I Rant, Therefore I Am

Rating:
Summary: Dennis Miller says what other people are afraid to...
Review: ** This refers to the Audio Download **


Dennis Miller is ranting again. This time he discusses topics like "The Need For Reason" and "The End of Accountability" with musings on "Talk Shows" and "Pets." It's classic Miller with his deadpan delivery and usage of similes. One of the best moments is when Miller admits, "Sorry, I'm officially out of similes."


Stephanie's Review:

Not everybody gets or likes Dennis Miller. To enjoy his subtle and clever humor, one needs to really think and be aware of our society and culture. It's a refreshing change from the lowbrow humor found so often today. And your brain needs to work as fast as Miller's. Otherwise, you'll find yourself *getting* what was said in a previous rant when he's well into the next one.

If you get the print edition, you'll supposedly get extra rants. But I recommend the audio book version because Miller narrates it. However, I advise listening to the entire book in one setting--even though it's only a little over two hours long. You'll savor more of Miller's brilliance that way. I listened to this straight through during a trip to New York. When it was finished, I needed about two hours worth of silence to clear my mind, and to digest what was said.

It's a shame that Dennis Miller is so underrated as he appears to be because "I Rant, Therefore I Am" is a definite keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile Rants
Review: First, I should admit that I am a fan of Dennis Miller. I think he is intelligent and funny. His comedy takes at least a certain amount of intelligence and education to understand. I appreciate having to think and be somewhat aware of my culture and environment to get many of the jokes.

I think Miller's ranting style is funny, too. I can hear his voice as I read the rants in his various books. I even occasionally laugh out loud reading him which is very rare for me.

This particular volume of rants (his third) is classic Miller. If you like his style then you'll like this book. Its one weakness was the Clinton/Lewinsky joke came up way too many times. His ability to come up with a unique skew on things is too good to fall back on this chestnut as many times as he does.

This is a small complait, though, about what is generally a very funny book.

Rating:
Summary: Nice breather between longer audiobooks, and funny, too
Review: I often listen to long unabridged audiobooks (usually in the car) of titles I simply don't have time to otherwise read. Between those long titles, I enjoy taking a breather to enjoy a shorter, punchier audio, like a four-cassette mystery anthology or a one or two tape comedy production. "I Rant, Therefore I Am" was a fun example of the latter. Funny stuff, here. I especially enjoyed the way Miller varied his rants' subject matter between lofty topics like the war on drugs to everyday stuff like pets. And I had to smile when I heard that Miller wasn't above doing a rant about a topic covered by nine hundred comedians nine hundred and ten times before: the trials and tribulations of air travel (it was one of the funnier rants, too). A minor quibble is that one or two rants should have been done again from the top due to a frog suddenly materializing in Miller's throat halfway into a rant (though even this was a bit fun, as it generated entertaining suspense as we wonder if he will make it to the end before his voice TOTALLY breaks up). Also, there were one or two instances where the dramatic emphasis was placed on the wrong word, thus weakening the strength of the punchline. But again, this is minor stuff, which somehow even contributed to the organic feel of the piece, reminding us that it's a real guy out there complaining about all this stuff. I didn't mind that the tape is abridged, either. The weaker rants from the book were left behind, leaving us with Miller performing aloud all the good ones. Survival of the fittest, after all!

Rating:
Summary: Fun Rants From A Pre-Politically Awakened Miller
Review: I think Dennis Miller is a smart and funny guy, and enjoy watching his show. He is one of the more perceptive interviewers out there, and even when I disagree with him, I am always interested in what he has to say, and what the diverse group of panelists he has on says as well.

This book, which was written before Dennis had his political awakening on September 11, 2001, is more center-left politically than he currently is. I think Miller has matured and become a realist since 9/11, and find it interesting comparing some of his rants in this book to his more highly evolved positions today.

The best rants in this book, though, are the apolitical rants, my favorite of which is titled "Fear of Flying." Dennis Miller hates flying, and his insights are extremely entertaining to me, a professional airline pilot. What is interesting here is that except for the actual fear of being airborne, I totally agree with him on the subject of modern airline travel. My favorite line from this particular rant sums up his position perfectly: "Once you've nestled into your seat, which was last cleaned by the Earth-bound third Wright Brother, Noodles, and you've arranged your miniscule stinky synthetic car wash shammy [sic] of a blanket and your Stay Free pillow pad that's the size and softness of a geltab multivitamin, and adjusted to the jet cold, tuberculosis-microbe-laden recirculated air that's blowing right down your spine, you've now achieved the comfort level of a North Korean POW with an ingrown toenail and no premium cable." What can I say? He's right. This is why on my days off you will see me as far away from the airport as is humanly possible.

I would give the book five stars, except the frequently needless adult language really restricts the audience of people with whom I can share this brilliant work. Dennis thanks for setting the world straight.

Rating:
Summary: Very Funny, Pure Dennis
Review: If you like Dennis Miller on HBO, you will of course enjoy this book. I rarely get a chance to see his show so this book was perfect for me.

When Miller was making headlines this summer with his addition to MNF I thought I'd get his latest rants. I was glad I did. The thing I like about this book is that you can pick it up at anytime and have yourself a good laugh. Each chapter is only 4-5 pages long. You don't have to remember what you read the last time you picked up the book because each chapter is a different rant.

The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it is all from the tv show. So there is no original material here. If I happened to have seen that episode the book isn't quite as funny.

Overall, if you are a Dennis Miller fan, it is definitely worth the price. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong!

Rating:
Summary: A Winner!
Review: If you like Dennis Miller, you'll really enjoy this book. The laughs abound.

Rating:
Summary: Many instances of LOL hilarity
Review: This is a great book (though I would strongly recommend the books-on-tape version because Miller narrates it). There are many more hits than misses in DM's latest collection of rants. Whether or not one likes Miller's type of humor, one can appreciate his ability to turn a phrase. I'm glad to hear that ABC has decided to hire DM to be a color commentator for Monday Night Football (thus beating out radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh who is one of the book's well-deserved targets). Highest recommendation