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His fans will probably think it’s adorable that before he heads out to a new place, Dennis Miller likes to research it and find out something unique.

An interesting fact the comedian dug up about Wilkes-Barre — which he will visit March 2 when he and broadcaster Mark Steyn bring their “Adorable Deplorable” tour to the Kirby Center — is that Home Box Office got its start here.

Did you know that? he asked a reporter who had called him for a telephone interview.

Sure, I told him. It’s not that I hear local folks reminiscing every day about the early HBO subscribers, but there is a sign in downtown Wilkes-Barre that explains they signed up in 1972.

“That’s pretty cool,” Miller said when I told him where he could find the marker. “Trust me, I am going to look for it.”

He should be able to find it easily, since it’s not too far from the Kirby Center, where he and Steyn will take the stage for an evening billed as “thought provoking and comedic satirical conversation.”

When we spoke, Miller wasn’t sure what topics the duo might address, but noted “I am dedicating a lot of my time to the quirks and idiosyncrasies of social media.”

He also has some family material, viewed through the lens of being a parent.

“And then I have some political jokes.”

While Miller is often described as a conservative or, at least conservative-leaning, comedian his own take is “I’m as socially liberal as an individual can be” while being conservative on “fiscal stuff and the war on terror.”

“There are enough targets on both sides of the aisle,” he said, adding that his hope for the show is “for conservatives and liberals to come away holding their lower right side and saying ‘That hurt.’ “

His take on political division in this country is that “I’m 65 and it’s as polarized as I’ve ever seen it.”

But he’s hopeful the polarization will ease as people ask themselves, “Why am I wasting some of the hours I could be happy, being cranky? All I can do is vote.”

The “Adorable Deplorable” name of the tour harkens back to the “basket of deplorables” term Hillary Clinton used for some of her political opponents in 2016.

Miller says he didn’t immediately seize on it as something he could use, but thought to himself, “I bet she doesn’t think it’s a big thing” and “It’s going to be a big thing.”

When he and Steyn were deciding what to call the tour, “the comic in me wrote out about 10 names” and that one emerged the winner.

Describing Steyn as “intimately more informed on the state of the world,” Miller added, “ I’m a comedian. He’s a genius.”

That sounds like a modest self-assessment for a one-time boy from Pittsburgh, who describes his hometown as “a good place to be raised.”

“They don’t let you get too full of yourself,” he recalled with a laugh. “In Pittsburgh my friends would say, ‘Shut up. Don’t be a moron.’ “

Among his accomplishments, Miller is a five-time Emmy Award winner for his HBO talk show “Dennis Miller Live” who can be heard hosting his radio podcast, “The Dennis Miller Option” and syndicated radio feature, “The Miller Minute.” His latest stand-up special, “Dennis Miller: Fake News – Real Jokes” is available on Amazon Prime.

Steyn is a recording artist and author of several bestselling books including “America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It” and “The Undocumented Mark Steyn.” His most recent CD, “Feline Groovy,” was a Top 20 album on the Billboard chart.

The “Adorable Deplorable” tour comes to the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, at 8 p.m. March 2. Tickets start at $56.50. A VIP package includes premium seating, an opportunity to meet Miller and Steyn after the show and to take a picture with them, and an autographed gift to take home. For more info, call 570-826-1100 or kirbycenter.org.

Dennis Miller and Mark Steyn will come to the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts on March 2.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_miller.steyn_.jpg.optimal.jpgDennis Miller and Mark Steyn will come to the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts on March 2. Submitted photo

Comedian Dennis Miller said the conversation could range from politics to family life to ‘the quirks and idiosyncracies of social media’ when the ‘Adorable Deplorable’ tour comes to the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts on March 2.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_DennisMiller.jpg.optimal.jpgComedian Dennis Miller said the conversation could range from politics to family life to ‘the quirks and idiosyncracies of social media’ when the ‘Adorable Deplorable’ tour comes to the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts on March 2. Submitted photo

By Mary Therese Biebel

[email protected]

IF YOU GO

What: Adorable Deplorable Tour

When: 8 p.m. March 2. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Where: F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre

Tickets: Begin at $56.50.

VIP option: Includes premium seating, a chance to meet and take pictures with Miller and Steyn, and a gift to take home.

Info: 570-826-1100 or kirbycenter.org

Reach Mary Therese Biebel at 570-991-6109 or on Twitter @BiebelMT