Washington Whispers
Dennis Miller Fights 'Buzz Kill' Talk Radio
He's done comedy, TV, Monday Night Football, movies, and books, but Dennis Miller is fast finding that the best place to rant is talk radio. "It's my form of improv," he tells us. And the radio public seems to agree. After just five months on the air, Miller's Westwood One show has spread to 119 markets with his mix of Tinseltown tips, sports, and Cuisinart blend of politics that verges on libertarianism. For example, he's against abortion but doesn't preach. "Who am I to tell strangers about conceiving life?"
Miller says he jumped when the show was offered but then had to figure out a game plan. His catchy format: Stream of consciousness on news headlines from the Drudge Report, his fave site, and other outlets, listener calls, and guests chats. "I do believe you can't make it a complete success after four months," he says, "but you can f--- it up irrevocably after four months." He's studied talk radio and thinks liberal hosts are a "buzz kill." Miller explains: "It begins to catch up to them that they are so unhappy with their country." He's big on politics, down on global warming, up on the war, and backs GOP presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani. "I think he's the least neurotic guy we have about pre-emptively killing the enemy."
So is radio it for the 53-year-old? "I hope this is the last job I have. I'd like to take it into the barn. I dig it."
Sorry Vlad, Topless Fishing Isn't Hip
It may be the rage in Siberia, but pictures of Russian President Vladimir Putin's fishing topless drew ughs in Washington. A Bush adviser says, "I'd rather have a flawed view of his soul than a clear view of his pecs!" "Man boobs," sneered another. GOP presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee tells us candidly: "While I am impressed with the fact he can get out and go fishing, the shirtless photo doesn't do anything for me. Now, if it was a picture of Scarlett Johansson, that would be another story."
Wedding Prep: Getting in Shape
All eyes are on Jenna Bush as she readies for her wedding, still unscheduled. Insiders are expecting her to step up workouts at the la-la Sports Club/LA adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel near the White House where she sometimes trains. It's also the club used by Washington's major stars, including cabinet secretaries like Treasury's Henry Paulson, major lobbyists, lawyers, and TV reporters. But some pals think she may go a more private route and hire the trainer who works with her mother, Laura, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Maybe Trading Up Soon at Justice
The buzz among top Bushies is that beleaguered Attorney General Alberto Gonzales finally plans to depart and will be replaced by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Why Chertoff? Officials say he's got fans on Capitol Hill, is untouched by the Justice prosecutor scandal, and has more experience than Gonzales did, having served as a federal judge and assistant attorney general.
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