Miller’s guest list raises some hackles

Dennis Miller’s new politically flavored talk show arrives on CNBC tonight, and already at least one advocacy group is getting into a rant about his first guest – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, a media watchdog group, says that the show is caught in a conflict of interest because one of its consulting producers, Mike Murphy, is a consultant for Schwarzenegger.

Julie Hollar, FAIR communications director, maintained that Murphy’s dual roles present a “completely unethical” situation: “For the producer of a talk show that is pointedly political to have on a guest who he works for is totally a conflict of interest.”

Schwarzenegger, in the meantime, is continuing a strategy adopted during his campaign of staying away from hard-nosed political reporters who might challenge him on his views and platform.

CNBC executives denied a conflict. “Dennis Miller is a comedian, not a journalist,” the cable network said in a statement. “Mike Murphy is one of many consultants/producers working on his entertaining talk show. Dennis is looking forward to having guests of all political backgrounds and beliefs on his show.”

Executives added that they would not air a disclaimer during the Miller show acknowledging Murphy’s association with Schwarzenegger.

Other guests on the first show include Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

Miller’s show airs weeknights at 6 and 9 p.m.