Word: showman
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...difficult to say what may happen once Russians have had a better look at this rabble-rousing politician who is part showman, part shyster. Despite the fact that the country seems to have stabilized during the summer's torpor, there is an underlying sense that the balance of power could shift at any moment. But whatever happens, Zhirinovsky has changed the style and conduct of Russian politics irretrievably. No national political figure has done more to sound the alarm about the fragility of Russia's young democracy, or its vulnerability to irresponsible leadership. As for what that might mean, perhaps...
...suit? Well, brace yourself, Ripley. The folks who run the animated megamarket in Norwalk, Connecticut, pleaded guilty last week to what is being called the largest criminal tax case in the state's history, as well as the largest computer-driven evasion scheme in the nation. And Stew the showman may soon be wearing prison stripes...
...much how Michael Crichton sketched the old man in the novel Jurassic Park. But the Hammond played by Richard Attenborough in Steven Spielberg's movie version is another fellow altogether; the director calls him "a cross between Walt Disney and Ross Perot." Hammond is certainly a visionary, a fabulous showman, an enthusiast, an emperor of ice cream, a kid with a great new toy. "Top of the line!" he chirps. "Spared no expense!" Why, he might be Spielberg as a foxy grandpa...
...guess I did, just now. But / as Nick the Lounge Singer on SNL and in a lot of his movies, Bill taught us that there was a magical, very American bliss to be achieved by failing in public and not realizing it. He was the soul of the showman in every CPA who's just had that third Scotch on the rocks. He was the spirit of unfazed, unfounded self-assurance. He was Karaoke before Karaoke was cool. He was conviviality masking contempt masking -- who knows what? He was . . . Everyguy...
Diller's fans -- of whom there are many, at least on the record -- attribute his success also to his business acumen and showman's instincts. "He is the least cynical man I know," says Peter Chernin, now head of Fox's film division. "He has antennae for the kind of cynicism that says, 'We don't like this, but the idiots out there will.' " Says Michael Ovitz, head of the Creative Artists Agency: "In this business there are good analytical, practical and creative minds, but very few who combine all three. Barry can read a balance sheet, read a script...