WP: Robin Williams, The Mouth of The Potomac

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/07/AR2006100700008.html

The big lesson to draw from last night's first-time-in-Washington taping of "Real Time With Bill Maher": Even politicians and other golden-tongued worthies can't outtalk Robin Williams. So don't bother trying.

The comic actor was in some pretty serious company on Maher's hour-long weekly HBO program, which airs at 11 p.m. Fridays and yesterday was taped before an audience at a downtown studio. But not even fellow guests such as Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) or "Hardball" motormouth Chris Matthews could steal the spotlight from Williams once he grabbed it, which was early and often.

When Maher suggested that President Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, might be the only person powerful enough to change his resolute son's mind, Williams countered that there was someone more influential than Dad. That would be Barbara Bush. "Dr. Freud, line one!"

Williams waded, of course, into the scandal du jour, Rep. Mark Foley's e-mail predations on underage congressional pages, suggesting that "America Online will have a new warning, 'You've got younger male.' "

[Chomskyite]

1. The guy was on fire

I just wish I'd DVRed this. Every single thing he did killed.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

2. Real Time Repeats

In case you wanted to DVR it, you have chances over the coming week.

[Syrinx]

3. he's funny, but...

It seems he just has to be the center of attention always.

He said some funny things, but he sort of got in the way of serious discussion, in my opinion.

I'm looking forward to his new movie... looks good.

[Warren DeMontague]

5. Yeah. It grates a bit after a while. He's brilliant and funny, but it

looks more and more to me like some kind of a personality disorder, to boot.

New movie looks great, though.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

11. Personality Disorder???

Yeah, we should ALL be so lucky as to have Robin Williams' personality disorder.

The guy has more intelligence in his brain, personality disorder or no, than King george will EVER have.

He was quite able to shift to a mature discussion when the subject arose of Iraq and Afghanistan. The way he talked about the troops and their repeated Tours Of Duty, exhaustion, etc., along with the reasons they kept returning, even those who lost limbs, and how these soldiers felt close to their comrades and the Iraqi people they were trying to help.

Personality Disorder? He made more sense, disorder or no, than the Kool Aid drinking right wing privileged "rep" from Florida. The man is a comic genius, and I'd rather have him on the show, monopolizing the conversation, than a passive comic who sits there and lets the right wing guest monopolize the conversation.

This administration gives him so much material to work with, it's no wonder he has an hour of stuff to fill of schtick.

[Warren DeMontague]

18. Don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan.

But if he's not capable of turning it off, it's sort of like a personality disorder. I know some people in Hollywood who've said as much about the guy.

And there's nothing wrong with being weird or a little out of the mainstream. I like people like that. I just don't know if I'd want to be stuck in a broken elevator with that level of energy for an hour.

You're right. He toned it down during the discussion about the soldiers. I find it amusing that, on DU at least, if I mention that the guy's act might get a little annoying after a while, it must mean I'm defending Bush or the idiotic Rep. from Florida, Ileana whatzername. (Bush's personality disorder dwarfs mine or Robin Williams's or most anyone else's, that's for sure) I certainly wouldn't want to be stuck in an elevator with her for an hour, either. But while I agree that Williams jam-packs a tremendous amount of information content into his mania, sometimes it gets a little distracting, unless the goal is to have a one-man show. Richard Clarke -hardly a rightwinger- didn't get a whole lot of words in edgewise, first off- and what I really would have liked to see (and I'm sure it's Maher's fault, probably for not wanting to corner his guest- but I was surprised he didn't bring it up) would have been Maher asking Rep Iliana Hoozitz about that torture vote. Clearly he was pissed off about it, and I'll bet dollars to donuts she voted for it. Oh well.

But, again, I like Robin Williams. Saying I find his style sometimes a bit excessive doesn't mean I don't agree with the man and respect his intelligence.

[shanti]

19. so he's a tad hyperactive...

:shrug: i'm not holding it against him.

[Warren DeMontague]

20. Maybe in small doses.

He just shouldn't be on every week.

[shanti]

21. every week?

when was his last appearance on bill maher? i don't remember. however, i would LOVE for bill to have neil young on his show!! i'm waiting for that one!

[Warren DeMontague]

22. Neil young would be great.

Michael Stipe would be cool, too.

[W_HAMILTON]

14. I agree

In fact, I'm starting to just completely dislike him. The few times that he got off his schtick and actually talked about his views, he sounded like a rational guy. But he's just always "acting up." Before, I considered it exhausting. Last night, I was just annoyed by it. I really wish Maher would stop having him on his shows. He just takes everything over, and you don't really hear much actual discussion on any of the subjects.

[symbolman]

4. Don't forget him mentioning Foley going to Miami

for the "Running of the Boys.." :)

He had some real zingers, what I found repulsive and I think he did too, was that REPUG slime woman who kept, manhandling him, he even pulled away a few times - BUT when when she started saying that Robin was the man and should be praised for going over there and entertaining the troops, it looked like she was Surfing on HIS GOOD WORKS, rather than actually praising him - you know how they do it, act like you're involved in what REAL HEROES DO, like Bush standing on the pile of the dead in NYC during 911 surrounding himself with FireMen so HE'D look good, etc..

Usually he's surrounded by Troops, so you somehow think HE is a hero (when we all know that he can't be around anything but hand picked groups, and Soldiers are basically ORDERED to applaud, HOO HA, and all that shit)..

I guess that's the basis for all Politicking really, I found her cloying attempt clumsy and sickening..

I also wish Richard Clark had had a chance to weigh in on more subjects, tho he did do a great job when he had a chance to talk, and it wasn't just Robin clowning around, Tweety was BOOMING away, and that woman Repig had one of the LOUDEST voices I've heard, other than people on a stage..

Robin has so much trouble TRYING to shut himself up, to his credit he TRIES tho :)

[City Lights]

13. I can't stand Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

I remember her from he Elian Gonzalez fiasco and she made me sick then. Tweety had her on a lot.

The way she clung to Williams gave me the creeps.

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. I kept screaming at the tv set....

because i really wanted to hear more from richard clarke. seems like robin was trying too hard? or maybe that's just "regular" robin? not a big fan.

I realize that maher's a comedian, and his show combines funny with serious, but once robin grabbed the spotlight, he never let up, and it really got on my nerves.

[ClintonTyree]

8. That's "regular Robin" alright....

and "regular Robin" is an acquired taste. I don't think he does it in purpose, that's just the way he's wired. I like to watch it, he throws more zingers into a conversation that 20 mortal men but it does grind on you after a while. As far as his movies, I far prefer his more dramatic roles rather that the more manic, comedic ones. It's all a matter of taste, I guess. He's one funny mofo though!

[Tarheel_Dem]

16. I don't dislike Robin....

it's just that in a panel type situation, I wish he had been more considerate of the other panelists. I've seen his work on the big screen, and while I wasn't blown away, I think he's a talented guy. I especially admire the work he does for the USO.

Maybe I'm a little "biased" here, but I really didn't mind him interrupting that silly woman who came prepared with her f**king g.o.p. talking points. I, too, remember her from the Elian Gonzalez fiasco, and I don't know if Bill's rightwing pool of guests is limited, but he gives her a lot of face time.

I'm hoping Bill can get the democratic strategist (think his name is Allen Schecter) on against any rightwing strategist. This guy is good, he eats rightwingers for breakfast.

[pretzel4gore]

9. mixing comediens with geopoltics.....

robin williams sees through bush, but he is mainly a 'joker' and it's damn near impossible to maintain gravitas while...fishing for laffs - the rest were serious dudes, and why mix apples/oranges to begin with, unless maher continues to buy bushinc TIME by downplaying the enormity of bush's criminal actions right now? Dick Cavett once did something similar, but Cavett wasn't just a comedien, he tackled personalities; his audience was adult enough to sit still for dead serious debates, and Cavett would have fought the busheviks from the getgo...maher helped bush (even fukking up after 911 by telling the truth, he still carefully supported all the bushit) which aint a joke.
seriously, it looks like america has been conquered

[Tarheel_Dem]

17. the mix sometimes works very well....

but as DU'er ClyntonTyree says...."that's regular robin". Maybe I'm expecting too much from a comedy show that delves into politics? But as you say, there are serious subjects to be tackled right now, and since there are so few outlets, maybe I'm looking for shows like The Daily Show, Colbert Report, and Real Time to do what the MSM has failed to do so far.

Anyone notice how the Libertarian party is growing lately? Former Repubs are claiming that they were never really Repubs, they were more "Libertarian"...Bruce Willis & Dennis Miller immediately come to mind. Next, I expect to hear Ron Silver claim to be a Libertarian. I could be wrong, but I think their popularity may have taken a hit when they went over to the darkside. And with all the reports coming now that they were completely duped, and they're just too embarrassed to come back to the Democratic party.

[w4rma]

7. Williams rocks. And he knows what the vast majority of his audience wants

to hear. He's a strong Democrat and he knows what buttons to press. The guy is a genius.

[mucifer]

10. He's very bright. But, I wanted to hear Richard Clark. He wouldnt let him

talk. Richard Clark has decades of working with various presidents and a much more interesting perspective than Robin Williams. Not that Robin shouldn't be allowed to speak. But, he needs to respect others and he's just too self centered to do that.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

12. Yeah, Dick Had A Tough Time Getting Word In

Not only was he competing against a repub, but Robin sapped up a lot of time. But honestly, would you rather have this, or have some right winger taking up all his time, as opposed to someone like Mr. Williams? I've seen More Than Enough shows where someone like Richard gets talked over and has the conversation monopolized and twisted beyond all reality, by some Kool Aid Drinking R/W SHILL.

Anyways, I guess I understand your points, but still am such a fan of Robin, and agree with his observations and humor enough that I don't mind.

[blm]

15. This reviewer LIES to make a point - Kerry was on BEFORE Williams took the

stage, but he uses Kerry's name to group him as if less powerful a voice.

Williams was OK, but he was doing more sophomoric SCENE-STEALING mugging than anything else - Richard Clarke was FAR more COMPELLING when he spoke.

The reviewer has to LIE to make his point, so his point is obviously ILLEGITIMATE upon scrutiny.