# 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:** 47
**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:** [March 24, 2025, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/921 "2025-03-24T19:02:03Z")
The problem is when desire for attention becomes all-consuming and defies common sense and whatever principles one once had. There’s a thing known as audience capture, where to appeal to viewers jaded by scandals and commonplace bad behavior, hosts/social media posters feel compelled to sink ever further into extreme attacks on perceived enemies and rage-baiting. Maher’s descent on that score continues. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2025, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/922 "2025-03-24T19:29:32Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > There’s a thing known as audience capture, where to appeal to viewers jaded by scandals and commonplace bad behavior, hosts/social media posters feel compelled to sink ever further into extreme attacks on perceived enemies and rage-baiting. > > Maher’s descent on that score continues. We’ll have to disagree. I just don’t see Maher as someone who does that. I see Fox News and Newsmax and the like and their idiot hosts doing all those things. And Maher, in fact, is trying to stem those attacks by imploring Democrats to stop saying stupid shit that makes them vulnerable to justified right-wing ridicule. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/923 "2025-03-24T19:42:09Z")
> **[Imgflip](https://imgflip.com/i/9oh8h1)** ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/924 "2025-03-24T19:51:46Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > There’s a thing known as audience capture, where to appeal to viewers jaded by scandals and commonplace bad behavior, hosts/social media posters feel compelled to sink ever further into extreme attacks on perceived enemies and rage-baiting. The Evel Knievel School of Journalism; “I can jump over 20 discussions of foreign relations and domestic policy on a motorcycle.” ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/925 "2025-03-24T19:56:53Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > And Maher, in fact, is trying to stem those attacks by imploring Democrats to stop saying stupid shit that makes them vulnerable to justified right-wing ridicule. Are they, though? I hear Republicans go on and on about transgender women playing sports, DEI policies, immigrants are eating puppies, until they’re blue in the face. Then people say the Democrats are making too big a deal about woke. It’s Republicans that can’t shut up 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:** [March 24, 2025, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/926 "2025-03-24T20:05:25Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I hear Republicans go on and on about transgender women playing sports, DEI policies, immigrants are eating puppies And wolfpup’s “They {certain Democrats} say that homeowners should stop paying their mortgages and stick it to the banks, that tenants should stop paying rent and stick it to the landlords, and there should be no consequences because law enforcement has been “cancelled”.” is straight up _immigrants are eating puppies_ bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![P91noX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@P91noX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P91noX)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/927 "2025-03-24T21:32:04Z")
They literally tweeted what **wolfpup** said they tweeted. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/928 "2025-03-25T12:46:48Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > And wolfpup’s “They {certain Democrats} say that homeowners should stop paying their mortgages and stick it to the banks, that tenants should stop paying rent and stick it to the landlords, and there should be no consequences because law enforcement has been “cancelled”.” is straight up _immigrants are eating puppies_ bullshit. How _dare_ @wolfpup _quote precisely what they said_. What a _monster_. Repeating the precise words of a politician is _clearly_ something he is only doing because those politicians are black and brown. As you so astutely pointed out earlier. What a racist fuck he is. You should be ashamed of yourself, wolfpup. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2025, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/929 "2025-03-25T12:50:16Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > How _dare_ @wolfpup _quote precisely what they said_. So, we’re at three claims with no citations… ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/930 "2025-03-25T15:12:21Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > So, we’re at three claims with no citations… This is the original claim that got your titties in a twist: > [@wolfpup](#): > > But look, when actual members of Congress tweet things like “cancel rent”, “cancel mortgage” (Rep. Ayanna Pressley D-MA) and “no more policing, incarceration or militarization” (Rep. Rashida Tlaib D-MI) Here are the tweets in question: > > They did, in fact, say exactly what @wolfpup quoted then as saying. Word for word. Now, brace yourselves, everyone; the goal posts are about to move at supersonic speeds. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/931 "2025-03-25T15:14:43Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Now, brace yourselves, everyone; the goal posts are about to move at supersonic speeds. Frankly, I think the hyperbole from those tweets are irresponsible and worthy of criticism. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/932 "2025-03-25T15:16:13Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Now, brace yourselves, everyone; the goal posts are about to move at supersonic speeds. > [@wolfpup](#): > > Read the plain English words and think about what they say. They say that homeowners should stop paying their mortgages and stick it to the banks, that tenants should stop paying rent and stick it to the landlords, and there should be no consequences because law enforcement has been “cancelled”. Yes, they have. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2025, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/933 "2025-03-25T15:37:00Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > You should be ashamed of yourself, wolfpup. Maybe Wolfpup should meet with you so you two can settle your grievances. Is Captain McCluskey still around to provide security? Also, would you know [wolfpup](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/dpn/459b3d38-cee6-447e-9b33-a529ddc2d155.sized-1000x1000.jpg?w=1000) if you saw him? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/934 "2025-03-25T15:41:17Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > Also, would you know [wolfpup](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/dpn/459b3d38-cee6-447e-9b33-a529ddc2d155.sized-1000x1000.jpg?w=1000) if you saw him? …is that a death threat? Or am I suffering from severe face blindness? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/935 "2025-03-25T15:41:23Z")
I’m skeptical. Maher didn’t challenge Milo Yiannopolous at all when he had him on years ago, just easy fluff questions. I think Maher’s combination of contrariness, disdain for the left, and starfuckery will overwhelm what few remaining impulses he has towards insight and bringing truth to power. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/936 "2025-03-25T15:47:39Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > > [@Babale](#): > > > > Now, brace yourselves, everyone; the goal posts are about to move at supersonic speeds. > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > Read the plain English words and think about what they say. They say that homeowners should stop paying their mortgages and stick it to the banks, that tenants should stop paying rent and stick it to the landlords, and there should be no consequences because law enforcement has been “cancelled”. > > Yes, they have. Talk about rewriting history! Your panties were thoroughly bunched _before_ that post, when all that Wolfpup said was: > [@wolfpup](#): > > How about “neither”? How about, he’s a comedian with a long-running Emmy-winning TV show who necessarily thrives on publicity and, frankly, controversy. But look, when actual members of Congress tweet things like “cancel rent”, “cancel mortgage” (Rep. Ayanna Pressley D-MA) and “no more policing, incarceration or militarization” (Rep. Rashida Tlaib D-MI) then I have to side with Maher that “woke” has gone way too far. When he calls out shit like this, he’s not manufacturing controversy, he’s reporting stupidity. The kind of stupidity that’s been sinking the Democrats. > [@Atamasama](#): > > Frankly, I think the hyperbole from those tweets are irresponsible and worthy of criticism. I agree. Thankfully, I also note that both of those tweets are pretty old, and Democrats have, for the most part, learned from their mistakes and are more careful about that kind of irresponsible hyperbole. “Your examples are four years old, Democrats learned from that and adapted” would be a better criticism of @wolfpup/defense of Democrats than whatever the fuck it is that @crowmanyclouds is doing. Although, to criticize my hypothetical criticism of @wolfpup’s criticism… [![](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*hp93DT_YP2RfPs7eBDtPfw.jpeg) ](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*hp93DT_YP2RfPs7eBDtPfw.jpeg) While Democrats are definitely _better_ about this than they were in 2020/2021, they still have plenty of room for improvement in this area; undoubtedly you could find more recent examples. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/937 "2025-03-25T16:07:45Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > …is that a death threat? Or am I suffering from severe face blindness? No. I just always heard from other people that he was a really handsome guy. I googled & used a pic. You shouldn’t be so paranoid or intimidated. I’m sure he’s very nice in person. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/938 "2025-03-25T16:10:01Z")
Sooooo… That IS Luigi? Why would you send me a picture of Luigi while hinting about me “meeting him” to “settle grievances”? I have no idea what that could be meant to imply other than a death threat. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2025, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/939 "2025-03-25T16:23:30Z")
I said wolfpup. Take your meds. You may be an ass, but nobody wants you hurt or dead. You’re much more valuable alive and spouting ignorant hate-stances against progressives while pouting over the word “woke”. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/940 "2025-03-25T16:27:36Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > I said wolfpup. You said Wolfpup but hyperlinked a photo of a murderer, so you can imagine my confusion. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367.md?page=46) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367.md?page=48)