Real Time with Bill Maher
Real Time with Bill Maher is an American television talk show that airs weekly on HBO, hosted by comedian and political satirist Bill Maher. Much like his previous series Politically Incorrect on Comedy Central and later on ABC, Real Time features a panel of guests who discuss current events in politics and the media. Unlike the previous show, guests are usually better versed in the subject matter; more experts such as journalists, professors, and politicians participate in the panel, and fewer actors and celebrities are included.
Real Time with Bill Maher
Bill Maher
Scott Carter
Adam Felber
Bill Maher
United States
English
22
645 (as of December 15, 2023) (list of episodes)
Scott Carter
60 minutes
Bill Maher Productions
(2008–present)
(season 6–present)
Brad Grey Television
Home Box Office
February 21, 2003 –
present
Real Time is a weekly hour-long program with a studio audience, and is broadcast from Studio 33 at Television City in Los Angeles. Prior to Season 20, the program aired on Friday nights at 10:00 pm ET, however, it now pre-recorded at 7:00 pm ET. In addition, a 10–15-minute "Overtime" segment quickly follows the show on YouTube live stream, which answers questions posted by viewers through HBO's online website for the show.
In September 2021, HBO announced that the show had been renewed for two additional seasons, keeping the show on the air through 2024.[1] The show's 21st season premiered on January 20, 2023.[2] From February 3, 2023, the post-show Overtime segment was added to CNN Tonight programming.[3] The show's 22nd season premiered on January 19, 2024.[4] In March 2024, HBO announced that the show had been renewed for two additional seasons, keeping the show on the air through 2026.[5]
Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
The response to the first season was mostly mixed. On Metacritic, it has a score of 43% based on reviews from 5 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[38] Nancy Franklin of The New Yorker said "There’s also more of Maher in the new show, and it’s no big surprise that more Maher is less. He’s a jerk of the old school, full of unexamined anxiety and arrogance, with a habit of using sexual stereotypes from half a century ago both to put down and to compliment people."[39] The New York Times called the show "Fox News of the antiwar movement" and described it as "a flagrantly liberal talk show that provides like-minded viewers with instant gratification."[40]
Television host Larry King called Real Time "one of the best shows on television".[41] Maher was a regular guest on Larry King Live as well as co-host at various times, and co-emcee of the final show, along with Ryan Seacrest.[42][43]
Common Sense Media's website says, "Comedian Bill Maher is very funny, very well-informed, and very insightful, but he's also very crass." It later says, "Maher also expects his audience to have plenty of tolerance for blue humor. His jokes are profane and riddled with explicit sexual references, and he often pokes fun at the use and abuse of alcohol and other intoxicants. It's funny, but it's very much aimed at adults." The site gives Real Time with Bill Maher an "overall quality" rating of 4 out of 5 stars.[44]
Ruthless Reviews was also positive, saying, "Maher's show is as good as ever, which means that the sacred and the profane continue to be discussed with intelligence, humor, and the occasional silliness" and that it "works so well because he selects provocative guests and I can't remember the panel ever having a dull conversation. Maher is smart and witty (and clearly in control), which means that he won't let his guests get away with bullshit."[45]
Bibliography[edit]
Two books by Maher based on the show have been published: