# 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:** 65
**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:** [August 6, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1281 "2026-08-06T20:52:00Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’d just like to gently point out that I haven’t rushed to Bill Maher’s defense this time. I’ll commend you for this even if nobody else will. ---
**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:** [August 6, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1282 "2026-08-06T21:49:26Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I’ll commend you for this even if nobody else will. I will, too. It’s very easy for our species to dig in on a position, and very much to the credit of any member of the species who refrains from doing so. Also: Maher is absolutely working to sell the idea that “Democrats” now equals ‘no borders, no prisons, no police’ etc. Between ‘stupid’ and ‘disingenuous’ as explanations, I’d vote for the latter. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1283 "2026-08-06T22:10:19Z")
Me three. You’ve earned a biscuit on this one, @wolfpup … or a Caesar … your choice 🙂 ---
**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:** [August 7, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1284 "2026-08-07T14:32:19Z")
Maher has follows the philophy that the best way to prove that your are hip free thinker is just to say that anything that is popular sucks. Most people grow out of this in their early 20’s as they realize it makes them look like a lazy pompous ass, but Maher has turned it into a career. ---
**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:** [August 7, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1285 "2026-08-07T21:40:09Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Maher has turned it into a career. That’s true. Though to be fair, most successful standups have chosen a theme or stance around which to build their acts. Maher’s could largely be said to be ‘anything popular sucks’ (as you put it). George Carlin’s was a kind of variant, along the lines of ‘anything that’s Established sucks.’ Seinfeld’s might have been ‘what’s the deal with \_\_\_\_\_\_?’ Robin Williams: ‘this is what’s in my brain’ (and it was always surprising). Etc. etc. But compare Maher with the greatest (Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor) and it’s clear that his choice to become a talk-show host was a wise one. ---
**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:** [August 7, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1286 "2026-08-07T23:23:04Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > But compare Maher with the greatest (Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor) and it’s clear that his choice to become a talk-show host was a wise one. Say what you will, but Maher knows what he’s good at and what he sucks at (I think) and he has made it work for him. It’s just that what he’s good at is being an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1287 "2026-08-07T23:31:50Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > But compare Maher with the greatest (Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor) and it’s clear that his choice to become a talk-show host was a **wise** one. You misspelled _lucrative_. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1288 "2026-08-08T01:00:09Z")
Yeah, I can’t really disagree with anything said in the comments that followed mine. I really hadn’t heard him much since the early days of _Politically Incorrect_, back when Christopher Hitchens made frequent visits. Maher didn’t bother me as much in those days. I’m not sure if it is because he changed or I did. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2026, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1289 "2026-08-08T01:02:29Z")
> [@Disinfectus](#): > > I’m not sure if it is because he changed or I did. The world has changed and Maher’s still stuck in 1993. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1290 "2026-08-08T01:05:24Z")
It’s certainly a contrast to Jon Stewart, who has aged like a fine wine (IMO) since the 90s. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1291 "2026-08-08T03:03:38Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Maher has follows the philophy that the best way to prove that your are hip free thinker is just to say that anything that is popular sucks. Most people grow out of this in their early 20’s as they realize it makes them look like a lazy pompous ass, but Maher has turned it into a career. Or ya know, stick with me here, maybe everyone doesn’t share your tastes? ---
**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:** [August 8, 2026, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1292 "2026-08-08T03:31:16Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > maybe everyone doesn’t share your tastes? Is this directed as me or Maher? ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1293 "2026-08-08T03:31:37Z")
Either, doesn’t matter. Might as well be directed at Billy Joel, too. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2026, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1294 "2026-08-08T03:45:48Z")
I’m fine with people not liking the same things that I do. I personally can’t stand R&B music but I wouldn’t say that R&B music sucks. I recognize that R&B artists are talented, its just not for me. Maher may also recognize that the Beatles are talented, but finds that saying they suck gives him an appearance of superiority. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1295 "2026-08-08T03:53:10Z")
Or maybe your implying that others that disagree with your tastes are doing so insincerely gives you a feeling of superiority about your tastes. I don’t really know. Trust me, it’s totally possible to genuinely think that The Beatles’ lyrics are generally garbage. I hate Maher, so don’t think I’m trying to defend him in general. I’m pretty sure that he thinks all of the music I like to listen to is unlistenable. Lots of people do. I get along just fine, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1296 "2026-08-08T13:53:04Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Or maybe your implying that others that disagree with your tastes are doing so insincerely gives you a feeling of superiority about your tastes. And maybe your observation that the implication that he thinks that others disagree with his tastes are doing so insincerely gives him a feeling of superiority about his tastes gives you a feeling of superiority about your observations of his feelings about his superiority. It’s _feelings of superiority_ all the way down! ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1297 "2026-08-08T14:35:20Z")
Oh, no maybe about it. Knowing that other people will sometimes attribute someone disagreeing with them about matters of taste to a character flaw does result in short term feelings of superiority. If they learn that others can actually disagree with them about matters of taste without it being a flaw, that goes away. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1298 "2026-08-08T16:15:35Z")
Last week he promised to “tear Rand Paul a new one”. Then in this week’s segment he spent a minute on Paul publishing a diary, and then six+ on how Fauci pandered to the hip lib crowd, “saving” it all by ending with “but that’s still not a crime.” What did we expect. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1299 "2026-08-08T17:44:54Z")
For a libertarian, or whatever he considers himself, he sure seems to be stumping hard for republicans. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367/1300 "2026-08-08T18:00:54Z")
> _I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy_ –Bill Maher [No. Not really. But it sure _sounded_ plausible, didn’t it??] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367.md?page=64) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-time-with-bill-maher/991367.md?page=66)