'Dennis Miller: The Big Speech' Premieres Tonight on HBO — Plus a Bill Maher Flashback

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Yesterday I wrote about Sam Kinison and how today’s rampant political correctness likely would’ve destroyed any opportunity he might have had at the same career today. Afterwards, while digging up the promo for Dennis Miller’s HBO special tonight, I came across the video below with Miller and Bill Maher from 2002 where they cover the exact same topic. In light of what’s happened since to Don Imus, Juan Williams, Bill O’Reilly on “The View,” and the pause heard ’round the world on Maher’s own “Real Time,” 2002 suddenly looks like the good ole’ free-wheeling days of stand up comedy, doesn’t it?

The context of their discussion surrounds Maher losing his “Politically Incorrect” gig on ABC after making this statement just a few days after the September 11th attacks:

“We have been the cowards. Lobbing cruise missiles from two thousand miles away. That’s cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building. Say what you want about it. Not cowardly.”

If you remember, Rush Limbugh was one of Maher’s most vocal defenders after the remark blew the controversy up into something that was likely the cause of ABC not renewing Maher’s contract. I’m not sure I would categorize that as censorship — ABC has the right to ask someone to leave for any reason they want — but his general point about arguing with him instead of telling him to shut up is exactly right. And anyone who’s read Big Hollywood for any period of time knows how much we love to argue with Bill Maher.

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Be sure to check out Miller’s special tonight. We weren’t able to find any clips, but we will have more in the coming days.