The Button-Down Blasphemy of Mike Huckabee

Jesse Walker | November 30, 2007

Forget Reagan. Mike Huckabee obviously wants to bring us back to the Bob Newhart administration:

Comments

|11.30.07 @ 11:13PM|#

Newhart wasn't particularly funny either when he did telephone routines - neither is Ellen De Generes when she tries to copy him. BTW, can anyone remember ever seeing Bob Newhart smile or laugh in any of his shows?

John Keating|11.30.07 @ 11:26PM|#

Phone call from God... Now if it had been collect, *that* would have been daring!

Anonymous Bastert|11.30.07 @ 11:56PM|#

Dude... Huckabee is so worthless.

|12.1.07 @ 12:49AM|#

Phone call from God... Now if it had been collect, *that* would have been daring!

Actually that would have been funny.

|12.1.07 @ 1:39AM|#

BTW, can anyone remember ever seeing Bob Newhart smile or laugh in any of his shows?

He did so frequently. And his phone call bits were often brilliant, in concept and execution.

|12.1.07 @ 8:34AM|#

And his phone call bits were often brilliant, in concept and execution.

And small minds are often easily amused. ;-)

Smugger|12.1.07 @ 10:09AM|#

The trivialized God of someone like Huckabee wouldn't call collect because He doesn't ask you for anything, he just pats you on the back and makes you feel good.

ace|12.1.07 @ 10:43AM|#

I often wonder which presidential candidate I'd most enjoy watching getting punched in the face. Right now Romney still has a strong lead, but this video definitely bumps the Huckster up a few notches.

BC|12.1.07 @ 10:58AM|#

"........which presidential candidate I'd most enjoy watching getting punched in the face."

Edwards.

Seitz|12.1.07 @ 11:15AM|#

Wonder if he gets existential phone calls like that from Wayne Dumond. You'd think the least he could do is send a fruit basket or something from beyond the grave.

|12.1.07 @ 11:40AM|#

Newhart wasn't particularly funny either when he did telephone routines...

"The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, appeared in early 1960; its success was unprecedented, becoming the first comedy record ever to top the Billboard album charts. Newhart became an overnight star, and quickly graduated from selling out nightclubs to selling out theaters. Later in the year, the follow-up, The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!, also proved phenomenally popular, and for over eight months the albums held down both the number one and number two spots on the charts." [My emphasis] This is from the Billboard web site.

It appears that quite a few people thought that he was a talented comedian. Warner Brothers screwed him out of royalties which was and is standard business practice in the recording industry.

If you can't tell, I'm a big fan.

Brian Sorgatz|12.1.07 @ 11:47AM|#

I confess that Huckabee made me laugh at first. But towards the end, it got annoyingly sentimental, like Robin Williams at his worst.

Dustin|12.1.07 @ 12:08PM|#

I have a hunch about this. When was this governors' convention?

|12.1.07 @ 12:16PM|#

Obviously god doesn't have either my phone number or my email address. When he does. I'll start paying attention to him.

|12.1.07 @ 12:42PM|#

The best candidate for a punch in the face is presidential would-be george bush.

|12.1.07 @ 12:43PM|#

That was the best-placed hyphen of my short and unillustrious career.

|12.1.07 @ 12:44PM|#

...Unlike "best-placed". :(

|12.1.07 @ 2:11PM|#

As cheesy as this speech is, Huckabee has far more great performances than duds... He is a very intelligent and talented man. Also, the crowd was laughing, so maybe it was fitting for the occasion.

Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L|12.1.07 @ 2:26PM|#

"........which presidential candidate I'd most enjoy watching getting punched in the face."

Giuliani.

This would also be my answer if the question was "........which presidential candidate I'd most enjoy watching getting kicked in the nuts."

Though watching someone get kicked in the nuts is always fun regardless of who gets it.

Freedom is about authority. Freedom is about the willingness of every single human being to cede to lawful authority a great deal of discretion about what you do.

-Rudolph W. Giuliani

|12.1.07 @ 2:38PM|#

And small minds are often easily amused. ;-)

Why, you, I oughtta...

Anyway, what J sub D said. Newhart is highly regarded not just by the public, but by many of the best comedians.

|12.1.07 @ 2:44PM|#

Some of the comments on the video over at the Reason.tv entry for this video are HI-larious.

|12.1.07 @ 2:51PM|#

Bob Newhart was eff'n brilliant. Though I was never that big on the Vermont Inn Newhart.

Mike Huckabee is pretty god damned scary.

Rhywun|12.1.07 @ 2:52PM|#

Grotesque. The "we've got God on our side" party does it again.

PS. Newhart is hilarious. The Bob Newhart Show was one of the best sit-coms of all time.

PPS. You might want to test the reason.tv site on Safari--it's all jerked up here.

|12.1.07 @ 3:03PM|#

You might want to test the reason.tv site on Safari

You might want to try buying a real computer instead of buying crap with Shiny White Plastic

|12.1.07 @ 3:14PM|#

Though I was never that big on the Vermont Inn Newhart.

But was there ever a better last scene for a sitcom?

|12.1.07 @ 3:21PM|#

Hi. I'm Mike. This is my vice-president Darryl. This is my other vice-president Darryl.

|12.1.07 @ 4:09PM|#

Taktix® must own shares in Symantec.

|12.1.07 @ 7:41PM|#

If you want company on a fishing trip, be sure to invite both Huckabee and his brother, Mike.
If you invited only one, he'd drink all your beer.
That's the story of Huckabee. He's funny, but he might be as funny as Newhart if you could catch him sure he was not being observed. (...except for God, of course. But God enjoys a dirty joke as much as the next guy.)

Okay, now imagine how strong the US dollar would be right now if Gilda Radner (one of the co-stars in the movie referenced) had been the first woman President. Would she have traded blood for oil? I think not.

|12.1.07 @ 7:41PM|#

J sub D, The Bob Newhart Show had the funniest line I've ever seen on television. Bob had been on some local Minneapolis daytime interview show where he'd been mauled by the bleach-blonde anchor. The person interviewed after him was a nun who ran an orphanage. He goes back to his office to hundreds of angry phone calls.

Carol (Secretary): 50 calls from people telling you they hate you. Oh, and one call from Sister Mary Katherine of the Sacred Heart Orphanage.

Bob: Sister Mary Katherine? What's that one?

Carol: She wants to know if you'll go 50 - 50 on a hit man.


That doesn't make it funny, but trust me, it's hysterical. Sorry I couldn't find a YouTube link.

BakedPenguin|12.1.07 @ 7:54PM|#

One other thing about Bob Newhart, he came out at a time when almost every comedian was a Bobby Bitman type. His style was radically different than anyone else out there.

Most of his routines / jokes aren't going to translate well to being written, because they depended so much on timing, but one I loved (from the original sitcom) was when he went on a local interview show for what he assumed would be a puff piece, but turned out to be an ambush. Bob tried to justify the normalcy of psychiatry by stating that people from all walks of life were going to psychiatrists, including politicians.

Interviewer - So you're telling us there's a deranged man out there in a position of power!
Bob - He's not deranged (pause) (blinks) any- anymore.

TLB|12.1.07 @ 7:56PM|#

WGAFF? Did I land on Wonkette or ThinkProgress by mistake?

How about doing some real reporting and looking into whether he lied during the debate.

|12.1.07 @ 8:13PM|#

BP, you and I posted about the same episode. I totally remember that bit about "not deranged (pause, pause) anymore."

BakedPenguin|12.1.07 @ 9:12PM|#

Karen - oops. I should have read your post a little more thoroughly, I didn't make the connection. I looked up the episode ("Who is Mr. X?") though. It's from the fourth season.

I saw a PBS special about Bob Newhart not too long ago, and they made some interesting points about the show. Both the fact that they were a childless couple, and that he worked as a psychiatrist were pretty out there for network TV in the early 1970's. I suspect that there was a similar dynamic to the idea that "only Nixon could go to China" - that only someone as (apparently) staid as Bob Newhart could make those ideas palatable to TV suits.

|12.1.07 @ 9:22PM|#

I think Bob Newhart is funny. I understand my father-in-law hates him, but I have enjoyed his performances: acting , sitcoms, standup etc, long before I had a father-in-law

|12.1.07 @ 9:24PM|#

Maybe Ron Paul could get a call from the great beyond, from Ayn Rand, saying there is life after death after all, but it's a libertarian state on the other side, and it's great.

Rhywun|12.1.07 @ 9:41PM|#

You might want to try buying a real computer instead of buying crap with Shiny White Plastic

You might want to stop being a troll. It was working out for you there for awhile.

|12.1.07 @ 11:19PM|#

Looks like someone's got a soft spot for the Mac!

I personally have never forgiven Apple for the time they "regretfully informed me" that the keys breaking off my 6-month-old iBook were not covered by my Apple Protection Package because key caps were a "wear-and-tear" part. I was all set to fight them until I read the fine print of the APP where they specifically said that key caps weren't covered. So, what they did was legal, but it was terrible business, as they lost a previously loyal customer.

Of course, Vista is turning out to be almost bad enough to drive me back to the Mac. Almost.

|12.1.07 @ 11:36PM|#

Now that a couple of people have mentioned computers, I have a question for the hivemind. I'm looking to buy a laptop. Any suggestions? I understand Vista is pretty miserable, but Macs are expensive and everything I have now is on a PC. So, any suggestions?

|12.2.07 @ 12:06AM|#

Just a reminder to certain folks on this thread: making threats of violence (e.g., 'punch in the face') about presidential candidates, never mind sitting presidents, has in the past resulted in visits from the Secret Service.

BakedPenguin|12.2.07 @ 12:11AM|#

I don't know if this would work for everyone, but for my next computer I'm getting a Linux machine.

With the research I've done, they appear to be getting nearly as user friendly as Windows (Gnome is the most common Linux GUI), with added bonus of not having to pay for Windows. If you don't feel comfortable with learning Linux, you'll probably pay a nearly equal amount to get tech support from one of the premium Linux resellers (e.g., Red Hat), however.

Most of the Linux boxes come with Sun's Open Office, (and if they don't, you can download it) which is a free office suite comparable to MS Office. You can "save as" (and I believe, "open as") MS files, so you don't have to worry about not being able to use old documents, or not being able to work on other people's documents.

Not having to pay for another "upgrade" to Office (Office 2007 looks like a scam to me - bells & whistles) or deal with crap like Vista is just a bonus.

UpTooLate|12.2.07 @ 1:21AM|#

Karen/Baked

Just butting in but I've installed Ubuntu Linux with no major problems on an old HP Pavillion laptop recently. The only part that is not working is the built-in wireless (something to do with the specific hardware). It uses gnome as the default window manager, it behaves a little different from MSwin but you get used to it. In general Linux is still hands-on to install, especially with some hardware but it's come a long way. With some up-front research into whatever you might decide to try and available hardware, install and use should go pretty smooth.

Mad Max|12.2.07 @ 1:57AM|#

SWDWLJ,

Your ball-injury video looks familiar:

http://tinyurl.com/27uulr

Of course, those clips were part of a movie about a world full of people so stupid that they found ball-injury videos amusing.

No offense. :)

BakedPenguin|12.2.07 @ 10:38AM|#

Thanks, UpTooLate. I still need to check if a couple apps I use frequently are available in Linux versions.

I was thinking about getting it pre-loaded on my next box, which would avoid the installation hassles.

|12.2.07 @ 10:42AM|#

Huckabee is on ThisWeek right now, and he's seriously pathetic. He re-iterated his argument that the Arkansas scholarships for illegal immigrants were a good thing...then Snuffalupagus asked him the obvious follow-up, as to whether he thought Federal Pell Grants and Subsidized Loans for illegal immigrants would be a good thing. Needless to say, his response was just full of hemming, hawing, and long pauses, and he didn't give any sort of coherent answer.

Seriously, how could he NOT have been prepared for that question!

|12.2.07 @ 11:37AM|#

crimethink,
I watched Huckabee, and I thought he did fantastic.
Then, later I heard the pundits say a vote for Huckabee would be a vote for Guilani. Whoa! I didn't like that thought.

My bottom line: Huck is the least evil of Guilani and Romney.

|12.2.07 @ 11:50AM|#

One of the pundits on Russert's show--I think she writes for the Nation--said Guiliani is a cross of Nixon and Cheney.
This woman was pulling no punches.
...Ruthess

|12.2.07 @ 12:24PM|#

That was on This Week with Snuffalupagus also.

And, that woman is easily one of the most rude and irritating people I've ever seen on TV. Even more so than Mr Bean! She constantly interrupts everyone else on that show, talks over Snuffalupagus when he tries to move to a different subject, and is baldly partisan.

|12.2.07 @ 12:28PM|#

My bottom line: Huck is the least evil of Guilani and Romney.

If there's anything to be learned from the Dubya presidency, it's that stubborn stupidity can actually be worse than evil. I'd rather see Evil Aunt Hillary in the White House than that moron.

First Little Pig|12.2.07 @ 12:29PM|#

The computer/vista/mac question: I bought a new laptop recently and downgraded it to XP (with service pack 2) and am happy with it. When the next (or following) version of vista comes out I will consider loading that version.... But not until then.

|12.2.07 @ 12:32PM|#

crimethink,
Maybe she's trying to get invited to be on the McLaughlin Group!

Seriously, I wish there were more like her.
She has a permanent invitation to be on my "show."

... Ruthless

P.S. What did you think of Jim Webb on Russert's?
I wish he were running for Prez!

|12.2.07 @ 12:51PM|#

I like Jim Webb too. Given his differences with the Dem base on numerous domestic issues, I don't think the Dems would treat him any better than the GOP treats Ron Paul.

Also, the fact that he apparently likes to write about boys giving fellatio gives me the creeps.

|12.2.07 @ 1:15PM|#

Just a reminder to certain folks on this thread: making threats of violence (e.g., 'punch in the face') about presidential candidates, never mind sitting presidents, has in the past resulted in visits from the Secret Service.

Call me an incurable optimist, but I'd wager the Secret Service lacks, by magnitudes, the manpower to police idle internet threats.

paul|12.2.07 @ 1:17PM|#

Yeah, it's retarded, but...

BTW AR=Arkansas, AK=Alaska.

Chist on a Cracker|12.2.07 @ 2:16PM|#

Bob Newhart was one of the best shows, ever. But, like most good shows, it did jump the shark when the ditzy neighbor (the annoying airline pilot) started being the center of every show.

Errr, which blog is this, again?

miche|12.2.07 @ 2:19PM|#

You might want to try buying a real computer instead of buying crap with Shiny White Plastic

That's especially funny to me right now because my husband offered to buy me a new laptop yesterday. The sweetness of his offer turned bitter when he put forth a Mac only condition. I told him that I would keep my current laptop even though he would hear me curse everytime a key stuck. (You can only spill so many glasses of wine into your keyboard before it fights back.)

Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L|12.2.07 @ 2:20PM|#

Max,

None taken. I realize that watching people get hit in the nuts isn't the most brilliant form of entertainment ever, but neither is farting. They're still both hilarious!

Oh yeah, and Idocracy was great, though the Channel 101 video may actually predate it as far as parodies of getting-hit-in-the-nuts-TV-shows goes.

Bingo|12.2.07 @ 3:07PM|#

My Macbook was the best $1500 I ever spent.

|12.2.07 @ 8:02PM|#

@Rhywun

PPS. You might want to test the reason.tv site on Safari--it's all jerked up here.

Safari is fast and elegant, but unfortunately, not quite industrial strength, and probably won't be for at least another release. I recommend keeping Firefox handy for just such occasions.

@miche

That's especially funny to me right now because my husband offered to buy me a new laptop yesterday. The sweetness of his offer turned bitter when he put forth a Mac only condition. I told him that I would keep my current laptop even though he would hear me curse everytime a key stuck.

Take him up on the offer. On the newer Macs, you can install Windows as well as OS X. You can even install and run them both at once.

|12.2.07 @ 8:03PM|#

Two problems when Walter Mondale was running were:

(1) He reminded me of Bob Newhart.
(2) Newhart had more charisma.

|12.2.07 @ 9:02PM|#

Is this proof that Giuliani worships his wife? And does the NYPD pay the charges when she calls him, or does it get charged to some other agency?

It's important that I get that out there, because the Washington Post needs to print a story about how Rudy is surrounded by rumors that he worships a feminine deity who calls him during campaign stops. What does she ask him to do? I hope the Post can clear this up with a story that never actually says anything, but at least manages to smear Rudy with all sorts of groundless accusations.

|12.3.07 @ 8:45AM|#

Rhywun | December 1, 2007, 9:41pm | #
You might want to try buying a real computer instead of buying crap with Shiny White Plastic

You might want to stop being a troll. It was working out for you there for awhile.

Wow, I feel like I just got kicked out of my Everquest clan or something. It was just a joke, really!

Eric Dondero|12.3.07 @ 9:19AM|#

I wonder if we'll see the same sort of vitriol spewed by partisan Libertarians towards Huckabee as we've seen towards Rudy Giuliani?

I wonder if we'll start to see Ron Paul-bots showing up at Huckabee functions to yell and scream and disrupt his events, like we've seen Paul-bots do at Rudy functions?

Probably not.

Good reason why.

You see, Rudy Giuliani is a direct threat to the Ron Paulists and the partisan LPers. He leans libertarian, so he's direct competition.

Whereas Huckabee comes from the opposite end of the GOP spectrum. He's no threat to the LPer/Paulists. In fact, they cheer him on, cause the more the GOP moves away from the libertarian wing, the more they stand to gain.

|12.3.07 @ 10:32AM|#

You can "save as" (and I believe, "open as") MS files, so you don't have to worry about not being able to use old documents, or not being able to work on other people's documents.

Just a caveat: I have had endless trouble in the past with formatting getting hosed in these "save/open as" deals. Not sure if they can emulate windows to let me actuallyu run Word, but that is what I would need migrate over.

|12.3.07 @ 10:33AM|#

Call me an incurable optimist, but I'd wager the Secret Service lacks, by magnitudes, the manpower to police idle internet threats.

Yeah, you'd think the Dallas police force would also lack the manpower to raid VFW poker games.

|12.3.07 @ 10:44AM|#

Vista's troubles are overstated. The Mac's benefits are overstated. I am responsible for a mixed environment of Macs and PCs at work...the loudest zealots for each system are the folks who know the least about anything...who are unable to look objectively at the other side's benefits/utility...just like those who shill for political parties...

|12.3.07 @ 12:04PM|#

"You see, Rudy Giuliani is a direct threat to the Ron Paulists and the partisan LPers. He leans libertarian, so he's direct competition."

Not a good analysis. The reason Ron Paulists don't like Guiliani is because he's a war monger. By the way, Eric, what is your explanation as to why more sevicemen and women are contributing to Paul than any other candidate in either major party?

The Libertarian Guy|12.3.07 @ 5:30PM|#

What the hell is "libertarian" about Giuliani? I admit, I've watched maybe ten minutes of ALL of the debates, combined, but from what I can tell Rudy is just another semi-Democrat authoritarian who's pretending to lean just a smidgen to the right in order to curry favor with Republicans.