Note something about the zeitgeist. It is Michael Moore's self-chosen role to play the clownish, outcast, buffoon, drop-your-pants and moon 'em radical social critic. To the point where people look at him kind of funny. Are you OK? Do you want to lie down for a while? It is essentially a comedy routine.
This appearance was no exception. 20 yeas ago his 'men suck' outbursts would have merited standing ovations with no opposing side even presented. Indeed, it was presumed that no opposing side was possible. There simply wasn't one.
Now, in 2008, it is markedly different. The host, the guests and the audience were distancing themselves from Moore, even making fun of him. He sounded crazy, deluded, out of touch. It was as though he whipped out Mao's Little Red Book and expected to be taken seriously.