Ep 26. September 6, 2019

On September 6, 2019, Real Time with Bill Maher aired its 26th episode of the 17th season. The popular political talk show brought on a diverse group of guests to discuss a range of topics, as host Bill Maher and panelists debated issues from the week.

The opening monologue of the show didn't hold back and addressed a variety of political topics. Maher joked about weathering Hurricane Dorian and then dove straight into discussing the recent controversy surrounding President Trump's idea of buying Greenland. He also delved into the recent continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown, the 2020 Democratic candidates, and criticized the cable news industry for clinging to constant breaking news stories.

The first guest on the program was novelist Salman Rushdie. The pair discussed his recent book, "Quichotte," which serves as a retelling of the classic Don Quixote tale. Rushdie shared his personal experiences with President Trump, explaining how Trump had once called him to defend a decision in the book "The Satanic Verses." They also discussed how literature can be a way to escape the current political climate.

Next up was conservative political commentator Andrew Sullivan, who discussed his recent article, "We All Live on Campus Now." Sullivan argued that political correctness in American universities had grown out of control, with the over-coddling of students and lack of free speech on campus. Maher and Sullivan also discussed the current political climate, with Sullivan arguing that the Democratic party had moved too far left.

The third guest on the show was comedian Chelsea Handler, who discussed her new book "Life Will Be the Death of Me." Handler explained how her recent work had been influenced by the loss of her brother and dog, and the therapy sessions that followed. The conversation pivoted towards politics, with Handler weighing in on the upcoming presidential election and the push for gun control laws.

The final guest on the program, Christian Picciolini, was perhaps the most unexpected of the group. Picciolini is a former white supremacist who now works exposing hate groups and helping individuals leave them. The discussion tackled a range of topics, including the nuances of white supremacy, how to identify hate groups, and the importance of empathy in countering hate speech.

Throughout the show, there was also discussion of breaking news, with Maher and panelists chiming in on topics including the current political climate in Israel, vaping concerns, and the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton.

As always, the show concluded with Maher's "New Rules" segment, in which he shared his comedic take on the week's news and events. The episode wrapped up with Maher bidding farewell to his guests and audience, as he prepared for next week's episode.

Overall, the September 6th episode of Real Time with Bill Maher gave viewers a range of thought-provoking discussions, from literature to politics to current events. The diversity of guests fostered a lively conversation, making it a must-see for fans of political talk shows.