I like some of the things Moore has done and not others. His two TV shows, TV Nation and The Awful Truth, almost seemed to alternate brilliant material with things that made me cringe...and not in a good way. I think he's kind of like the Rush Limbaugh of the left in that around 50% of what he says/does is honest insight and 50% is dishonest theater. It gets attention, it prods others into action, sells tickets (or in Rush's case, gets ratings) and it maybe reinforces a lot of dubious beliefs...but ultimately, it just drives our national debate further into mud-wrestling. I guess what ruins it for me with both of them is that in each case -- and this applies to others, as well -- you have a real smart man who's good at entertaining, good at socking home his points...but he won't stop where the supportable facts leave off. It may not bother others but I don't want to get hooked by the good parts and then embarrassed by the excesses. I keep feeling let down by the guy, and I'd rather not risk more of that intermittment disappointment.

I think that sums up things amazingly well. I've been all over in my attention and admiration for Mssrs. Moore and Limbaugh. There was a time in my life when I watched Rush's show every day (even sat in the studio audience twice) and there was a time I watched Moore's show whenever I could find it. I liked "Roger and Me," and I have Rush's first two books in hardcover.

During both phases, I appreciated them when they were being funny and when they were making points. But today, they both just strike me as pathetic caricatures of what they used to stand for. I don't know if they have changed or if I have changed.

Moderation in all things. Except for eating animals.

(Footnote: Mr. Evanier has worked in animation, comics, television... essentially any industry I've ever been interested in. His weblog is consistently interesting and worth regular visits.)