# Real Time with Bill Maher **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 10, 2023, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367 "2023-10-10T21:03:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 31
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2024, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/601 "2024-09-22T22:36:00Z")
Assuming my googling of “Maher racist comment” led me to the the one you guys are talking about it was his use of the term “house [N-word]”. I would think that most people (I know I do) have a little circuit breaker in their head that goes off when they are about to say something like that and asks them if they really want to say that. The fact that Maher doesn’t suggests to me that in his personal life he uses that phrase or others like it on a regular enough basis that he doesn’t think about it. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/602 "2024-09-23T02:20:24Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’m not participating any more in this silly digression. One easy way to do that would be to, FUCKING STOP FUCKING BUMPING THE FUCKING THREAD. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/603 "2024-09-23T02:24:28Z")
Why not bump the thread if a new episode is worth mentioning? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/604 "2024-09-23T02:28:46Z")
Me when I bump a Pit thread and people start pitting the person the thread is about; [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQKNAEpSqmWa7hrFJ2dR82EDMbCJKVQMEgsLhm3fa_Ouw&s) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQKNAEpSqmWa7hrFJ2dR82EDMbCJKVQMEgsLhm3fa_Ouw&s) ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/605 "2024-09-23T22:26:12Z")
> [@SwissMan](#): > > Maher at least did one good thing by calling out Stephens for saying that Democrats shouldn’t call Trump a threat to democracy. Maher bluntly said that Trump IS a threat to democracy and it is a disservice to voters to not say so in public. Yeah, I agree–Maher did push back on Stephens’ tired old trope of ‘we shouldn’t say mean things about Trump because if we do, it strengthens him.’ Sure, maybe Trump’s hardcore fans love any opportunity to Make Libruls Cry----but Stephens’ suggestion that we should ONLY talk about Trump as a ‘legitimate candidate’ with whom we happen to disagree, is ugly, stupid, and destructive. Much like Trump himself. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/606 "2024-09-24T12:29:54Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > Would Taylor Tomlinson say that? Only if she was out of heroine and her dealer said he was going to repo her shoes. This is a stupid and (feels to me) misogynistic comment on her. Any reason for it, or are you just being a jerk? ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/607 "2024-09-24T15:52:13Z")
In a deep talent pool of talented and funny women comedians (who have actually earned their shot) I can’t dislike the show host that represents “money thrown at a stupid gameshow”? One that, although surrounded in a sea of talented women, picks the single most vapid, after-club, still drunk, still high host to run it? No monologue? Pointless guests? Next time you want to go feel your misogynistic, lock the bathroom door. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/608 "2024-09-24T16:53:53Z")
So, my second guess was right. Got it. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/609 "2024-09-24T17:11:13Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > If someone has evidence that Maher is racist, let’s see it. Until then I’ll go with the evidence that says the opposite. On the next show after the controversial remark, where Maher apologized for a second time, he had an extended discussion with noted Black author and academic Michael Eric Dyson, who credited Maher with calling out racism in the past Well, there you go. Maher found a black man to defend him on the show, therefore any claim of racism is unfair and unfounded. Just ignore [stuff like this](http://foxnews.com/entertainment/bill-maher-accused-of-making-fried-chicken-joke-to-black-republican-congressman) and [other instances of racist comments by Maher](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/6/15739538/bill-maher-n-word-real-time-racism), because he got a black guy to absolve him. I don’t know if Maher is truly racist or just enjoys making offensive comments for shock/visibility and doesn’t care about who he offends, but the results are similar. In the end, it’s just greasy icing on the rancid cake of his ignorance and facilitation of similarly ignorant dirtbags. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/610 "2024-09-24T17:19:03Z")
We always knew you were a jerk. Now you can go jill in peace. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/611 "2024-09-24T17:25:59Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > We always knew you were a jerk Are you royalty? “We”? Sorry, your Highness. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/612 "2024-09-24T17:28:52Z")
Way to read the room. Oh wait… bathroom… door locked… jilling… you can read the room later. And spray the Fabreeze please. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/613 "2024-09-24T17:48:40Z")
Ah. And suggesting that I’m female and like to masturbate is your idea of a cutting and witty remark? Top of the class. Boy, you really made a meal of lead paint and glue as a kid, didn’t you? You should be fine if you remember to tie your shoes and look both ways when crossing the street. Or don’t, and get hit by a truck. Makes no difference to me. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/614 "2024-09-24T18:09:10Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > One that, although surrounded in a sea of talented women, picks the single most vapid, after-club, still drunk, still high host to run it? I’m not sure who you confused her with, but she was an absolute teetotaler until about a year ago, when some friends got her drunk for the first time at age 29 or 30. Other than that she takes edibles and psychiatric meds, but nothing harder far as anyone has ever been reported. She’s no angel, I’m sure. But compared to the average working comedian she’s apparently pretty clean. Her work ethic has been much praised by seemingly just about everyone in the business. Fine if you’re not a fan, but the heroin and drunk thing seems a little over the top unless you are mixing her up with someone else. Whatever her flaws or failings, substance abuse does not seem to be one of them. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/615 "2024-09-24T18:22:27Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > but the heroin > [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > heroine The terminal ‘e’ is what makes it so addictive. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/616 "2024-09-24T18:28:52Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Ah. And suggesting that I’m female and like to masturbate is your idea of a cutting and witty remark? Top of the class. Boy, you really made a meal of lead paint and glue as a kid, didn’t you? You should be fine if you remember to tie your shoes and look both ways when crossing the street. Or don’t, and get hit by a truck. Makes no difference to me. I really don’t care what mental illness is your brand; you’ll find out eventually I’m sure, either here or IRL… but not with me. Reporting the ‘wishing death’ thing isn’t my call for now. The formally requesting by post on The Board that you no longer interact with my posts is. And I mean Ever. ( I’m pretty sure I have that right by TOS? ) Don’t go away mad. Just go away. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/617 "2024-09-24T18:35:47Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > I really don’t care what mental illness is your brand; you’ll find out eventually I’m sure, either here or IRL… but not with me. Reporting the ‘wishing death’ thing isn’t my call for now. The formally requesting by post on The Board that you no longer interact with my posts is. > > And I mean Ever. ( I’m pretty sure I have that right by TOS? ) > > Don’t go away mad. Just go away. All right, and that’s more than fair. I got way too carried away there with my posts, and I truly don’t wish death on you. I deeply apologize and accept not interacting with you after this. Just wanted to get this out there, and again, I’m ashamed of myself and sorry that I wrote what I did. If I could take it back, I would certainly do so. If you never see this, that’s also fine and understandable, but I had to write it. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/618 "2024-09-24T20:29:59Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Well, there you go. Maher found a black man to defend him on the show, therefore any claim of racism is unfair and unfounded. Just ignore [stuff like this](http://foxnews.com/entertainment/bill-maher-accused-of-making-fried-chicken-joke-to-black-republican-congressman) and [other instances of racist comments by Maher](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/6/15739538/bill-maher-n-word-real-time-racism), because he got a black guy to absolve him. I’ll happily accept any evidence that Maher is racist if I see any, but what I’m seeing is the opposite. I have no hidden motives for defending Maher; I just call things as I see 'em, and indeed my last post that started this whole kerfuffle about alleged “racism” was explicitly critical of Maher for the poor way he handled the Bjorn Lomborg interview. And the way I see your example is: it’s just ridiculous. Here’s the alleged “racist” fried chicken joke: > Hurd responded: “I was in the CIA for almost a decade. I was the dude in the back alleys at 4 o’clock in the morning collecting intelligence on threats to the homeland.” > > That’s when Maher made the joke. “That’s where you’d collect it, huh? Wow. By the Popeyes Chicken?” To call this “racist” is putting a crazy wild interpretation on it. When Maher was ridiculing people worried that the COVID vaccine contained a tracking chip, he said something like, “look, nobody’s interested in tracking your fat ass when you go to the Piggly Wiggly”. This is in exactly the same spirit; he was ridiculing Hurd’s claim that as a CIA operative he was collecting intelligence on terrorist threats “in the back alleys at 4 o’clock in the morning”. Only Fox News would try to put a racist spin on that remark. It’s disappointing that you’re buying it. As for your “other instances of racist comments by Maher”, have you not been reading the thread? You cited one (1) instance and it’s precisely the one we’ve been talking about for days now, and which I refuted with specific examples cited by Dyson of Maher fighting **against** racism. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/619 "2024-09-24T20:35:38Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > To call this “racist” is putting a crazy wild interpretation on it. When Maher was ridiculing people worried that the COVID vaccine contained a tracking chip, he said something like, “look, nobody’s interested in tracking your fat ass when you go to the Piggly Wiggly”. He could have said McDonald’s, or Burger King, or Chick-Fil-A, or Subway, or Jollibee, or Taco Bell, or Pizza Hut, or Walgreens, or A&W, or Long John Silvers, or Safeway, or Starbucks, or Jersey Mike’s, or Culver’s, or Five Guys, or Quiznos, or Mod, or Dairy Queen, or Shake Shack, or any of dozens of other chains. Instead he chose one which largely employs and is patronized by black people. That was deliberate. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2024, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/620 "2024-09-24T20:45:09Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Instead he chose one which largely employs and is patronized by black people. Popeyes Chicken in my town is full of white customers. I don’t know about the employees, but I would predict they’re primarily white or hispanic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367.md?page=30) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367.md?page=32)