Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

I’d try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

My years-long effort to drive family and friends away has really paid off this year.

When do the post office & the dmv weigh in on the wuhan virus?

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

“Squeaker” McCarthy

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

The GOP couldn’t organize an orgy in a whorehouse with a fist full of 50s.

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the GOP

You can’t attract Republican voters. You can only out organize them.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

Consistently wrong since 2002

Battle won, war still ongoing.

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

“I never thought they’d lock HIM up,” sobbed a distraught member of the Lock Her Up Party.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

Spilling the end game before they can coat it in frankl luntz-approved dogwhistles.

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

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Reader Interactions

57Comments

  1. 1.

    ellaesther

    I usually can’t bear watching Lewis Black — I am in a constant state of anxiety that his heart attack is going to happen ANY MINUTE NOW!! — but last night he was so brilliant that I could only sit back and enjoy.

    I particularly loved how he saved the bit that “my people have some experience with this” for the end. God bless a sledge-hammer comic who also knows the value of subtlety!

  2. 2.

    El Cid

    I watched the Lewis Black bit a couple of times, not the least of which because it sounded a lot like things I’ve yelled at the TV or Radio when listening to Glenn Beck’s “Hitler Hitler Hitler Stalin Lenin Alinsky Hitler Mao I’m not calling anyone a fascist or communist” bit.

  4. 4.

    freelancer

    Beck’s publishing company quotemines Phil Plait, attributes it to Discover Magazine.

    Usually Dr. Plait sticks to science and skepticism, but every once in a while, a politico will do something so braindead that he covers it.

  5. 5.

    licensed to kill time

    That was really funny. Good post title, too! I was seeing variations on Back in Black..

    Lewis Black always looks like he’s about to spin apart into a bazillion flying shards at any second.

  6. 6.

    ellaesther

    @licensed to kill time: I think he has Parkinson’s, but I may be making it up. Between that and the intensity of his fury — which I often agree with entirely, please don’t misunderstand! — I often find him just plain too stressful to watch! I mean, honestly, I’m worried that his heart is going to just explode, live on tape, one night.

  7. 7.

    D-Chance.

    Stewart has been gold. His smackdowns of Mary Landrieu and Howard Dean were hilarious.

  8. 8.

    freelancer

    He was a riot when he came through Omaha. His standup is something to behold, especially in a small 1-200 person room. This was around the time Cheney shot his friend in the face, and he went into a bit about that, and two old white people in the front row started booing and heckling him. It was like WTF? Did you not know who you were coming to see, assholes?!

  10. 10.

    licensed to kill time

    @ellaesther:

    I think he has Parkinson’s, too. I don’t mind watching him too much, especially when he smiles like he was in this clip. He looks like he’s really having fun this time, rather than exploding into an angry spittle-flecked fireball like he used to do on his own show.

    If his heart gives out while he’s doing stuff like this I think he’d be pleased. Well, if he was aware of it. Floating above the stage and looking down at his body and all.

  11. 11.

    Bill H

    I cannot watch Lewis Black. I am just not willing to be screamed at. He reminds me too much of my Dad fifty+ years ago when he was in a drunken rage and about to beat the shit out of me. Can’t do it. I head for the off button.

  12. 12.

    c u n d gulag

    Hey guys,
    He’s a comedy genious!
    He does rage the way Rodney did the poor little put-upon man, seeking some modicum of respect, to whom everything happens, and none of it’s good (until he made it in the movies – BIG TIME!).
    He’s the closest we have to Bruce, Pryor and Carlin left to us. Enjoy him while you can. I sure as Hell do!!!

  13. 13.

    MikeTheZ

    Lewis Black is my personal hero. I aspire to be that funny.

    Because of the last 10 years or so, I am already that angry.

  15. 15.

    trollhattan

    I thought last night’s bit was dead perfect. He had me thinking he’d taken it to the conclusion only to double-down and crank the rack another notch. Then, it’s,

    “John?”

    The topic is worth the level of effort–keep shining the cleansing UV light on these wankers. At some point they have to be made to acknowledge what they’re saying, versus their intentions.

    I’ve seen a couple of his HBO standups and of course am surprised he can throttle it up and down to suit the show’s pacing. His dial isn’t permanently set on “11.”

  18. 18.

    LT

    I’ve tried to get that video to work on like three different sites and no go.

    And Lewis Black is Izzard level funny.

  20. 20.

    LT

    @ellaesther:

    I mean, honestly, I’m worried that his heart is going to just explode, live on tape, one night.

    If he can explode, I’ll be impressed. If he can do it live, on tape, well – damn!

  24. 24.

    Citizen Alan

    @mistersnrub:

    Worthless, unserious high schoolers, the whole lot of ‘em. Joe Scarborough is particularly deserving of a punch in the jaw for that bravura display of assholery.

    I liked Scarborough’s bit at the end about how, if you go into Kagen’s office, you’ll find a lot of Indigo Girls posters. Whereas, as we all know, if you go into Joe Scarborough’s office, you’ll find a dead intern.

  25. 25.

    Cat Lady

    I think it’s just sad that only the comedians call bullshit. (Plus Froomkin, but look where that got him). I know that’s their role, and we’re really really lucky to have Stewart, Colbert and Tina Fey, but it’s depressing. On the other hand, those three use their snark fu like a laser knife. I was reminiscing recently with a friend at the absurdity of the Wasilla Wingnut during the campaign, and my friend thought she was quoting the Wingnut about seeing Russia from her house. When I insisted that it was Fey who said that, not the Wingnut, she didn’t think it was true. FSM bless the jesters.

  26. 26.

    D-Chance.

    Interesting how conservatives are angry because Kagan was not sympathetic to an unlicensed gun possessor. After all, the gun owner only had to show his papers… who could argue the necessity of making sure that all guns are here legally?

  27. 27.

    Martin

    @Cat Lady: What was so very awesome about Fey was when she ran an entire segment of a comedy skit by quoting Palin word for word. That was just genius.

  29. 29.

    Cat Lady

    @Martin:

    Yes, it was genius, and lucky. Tina Fey may have single handedly saved the Republic, for a little bit longer anyway. Also. Too.

  32. 32.

    lamh32

    Wow, it’s the end of an era.

    I haven’t steadily watched L&O Flagship show in a while, but back in the day, L&O was truly “must see tv” for me. Sad to see it go, but it hasn’t been as good since Jesse L Martin and Jerry Orbach anyway.

    NBC cancels ‘Law & Order’ flagship

    NBC will not renew the original “Law & Order” at the upcoming conclusion of its 20th season, leaving it tied with “Gunsmoke” as the longest-running scripted show in television history.

    The cancellation was confirmed Thursday to TheWrap by a person close to the show’s production. Its final episode will air May 24.

  34. 34.

    Mike Kay

    @lamh32:
    This is Obama’s fault. Fear based tee vee like L&O and 24 are falling to the side as Hope takes root 1 year and 4 months into office.

  35. 35.

    DaveInOz

    I watched it here in Oz last night (Yes, we get The Daily Show on cable the next day). Lewis Black is awesome – he’s not on enough.

    I enjoyed the John Oliver spot too. Wasn’t GWB’s departure a missed opportunity?

  36. 36.

    KDP

    OT – But I just saw this lovely piece at Crooks & Liars. Can I hear it for stronger controls and an abstraction barrier between the securities firms and the ratings agencies?

    I have great respect for Al Franken, not just for what he puts forth in legislation, but for his ability to get it passed!

  39. 39.

    lamh32

    OT:
    Even his “supporters” are laughing at him. McCain is a joke, which probably means some other “jokers” (I mean voters…yeah right) will still vote for the senile ole fool (to quote Aunt Esther from Sanford and son)

    Rep. Shadegg And The Morning Joe Crew Laugh At McCain’s ‘Danged Fence’ Ad (VIDEO)

    Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has been getting a lot of grief for his strange “complete the danged fence” ad, and today that even included McCain’s fellow Arizona Republican, Rep. John Shadegg, who had a good laugh at the ad with Joe Scarborough and the Morning Joe crew.

    Shadegg was on the show this morning to talk about Arizona’s immigration law, but no one did much talking after MSNBC showed a clip of the ad.
    “Someone say something,” said Mika Brzezinski.

  41. 41.

    And Another Thing...

    @Sly: He also does a great Kissinger. When he left Air America in preparation for building his political career, I nearly went into mourning…I missed him so much. He is very smart, does his homework policy & info wise, and has a really great heart.

  42. 42.

    frankdawg

    @Mike Kay:

    Nah, I think Al actually felt this was the best he could get & it would be fixed over time. While I think that is bullshit (look at what the Rs did with part D) I think his heart is in the right place & he is 1000% better than Coleman or that other empty suit playing the role of Sr. Senator from MN.

    On another bitter note the MN asshole who would be Prez appointed a Heritage Foundation assclown who has held a law license for 8 months now to the MN supreme court. MN is well on its way to being a very cold Florida.

  43. 43.

    Annie

    Maybe I have a high tolerance for screaming, but I want to see more Lewis Black…He has the capacity to destroy nonsense, particularly political idiots like Glen Beck…Next I want to see him in front of a blackboard…

  44. 44.

    patrick II

    @Martin: I didn’t want to say too much last night and ruin it, but now I can say I loved the “Nazi Tourette’s” punch line.

  45. 45.

    Mike Kay

    @frankdawg: Franken sold you out. he could have filibustered HCR until the public option was included, but no. He’s RAHMs!’ rubber stamp. RAHM! says jump, and franken says “how high, sir”.

    Worse of all, he’s a centrist, and perhaps a secret republican.

    No, al franken is dead to me. when he comes up for reelection in 5 years, I’m supporting the blogosphere’s primary challenger. Move to the left al, or we the people will move you out of the way!

  46. 46.

    frankdawg

    @Mike Kay:
    HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa . . .

    I like you, you’re funny – if I give you a lollypop will you go troll somewhere else?

  48. 48.

    Breezeblock

    I think that was THE most … out of control? … I ever saw a Back In Black. It was a Grand Slam + touchdown + hat trick + triple double.

  50. 50.

    gnomedad

    @Breezeblock:

    I think that was THE most … out of control? … I ever saw a Back In Black.

    I’ve never seen Black before — too bad for me. It wasn’t so much “out of control” for me as a near-inability to suppress his open-mouthed astonishment at the stoopid long enough to get his sentences out.

  51. 51.

    WereBear

    Lewis Black used to say exactly the same kind of thing in a calm, reasonable tone… and no one ever heard of him.

    When he put some emotion into it, it really worked.

    This is, after all, showbiz. And I love it. No one melts down like Lewis Black.

  52. 52.

    Bernard

    Lewis Black is always great. never get tired of his “shtick.”
    laughed so hard, it was wonderful. the part about Mother Teresa was on point.

  54. 54.

    ksmiami

    I saw him at the South Beach comedy festival and he was golden. FUNNY FUNNY way of being outraged. He is also a humanitarian at heart and does a lot of charity work. He has been paying attention and that is why he is OUTRAGED.

  55. 55.

    matoko_chan

    I’m really curious about the constant eumene the winger juggalos push that liberals are eugenicists and thus Obama=Hitler.
    Doughy Pantsload—

    That these were the prevailing ideas at the time: Collectivism, eugenics, militarism (both as a mobilizing metaphor as well as the real thing), nationalism, statolatry, technocracy and – in America – a desire to “Europeanize,” often on Bismarckian lines, political institutions and arrangements. And while these ideas were popular in all sorts of places, their champions were the Progressives. I focused on Wilson because I wanted to make that case through his story (just as I wanted to tell similar stories in the other biographical chapters).

    So i ax CK MacLeod, that runs a not-braindead conservative website and who is object of Jonah’s ire over Woodrow.
    his answer to my question– why do conservatives always try to link eugenics to liberalism?

    Opposition to eugenics serves multiple purposes: It asserts the primacy of “culture of life” moralisms; it conjures nightmarish images of the all-powerful, de-humanizing state; it warns against naive trust in faddish pseudo-science masquerading as science; it points to a skeleton in the progressive-liberal closet; it allows conservatives to stand up and declare themselves anti-racist in a way that doesn’t require them to buy off client constitutencies like machine-political liberals; it shows that conservatives read books and know about stuff, too; it sometimes induces liberals to expose themselves as moral cretins, either in regard to past history or in regard to new bio-ethical issues; maybe best of all, it opens a discussion of the slow genocide represented by birth control/family destruction visited on the left’s most loyal constituency by the leading figures of the left, makes the “ghettos” look like the Nazi ghettos, urban mayors and community organizers like concentration camp capos, a view now supported by generations of inexorable math on the black population, which has been induced to abort its own potential and disfigure where not destroy its own culture…
    So eugenics seems great for conservatives to talk about! Its only downsides are that a) it’s too hot, b) it’s too obscure, and c) to the extent it induces hatred and suspicion of “liberal fascist” white people, it just re-ghettoizes blacks, who as a self-defending in-group (and practically and psychologically complicit in their own self-destruction – a complicated topic of its own) still are welcomed by liberals, and remain in relative terms physically, culturally, and politically inaccessible to conservatives. So in the end it’s more effective in amping the moral self-righteousness of social conservatives – and reinforcing their cultural isolation – than in opening a bridge to African Americans and eroding the liberal coalition.

    link

  56. 56.

    Remember November

    “If it wasn’t for my horse, I never would have spent that year in college”

  57. 57.

    Joe Hill

    @EconWatcher: You need to watch his special in Washington DC with his parents in the front row. Classic political humor (oxymoron?)

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