, the "choir" has to be "preached to". Attention spans
are pretty low these days.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: GUEST,Kim C
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 04:53 PM

Maher is a little too abrasive for me, but he is thought-provoking.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: gnu
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 03:44 PM

BTW, I saw an interview with Rivers... she has used computers for years to cross-reference jokes when she is writing new routines.

Many comedians 'use' writers on staff and also from afar and have for many decades but, from afar, ya gotta solicit their agents and sign some VERY strict contracts.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: gnu
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 03:39 PM

I *think* Carlin wrote all of his material by himself but I am not sure of that. My *think* comes from an interview I read a long while back.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Ed T
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 03:14 PM

Do they actually write their own stuff? Or, do they have writers? When they do live performances, is each one just about the same? Just wondering, as my obersation is few comedians do it on their own (especially those on tv) , but have a team behind them, to pull if together.

I once saw Joan Rivers live, and was amazed by her jokes, some were of poor taste, but still funny. I later saw her on youtube, where I learned that all her shows were exactly the same - kinda like some musicians, and wrestling.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: gnu
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 03:02 PM

I believe the videos demonstrate my initial point. Carlin was a genius that, to paraphrase himself, thought shit up all week long regarding ideals/policies/whatever and then told us about it on the weekend. Maher researched (researches) specific instances of same and reports it 5 days a week during his TV season and during his rigorous stand-up comedy touring and documentary seasons.

As for any pissing contest between who was/is more a genius, my take is that they both are to be heeded. Carlin (and others of his 'trade') influenced me greatly. Maher does as well but in a different manner and with far more specificity regarding current events. As for writers? Fine with me if Maher uses his hard earned dollars to procreate and disseminate his calls to action. I applaud it. To detract from his far more detailed works because of such, which, said again, cannot be quantified, is simply a moot argument.

(Yeah, I always reserve the right to come back to comment when the dirt and dust settles. Sue me.)

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Greg F.
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 11:30 AM

asserted facts versus evasive hyperbole

Should be the motto of the RNC.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 10:50 AM

If you listen closely to Carlin arguing with a conservative, you will discover 2 very different basic modes of making a point. The conservative states his version to be true and denies as rubbish the accusations of Carlin's 'liberal' view..... Carlin, in turn, lays out point after point demonstrating in detail what he means, then summarizes it. The conservative then makes MORE generalized denials using prefabricated talking points with almost no references that support them. It becomes asserted facts versus evasive hyperbole.
   Sadly, there are far too many who are too easily taken in by easy-to-follow hype and propaganda rather than following and researching the details of a more complex explanation.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 06:33 PM

Gnu comedy wet dream.

BTW Watch Carlin here and compare it to the best of Maher. Carlin is comedy on steroids.!

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 05:20 PM

He should have been fired for that hair.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 11:29 AM

There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.

Will Rogers

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 10:48 AM

Kinda' interesting that in a world of expert talking heads, some of the best and brightest analysis of life comes from comedians........

Spaw

a long tradition... at least now the joker's head is usually safe. Will Rogers was quite the saavy observer... so was Mark Twain.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 10:41 AM

Clever guy. My daughter-in-law thinks he's evil.

if there is anyone I'd call evil, it's Rush Limbaugh... the reincarnation of Goebbels & Joe McCarthy... and every other bottom feeder out there.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Ed T
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 06:32 AM

Lenny Bruce is dead? I am always the last to know.
:)

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: michaelr
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 02:05 AM

Ed T -- it would interest me to hear how you know what sort of humor Lenny Bruce leans toward now, since he's been dead for 48 years.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: gnu
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 10:12 AM

Maher called Bush out on calling the hijackers cowards. Carry on.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 09:43 AM

Kinda' interesting that in a world of expert talking heads, some of the best and brightest analysis of life comes from comedians........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Ed T
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 08:53 AM

I enjoy good humour. Maher is funny to me and doez a good job of using humour to get his issues out. However, I sometimes find he tends to get mired down on a few issues.

But, I can see why some may not like his humour and approach, and that some may be offended or consider he treats guests disrespectfully (no, nof compared to Nancy Grace).

Most entertainers who deal with cutting edge social and political issues face an uphill battle. Remember Lenny Bruce, whose approach was very controversial years ago, but leans more towards mainstream humour now. Maher benefits from the work of those pioneering entertainers.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 06:20 PM

No one attacked you or Bill Maher. And Maher didn't get fired for going up against the President he got fired for say that a man who hijacks a plane is braver than who who sits behind desk lobbing missiles.

If you are going to tear people down, at least try to get your facts straight.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 05:34 PM

I love the comedy of Carlin, Colbert, Stewart, and Maher, but I doubt that they educate anyone. They're preaching to the choir.

For one thing, people who disagree with them usually don't watch them. Only left-leaning people appreciate humor in political discussion. The right uses anger and moral indignation instead.

For another, when right-wing people do watch these comedians, they interpret what they see completely differently than we do. You see evidence of that all the time in YouTube posts, for example this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WakNCf4Wno4, which the person posting it somehow concluded could be described as "SE Cupp takes down Michael Moore & Bill Maher on Gun Control."

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: gnu
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 05:25 PM

I said Maher is Carlin on steroids. If you don't get that, research your opinion a tad more. As for Carlin being more talented, matter of opinion, I guess, and one I never entertained. As for braver and bolder, I think Maher proved how brave he was when he went up against the president of the USA and got fired. As for "Maher has a battery of writers and a corporate agenda. The two could not be more unlike." Well, prove that bullshit.

Go ahead. Attack Bill. Attack me. The fact is that he speaks volumes about the REAL bullshit. I was simply trying to get people interested in educating themselves about the issues thru Bill Maher. Tear the asshole outta that endeavour and you tear out your own asshole. Have fun with that.

Once again... yet again... I can't be arsed... so... gnightgnu to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 04:53 PM

Pdq I think that I understand the point Maher was making. It is a pity that you and about 50 million others in this country don't.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 04:51 PM

Gnu, I think that Carlin was way more talented and braver and bolder for the most part than Maher. But Maher has had his moments. He got fired from ABC for speaking his mind on his show there. I watch Maher once in a while, he can be very funny. That was one of his better clips. But I thought that stuff about Canada was pretty cliche, as is a lot of his stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: pdq
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 02:27 PM

Equal to George Carlin???

Bill Maher said, after the 2008 election..."I have something to say to all you Republicans: YOU LOST! NOW GO FUCK YOURSELF!"

Witty guy, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 01:36 PM

Carlin was an ascerbic genius and he wrote his own material. Maher has a battery of writers and a corporate agenda. The two could not be more unlike.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: gnu
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 01:09 PM

Well, he knows US politics inside-out and he speaks his mind, albeit laced with profanity and sexual references. I find his commentary and humour spot-on. Carlin (still), Colbert, Stewart, Maher, and others, educate a portion of the public (not just in the US) that otherwise might not 'get educated' about politics/policy/current events at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Bill Maher
From: Elmore
Date: 12 Apr 14 - 11:33 AM

Clever guy. My daughter-in-law thinks he's evil.

Subject: BS: Bill Maher
From: gnu
Date: 11 Apr 14 - 08:43 PM

On a recent thread, mention was made of the subject comedian/author/film maker/writer/activist/political pundit/philosopher... I'll stop there. I commented that this man is George Carlin on steroids. I stand behind that statement. I was taken aback that there are some who know not of his works. Yeah, I know... I know... but I guess I say that because I, in my own small world, want everyone to listen to this guy because I think he has a lot to say that is worth listening to. Maybe he has a lot to say that *I* believe in??? Whatever.

Search his name on You Tube. He's got a LOT to say. Here is ONE clip of scores (some are full HBO comedy standup performances over an hour long). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfVQwC6NaiY