Welcome once again to another edition of Saturday Morning Maher. I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween, or as my friend Keith calls it, Gay Christmas. As always, SMM is dedicated to the HBO impaired.
One of the really cool things that has resulted from this series is the conversations that take place in the comments. The issues of the episode are debated as only Kossacks can, and I've seen and been a part of some incredible discussions as a result of posting these clips. Not bad for a weekend morning. As always, here are the rules of the road: In the event that the diary gets swept up by hundreds of posts filled with hand wringing over Barack Obama's half-aunt, pick a clip, watch and comment, then come back and view the rest. Participate in the discussions that take place in the thread, and generally enjoy your community.
Last night's show bookends with Michael Moore and Dr. Cornell West-hence the title. The panel was comprised of Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist extraordinaire Connie Schultz, singer/songwriter/R&B badass John Legend, and token right wing hack Amy Holmes. Before anyone says anything too harsh about that fine, Republican cinnamon stick, let me remind you that Bill's a player, which is why Amy keeps getting invited back.
Opening Segment: Republican House of Horrors
You gotta love that Bill Maher goes way further than most Kossacks when it comes to both John McCain and Palin...even and especially if it borders on completely out of line or tasteless. It's a vicarious kind of funny...
"The Obama infomercial never mentioned McCain, never mentioned Palin, never mentioned Bush. Or as Shakespeare called it, History, Comedy, and Tragedy. I kid John McCain...he's in the Halloween spirit. He thinks he's going to make a comeback. Just like the corpse in a horror movie.And I gotta give it to Sarah Palin...she's the most popular Halloween costume out there. I do have to say though, ladies, just putting your hair up and wearing glasses...that a shitty Sarah Palin. But there are some really good ones out there where they actually wink and give birth."
"The rats are already deserting the sinking ship. McCain's people are behind the scenes scapegoating Sarah Palin. They have called her so far a "whack job", a "diva", and "going rogue". At least when the Democrats hook up with an unstable woman it's only for a blow job."
Interview Segment: Michael Moore- Awkward As A Two Legged Raccoon
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate Micheal Moore, but he turns an interview into a verbal drive-by more often than not. Bill lobs him softball setups that anyone could turn into a joke, and he flops. Only when he discusses his Election Guide book and his free online movie does he sound any kind of comprehensible. He's got some good points, i.e. we need a landslide, Republicans in Michigan will vote Obama because they're sick of Bush, but manages to chicken little it up before he defends his rep as Super DocuMan, a rep he does deserve.
Panel Discussion Part I: Whereupon Amy Holmes Babbles Like The One Remaining Brook The Bush Administration Hasn't Filled With Mine Runoff
The discussion opens with a conversation about American's token whack job, Bible Spice. Amy Holmes repeats all of the debunked lies about Palin, and gets pounced on by the panel for excessive asshattery.
On whether or not Palin is the future of the GOP, John Legend says,
"I think the party should be concerned if she's the future of the party. The reason why, is because there's such a lack of depth behind the things that she says...I feel like if you're relying on that to be your future, then you're party's in a lot of trouble"
Which segues nicely into Connie Schultz's two cents:
"I think she imploded rather than exploded, if you look at her poll numbers now, she's devastating to the party. And nothing will kill a career in politics like losing."
Panel Discussion Part II: The Further Fictional Tale Of JTP
"He's so worried about Obama taking away the money he doesn't have, but he's willing to give a manager 15%. [Right Wing Evangelicals] love the Jews because they need them to be in place when you know who comes back and kills them all!"
Connie Schultz's take on religion...
"I was raised by a born again Christian who taught us that being a good Christian meant fixing yourself and helping others, not the other way around. You don't go around trying to fix everybody else."
Bill reads a direct quote from Joe the Philosopher about how delivering freedom to Iraq is akin to a Christian getting saved. I'm not kidding. That guy really needs to stick to snaking drains instead of talking to anyone besides SantaJesus. This week's Exit Strategy is Russia.
"Russia! Come marvel at it's history, wonder at it's architecture, masturbate to it's tennis players. Russia is home to 142 million people, half of whom are available via mail-order catalog. You're sure to have a good time, because what Americans call "binge drinking", Russians call "drinking".
Panel Discussion w/Dr. Cornell West: Damn, Cornell West Kicks Ass
I apologize for the short clip. I'll update with the full one and remove this as soon as it becomes available.
Here's the full Cornell West clip!
And, as always, New Rules w/Bonus Tune From John Legend
Friends, it's almost 6:00am, and I haven't been to bed yet because I've been waiting around for these to become available on YouTube. I hope this weeks discussion is as lively and informative as the last several have been, and if you'd like your fellow HBO impaired Kossacks to get a chance to participate...rec it up. This is for all of you.
Cheers