Peter Murphy flips off Dennis Miller for comparing him to Ed Grimley 4-22-92

Peter Murphy performs two songs on Dennis Miller's late night talk show, broadcast 4-22-92. Between songs, Miller makes a joke about Murphy comparing him to a cross between Iggy Pop and SNL/cartoon character Ed Grimley ("Sorta like Iggy Pop as a parish priest doing Ed Grimley"). This seems to displease Murphy, who angrily flips Miller off at the end of the second song while leaving stage, causing Miller to act confused (he can be heard asking "Guess it was the Iggy Pop thing?") - Miller shrugs it off by telling the audience that the same thing basically happened when John Lydon/Johnny Rotten appeared on the show. "I have trouble with these guys, I try to be nice and they all end up giving me the finger," he says with a shrug. The BetaGems channel also has "Bauhaus 8-20-98 Golden Hall San Diego UNRELEASED," "Peter Murphy 4-28-92 interview news report," and "Peter Murphy & Daniel Ash TV interview 5-12-88."
BetaGems are culled from an archive of over 1000 beta video tapes recorded from 1983 into the 1990s. Most feature live music performances broadcast on television in San Diego CA, though there are also rarely seen commercials, comedy clips, old TV news segments, made-for-TV movies and documentaries, religious programming, variety shows, talk show interviews, and other material that doesn't seem to be anywhere else on KZbin or online. Most of the tapes were recorded on a Sony SL-HFT7 Super Beta Theater Hi-Fi Stereo - the same model was refurbished and is being used for these digital transfers and uploads.
In rare occasions where a BetaGems clip does appear elsewhere, we're only uploading if our own beta master is better quality or contains material not seen previously. Much footage comes from public television and public access broadcasts that the taper, who worked for a local cable TV production company in the 1980s, monitored nightly for several years. Some of the programming is strictly regional, mostly from the San Diego area.

[@72grantorino]

God what a voice

[@rabit818]

If cheek bones could kill.

[@nothingnobody910]

Peter Murphy is one of those rare and special Musical Artists that if your a music person you are on the edge of your seat with understanding of his every utterance and move.

[@danielscissorhands]

"you're"

[@EB1878]

@nothingnobody, Absolutely 💯 agree! 🥰🦇

[@pedrojosegutierrezvelez5137]

Bela lugosiiiiiii Alive and kicking💪

[@stevefrench6576]

Awesome light hearted “reply” from Murphy . Nice to see a rockstar who can take a little humor at their own expense.

[@Acoustic-Rabbit-Hole]

In my opinion, Dennis Miller should be ashamed of himself, and I have a strong feeling that he felt some GREAT shame that day in front of the crowd.

[@tunguskalumberjack9987]

I have seen Peter Murphy in concert a few times, with the last time being in NYC during his tour for the album “Dust”. It was pre-2005, so it’s been a while, but he was still amazing, and had the crowd in the palm of his hand. Legendary!

[@teresa27909]

How dare you Dennis Miller make a joke out of the great Peter Murphy!

[@Minniepup]

I remember watching this when it was on. So funny. Dennis Miller deserved it

[@Oh_I_Will]

Christine Hoy Miller longed for such attention...PM shouldn’t have wasted a pristine finger gesture on such a puppet

[@teresa27909]

@@Oh_I_Will agree totally! The only attention he got was making fun of others but it backfired on him here!

[@snowwhite7597]

Agree, Dennis Miller's joke was funny and the comparison is a fitting joke. Dennis Miller is and has always been, a comedian. Peter Murphy was ignorant to the fact this show is hosted by a comedian. PM should had been prepared and more professional. This made PM look bad. I don't know if PM has a sore spot when it comes to Iggy Pop, but those comparisons have been around a LONG time. Time to be professional Peter. PM should had refused to be on a comedian's show if he's unwilling to have a sense of humor! Pathetic, some entertainers are so full of themselves they have no sense of humor and embrace the Political Correctness BS. PC = Communism, anti-freedom, anti-be yourself, conformity BS! Heck, I thought Peter Murphy was a punk Rocker, not a conformist. Can't have it both ways. I guess people like that shouldn't go on a comedian's TV show it they refuse to have a sense of humor.

[@sugarwalls2022]

Its a show from 1992... who but yourself gives a flying fuck?

[@RossSmith-wd5mj]

@@sugarwalls2022 Smells like teen spirit

[@ivorytower99]

*We all hang off-of Pete Murphy's cheekbones!*

[@joew.4358]

I'm more impressed at how cool this version of Cuts You Up sounds compared to the studio version (and it's during some random talk show). It's like he's just talking to one person and telling him the story.

[@poppy6622]

This song is the called the sweetest drop not cuts you up, fyi

[@tunguskalumberjack9987]

@@poppy6622 Cuts You Up follows The Sweetest Drop in this video- I didn’t watch the whole thing at first, so I’m guessing you commented without watching the whole thing too- no big deal, just thought I’d mention since I made the same mistake initially 👍🏻 Edit: I forgot to leave my actual comment! I was wondering what this original commenter is talking about- this is almost identical to the studio/album version. I didn’t hear the big difference, and I went back and relistened a few times.

[@ohmystaz]

@@tunguskalumberjack9987 I'm curious, too, because they played it doubletime, like the showrunner was like "you have 2.5 minutes"

[@jenwendy7]

Drop the sweetest drop... ...such a sexy song. ❤ Peter Murphy and his amazing voice! I never knew he was on Dennis Miller. I never watched Dennis Miller, but God, that voice.

[@beccaxbee]

i LOVE his coat

[@ivorytower99]

I am hoping for a similar coat for Christmas.~

[@beccaxbee]

@@ivorytower99 hope you get one!!

[@ivorytower99]

@@beccaxbee I did.~ :)

[@christinebrown7545]

​@@ivorytower99where did you get that coat from I don't even know what kind of coat it's called and I'm trying to get one please answer me because of course I love it as well

[@christinebrown7545]

@beccaxbee love to know where you got that coat I want one too

[@mershark]

Peter Murphy - still relevant today with his music. Dennis Miller - not relevant.

[@teresaunderwood2632]

I love your comment!!!

[@GatchamanG4]

Peter Murphy is a god....Dennis Miller pompous fool.

[@DiabloOutdoors]

Dennis who?

[@khester7397]

I like them both

[@roco129]

Got that fukkin RIGHT!! DENNIS MILLER HAS NO CLUE. Each of us learn too late of a talented NO comparison to any other...

[@togue777]

This sounds awesome. Great to see Eddie Branch plying his crafty bass.

[@mola55e5]

To be fair, he did look a little Grimley-esque when he was dancing… still cool. I LOVE Peter. But the twisty hopping part was decidedly Grimleylike.

[@shotbro4998]

Peter sure handed it to him 😂 Dennis Miller was meant to promote him, not make fun of him

[@teresa27909]

Dennis Miller was a joke

[@kennethrussell1158]

@@teresa27909 Still is

[@treetopjones737]

@@kennethrussell1158 Yep. Another has-been adopted by rightwingers.

[@gvibes69]

@@treetopjones737Why nowdays people have to atach the politics off a person to hate on them !!! So sad !!! The radical left are the real censorship ,hipocrite clowns !

[@johnIZaUWL]

@@treetopjones737actually I feel he WILLINGLY went over to the “Dark Side of the Force” after 9/11 honestly. He was a very fierce moderate before then I remember that well! Sucks him doing what he did dammit I had SO much respect for him before ALL that 🤬

[@gomphotherium22leahy]

First, thank you for posting! With respect, I feel compelled to take minor issue with the description. Murphy thumbs his nose in Miller's general direction, yes; but, though an indicator of displeasedness and perhaps contempt, the snook-cocking so masterfully delivered by P.M. is not synonymous with "giving the finger". Not as severe. Plus, not entirely convinced that Peter is that angry....seems to be subtly smirking. Mildly peeved, perhaps? Oh, the food for thought this all provides. The catalyst for spirited, respectful debate. I salute all and sundry (and not with a nose-thumb...).

[@betagemslostmedia607]

Miller is actually the one quoted about "giving me the finger" - we described it as "flips off" because that's what the hand gesture seen in the clip was generally called where we grew up, flipping someone off. The actual level of Murphy's displeasure is hard to gauge for certain, he seems very annoyed to us (tho his bandmates seem almost inappropriately amused by the exchange) - perhaps someone out there will turn up an interview with Murphy where he references this (very solid) performance --

[@gomphotherium22leahy]

@@betagemslostmedia607 Sure, I did indeed suspect that, since Dennis himself uses the phrase only several seconds after "the incident", that was what you were referencing. Not trying to be all blame-y (hair-splitty, OK.)....and I could not be more in agreement with calling me on the feelings-gauging/mind-reading in which I lazily indulged. Thanks again for posting, and I appreciate your polite, reasoned response. Cheers.

[@betagemslostmedia607]

Oh what we wouldn't give to have been a fly on the backstage wall between songs, while someone was explaining to the British singer exactly who and what "Ed Grimley" was! It seems unlikely he "got" the reference until he delved a bit backstage -- it's possible Murphy had no clear idea what Miller was actually implying (which was really more adjective than insult) --

[@gomphotherium22leahy]

@@betagemslostmedia607 Yes, pretty hilarious scenario....well, um, Peter, "Ed Grimley", well, erm.....means....it's like.....

[@ivorytower99]

Right? His U|S Television debut, and he's going to flip the bird at the host...? Pete's not stupid|!

[@SuccessoAsocia2]

Una de las voces más representativas del Dark/Gótic, por mucho. Tuve la fortuna de verlo en vivo.

[@ivorytower99]

I was in NYC, getting ready to go out to Limelight when this broadcast on the television. A Great moment~

[@gomphotherium22leahy]

Definitely. Mr. Murphy executes, to me, a well nigh perfect nose-thumb, with a combination of finesse and unswervingness that is no easy trick. But he manages it with style and aplomb...I'd expect nothing less.

[@GGiblet]

@@gomphotherium22leahy I agree! And thumbing your nose at someone is better than the rude middle finger any day. Peter gesticulates with great elegance✨

[@lucifersam1972]

@@gomphotherium22leahy and @GGiblet What do your 'replies' have to do with my comment? Nothing at all. Just attention cravers.

[@lucifersam1972]

I am ivorytower99; just a new account, here.

[@jbw9999]

Weird kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3XRiHebqputorM&lc=Ugy9a799r7TndbyOblJ4AaABAg

[@chrisfrease1742]

Good for Miller showcasing Murphy. He is one of my favorite vocalists and musicians. I fell in love with bauhaus as a teenager and have always followed his career. It's cool that Trent Reznor recorded strange kind of love with him and helped revive Peter Murphy's career, and you Peter could always take a joke.

[@jadedjaded4533]

Great, I have this but something incomplete, thanks for upload it, love Peter Murphy

[@daveman439]

Dennis Miller, as observant as he is, cannot grasp the Quayzar "light" of Peter Murphy.

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

That was actually a hilarious comment.

[@Minniepup]

Love both theses songs

[@jg769]

Dennis Miller had some great musical guests on his show. He brought on the cool acts that mainstream talk shows avoided.

[@oblomurg]

At least Peter got one in, which is not always the case with these autocratic late-night tv shows. A great document of ego strife.

[@madarab37]

I remember this differently. Dennis made some joke about Muslims during the show, i heard. Peter converted from Roman Catholic to Muslim and married a Turkish woman. Probably struck a nerve.

[@jmo13322]

Peter Murphys such a cool guy, Man😊

[@Acoustic-Rabbit-Hole]

Ive seen the comments pros and cons. Bottom-line: even if you are a comedian, you don't causally bring up your guests "looks" onstage and then proceed comparatively compare them and their music to other non-conformist bands. As a "joke." // Peter Murphy had no obligation to join him after his set. David Letteman would have never done that to ANY of his guest. Dennis Miller was shamed!

[@betagemslostmedia607]

I sure wish I could have been able to witness someone backstage between songs trying to explain to Murphy just who or what an "Ed Grimley" was ----

[@Acoustic-Rabbit-Hole]

OMG. I just looked him up. Dennis Millers joke was even more cruel than I thought: ED GRIMELY: A Saturday Night Live character created by Martin Shore. Ed Grimley is an excessively cowlicked, voluble, hyperactive manchild who is obsessed with banal popular culture, particularly Wheel of Fortune and its host, Pat Sajak.@@betagemslostmedia607

[@Acoustic-Rabbit-Hole]

@AzureRabbits Exactly. Thank you! // The Acoustic Rabbit invites the Azure Rabbit to the Rabbit Hole! I'm a filmmaker and actor. (I think you would just be able to click directly on top of the rainbow rabbit icon). // Be well!

[@budgietrousers8275]

'Flips him off violently'...what a load of shit, it was obviously very light hearted.

[@christinebrown7545]

He didn't flip him off technically he didn't flip him the bird he thumbed his nose at him. I think everybody who loves Peter Murphy would have done the same. Dennis Miller is a twatwaffle.

[@bwallace5945]

One ? who the F is Ed Grimley? In 2022 there was a Celebrating David Bowie Tour with 74 year old Todd Rundgren on lead vocals who actually did a pretty good job, he is not doing it this year in 2023 and is being replaced by Peter Murphy who I think will also be pretty good.

[@st0ssneggab604]

People remember Peter Murphy but no one talks about Dennis Miller anymore. Kind of like the smart ass in high school you don’t friend on Facebook

[@LaserRanger15]

I forgot (thankfully) that Miller had a talk show.

[@MateoL-q6i]

his clips with norm macdonald are great

[@MateoL-q6i]

especially the radio ones

[@mascadadelpantion8018]

Yeah right teenagers watching the show............. Dude speaking as someone who is alive around that time.There weren't no damn teenagers watching the show

[@wardka]

But WHERE is Miller getting Ed Grimley? Peter Murphy's stage presence is goose bump inducing, not the least nerdy or awkward. I don't get the "joke" at all.

[@bahhumbug9824]

Because Dennis Miller is a unfunny "comedian" who thinks being a sarcastic smartass adolescent is funny. Guy even managed to ruin Monday Night Football.

[@jg769]

He starts the Ed Grimley dance around the 4:00 mark.

[@christinebrown7545]

Who is Ed Grimley?

[@davemorton2804]

Too true, and golden. Peace out DM

[@paulkazjack]

You could see he had the arse, couldn't wait too leave the stage.

[@pedrojosegutierrezvelez5137]

Godsinger❤

[@carmenilardi276]

I was in NYC getting ready to go to Limelight on Friday night as well...but I put on Al Goldstein's Midnight Blue instead.

[@Oh_I_Will]

Carmen Ilardi not that there’s anything wrong with that

[@lahaza6515]

But one of those could happen pretty much any NYC night. Wow, Al Goldstein. Thank you for the blast from the past:))

[@jbw9999]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3XRiHebqputorM&lc=UgxHpk0VLE5xfovt4QN4AaABAg

[@Amidala_Skywalker]

Ok like Peter Murphy wasn't just gorgeous. Maybe not what some would say is classically handsome but amazing in his own right. Those eyes.🤭

[@FrankOtheMountain]

Peter Murphy, awesome. Dennis Miller, not so much.

[@AORCrazy]

Well it's all in the eye of the beholder and ones opinion. To me Iggy is not near similar to PM and that Miller's guy comment is inappropriate and not a bit funny.

[@andrebitoff3726]

Pontiac mi Industry nite club 92 same lineup.

[@bluesness]

It was the 80s..everyone was kind of an asshole back then and it was great.

[@DiaryofaRecoveringAddict]

The first 3 seconds of this video is er… interesting.

[@Liquid_Alchemy]

I have always been a big Dennis Miller fan, and I remember watching this episode with some friends when I was a senior in college. I was always confused by what went down, but now I get it after watching this KZbin flashback. Dennis definitely deserved it. I've always enjoyed Dennis for being a champion of the 'everyman', but when this episode was filmed, Dennis was definitely a product of Hollywood and a bit of a douche bag at the time. I still love him, and I know he regrets shitting on one of his guest just for a cheap laugh, and would do it differently in heart beat if he could have a 'do over'. Love you Dennis. Love you MORE Peter Murphy!!

[@MrOctober44]

I'm sure he really didn't give a shit. Seriously doubt that Dennis Miller cares that Peter Murphy made a face at him three decades ago, lol

[@Liquid_Alchemy]

@@MrOctober44 Agreed. Growing up in the Pittsburgh suburbs, Dennis definitely gave "ZERO fucks" about that.

[@lucianofigueiredo4877]

Maravilhosa música

[@michaelmorrison2999]

Absolutely beautiful. Even with what seems to be the session players from the show. Thought Dennis Miller was cooler than that.

[@artvandelay5157]

Where is the guy playing the guitar like a cello?

[@kevinsfinney]

Can you tell me who is playing guitar on this?

[@StaceKarussos]

Dennis Miller is one of those guys that thinks they really cool, when they're really just trying to act like they're cool. Does he still have a mullet? I cut mine in 1990.

[@nftos]

Who / what / why Ed Grimley?

[@angelacasein7059]

Why’s he so cool ?

[@epicgravyfilms]

Miller was great as the SNL anchor, right up there with Norm McDonald, but not so much as a late night talk host.

[@noHOPEof]

(all in jest) deserving of an emoji bird there are live performance vids from somewhat recent years( face appearance *0NL¥* ) a cross between 2 Fox 'personalities' *:* Cowherd and Bayless *M D F Poem*

[@lucianofigueiredo4877]

Que canto sinistro

[@MackB2023]

Dennis Miller has always compensated .. his smart as humor is like using Duct tape for mediocrity.

[@DiabloOutdoors]

Well, he didn't compensate for anything there.....

[@moominsean]

Not really flipping him off. Rather, calling him a clown. Funny, watching Dennis Miller now is like watching a parody of Dennis Miller. He really is a clown.

[@kj5747]

Still as artist good as person merda

[@cindyss_]

The same had happened with iggy pop and David bowie people make fun of them no matter what they do, unfortunately these kind of things are always happening when it comes goth rock, metal or punk... even when women are in these types of tv programmes they are all victims of jokes these as*sholes treated people like sh!t just for begin on tv.

[@madarab37]

I remember Iggy Pop in the Dark Entries biography of bauhaus and a picture of Peter and Iggy together. I think Peter idolized Iggy, so theres another reason for dissing Dennis Miller.

[@cindyss_]

@@madarab37 where can i find that interview??

[@joelgraham3]

Dennis Miller is just - always so horrible and ignorant

[@TheCenteroftheUniverse]

Miller isn't qualified to be a roadie. People without true creativity always find it easy to nutshell true genius.

[@thesavagereservation]

I love Peter Murphy but he's so full of himself...

[@gomphotherium22leahy]

Perhaps, but if one is a creator, it's better than not having *enough*, no? Plus, I'm a jot surprised this raised so many hackles...seemed not so out-of-line, really....kind of a vexed playfulness. But: I *have* been wrong before, publically, privately, and variants thereof. Cheers.

[@gomphotherium22leahy]

penalty for excessive bold-face/asterisk exclusion....oooops.

[@gomphotherium22leahy]

not even so much **exclusion**....as it was more in the category of mind-numbingly haphazard. Have a great day!

[@lalakuma9]

Now you're just taking it too seriously

[@Oh_I_Will]

It’s his Shtick..he’s an Entertainer not some sort of Figurehead...let him “work” his minions

[@snowwhite7597]

I went to Peter Murphy's concert after Cuts You Up became a hit, but I felt the arrogance from him. We see it here so very well. Dennis Miller is a comedian and his joke was right on and funny. Dennis Miller is a comedian and was on SNL, like Martin Short who did the character Ed Grimley. Peter could had made points taking the high road as this was clearly not an insult and all these PC "BS people" have destroyed comedy. Many people have compared PM to Iggy Pop, nothing new, but Dennis included a popular character from this SNL show into his joke. What's BS is Peter Murphy was a punk Rocker who should be tough to handle a joke, yet this joke broke him; it "Cuts You Up" Peter! This wasn't meant to be mean, but Peter got his panties in a wad over a little joke. Really pathetic! I thought PM was cooler than that, not a little sissy who can't handle a funny joke. As a longtime Bauhaus/ Punk Rock fan, I liked Dennis' joke and understand it as it included his Saturday Night Live Co-star Martin Short. The joke was appropriate in my book! All this Political Correct BS has gotten old and is everything but.... entertaining and funny! Political Correctness = Communism, anti-freedom, BS. Dennis, keep the comedy coming. Sad, some can't handle jokes. We need laughter more so then full of it, snobby singers/entertainers who think too much of themselves they can't handle a joke! Long Live Comedy! Sorry, Peter, but jokes are made to laugh, it clearly was not an insult to you.

[@CarissaConti]

This happened 30 years ago. O.o You're lecturing a guy who's currently in his mid-60s for something that happened 30 years ago.....and which he'll never read. You've lost the plot.

[@kengethin3086]

Rock music's biggest fake poser.