TVSquad

When you think of HBO comedy specials, some big names come to mind. George Carlin sets the pace, with 14 specials, many of them classics. Robert Klein carved out the format in 1975 with the first one-hour special, and is now working on his ninth. Chris Rock has five, including last year's Kill the Messenger.

But do you think of Dennis Miller? If not, maybe you should. ON March 31, Standing Room Only Entertainment will release Dennis Miller: The HBO Specials, and there are seven of them on three discs, from 1988's Mr. Miller Goes to Washington to 2006's All In. Over the span of those seven hours, you can track the king of the obscure reference as his politics changed, from a few early swipes at Ronald Reagan to his lean a bit more right after 9/11.

Some of my favorite lines came from those early specials, when Miller was particularly hot. A quick sampling:

From Black and White (1990): "I'd like to start off with an impression. I'd like to, but I'm genetically incapable."

From Mr. Miller Goes to Washington (1988), on born again Christians: "I'm a little indignant when they tell me I'm going to hell if I haven't been born again. Pardon me for getting it right the first time."