Real Time with Bill Maher

Watch Real Time with Bill Maher

  • TV-MA
  • 2003
  • 22 Seasons
  • 7.4  (14,237)

Many people believe that comedy and politics should not mix, but Bill Maher does not agree. Maher is well-known to comedy audiences as a stand-up comic who has been performing for several years, but he is also an outspoken advocate for a number of political issues. This makes him the ideal host for a show like Real Time with Bill Maher. Airing weekly on HBO, Real Time with Bill Maher is a program that revolves around its host and his political leanings, but it also includes discussion and debate from a panel of guests, many of whom come from different sides of the ideological divide. It is this mix of conservatives and liberals along with politicians and comedians that gives the show its spark, and Maher acts as the perfect moderator and ringleader.

Real Time with Bill Maher is an hour-long program that airs each Friday on HBO. One of the most interesting aspects of the program is that it airs live, meaning that anything can happen. This provides for some spirited debates given the show's unrehearsed and mostly unscripted nature. A typical episode will begin with a sketch or a satirical bit involving events which are currently in the news. This is followed by a monologue delivered by the host. Before the panel comes out to have its discussion, Maher usually interviews an important political or social figure either in the studio or via satellite.

After the one-on-one interview, Maher introduces the three guests who will appear on that episode's panel. The panel segment of the program is the centerpiece of each show, and it typically produces the most noteworthy segments. This is because the guests often enter into fiery arguments with one another. However, things are not allowed to spin out of control thanks to Maher's ability to reign discussions back in to the topics at hand. Maher is a master of this, and he does so with agile humor and charm. The panel discussion is usually followed by another comedy bit, another one-on-one interview with a guest and the famous New Rules segment in which Maher goes through a list of humorous suggestions for rules that society should follow.

Real Time with Bill Maher is a comedy show, but it also adds important discussions to the arena of politics. This makes the show very rare, and it is why so many people tune in each week. The show is live and includes language that is meant for adults, so it is not for everyone. However, people who want to laugh while staying engaged in the political discussion love receiving their weekly dose of Maher and his program.

Real Time with Bill Maher is a series that is currently running and has 22 seasons (656 episodes). The series first aired on February 21, 2003.

Real Time with Bill Maher
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Seasons
Eric Holder, Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ro Khanna
8. Eric Holder, Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ro Khanna
March 15, 2024
This week features a one-on-one interview with Eric Holder, former attorney general under President Obama, chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, and co-author of "Our Unfinished March: The Violent Past and Imperiled Future of the Vote-A History, a Crisis, a Plan."This week's panel discussion includes Rep. Nancy Mace,Republican Congresswoman from South Carolina who currently serves on the Armed Services and House Oversight committees; and Rep. Ro Khanna, Democratic Congressman who represents California's Silicon Valley and a member of President Biden's National Advisory Board.
Robert De Niro, Max Brooks, Tara Palmeri
7. Robert De Niro, Max Brooks, Tara Palmeri
March 8, 2024
This week features a one-on-one interview with Robert De Niro, two-time Oscar®-winning actor and film producer who is currently nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Killers of the Flower Moon." This week's panel discussion includes Max Brooks,host of the YouTube show "Max Brooks Breaks Down" and New York Times best-selling author of "Minecraft: The Village"; and Tara Palmeri, senior political correspondent at Puck and host of The Ringer's "Somebody's Gotta Win with Tara Palmeri" podcast.
Dr. Phil McGraw, Michael Twitty
6. Dr. Phil McGraw, Michael Twitty
March 1, 2024
This week features a one-on-one interview with Dr. Phil McGraw, author of the new book, "We've Got Issues: How You Can Stand Strong for America's Soul and Sanity," who will soon host "Dr. Phil Primetime" on his new cable network, Merit Street Media.
Dr. Jean Twenge, Van Jones, Ann Coulter
5. Dr. Jean Twenge, Van Jones, Ann Coulter
February 16, 2024
This week features a one-on-one interview with Dr. Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of 'Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents―and What They Mean for America's Future.'This week's panel discussion includes Van Jones,CNN political commentator and host of the podcast "Uncommon Ground with Van Jones" and Ann Coulter, conservative political commentator, author of 13 New York Times bestselling books, who now writes the column 'Unsafe' on Substack.
Coleman Hughes, Bob Costas, Caitlin Flanagan
4. Coleman Hughes, Bob Costas, Caitlin Flanagan
February 9, 2024
This week features a one-on-one interview with Coleman Hughes, host of the 'Conversations With Coleman' podcast, contributor to The Free Press, and author of the new book 'The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America,' available this week.
Michael Render, Gov. Chris Sununu, Jessica Tarlov
3. Michael Render, Gov. Chris Sununu, Jessica Tarlov
February 2, 2024
Guests: Michael Render (aka Killer Mike) - entrepreneur, musician, and one-half of the group "Run the Jewels"; Gov. Chris Sununu - Republican Governor of New Hampshire; Jessica Tarlov - co-host of "The Five" on Fox News and Head of Research for Bustle.
Stephen A. Smith, Rep. Adam Schiff, Seth MacFarlane
2. Stephen A. Smith, Rep. Adam Schiff, Seth MacFarlane
January 26, 2024
This week features an interview with Stephen A. Smith, host of ESPN's "First Take" and the podcast "The Stephen A. Smith Show," both available on YouTube, and author of the new book "Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Take." This week's panel discussion includes Rep. Adam Schiff, Democratic Congressman representing California's 30th district who is a 2024 candidate to represent California in the US Senate; and Seth MacFarlane, actor, comedian, writer, producer, and singer whose newest show "Ted" recently premiered January 11 on Peacock.
Andrew Sullivan, Alex Wagner, Gavin Newsom
1. Andrew Sullivan, Alex Wagner, Gavin Newsom
January 19, 2024
Guests: Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democratic Governor of California; Andrew Sullivan - columnist for Substack
Description
Where to Watch Real Time with Bill Maher
Real Time with Bill Maher is available for streaming on the HBO website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Real Time with Bill Maher on demand at Max, Amazon Prime, Amazon, Hulu, HBO NOW and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    February 21, 2003
  • IMDB Rating
    7.4  (14,237)