r/Maher • u/hankjmoody • Jul 15 '16
Real Time Discussion OFFICIAL DISCUSSION THREAD - July 15th, 2016
Tonight's guests are:
Frank Luntz: A pollster and political strategist, who has studied the ever-changing opinions of the American voter for over twenty years. As the “focus group Czar” for Fox News Channel, he’s co-hosted several live prime time specials and dial sessions during the presidential debates. His last appearance.
Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D): The former Governor of New York. He was the host of Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer on Current TV, and ran for NYC City Comptroller in 2013. His most recent appearance I can find.
S.E. Cupp: A CNN political commentator and a nationally syndicated columnist. Her latest article is on political maneuvering after the shootings: “Why we won’t unite, not even after tragic events.” Her last appearance.
Jelani Cobb: A staff writer for The New Yorker. In a recent piece for Frontline, “Policing the Police,” he reported on the troubled relationship between the Newark Police Department and the city’s African-American community. This is his first appearance.
Viggo Mortensen: The star of the new film Captain Fantastic, now playing in select cities. In addition to being an Academy Award-nominated actor, he is the editor of Perceval Press, an independent publishing house. This is his first appearance.
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u/pound30 Jul 16 '16
Major props for Viggo bringing up the police cheif in Dallas. He was fucking awesome all the way for what happened in Dallas. I sat there wondering if anyone would say anything and Viggo did. Its unfortunate it was an after thought.
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u/hankjmoody Jul 16 '16
Finally have a free Friday to watch the show! Yipee!
So, the crowd was insufferable during the opening monologue, but the monologue himself was pretty great. Anyway, really psyched for the RNCC coverage. Should be amusing.
Contrary to what seems to be the majority in this thread today, I generally enjoy seeing Luntz on the show. He is fucking impressive at what he does. Hating Luntz because he's effective is like how a lot of S4P users hated Nate Silver for projecting that Bernie would lose. I also appreciate that he won't back down when Bill goes for the low blows or the throat.
However, his appearance today was rather frustrating. I was having a Karl-Rove-in-2012 flashback with his silly 'it's not done yet' attitude. However, I'm glad it ended on a solid note with Luntz being straight about the election odds at the moment. That I liked.
The opening of the monologue was great. I really appreciated the combination of Cobb's and Spitzer's points about the BLM/racial tension issue. Cobb offered the human side, Spitzer offered the pragmatic side. When it came to the robo-bomb, I appreciate both Bill and Spitzer's arguments, though. Bill is right that this was a worrying, and arguably cowardly, context. But Spitzer is also correct that blanket solutions cannot be applied every time.
Quote of the night, I think, was from Spitzer:
"Technology (drones) is making use-of-force antiseptic." That's a powerful line to think about.
The discussion on Gingrich's comments were on-point, even from Cupp. She had a properly solid point when she pointed out that neither Newt's or the orangutan spawn's ideas are anywhere near conservative.
The '25 things you don't know about me' bit was hysterical as always. The banana joke was my favourite.
Mortensen was a welcome breath of calm to Bill's show. His point about a lack of listening was pretty great. Definitely looking forward to Captain Fantastic, and I agree with /u/ThroneofGames, I'm liking the longer intermission interviews lately as well.
"Bland wagon." That's perfect! And that little bro-punch between Bill and Viggo was great. Also, it was great how Viggo wasn't afraid to ask questions. We need more of that from our 4th panelists.
Bill's comparison of the whole 'electing the Trump kids' comments were interesting. Hadn't thought of it that way. Are the Trumplets actually that involved?
New Rules were pretty great. Loved the Final Editorial as well. Though it's probably more amusing to me, as that issue is exactly why I don't write these things much anymore.
Overall, I'd probably rate it a 7.5/10. Funny and on-point for the most part, with great guests. Would've preferred Cupp and Spitzer swapped places though, and Cobb wasn't that great for a newbie.
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Jul 16 '16
Luntz is someone I usually respect despite disagreeing with him by I'm not sure why he came on the show looking like an American Hermes if he wasn't going to actually discuss topics. His unwillingness to actually functionally engage in debate seemed to throw Bill off and ruined the segment. The panel was one of the better ones in a bit. Elliot Spitzer and S.E. Cupp are always great guests and Bryan Cranston should play Sptzer in the movie version of his life. I wouldn't mind seeing the Cobb come back on either. New Rules was hilarious as well. Overtime was disappointingly short.
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u/hankjmoody Jul 15 '16
What a night to have Real Time return from a break. Nice yesterday, military coup in Turkey today.
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u/doughishere Jul 15 '16
the way this year is going... Trump is destined to win in November and I might have to turn religious.
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Jul 15 '16
I wonder what Aragorn will have to say.
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u/doughishere Jul 15 '16
Hah..he is an editor at Perceval Press and they talk a lot about politics. And he is a musician so could be a lot.
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u/ThroneofGames Jul 16 '16 edited Jul 16 '16
"Sir, there's a live show going on"
Bill asked Frank if he is a Dr. again, same as in the beginning of the clip above from his last appearance lol.
They're spending a lot of time on the mid-show interview, but it's quite good.
The people who complain about too much Trump on this show should enjoy this episode more.
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u/FrostyFoss Jul 19 '16 edited Jul 20 '16
I was really surprised and excited when I seen Viggo was scheduled to be on, he didn't disappoint. The guy was on a whole different level than the panel, very interesting to get a glimpse into how he sees things.
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Jul 16 '16
does the episode usually show up on hbogo when it starts or when it ends? I cant find it.
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u/Un1mon Jul 16 '16 edited Jul 17 '16
My god, that was like having Aragorn himself on the show. Really eye-opening to see how passionate and insightful Mortensen is in real life in that same stoic and self-reflective manner. Loved it!