Media with Bill Maher

 

I've been a fan of comedian/political commentator Bill Maher for many years.  I think I first saw him in the largely forgotten 1983 comedy D.C. CAB.  In those early days he was honing his stand-up on The Tonight Show and doing some acting gigs.  But Maher was never really interested in being a thespian.  He would find his "voice" on the ABC talk panel Politically Incorrect.  I got to see a taping back in 1999.  It was during my first trip to Los Angeles.  My friend and I are were on the Santa Monica pier and a guy was handing out free tickets.  A few hours later we were at CBS Television City in Hollywood.  Forgot who the guests were, but it was a good time.

After some controversial remarks by Maher about 9/11, the network canceled the program.  In 2003 Real Time with Bill Maher - which has a similar format to the previous show - began its run on HBO and continues to this day.  Now Bill could really speak his mind.  He does have a mouth.  Especially regarding religion and religious beliefs.  I never did catch his documentary RELIGULOUS.  Over the past several years, the self described liberal has moved closer to the center.  His rants call out Democrats as often as Republicans.  Especially in the age of "woke".  The close of each episode has "New Rules", where Maher pontificates about current social and political absurdities in the zeitgeist.  It gets pretty rough.  And often hilarious, sometimes uncomfortably so.

Huh.  A moderate commentator who tasks everyone on their bullshit and double standards? This naturally pissed off many of Maher's old fans (read: those very left of center).  They are especially miffed that the host accepted an invitation to dinner with Donald Trump at the White House.  The horror! How can you sit with and actually have a dialogue with the devil? Like in the old days, when those of different poles would actually talk to each other.  I know Trump is, politely stated, difficult, but still...

Maher doesn't let up on 47.  Nor should he. The POTUS regularly blasts back.  Is it contrived? You never know.  It's all showbiz, never forget that.  

Bill Maher, proudly single and childless, also hosts a weekly podcast called Club Random. The name doesn't lie; there is never an agenda.  No outline.  Anything is fair game, fodder for discussion.  Frequently politics is broached, but not always.  The host pours himself drinks and lights up.  Sometimes the guests join him. You may as well.  If you want to get really tore up, take a shot every time Maher explains how he never got laid while in college.

Those who've sat with Bill in his special room (each episode is also recorded on video) include the wildly diverse roster of Oliver Stone, Jon Cryer, Chris Cuomo, Jay Leno, and even the late Charlie Kirk.  Keeping in tone with Maher's willingness to have open dialogue with those of all persuasions.

Some episodes are easier to take than others.  At times the rambling gets tedious.  As much as I like Woody Harrelson his episode was a chore to get through, what with the longform discussion of smoking paraphenalia and such. I appreciated Drew Barrymore's openness but her appearance felt more like a psychotherapy session.   Still, some quality talk.  With Maher, things may get silly but there's always substance.