Ep 22. August 2, 2019

On August 2, 2019, Real Time with Bill Maher aired its 22nd episode of the 17th season with a panel of guests that included Andrew Yang, Jon Meacham, Counterterrorism expert Malcolm Nance, and Nancy Pelosi's daughter, Christine Pelosi.

The episode prioritized discussions about the recent Democratic debates, with Maher starting off the show with his usual opening monologue that shed light on his comedic perspectives of the debates. The subsequent segment moved to a panel discussion, where Maher discussed the implications of how the debates might affect Democratic candidates running for president as we near the 2020 elections.

Andrew Yang, a first-time presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, was a highlight of the show. Yang spoke about his proposals for a Universal Basic Income of $1,000 each month for every American, and about his future plans if he indeed became president. Maher grilled him on his feasibility and Yang defended his ideas with calculated responses.

Malcolm Nance, a former US Intelligence Counterterrorism expert, spoke about his new book "The Plot to Hack America," and discussed his views on Russia's influence on the American election. The conversation then shifted to the national security implications of Mueller's testimony before Senate committees and the possibility of impeachment.

The panel then moved on to a more serious discussion that centered around the topic of police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. Nancy Pelosi's daughter, Christine Pelosi, shared her views on the matter, drawing attention to the importance of criminal justice reform. The matter was discussed in detail and the panel questioned the negative portrayal of the Black Lives Matter movement by Republican candidates and the right wing.

Maher also discussed the recent mass shootings in the United States and the lack of gun control laws in place to prevent such incidents. The panel discussed the possible reforms that should be in place to alleviate the issue.

The show ended with New York Times best-selling author Jon Meacham, who spoke about his new book "The Soul of America," which examines America's current political climate. Maher ended the show with his "New Rules" segment with his comedic opinions on current events.

Overall, the show tackled various pressing issues of the time, ranging from politics, gun control, and police brutality to the Black Lives Matter movement. The in-depth discussion with leading figures in their respective fields made for a thought-provoking and informative episode of Real Time with Bill Maher.