Comedian intends break from politics

Dennis Miller is embarking on a journey of reinvention, starting with a U-turn from his new standup special.

“Fake News-Real Jokes,” available Tuesday on Amazon Prime, Google, iTunes and other streaming platforms and as an album, will be followed by a selfdescribed “mental exercise” to see what it’s like to ease away from political humor and try something on the lighter side.

The simple goal is “just be funny and not talk about the issues as much,” said Miller, who turned 65 on Saturday.

That might be easier said than done for a man who made his name as a smartaleck “Weekend Update” anchor on “Saturday Night Live” from 1985 to ’91 and later gained favor with conservatives sharing his post-Sept. 11 perspective in his act and in “The O’Reilly Factor” appearances. He now hosts a podcast and has a syndicated radio feature.

Miller, an Emmy winner who describes himself as “socially liberal, fiscally conservative,” mused in an interview that Hollywood might be eyeing a makeover of its own after the midterm elections. Remarks were edited for clarity and brevity.

Q: I’ve heard you try out jokes on Twitter.

A: I put a joke up once, that for (President Donald) Trump to receive a welcome in California right now he’d have to come in illegally, and it got 50,000 “likes.” Well, that’s not akin to laughter, obviously, once 50,000 people do that “like” thing you think I’ve got a good joke there.

Q: Are you frustrated when