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Real Time with Bill Maher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Real Time with Bill Maher | |
|---|---|
 Real Time with Bill Maher title |
|
| Genre | talk show |
| Starring | Bill Maher |
| Country of origin | USA |
| No. of episodes | 97 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | HBO |
| Original run | February 21, 2003 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Politically Incorrect |
| Links | |
| IMDb profile | |
Real Time with Bill Maher is a talk show that airs weekly on HBO, hosted by comedian and political satirist Bill Maher. Much like his previous show, Politically Incorrect on ABC (and before that, Comedy Central), Real Time features a panel of guests that discuss current events in politics and the media. Unlike the previous show, guests are usually more well-versed in the subject matter, and there are fewer actors and random celebrities included in the panel. Additionally, many guests appear via satellite.
It is an hour-long program with a studio audience, airing live on Friday nights at 11:00 p.m.(ET). It originates from Stage 33 ("The Bob Barker Studio") at CBS Television City in Los Angeles. Twelve new weekly episodes air in the spring (February to early May), and another 12-episode season takes place in the fall (September to November). Because of the live, current-events nature of the show, HBO does not re-air old episodes beyond their first week.
Contents |
The format of the show usually features an opening current events or political skit, followed by the credits and a comedy monologue. Maher then interviews an important figure via satellite before sitting down with three panel guests for an extensive debate. Halfway through the panel session, Maher interviews another figure via satellite. Near the end of every episode, Maher has a segment called "New Rules" which serves as a humorous editorial on popular culture and American politics. The guests on Real Time are of many different ideological dispositions, though most come from the left side of the spectrum, and are sometimes comedians.
Since the show airs on HBO, the discussions are free from censorship and allow for a broader language and reasoning, not seen on other talk shows.
In the first season, Paul F. Tompkins was featured as a correspondent. Also, every episode would end with a performance by a stand-up comedian. Curiously, none of the comedians were political satirists. The segments featuring Tompkins and comedians were dropped after the first season.
Viewers were also able to call into the live show in the first season and ask questions over the air, but this was also dropped.
Starting with episode 67 in February 2006, audio-only episodes have been made available as a free podcast via the iTunes Music Store.
During the fall of 2006, Maher began hosting a live chat (now called "Overtime") on HBO's website following each broadcast, occasionally including some of the show guests as well. Viewers are invited to submit questions prior to the original telecast, for Bill to answer and discuss afterwards.
Maher is a critic of the Bush administration, however his panel attempts to present a more diverse set of views. Frequently, it consists of a liberal commentator or political figure, a conservative commentator or political figure, and a third individual who does not have as clear an ideological label. This third individual is often an actor, comedian, musician or other entertainment figure.
Maher is a self-described libertarian, and he disagrees with both the Republican and Democratic parties on certain issues. However, he endorsed Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry leading up to the 2004 presidential election. Maher has strong opinions on U.S. drug policy, advocating the legalization of marijuana; censorship, often citing his own dismissal from ABC and the backlash against the Dixie Chicks; and conservative attitudes towards sex and sexuality, mocking outrages over Bill Clinton's infidelity and Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction".
Larry King calls Real Time one of the best shows on television[1], and Maher has been a regular guest on Larry King Live.
- HBO's Official Real Time Site
- Real Time with Bill Maher at the Internet Movie Database
- Real Time with Bill Maher - TWoP Forums