Real Time with Bill Maher

In addition to griping about how Maher bullied David Hogg, I have some more gripes. When a female congressperson was on ( I think it was Katie Porter ), she was continually cut off, unable to finish her points. Laura Coates did exceptionally well compared to other women when she was on. More recently, Maher, Mark Cuban and Joe Scarborough had a discussion on how great it is to be American right now. It's true that most people in the world are worse off, BUT, it's pretty easy for millionaires or billinonaires to brag. There was no mention of income/wealth inequality. The middle class has fallen farther and farther toward the poverty level since Reagan's trickle down idiocy. Not just governments can be tyranical, so can big business. We know from history that unchecked, they create artificial scarcity and monopolies. They abuse labor, produce unsafe products for consumers, and pollute the environment. Of course bureaucratic inefficiencies should be fixed. Of course there need to be incentives to motivate people and some people rich enough to have sports teams, pharmaceutical research, and gorgeous homes. Of course we will be happier if grateful for what we have. But a government needs to take care of their middle class, their labor class, their youth, and their intellectuals. Without strength in those groups, we will fail. Without regulations, aggressive, powerful people will return society to something like feudalism, with lords and serfs.

Another consideration about American success is the beginning of this country. Because indiginous people suffered so greatly from war and disease, immigrants (white ones) received free real estate and resources that generations of families could build on. We have natural borders for protection. We have had public education for a long time. We're luckier than most countries. But back to middle class issues - even with inflation going down, it's really tough for the modern middle class to afford rent or mortgage and buy groceries and fuel. Have a heart. Three books that impressed me about America's politics are The Wrecking Crew and Listen, Liberal, both by Thomas Frank, and The Fifth Risk, by Michael Lewis. I've also been shocked by some articles in Mother Jones (1) about how venture capitalists buy small businesses, fire most workers, sell off assets, give themselves huge bonuses, and then declare bankruptcy. (2) was about rich people buying housing in NYC, forcing out people with lower rents, renovating the building, and then charging rents that are unaffordable to the former residents. Three other tidbits - (1) rules about student loans are different and much more restrictive than other loans, (2) before Nixon, I think most medical insurers were non-profit, (3) when the bankruptcy laws were changed by some republican congress, they made it so that personal bankruptcy is now allowed to take the person's home. Before that, individuals were protected from that.

Well, Bill Maher is not responsible for all that, and I'll probably continue to watch Real Time.

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.

This was a standing appointment in our house, but Maher has become a one-trick pony (will, maybe two or three tricks) and his "I said it first" self congratulations go on ad nauseum these days. The list of repetitious blather includes: how long it took to get his solar panels, Americans are fat, I told you so, I hate kids, blah, blah, blah. He's starting to sound like someone's crotchety grandpa, and we're almost the same age.

The show was much more interesting with three panelists and better opening monologues that didn't feel quite so teed-up. While New Rules is always entertaining, the best part of Real Time is the closing monologue, which is always thought-provoking, smart, well-written, and well-delivered, Maher shines here without fail. More of this, less of the rest, please.

For the sake of god, STOP that annoying clapping cheerleader every time there's a comment. Listen to the podcast without video and it'll drive you to turn the program off!

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.