Ep 17. June 5, 2020

On June 5, 2020, Real Time with Bill Maher aired its eighteenth episode of the season, which featured various guests and political commentary. As always, the show was hosted by Bill Maher, a comedian, political commentator, and television host. For this episode, Maher tackled topics such as police brutality, systemic racism, and political polarization.

The show opened with Maher's monologue, where he dove into the ongoing protests against police brutality and racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd's death. Maher criticized President Trump's handling of the situation and called for systemic change in the police force. He also addressed the issue of race relations in America, emphasizing the need for solidarity and empathy in the fight for racial equality.

In the next segment, Maher welcomed his first guest, Malcolm Nance, a former U.S. intelligence officer and MSNBC contributor. The two discussed the role of law enforcement in society and the need for police reform. Nance argued that the police force needs to be restructured and that outdated laws such as qualified immunity need to be abolished. Maher echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that police brutality is a systemic issue that requires systemic solutions.

The second guest on the show was Symone Sanders, a political commentator and former press secretary for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. Sanders and Maher had a lively discussion about the current state of the Democratic Party and the upcoming presidential election. They discussed the importance of the Black vote and how Joe Biden's campaign can appeal to Black voters without taking their support for granted.

In the final segment, Maher was joined by two more guests: Andrew Sullivan, a writer and blogger, and Bakari Sellers, a civil rights attorney and former South Carolina state Representative. The three discussed the role of social media in politics and how it has contributed to political polarization. They also talked about the controversial opinions of J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, and how her comments about transgender people have sparked backlash and further divided people.

Overall, Real Time with Bill Maher season 18 episode 17 was a thought-provoking and timely episode that tackled important issues facing America today. Maher's guests brought diverse perspectives to the table, and Maher himself provided valuable insights and commentary. The show was a reminder of the importance of political discourse and the need for empathy and understanding in a time of crisis.