The Dennis Miller Show
A syndicated late-night talk show hosted by Dennis Miller.
Comedian Dennis Miller, known for his Saturday Night Live Weekend Update segments, hosted this syndicated late-night talk show. Tribune Entertainment launched it in January 1992, hoping to capitalize on Johnny Carson's upcoming retirement. Taped at KTLA Studios in Hollywood, the show failed to attract enough viewers and was canceled after seven months.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Late-night talk show/comedy
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
- Company
- Brillstein-Grey Productions (1992) (season 1)
- Brillstein-Grey Entertainment (1992) (season 1)
- Tribune Entertainment
- Starring
- Dennis Miller
- Announcer
- Nick Bakay
- Composer
- Andy Summers
- Music
- Bandleader
- Andy Summers (January–February)
- David Goldblatt (February–July)
- Country
- United States
Facts from the source article.
Background
Tribune Entertainment Company, a Chicago-based first-run syndicator known for daytime programs like Geraldo and The Joan Rivers Show, observed the success of Arsenio Hall's Paramount-syndicated late-night show, which had carved out a niche and competed against Johnny Carson's Tonight Show since January 1989. Hall's ability to attract younger viewers and a new late-night audience led Tribune to believe conditions were right for their own entry into the late-night arena. In 1990, Tribune pursued Garry Shandling for a syndicated late-night talk show through Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, but Shandling declined; Brillstein-Grey then recommended Dennis Miller. The drive intensified in May 1991 when Carson announced his retirement from The Tonight Show, effective one year later. With Jay Leno set to replace Carson and only The Arsenio Hall Show as competition, Tribune felt that if Leno could not retain Carson's audience, viewers might migrate to a new show. Miller, then finishing his sixth season on Saturday Night Live as Weekend Update anchor, was offered a Monday-through-Friday late-night show, co-produced by Tribune and Brillstein-Grey. The team felt more secure when Leno was chosen over David Letterman.
History
Following his departure from Saturday Night Live, Miller launched The Dennis Miller Show on January 20, 1992, syndicated by Tribune Entertainment. The show continued the tradition of alternative talk shows that began with Late Night with David Letterman in 1982, maintaining a classic format with a desk and three or four guests per night. Miller also carried forward the spirit of his SNL Weekend Update with a Friday newscast segment. Tribune supported the premiere with extensive advertising in trade publications, on-air promotions, and a billboard on Sunset Boulevard. Nick Bakay served as announcer, and Andy Summers, formerly of The Police, led the house band. The staff included notable past and future performers, writers, and producers such as Mark Brazill, Eddie Feldmann, David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, Norm Macdonald, Bob Odenkirk, John Riggi, Herb Sargent, Drake Sather, Dave Thomas, and Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick. Guests included Mountain, Toad the Wet Sprocket (making their national television debut), Henry Rollins, Primus (whose performance of 'Tommy the Cat' was interrupted by an audience member jumping onstage, whom Miller playfully tried to tackle), King's X (performing to empty seats due to the 1992 Los Angeles riots), and comedian Bill Hicks. Miller believed his show could coexist with The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Arsenio Hall Show, as he felt they attracted different audiences. Arsenio Hall told the Los Angeles Times that Miller was the only competitor who scared him, citing respect for Miller as one of the brightest comics on the scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of The Dennis Miller Show are there?
The Dennis Miller Show has 125 episodes across 1 season.
When did The Dennis Miller Show end?
The Dennis Miller Show last aired on 24 July 1992.
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