Ep 8. March 15, 2019

In the eighth episode of the seventeenth season of Real Time with Bill Maher, which aired on March 15, 2019, the political commentator and comedian covered a range of issues facing America and the world with his trademark wit, humor, and intelligence.

The episode opened with Maher's op-ed in the New York Times, in which he argued that the Democrats can't afford to be too woke and need to focus on winning the 2020 presidential election by being more pragmatic and less ideological. He then moved on to talk about the college admissions scandal, in which wealthy parents allegedly paid bribes to get their kids into elite universities. Maher joked that the real scandal is that "colleges are letting dumb kids in their doors," and that the solution is to make higher education more affordable and merit-based.

Maher also sat down for an interview with Congressman Tim Ryan, who had just announced his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. They discussed Ryan's vision for a "blue-collar revolution" that would create jobs and boost the economy in the Midwest, as well as his views on healthcare, climate change, and gun control. Maher challenged Ryan on his support for the Green New Deal and asked him to explain how he would pay for it, but also praised him for being one of the few Democrats who was focused on winning back the Rust Belt.

In the panel discussion segment, Maher was joined by journalist Joshua Green, political commentator Ana Navarro, and comedian Michael Steele. They tackled a range of political topics, including New Zealand's response to the mass shooting in Christchurch, the Democrats' impeachment dilemma, and Nancy Pelosi's leadership style. Maher was particularly passionate about the issue of climate change, and challenged his guests to debate the merits of nuclear power as a solution. Steele argued that it was too expensive and risky, while Navarro and Green praised it as a necessary option for reducing carbon emissions.

Throughout the episode, Maher also delivered his usual monologue and closing segment, in which he tackled current events and delivered biting commentary on the news of the day. He joked about Joe Biden's inappropriate touching, Jared Kushner's security clearance, and President Trump's love of fast food. He also took a more serious tone in discussing the rise of hate crimes against Muslims and the need for liberals to take a stand against anti-Semitism.

Overall, the March 15, 2019 episode of Real Time with Bill Maher was a thought-provoking and entertaining exploration of the issues facing America and the world today. Maher's guests offered a range of perspectives on politics and policy, and his monologue and segments added humor and levity to the show. As always, Maher's commentary was sharp, insightful, and often controversial, making for a compelling viewing experience for anyone interested in politics and current events.