List of Comedy Features of The Stephanie Miller Show - Running Gags

Running Gags

The show incorporates a variety of recurring comedic elements, including:

• Impressions: Mostly performed by Ward, these vary from slight exaggerations (Bill O'Reilly) to more abstract characterizations (Alberto Gonzales as a creepy Mr. Rogers and Dick Cheney as Darth Vader).
• Nicknames: These include "phone sex enthusiast" Bill O'Reilly, "human muppet" Newt Gingrich, "noted transsexual plagiarist" Ann Coulter (more recently referred to as "succubus incubus" or "junk-toting stick-figure" Ann Coulter), "human Shar Pei" Brit Hume, and "drug-addled gasbag" Rush Limbaugh. A frequent nickname style is (adjective) Mc(noun), something that began with former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan being dubbed "Puffy McMoonface"; other examples include "Beefy McBratwurst" for Dennis Hastert, "Presidential Spokesliar Crony McSnowjob" for now-former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, "Tubby McTreason" for now-former White House Advisor Karl Rove, "Drunky McPukeshoes" for now-former House Speaker Tom DeLay, "Tappy McWidestance" for Senator Larry Craig of Idaho, "Droopy McTrophywife" for Senator Fred Thompson,"Mitch McChinless" For Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and "Chimpy McCokespoon" for President George W. Bush. White House Press Secretary Dana Perino is often referred to as "The Lying Sack of Cute" or "Tiny Dancer of Deception." McConnell has recent gained another nickname, that of Yertle The Turtle, based on his slow-paced speech patterns. When referred to as such, Ward or Miller will ask if someone can, "feed some lettuce to Yertle."
• The Squeezies: One outgrowth of the McNicknames has become a group of three "legislators" known collectively as the "Squeezies." All three characters, Squeezy McFeelpants, his British counterpart Mashy McGrabAss and their Australian contemporary Fingers Billabong, are voiced by Ward and all follow a similar vein. The characters all make suggestive and borderline lewd comments regarding women in the news. All three characters are eventually hustled out shouting that they are trying to protect the best interests of the women they were referring to. The original character, "Squeezy McFeelpants," was based on then-Texas state legislator Al Edwards, who had introduced a bill that would outlaw overly-suggestive dance routines by high school cheerleader squads. Occasionally "Squeezies" from other countries make an appearance when something relevant goes on in other places: examples include Señor Tocapantalones from Mexico, and Gorabyuu ("grab you" said with a Japanese accent) from Japan.
• Vocabulary: Miller uses coined words and phrases such as "celebutard", for a celebrity behaving stupidly, and "Foxpert", for a person of dubious credentials presented as an expert on the Fox News Channel.
• Future husbands: Miller has a list of imaginary "future husbands", usually men who have boldly espoused liberal viewpoints. The original was newscaster Keith Olbermann, and Senator Russ Feingold is regularly alluded to. Many others have been mentioned from time to time, including "crusty old CNN coot" (see "Nicknames" entry above) Jack Cafferty.
• Self-deprecating humor: Miller frequently pokes fun at herself, including her childhood appearance, her career, and her juvenile sense of humor.
• "Official": Callers sometimes call or e-mail the show to ask if they can become an "official" on the show, such as the "official angry college student of the Stephanie Miller Show." Many of these titles are long and include references to their political beliefs. Miller would then grant the title followed by sound effects such as the waving of a magic wand ("ding!"), fanfares, and applause.
• The middle name "Louise." Used by Chris Lavoie whenever he is extremely frustrated with Stephanie. However, doing a recent sketch featuring Sean Connery making multiple sexual innuendoes while talking about golf, Chris called Jim "JIM LOUISE WARD!" Neither Stephanie, nor Jim, nor Chris's middle name is Louise.
• John McCain's age and ill temper. Miller frequently calls him "Grampy." Usually emphasized with several drops from "Futurama" and "The Simpsons," particularly those with Abraham Simpson. McCain also occasionally barks a stereotypical "Hey! You kids get off my lawn!"