It's weird... I liked TV Nation (The Daily Show reminds me a lot of TV Nation), but I hated PI. I actually thought TV Nation was funny... but PI's message seemed to be "Gosh! Them conservatives sure is stupid, ain't they?"

Now, although I'm sure many of you agree with that statement, it got tired quickly. :)
I agree with this, too. Sometimes jokes come out naturally, but all these people are trying to force jokes, and it disrupts the flow of the conversation (hmm, kinda like threadcraps). ;)

I can honestly say that I have never watched this show. I intended to many times when there was a guest on that I wanted to see like Marilyn Manson, or Denis Leary. I do know alot of people who watch it regularly and are pissed to see it go.

Which is funny, because a lot of liberals I know tend to write Maher off as a conservative suck-up, if not a flat-out conservative.

I respect Maher because he's a political iconoclast much like myself, even though we don't always see eye to eye on any number of issues.

PI was an often fun and interesting show, but rarely insightful.

Typical panel:

1 Token conservative I've never heard of. More often than not a female, generally at least marginally attractive.

1 Male, likely a comedian or starring in a comedy series. Plugging a series or movie. Generally takes a liberal position.

1 Attractive female actress. Plugging something as well. Generally left as well.

1 Guy who doesn't say ten words during the course of the show. Possibly a musician. Only on the show because his publicist thought it would be good publicity.

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing the show expanded to an hour and put on HBO. No commercial breaks, and uncensored cussing.

With Harlan Ellison as the occasional guest host.

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edited to add that the token conservative is more often than not a marginally attractive FEMALE. I do not find Dennis Prager attractive in any way, shape, or form. ;)

wow, i agree with pretty much everything you said there. I always thought the show should be an hour especially when they get in to something good and the show has to abruptly end.

you can't do a whole lot in 21 minutes.

i enjoy the show. your depiction of a typical panel is deadly accurate. the only big celebrity they've had on was Ben Affleck last friday.

another reason i like it is that whatever product the stars are pushing is mentioned as they're introduced and that's basically it.

I agree 110%. Those commercial breaks are f'n annoying.

Josh - no matter how you slice it, you will very much get PI with Harlan Ellison. :) I really like him not only as a guest on there, but as a writer too. He's very intelligent.