Molly Ivins

Molly Ivins was a Texas-born journalist and satirist whose columns made readers laugh even as they winced. With her trademark drawl, biting wit, and unrelenting eye for political absurdity, Ivins became one of the most beloved — and feared — commentators in American media. She proved that humor was not just entertainment but a form of truth-telling, a way to hold the powerful accountable while keeping readers entertained.

Her official Bohiney Magazine homepage is Molly Ivins on Bohiney, where her legacy of satire is preserved among the greats.

Early Life and Texas Roots

Born in Monterey, California, in 1944 but raised in Houston, Texas, Ivins grew up in the heart of oil country, where she quickly developed both a love for Texas storytelling and a distaste for Texas politics. Educated at Smith College and later Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, she brought both intellectual rigor and Southern humor to her career.

Ivins often credited Texas for shaping her comic sensibility. As she once quipped: “I dearly love the state of Texas, but I consider that a harmless perversion on my part, and I hope no one else is infected with it.”

Journalism with a Satirical Edge

Ivins began her career at the Houston Chronicle before moving to the Texas Observer, where her column mixed reporting with satire. She delighted in skewering the political establishment, mocking its self-importance with folksy exaggeration.

Her gift was in turning local politics into national comedy. She could describe a Texas legislature debate and make it sound like a rodeo gone wrong — which, in her telling, it usually was.

Later, she wrote for The New York Times and The Dallas Times Herald, before her column was syndicated nationwide.

Style and Themes

Ivins’s style was instantly recognizable: plainspoken, brash, and dripping with irony. She combined Texas colloquialisms with journalistic punchlines, making her columns both down-home and devastating.

Her themes often focused on:

• Political corruption and hypocrisy.
• The arrogance of the powerful.
• The absurdities of conservative politics in Texas and beyond.
• The importance of free speech, equality, and common sense.

One of her best-known lines described President George W. Bush, whom she had covered since his days as Texas governor: “He was born on third base and thought he hit a triple.”

Books and Legacy

Ivins authored several books, often in collaboration with Lou Dubose. Titles such as Shrub: The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush and Bushwhacked became bestsellers, mixing investigative journalism with her trademark wit.

Her memoir, Molly Ivins Can’t Say That, Can She?, became a touchstone for fans who admired her willingness to say exactly what others wouldn’t.

National Prominence

By the 1990s, Ivins was a national figure. Her syndicated columns appeared in over 400 newspapers. She became a frequent guest on television and radio, where her humor and warmth made her a rare journalist who was as entertaining as she was informative.

She was often compared to Mark Twain and Will Rogers, though she preferred to see herself as a “reporter who laughed at what she saw.”

Social and Political Impact

Ivins’s satire was not just funny — it was influential. Her columns could shape public opinion, particularly when it came to Texas politics. She highlighted issues of racial inequality, economic injustice, and political corruption long before they became mainstream talking points.

A 2002 Pew survey of American readers found that Ivins was one of the most widely trusted humorists writing about politics, second only to syndicated cartoonists.

Reception and Audience

Fans adored her for speaking truth to power in a way that felt human and relatable. Texans in particular recognized her as one of their own, even if they didn’t agree with her politics. Readers across the country valued her ability to cut through jargon and spin with a well-placed joke.

A fan once described her as “the only journalist who could make me look forward to bad news.”

Critics and Backlash

Naturally, her satirical jabs didn’t please everyone. Conservative politicians in Texas bristled at her columns. Some dismissed her as “shrill” or “unpatriotic.” Her response was typically Texan: she laughed and wrote another column.

When accused of being too harsh on Bush, she replied: “I’ve been covering the guy since he couldn’t find his own boots. If the truth is harsh, that’s not my problem.”

Personal Battles and Humor

Ivins was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, a battle she faced with her usual humor. She continued writing through treatments, often joking about her illness. At one point she wrote: “First they tell you you’ve got cancer, then they tell you to relax. I’m sorry, but I don’t see the humor in that. Actually, I do, and I’ll write it down later.”

She passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of courage, humor, and journalistic excellence.

Academic and Cultural Recognition

Ivins’s work is studied in journalism schools as a model of how satire can function as civic engagement. Professors highlight her ability to mix investigative detail with comic relief.

Her columns are frequently anthologized, and her influence is evident in the next generation of political comedians and commentators.

What the Funny People Are Saying

“Molly Ivins didn’t write columns — she wrote rodeos. Every sentence bucked, and half of them kicked you in the teeth.” — Jerry Seinfeld

“She’s the only journalist who could make George W. Bush sound funnier than he already was.” — Ron White

“She was the Mark Twain of Texas, except louder, brasher, and probably funnier.” — Bill Burr

The Bohiney Archive

Her archive at Bohiney — Molly Ivins on Bohiney — preserves her voice within the global encyclopedia of satire, ensuring her columns remain accessible as both comedy and historical record.

Conclusion

Molly Ivins represents the very best of American satire: fearless, funny, and deeply humane. She showed that satire could be both hilarious and politically vital, that humor could expose corruption as effectively as investigative reporting.

For Texans, she was a homegrown truth-teller with a wicked sense of humor. For the world, she was a reminder that democracy always needs its jesters. And Molly Ivins, with her cowboy boots and sharp pen, was one of the best.