Real Time with Bill Maher (2003– ) User Reviews

Season 20 episode Chloe Maxim etc.

[ivel_brocksmith · 7/10 · 11 May 2022]

I was a little upset regarding the scrutiny of education in this episode. I left high school with a 9th grade education (dropped out due to life circumstances); I now have graduated with a 4 year degree from a university in my area with a degree in health services. I lived in a one bedroom home for nine years during this period of time with my wife and our two children. It was a long road involving a lot of hard work. I've been working in public service since 2012, I was a certified nursing assistant for six years while in college and I haven't gotten credit (in regard to loan forgiveness) for the public service for that position because my loans weren't in repayment status.

My education is and has been beneficial to me in my success and development as a person. That being said, the debt is crippling. Someone shouldn't have to take on life long debt if they want to put in the work required to get a decent education. It may only make up 13% of Americans but those of us that bought into the "education will benefit your life" mentality are now suffering for choosing the only option that was really an alternative to living in poverty.

From well outside the bubble

[chollins · 7/10 · 21 April 2012]

Bill Maher is an annoying character. You can appreciate his humour, his political views and his humanity but his smirk irks. That smart ass grin he gets when he tells a gag, especially a controversial one, takes the shine off an otherwise great performance. Maybe it's just me.

I'm an Australian. I live in Australia and visit the US about once a year for business. I find watching Real Time and Jon Stewart's The Daily Show all I need to keep up with what is happening in that country. I get that education in an entertaining way. I don't agree with everything Maher espouses (smoking pot is dumb - period) his views sit well with a right wing Aussie. It amazes me that a right wing Aussie is about level with an extreme left wing American. Our countries are similar but so different.

The show starts with a short Johnny Carson style monologue - and Maher should either refresh his writers or look at his delivery style as it isn't as great as it could or should be. A few chuckles on the events of the week but nothing you want to remember for the water cooler Monday.

We then go into an interview with a weekly guest. Maher brings in some interesting guests, some of which I would normally go out of my way to avoid, but he manages to extrude interesting television from each and every one of them. I remember he once brought in a rapper I'd never heard of and had my finger poised on the fast forward button. To my amazement the interview finished before it got pressed.

We then get into the panel where three guests discuss and debate issues. This is where the show gets into its own space. The conversation bubbles along with a rapid pace and humorous tone. Maher chips in with his two cents worth which is normally death to a chat show host - there's an unwritten rule that the moderator sits in the middle and steer the conversation, not get involved in it. Maher somehow gets away with it most of the time.

We wrap up with New Rules where his writers earn the money. This is regularly the funniest part of the show making fun of everything from teenagers cell phone addiction to the president. New Rules finishes with a semi-serious dig and social commentary which proves to be Maher's issue of the week.

All in all, a reasonably entertaining show considering it's subject matter. Not as funny as Jon Stewart but Maher goes a bit deeper in his hour than Stewart can.

Well, you can't say it's boring!

[AlsExGal · 8/10 · 9 July 2016]

You never know what Bill Maher is going to do or say next. This show is structured as part political stand-up comedy, part round table talk show. This airs on HBO, so Bill has a little more freedom to be outrageous than he did in his previous show of the same type "Politically Incorrect" which ran on the networks.

The format is that Bill comes out and does some ripped from the headlines political stand-up, and then he usually introduces a single guest with whom he has a one-on-one chat. This guest is usually somebody with which Bill agrees politically, because the conversation almost always takes on the form of a conversation not an argument.

Then it is time to introduce his panel of guests. There are usually Democrats interspersed with Republicans - those who are brave enough to show up. The ensuing debate is very interesting and Bill Maher is well informed, able to combine comedy with information in a way that entertaining.

The fun is when Bill does something unexpected. One time he got talked into a corner about pharmaceuticals and basically said that the body has everything it needs to heal itself, that drugs and surgery are completely unnecessary. A guest tried to gently bring up the subject of infections that respond only to antibiotics, needed surgeries for burst appendices, etc. But Bill was not going to be talked down from that tree from which there was no dignified escape. Another time, Mary Matalin was a guest. She converted to Catholicism when she married and as a result wears a cross around her neck. I didn't even notice it until Bill Maher reached over and grabbed the cross and began stuffing it out of sight, as in under her blouse. Matalin remained more composed than I would! Personal space Bill! Personal space! I might add that Bill is a rabid atheist, but I thought that this crossed the line, no pun intended.

As I am writing this, Bill is currently really enjoying the 2016 election cycle because it gives him so much material. You see, apparently some time in the past Bill Maher called Donald Trump an orangutan and Trump sued him, even showing up in court with his birth certificate proving he was NOT an orangutan. Somebody wisely got Trump to drop this nonsense. So now that Trump is truly a public figure and cannot sue people for derogatory statements they make about him, Maher is really enjoying himself.

I'd say tune it in if you understand that Maher is going to erupt into anti-GOP atheist rants from time to time, but that the panel discussion is usually intellectually engaging. And Maher still has that comic touch after all of these years.

Sadly, he has also drifted too far

[arin_od · 14 March 2022]

Technical NPA here. Lean left and an outlier in the world of finance. Been a fan of Bill and his show for years. Hitting pause now. Bill has succumbed to false equivalencies. The big tent of the Left has its extreme tail members but remains a minor share. The other side has a far larger share of extremists and actually making ugly laws that match. His focus should be better calibrated imo. Then again, I am just viewer. Sorry, former viewer.

this is a great show

[scottsplain-13718 · 9/10 · 24 June 2016]

There is a small faction of my generation who grew up watching Chris Matthews and Hayes. Can't forget Rachel Maddow. Hearing your story, going to college for 8 years and constantly watching your show. It continues to be refreshing.

The hysteria the hysteria. Gun violence and terrorism can be triggered by a text message from a big fish upstairs who got an email. Hysteria is manufactured and timed. But not on this show. Serious issues get a block. But so does everything else. Smart people also get a chance to explain themselves in paragraphs, usually without being yelled at by an @Orielly character.

Mainstream media spews the same footage in loops -or from such a distance that it doesn't matter unless something horrendous happens. When I turn on this show I laugh and then engage in the political thought process.

Can't wait for reruns on VICE.

P.S. This show, is what political discourse should look like, probably what it used to look like.

Real time, real news (sort of)...

[dee.reid · 10/10 · 22 January 2013]

I'd like to first and foremost state that Bill Maher is a comedian/political satirist - and I realized this from the moment I first began watching his comedy act. I'd also like to state that I personally think he's a bit of an a**hole, albeit an a**hole with an occasional funny streak. I never watched his previous current-events TV show "Politically Incorrect" from 1997 (because I was only in my early teens at the time, yet I was able to watch "South Park" - go figure), but whenever I get the chance I've been watching his new current-events TV series "Real Time with Bill Maher."

I got into this show fairly late in the game, only within the last three years or so. To avoid declaring any political allegiances here (as if I really have any), I will say that I do fall within this show's primary demographic. Although I agree with Maher on many points, there are some things where I feel he is blatantly wrong (especially regarding religion - though while I do believe in God, I don't really claim any specific religious order, despite my Christian upbringing), and I also don't care for his tendency sometimes to push his points as fact (at least, within the context of the many politically-charged discussions on his show). But because we must remember that Maher is first and foremost a comedian, we must also remember that we should not take anything he says seriously - whether it offends us or not; no one said that comedy - not to mention, good comedy - had to always be in good taste.

And lastly, here is where I put the most praise on "Real Time with Bill Maher." Maher is not one to sugarcoat the insanity of modern politics (as of 2013); I personally thought his coverage of the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election was hilariously tasteless and informative. He is also not one to tread lightly on sensitive topics - he says it like it is, and he says what needs to be said, regardless of how PC or un-PC it may sound. It's harsh stuff, but again, it needs to be said, and plus he has free speech on his side.

The other area I shower praise over is that Maher's show often touches on topics that are often under-reported - simply glossed over with little or no in-depth coverage or follow-up - or are ignored completely, by mainstream media. There have been times when I've watched "Real Time with Bill Maher" and he brings up current events that I was never even aware of. This one goes hand-in-hand with my comments that he does not need to tread lightly in sensitive areas (simply because the majority of mainstream media refuses to cover it for fear of offending, and turning off, viewers, which I personally find to be highly irresponsible of a supposedly "free" press).

And Maher's "New Rules" segments are utterly hilarious!

10/10

Smart, Funny, and Important.

[tokyostreetkiller · 8/10 · 15 August 2009]

I don't usually wright reviews so I'll be short: Real Time with Bill Maher is a 1 hour show on HBO based around a "roundtable" discussion and debate that addresses US politics, policies, foreign affairs and domestic issues with honesty, humor and a slightly liberal bias. Despite that bias, the show and it's host Bill Maher remain objective throughout but with a tendency to lean left in a humorous way.

Since I'm not tied to any political party I tend to really enjoy the whole essence of this show. Nothing Bill says will offend me, although he tends to offend a lot of people who are mostly conservatives. That said, he is also critical of liberals as well. He's not afraid to critique or question either side.

The show is filmed in front of a live audience which, in my opinion takes away from the show. The audience is almost 100% liberal and will applaud everything negative towards conservatives and they tend to gang up on Republican guests of the show. That to me is a drawback. Audience participation is the reason why I can't stand The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. While I respect Jon Stewart, his audience is very annoying and it takes away credibility from the show's claim to be news. It seems that The Daily Show is more-so entertainment and caters to a less mature demographic. Not to sound snobby, but I'm just saying. Real Time's audience doesn't go that far nor does the show stick so faithfully to entertaining it's audience. While the show does make you laugh, it remains a poignant piece of political news and satire without being too goofy.

Towards the end of the show Bill Maher does his "New Rules" segment which is basically just a taste of his stand up routine. The segment consists of about 5 or 6 "New Rules". The last "New Rule" however is not a joke, it is a heartfelt and passionate commentary on the state of American culture, politics and overall standing in the world. It is sometimes alarming, other times it's depressing but it's always important. It is with this finale that we see Maher's true passion for his country. He may be a pot smoking, snobby, liberal douche bag but he's still an American. And it's obvious that he truly cares about his country and where it's headed. It's important to see through the facade and understand the point he is trying to make, it maybe funny and satirical but it's something we all need to hear. Whether we agree with it or not, it's a step forward in attaining a greater understanding with which we could help ourselves and our country for the future.

Excellent political satire

[lciape1 · 10/10 · 6 July 2014]

Bill Maher is great. He will debate anyone on any issue, and often does! He also offers his opponents and enemies the respect on appearing on his show to defend their views. The fact that he is so radically popular confirm the belief that many Americans, myself included, share: Our government and 'the system' have deep deep flaws. The American people, all 99% percent of us suffer from.

As we approach the breaking point of crisis in our world it livens the soul and warms the heart to see such an intelligent and savvy human being pushing the envelope on important progressive issues.

Those of us who make 40K/year and are proud to call ourselves capitalists should look more closely into Maher's values. Socialism is not a dirty word. Maher would agree.

Was My Favorite Show

[lambiepie-2 · 8/10 · 8 August 2020]

I used to love the hard hitting political satire, had hitting non-censored questions and opinion panelists of this show. Bill had right, left and in between to give their voices - it was a great program. Wouldn't miss it for the world every Friday night. However in the last few years it has gone from "Real Time" to "I hate Fatties!!!"

It's not just about the pandemic and his limitations to his programming 'cause Trevor Noah and John Oliver are doing more than fine with their programming.

Yeah we get it. Now everything HAS to be tied to people being fat. Bill has a political panelist on, he cuts in something about people being fat/obese. He's tumbled down in to "Joan Rivers-land" (and older folks know what I am talking about when Joan's wit took a back seat to her making fat jokes about Elizabeth Taylor for sometime before her audience turned on her). Well, I've turned cause his show isn't politically incorrect anymore, it's down right "Let me tell you about how disgusting fat people are every chance I can squeeze it in."

So, if you're into that kind of thing, then please keep tuning in. If he ever gets back to talking politics with both sides (and sides of others too). Let me know. I am sure by that time, the once HBO darling will be cancelled.

one of the best topical shows, certainly one of the funniest, on TV now

[Quinoa1984 · 7/10 · 14 August 2005]

In an time when the pundits and talking heads on the "news" networks, or what constitutes as them, bring on guests with usually partisan sides, and making wisecracks that aren't funny, there's Bill Maher. While his counterpart, Jon Stewart, has perhaps the best overall program of political/social satire on cable, Maher's program follows very close behind. The show starts off often with a great opening joke of the week, with Maher sometimes in costume (I think I once saw him as the Pope), or with actors playing some strange, hilarious part. Then he moves into the typical news of the week. But then come the guests, and this is where the goods come in. Often news shows try and make things "fair and balanced" (and the station that professes this the most does it the least), but Maher keeps it real. While his audience is sometimes more leaning to the left, he doesn't shy away from having on the right wing or conservatives, and then it brings about intelligent, sometimes cringe-worthy, discussions. Finally the show ends with "New Rules", that vary from small laughs to the biggest Maher gives on the show. There's something about Real Time- not just that Maher is funny and is on the ball with current events- that makes it a solid, thought provoking hour of television, especially in times like these. We need people to really be discussing the issues, even if its for laughs.

once was...

[steveo122 · 5/10 · 23 August 2021]

Followed for years and years but now that bill has entered his 'I can't be wrong' phase I find myself tuning him out as he talks to people who know sht.

Outspoken and raw, well done it informs and educates us about politics. Bill Maher your doing a good job.

[blanbrn · 9/10 · 27 March 2006]

One of the best reasons to watch HBO, is "Real Time with Bill Maher" a 60-minute program that is no holds barred and pulls no punches back. Comedian Bill Maher is your host starting the show off with stand-up jokes, then his program becomes real as he and selected guest talk about real issues in the world from political, social, entertainment, and environmental you name it. Unlike other news host Maher always comments on issues with a unique and bitchy comic twist, which being on a network like HBO lets him do that, making him much better from when he hosted "Politically Incorrect" on ABC. Even though Maher is a liberal democrat a fact that he doesn't hide he always includes a priceless panel of pairings of liberals, moderates, and even always at least one republican or conservative guest each week so that way you get to hear both sides of the story on the most hot-button political issues in discussion format. So don't miss it when it runs on HBO on Fridays at 11PM, check your listing though like most HBO series this is a program that starts each season at a different month. Watch you'll be sorry if you don't.

This show has turned to poo

[moneypennycharley · 6/10 · 8 August 2021]

Who ever has been writing his jokes the last few seasons must be lost their sense of humor on a pack packing trip in Norway.

Not What It Used to Be

[BradysJoc · 3/10 · 26 May 2021]

Recently (the past 12-18 months) this show has gone from left leaning but still a real debate show to a straw man setup for pretentious people to clap at themselves over.

Speaking of clapping, about 25% of the show's runtime (not an exaggeration, it's probably a higher percentage actually) is a studio audience laughing and clapping on cue. It's very obviously dictated by an applause and laughter sign. I really don't understand why show's like this still do that, it's so fake that it actually takes away from Maher's "punchlines". If you need to tell people to laugh and clap at your material that probably means you and/or your writers suck at there jobs.

No matter what your political disposition is, this show has gone downhill from a real debate comedy show to a faux debate "comedy" show. And I'm not the only one who stopped tuning in... 2014 = 4.5 million/episode.... 2020 = 1.4 million/episode. I wouldn't be shocked if this show doesn't make it past 2022 or 23.

Finally, something intelligent

[neophoenix · 11 March 2003]

It has been a long time, a very long time, before I have seen something intelligent on TV. I never watched "Politically Incorrect"; I just never got into that show. But I do like the political nature of Bill Maher's comedy and prose, and while I do not agree on all his points, I do deeply respect his true representation of them; he doesn't mollify his points because others may not want hear them. This is something truly refreshing. If you don't like flagrant intellectualism and polar politics, this show isn't for you. However, if you have an open mind and want to hear some of the questions people don't want you to ask, this IS for you.

All those who see the show have something to say

[batudingin · 10/10 · 25 April 2009]

I am a Podcaster and listener, and this show is never far away from my mp3 player or computer. I needed more insight about what is going on, but it is hard in this time, at least it is hard to find the "right" information because of all the "right." The show is often criticized by the way bill makes his way to his point, which is often cruel, direct and very blunt. But this is a little price to pay for engaging in a conversation so damn controversial even David Letterman himself would say: "I don't think that I have ever done that before." Looking forward for more Maher and new rules. I do think that the show should be more often that it is, but that being said we do not want bill to get fired for anything anywhere anymore.

The only way that I'll ever know Bill Maher (and I have my own new rules).

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 15 August 2007]

I never saw Bill Maher's previous show "Politically Incorrect", but I know that it got canceled when Maher stepped outside the party line in discussions about 9/11 (of course I consider it a credit to have gotten canceled for challenging the zeitgeist). So, I have been watching "Real Time with Bill Maher" - and seen one of his stand-up bits - and I love it. If absolutely nothing else, it's good to hear left and right be able to have an intelligent conversation, although I especially liked hearing Sean Penn's story of going to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina*. One of my favorite comments from Maher was right after a Republican debate held in the Ronald Reagan Library, and the candidates were talking as much as possible about Reagan: Maher said that it sounded more like gay men talking about Barbra Streisand. You gotta admit, his guy knows how to do satire.

And now it's time for New Rules: 1) They can't give obnoxious movies like "The Poseidon Adventure" and "The Towering Inferno" special edition DVDs while cool movies like "The Corrupt Ones" and "The Treasure Seekers" remain available only on video. Because I know that Elke Sommer hasn't got much besides her looks, but the only part of disaster movies that I consider a disaster is having to watch them, and Elke Sommer's movies are quite pleasant.

2) Celebrities can't try to vindicate themselves from embarrassing situations by saying that they've found Jesus. Because if a tabloid-level scandal is the only thing that gets you interested in religion, then I only hope that all sensible religions will see through your game and reject you so that you can get involved in more scandals and continue making a fool of yourself.

3) Critics can't give musicals glowing reviews just because they're musicals, while slamming certain movies for being too "controversial". Because "Oklahoma!", "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound of Music" are so full of themselves that they just beg to get mocked; "Sweet Sweetback's Bad-ass Song", while dealing with ugly subject matter, at least told the truth about things.

All in all, I wholeheartedly recommend this show.

*For the record, it's been almost two years since Katrina hit and large numbers of people still haven't been able to move back to New Orleans.

I love it!

[daisyrb-40456 · 10/10 · 12 January 2019]

Smart, provocative. Bill Maher keeps things real to remind this generation of I will listen only what I want that the world it is not a fairy tale but we can try to make it better. Do not agree with everything he says, but many things yes I agree. He has different guests some I love , some I really dislike, but you know what that it is the world and it is important that we keep learning, listening, talking, reading and stop trying to live in a bubble.

Funny and informative

[rickevans-04420 · 9/10 · 20 April 2019]

Always finds a way to make me laugh while also engaging me on my political thinking.

Funny & Great Political Show!

[showpro · 10/10 · 24 June 2019]

Bill Maher has had such huge success with both of his political shows (PI & Real Time)! Bill's HBO show, "Real Time with Bill Maher" has hit the 500th show on 21 Jun 2019!

The popularity of the show, guest & panelists, additional guest and all the humor is great!

There are democrats, independents, & republicans, who will be on this show for guest interview or in the panel.

Bill may be liberal, but there's a lot he can hate about the DNC, and of course the GOP.

A good show but rough around the edges.

[alternapop · 7/10 · 11 January 2019]

I watch this show for the debates and interviews.

Bill Maher's jokes are mostly sophomoric. The large majority are based on sex or body parts. That doesn't bother me at all when done occasionally or creatively (I am FAR from a prude) but too many are juvenile and it gets old.

Bill comes across too often as condescending, and this is coming from someone who agrees with him most of the time. Also, the show closing bit comes across too many times as a diatribe. I realize that's partially what it's supposed to be but it makes me feel like a teenager whose parent just won't shut up about something.

He could also learn to stop clapping his hands during his monologue. It looks like nervous energy. I don't mean clapping as in applauding something, but he'll do a bunch of single claps like he doesn't know what to do with his hands.

Well, it finally happened. The new Dennis Miller is (almost) here

[The_unemployed_cynic · 1/10 · 30 October 2021]

I have loved Bill's show for decades, but lately he began to shift to uncomfortable positions. I became worried that he would turn into a new Dennis Miller.

The main problem is his covid stance. He applauded the Swedish approach even when it turned out that they only killed more old age people than any country around them and did not gain anything in return, because herd immunity did not work. (Same in Britain, the only major country with worse covid statistics than the US.) Now he declares the pandemic over while 1,400 people die from it every day and thousands of hospital beds are occupied by the unvaccinated, so people with other problems miss out on essential treatments.

Also, according to Bill we can either take a vaccine or use a mask, not both. That's just stupid.

On the same show, Bill allows certified liar Sean Spicer to keep spouting his election fraud lies for minutes on end without cutting him off or being able to present him with the real facts. If you don't want to do your homework, don't invite a guest who will lie you under the table.

Also, Bill seems to be both for and against cancel culture. The fact alone that he spends half his time on this topic is helping Republicans. They love nothing more than Democratic infighting on this fake controversy.

Good thing Jon Stewart is back. Someone who still has his wits about him, and his heart in the right place.

I will miss Real Time.

Entertaining even though I don't agree

[benmercier-iq · 8/10 · 31 May 2020]

It's thought provoking, and we often pause the show to discuss our own views. A great way to see news topics from multiple viewpoints.

BIll Maher, Funny, Conservative Democrat

[steven98664 · 7/10 · 28 March 2016]

I like this show. I think you can only watch this if you lean one way politically. He is definitely a funny political satirist. He dings on both sides, but obviously hardest on folks not in line with him. He does try to lighten things up when they get heavy. It is his show and he makes sure it is known that on his show, his way of thinking is the right way. Odd because he tries to invite folks with different thinking, but mostly to skewer them. I think the most brave folks are those who know they'll knock heads with him and still go on the show. I watch this regularly but my interest is starting to slip. I think Maher may have some problems with world religions he feels at odds with.

Who Still Watches This

[KingAssmar · 1/10 · 2 October 2021]

Whiny boomer garbage, and he's so smug and condescending. HBO, please put him, and us all out of our misery and pull the plug on this absolute stinker.