Enough with the Obamathon by Bill Maher

[vstephane]

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-maher12-2009jun12,0,7966784.story

The president is on TV more than the ShamWow guy, but I want to see a little more action.

President Obama should just join the cast of "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!" It's not that farfetched; he's been on everything else.

I'm still a fan, but there's a fine line between being transparent and being overexposed. Every time you turn on the TV, there's Obama. He's getting a puppy! He's eating a cheeseburger with Joe Biden! He's taking the wife to Broadway and Paris -- this is the best season of "The Bachelor" yet!

...

I mean, selling the personal part to stay popular, I'm all for it, but you got us already. We like you, we really like you! You're skinny and in a hurry and in love with a nice lady. But so's Lindsay Lohan. And like Lohan, we see your name in the paper a lot, but we're kind of wondering when you're actually going to do something.

I know that's harsh. But when I read about how you sat on the sidelines while bailed-out banks used the money we gave them to hire lobbyists who got Congress to stop homeowners from getting renegotiated loans, or how Congress is already giving up on healthcare reform, or how scientists say it's essential to reduce CO2 by 40% in 10 years, but your own bill calls for 4%, I say, enough with the character development, let's get on with the plot.

...

[emulatorloo]

1. I know it is wrong of me, but I think Maher is a pompous *sshole

I don;t get the fascination some have with him.

Of course he is entitled to his opinion.

Any way, personally I like that Obama appears accessible, especially with the Town Hall meetings. Those things are good.

I don't think he can control the coverage of the puppy.

[MadBadger]

3. I mean I like his show, but he is definitely a pompous ass hole.

[DesertFlower]

8. i feel the same.

i like his show but he is a pompous asshole.

[dorkulon]

12. Ditto.

He also isn't nearly informed enough. I'd think having a weekly political panel show would drive one to read more.

[MadBadger]

2. Bill Maher blaming Obama for the media's obsession with him.

lol

[FiveGoodMen]

4. Yup.

He may still be giving the pres too much benefit of the doubt but I'll sure endorse what Bill says there.

[Mythsaje]

5. Bill--you may be a pompous asshole...

But you have a point.

[WI_DEM]

6. He's the president and the media is covering him. That he is more public than dumb ass Bush

isn't his fault.

[lxlxlxl]

7. Going for the contrarian, cool, and cynical angle

contrarianism is going to be a big part of the culture goign forward. maher is still very much a part of the cool and detached 90's mentality and i dont see that going anywhere soemtime soon. its nader 00 without nader.

[spoony]

9. Being on TV =/= "being transparent"

and it doesn't have dick to do with what he is or isn't doing. Maher just isn't a bright person.

[ElboRuum]

10. Generally, I like Bill...

But he is a comedian, and comedians have to make do with the fodder they have. Nonetheless, while he may have half a point with the "let's get on with the plot" crack, if he's making the point that he's spending too much time in front of the cameras, may I point out that it's the media holding the cameras.

I don't think this has anything to do with 90's style cynicism and contrarianism as someone upthread said (and I'm not sure that such a thing ever existed, but that's beside the point), it may just be that Obama presents a challenge to him professionally, and he has to make comment about something no matter how insignificant. I mean, I can understand him being a little salty, after all, BushCo was the joke that wrote itself for eight years, now he's got to work at it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. More Obama, less Maher.

[emulatorloo]

13. LOL n/t

[bvar22]

14. Catch his show tonight on HBO.

"I'm glad that Obama is president, but the "Audacity of Hope" part is over.
Right now, I'm hoping for a little more audacity." ---- Bill Maher

[bridgit]

15. We don't watch Maher

:shrug:

[Sensible321]

16. I Quit Watching Maher Too

The show was getting weaker and weaker. Then he brought on Madeline Albright - you remember? The former Sec of State who said 500,000 dead Iraqi children was "worth it" - yeah that one. He thoroughly kissed her behind and I wanted to puke. That was it for me.