Monday, October 12, 2009
Media Double Bill: Frist and Maher Have a Shockingly Civilized Debate
Posted by Jack Silverman on Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 6:00 AM
Former Tennessee Sen. (and literary powerhouse) Bill Frist appeared on Real Time With Bill Maher on Friday night, and the two Bills had an unexpectedly civilized debate. There was no mention of dead cats or Terry Schiavo, just polite volleys on the swine flu vaccine--Maher questions the wisdom of the vaccine, Frist says get it--and national health care reform.
But what was most surprising was the congenial and mutually respectful tone, with Maher offering high praise for Frist's efforts in Africa. "...You do a lot of great work," Maher said. "You know, we have disagreements, but I've got to say, Bono said you are an inspiration. So if a hippie like that likes you, you can't be all bad.... You not only operate on hearts, I know you have one...unlike Dick Cheney."
In light of the current acrimony between the right and the left, it was a veritable love fest--but as far as late-night TV goes, alas, it was also a bit of a snooze fest.
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