Ep 5. Animal Rights
- February 23, 1996
Dennis Miller Live was a talk show that aired on HBO from 1994 to 2002. Season 3 episode 5 was titled "Animal Rights." In this episode, Dennis Miller tackled the controversial subject of animal rights with his guests.
Miller began the show by discussing recent animal rights protests and activism in the news. He then introduced his first guest, author and animal rights activist Steven Wise. Wise is the founder of the Nonhuman Rights Project, which seeks to extend legal personhood to certain animals. Miller and Wise discussed the ethical treatment of animals and whether or not they deserve rights similar to human beings.
Next, Miller brought out actress Tippi Hedren, known for her work with big cats on the set of the film "Roar." Hedren is also the founder of the Shambala Preserve, a sanctuary for big cats in California. She discussed her experiences working with these animals, her thoughts on animal rights, and the work being done at the Shambala Preserve. Hedren also brought a live tiger cub on stage, which caused quite a stir among the audience.
Miller's final guest was critic and author Camille Paglia. Paglia took a different approach to the animal rights debate, arguing that the current movement is too focused on domesticated animals rather than wildlife. She also pointed out that many animals have been hunted to extinction, yet there is often little outcry over their loss.
Throughout the episode, Miller shared his own thoughts on animal rights and the ethics surrounding the treatment of animals. He challenged his guests to defend their positions and engaged in lively discussions with each of them.
Overall, "Animal Rights" was an episode that tackled a controversial and important topic in a thought-provoking manner. Miller and his guests provided a range of viewpoints on the subject, allowing viewers to think critically about their own beliefs and values.