Bill Maher
Template:Short description Template:Other people Template:Pp-move Template:Protection padlock Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox comedian William Maher<ref name=fdr1>Stated on Finding Your Roots, January 12, 2016, PBS; on a series that lists "Jr." and "Sr." distinctions, Bill Maher's birth name was listed simply as William Maher, while his father was William Aloysius Maher Jr., and his paternal grandfather was William Aloysius Maher Sr.</ref> (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell; born January 20, 1956)<ref name=filmref /> is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. He is popularly known for the HBO political talk show Real Time with Bill Maher (2003–present) and the similar late-night show called Politically Incorrect (1993–2002), originally on Comedy Central and later on ABC. In 2022, Maher started the podcast Club Random.<ref name=":2" />
Maher is best known for his political satire<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and sociopolitical commentary. He targets many topics including religion, political correctness, and the mass media.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His critical views of religion were the basis for his 2008 documentary film Religulous. He is a supporter of animal rights, having served on the board of PETA since 1997.<ref name="US magazine">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CNNPETA>Template:Cite news</ref>Template:Needsupdate Maher supports the legalization of cannabis, serving on the advisory board of NORML.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2005, Maher ranked at No. 38 on Comedy Central's 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Maher has earned 41 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and a win for his work as executive producer for Vice in 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He has also received nominations for two Grammy Awards and a Tony Award.
Early life and education
William Maher was born in New York City. His father, William Aloysius Maher Jr.,<ref name=fdr1/> was a network news editor and radio announcer, and his mother, Julie Maher (née Berman), was a nurse.<ref name="filmref">Template:Cite web</ref> He was raised in his Irish-American father's Roman Catholic religion. Until his early teens, he was unaware that his mother, whose family was from Hungary, was Jewish.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Owing to his disagreement with the Catholic Church's doctrine about birth control, Maher's father stopped taking Maher and his sister to Catholic Mass when Maher was thirteen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Maher was raised in River Vale, New Jersey, and graduated from Pascack Hills High School in Montvale in 1974.<ref name=filmref/><ref name="Bloom"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He then attended Cornell University, where he double-majored in English and history, and graduated in 1978.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher has said, "Selling pot allowed me to get through college and make enough money to start off in comedy."<ref name="Bloom">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Career
Early career
Maher began his career as a comedian and actor. He was host of the New York City comedy club Catch a Rising Star in 1979. Maher began appearing on Johnny Carson's and David Letterman's shows in 1982.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He made limited television appearances including on Sara (1985),<ref name=NYT>Template:Cite news</ref> Max Headroom (1987),<ref>Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows; Harris M. Lentz; McFarland Publishing, 2001; Pg. 1944</ref> Murder, She Wrote (1989, 1990),<ref name=NYT/> and Charlie Hoover (1991). His feature film debut was in D.C. Cab (1983).<ref name=NYT/> He later appeared in Ratboy (1986),<ref name=NYT/> House II: The Second Story (1987),<ref name=NYT/> Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (1988),<ref name=NYT/> Newhart (1988), hosted the talk show Midnight Hour on CBS (1990) and Pizza Man (1991).<ref name=NYT/>
Television career
Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher
Maher assumed the host role on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, a late-night political talk show that ran on Comedy Central from 1993 to 1997 and on ABC from 1997 to 2002. The show regularly began with a topical monologue by Maher preceding the introduction of four guests, usually a diverse group of individuals, such as show business, popular culture, political pundits, political consultants, authors, and occasionally news figures. The group would discuss topical issues selected by Maher, who also participated in the discussions.<ref name="nytimes">Template:Cite news</ref> Jerry Seinfeld, a regular guest on the show, stated that Politically Incorrect reminded him of talk shows from the 1950s and '60s "when guests interacted with each other as much as with the host".<ref name="nytimes"/>
Politically Incorrect won an array of awards, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Technical Direction, two CableACE awards for Best Talk Show Series, and a Genesis Award for Best Television Talk Show. Maher earned numerous award nominations for his producing, writing, and hosting of Politically Incorrect, including ten Emmy nominations, two TV Guide nominations, and two Writers Guild nominations. ABC decided against renewing Maher's contract for Politically Incorrect in 2002, after he made a controversial on-air remark six days after the September 11 attacks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He agreed with his guest, conservative pundit Dinesh D'Souza, that the 9/11 terrorists did not act in a cowardly manner (in rebuttal to President Bush's statement calling them cowards). Maher said, "We have been the cowards. Lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building. Say what you want about it. Not cowardly. You're right." Maher later clarified that his comment was not anti-military in any way whatsoever, referencing his well-documented longstanding support for the American military.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After receiving complaints, FedEx and Sears pulled their advertisements from the show, costing the show significant revenue.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Sayre>Template:Cite book</ref>
Maher's remarks after 9/11 were not the first time he had sparked controversy on Politically Incorrect. In the same year, he expressed his deep regrets and apologized after being widely criticized for comparing his dogs to mentally disabled children.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The show was canceled on June 16, 2002; the Sinclair Broadcast Group had dropped the show from its ABC-affiliated stations several months earlier. On June 22, 2002, six days after the cancellation of Politically Incorrect, Maher received the Los Angeles Press Club president's award (for "championing free speech").<ref name=Sayre/> Maher was on the board of judges for the 2002 PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award, which was given to writer Vanessa Leggett, imprisoned for 168 days for protecting sources and research notes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Real Time with Bill Maher
Template:Main In 2003, Maher became the host, co-producer, and co-writer of Real Time with Bill Maher, a weekly hour-long political comedy talk show on the cable television network HBO. In 2016, HBO renewed Real Time through 2018, for its 15th and 16th seasons.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During an interview, Maher told Terry Gross (on NPR's Fresh Air) that he much prefers having serious and well-informed guests on his program, as opposed to the random celebrities that fleshed out his roundtable discussions on Politically Incorrect.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
As with his previous show, Politically Incorrect, Maher begins Real Time with a comic opening monologue based upon current events and other topical issues. He proceeds to a one-on-one interview with a guest, either in-studio or via satellite. Following the interview, Maher sits with two or three panelists—usually consisting of pundits, authors, activists, actors, politicians, and journalists—for a discussion of the week's events.
Real Time has earned widespread praise. It has been nominated for more than ten Primetime Emmy Awards and six Writer's Guild awards. In 2007, Maher and his co-producers were awarded the Television Producer of the Year Award in Variety Television by the Producers Guild of America.<ref>Producers Guild of America Awards – Winners 1990-2010; PGA.org; May 29, 2012</ref> Maher holds the record for the most Emmy nominations without a win, having been nominated on 22 occasions and not winning once. Eleven of the nominations were for Politically Incorrect, while nine were for Real Time. The other two were nominations for two of his HBO comedy specials: I'm Swiss and Bill Maher: The Decider.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Political commentator
Maher is a frequent commentator on various cable news networks, including CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and HLN. Maher has regularly appeared on CNN's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and has also been a frequent guest on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Rachel Maddow Show,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Countdown with Keith Olbermann.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Maher has also appeared as a guest on HLN's The Joy Behar Show.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He wrote the foreword for the 2002 book, Spin This!: All the Ways We Don't Tell the Truth by show host Bill Press.<ref>Spin This!: All the Ways We Don't Tell the Truth; Bill Press; Simon & Schuster; 2002; Pg. xi</ref>
Maher hosted the January 13, 2006, edition of Larry King Live, on which he was a frequent guest. Maher appeared as a special guest on the June 29, 2010, edition of the show, on which CNN anchor Larry King announced his retirement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Maher co-emceed the final show of Larry King Live on December 16, 2010, with Ryan Seacrest.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Other work
In 2004, Maher appeared on stage as Satan in The Steve Allen Theater production of "Hollywood Hell House", a spoof of Christian-run hell houses. The show was a faithful reproduction of an evangelistic scare-experience written by Reverend Keenan Roberts to terrify teenagers into declaring themselves Christians. "Our faith is that putting this up as itself, it will hoist itself on its own petard, that it's comical just as it is," explained producer Maggie Rowe. The show featured a rotating cast of over 160 celebrities, including Andy Richter (Jesus), Richard Belzer, Dave Thomas, Traci Lords, Craig Bierko, Sarah Silverman, and Julia Sweeney.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher and director Larry Charles teamed up to make the movie Religulous, described by trade publication Variety as a documentary "that spoofs religious extremism across the world". It was released on October 3, 2008.<ref>Demara, Bruce. (September 10, 2007.) "Maher preaches to the TIFF choir". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 9, 2007.Template:404</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2013, Maher became one of the executive producers for the HBO newsmagazine series Vice.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Hinckley, David (April 5, 2013). "TV review: 'Vice' on HBO". Daily News.</ref> Also in 2013, Maher appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and offered to pay $5 million to a charity if Donald Trump would produce his birth certificate to prove that Trump's mother had not mated with an orangutan. Maher said this in response to Trump having previously challenged President Barack Obama to produce his birth certificate, and having offered $5 million payable to a charity of Obama's choice if Obama would produce his college applications, transcripts, and passport records.<ref name="Allen6Feb"/><ref name="Lee1Nov">Template:Cite news</ref>
In response to Maher's offer, Trump produced his birth certificate, and then Trump launched a lawsuit after Maher was not forthcoming, claiming that Maher's $5 million offer was legally binding. "I don't think he was joking", Trump said. "He said it with venom."<ref name="Allen6Feb">Template:Cite news</ref> Trump withdrew his lawsuit against the comedian after eight weeks.<ref name="Ax3April">Template:Cite news</ref>
Club Random podcast
Template:AnchorOn March 21, 2022, Maher launched a podcast titled Club Random, a series hosting one-on-one interviews with guests, recorded in his bar at home, where he discusses everything except politics.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> Guests have included Quentin Tarantino, Jimmy Kimmel, Bella Thorne, Judd Apatow, Mike Tyson, Killer Mike, and William Shatner.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In February 2024, Maher revealed that he decided not to release a two-hour interview with Kanye West recorded for Club Random because of the rapper's recent antisemitic comments.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In March 2024, Maher announced that he was starting a podcast network with Chris Casey and Chuck LaBella called Club Random Studios.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In May 2024, Maher told Jerry Seinfeld on the Club Random podcast that "after this year, I'm going to stop doing [stand-up]".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Political views
Maher often eschews political labels, referring to himself as "practical"; however, he has generally held moderately liberal views over the years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher stands against political correctness. In his words, "The difference is that liberals protect people, and P.C. people protect feelings."<ref name=NYTmag>Template:Cite news</ref> In the past, he has also described himself as a libertarian, and has also referred to himself "as a progressive, as a sane person".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In a 2012 panel discussion with Salman Rushdie, Maher counted himself, Rushdie, and others such as Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris as "9/11 liberals", noting that they differentiate themselves from many mainstream liberals in saying that not all religions are alike and that they are not bigoted in criticizing a particular religion.<ref name=RCP/> He said in a later interview: "It's ridiculous to label criticism of a religion as a phobia of a religion. I'm going to criticize any person or group that violates liberal principles...."<ref name=NYTmag/> He has addressed his Republican fans who have asked him why he, after frequently criticizing the Democratic party over the years for various policies and decisions and being "so good in roasting the woke nonsense-peddlers", won't just "go all the way and join" the right-wing by saying that "because I don’t want to live in North Korea".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Maher favors the ending of corporate welfare and federal funding of non-profits; he also favors the legalization of gambling, prostitution, and cannabis.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref> Maher also supports the death penalty.<ref>Larry King Live – Transcript; CNN; December 15, 2005</ref> Maher describes himself as an environmentalist, and he has spoken in favor of the Kyoto treaty on global warming on his show Real Time. He often criticizes industry figures involved in environmental pollution.<ref name="halem2001">Halem, Dann. (August 1, 2001.) "Is Bill Maher a libertarian?" Template:Webarchive, Salon (news website). Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref> He is a board member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.<ref name=CNNPETA/> The comedian has noted the paradox of people claiming they distrusted "elite" politicians while at the same time wanting elite doctors to treat them and elite lawyers to represent them in court.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
After NPR CEO Katherine Maher defended NPR's journalism as "completely unbiased" at a congressional hearing in March 2025, Bill Maher characterized the radio network as "crazy far-left" and called for defunding public media outlets, arguing that the country is "past the age" of subsidizing them.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Candidates and endorsements
Maher considers himself to be at odds with both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.<ref name="News 1"/> In the 2008 U.S. presidential election, Maher announced his support for U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Although Maher welcomed Obama's electoral victory, he soon became critical of the new president for not acting more boldly on health care reform and other liberal issues.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On February 23, 2012, after his "Crazy Stupid Politics" special streamed on Yahoo! Screen, Maher announced that he was contributing $1 million to Priorities USA, the Obama SuperPAC.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> Maher has voted for Bob Dole and Ralph Nader.<ref name="News 1">Template:Cite web</ref>
In the lead-up to the 2014 midterm elections, Maher conducted a "Flip a District" contest on his HBO show. His audience was asked to select one "terrible, entrenched" member of Congress in a close election race—"the loserest loser of all"—to remove from office. Maher aimed to help oust that representative by shining a "national spotlight" on the politician during segments of his show and stand-up comedy appearances in that member's district during the Fall election.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher ultimately selected Republican Representative John Kline from Minnesota's 2nd congressional district, but he failed to prevent him from winning against his Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party opponent Mike Obermueller.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Maher initially endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders on February 5, 2016. Maher later announced his support for Hillary Clinton after Clinton won the nomination from the Democratic Party primary elections in June 2016.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In October 2016, Maher criticized WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for publishing leaks from the DNC's emails, saying: "I really feel like he's lost his way a little, and he hates Hillary."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 31, 2017, following her defeat, Maher responded on air to suggestions Clinton was ready to end her low profile and speak out: "Hillary, stay in the woods. Okay. You had your shot. You fucked it up. You're Bill Buckner. We had the World Series, and you let the grounder go through your legs. Let someone else have the chance."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In August 2019, Maher said an economic recession would be "worth it" if Donald Trump did not get re-elected in 2020. He said: "We have survived many recessions. We can't survive another Donald Trump term."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Over the course of 20 different editions of Real Time with Bill Maher broadcast between April 13, 2018, and August 7, 2020,<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> and in several press interviews,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher predicted that Trump would refuse to concede any loss in the 2020 United States presidential election, dedicating a 'New Rules' end segment to the subject on January 25, 2020.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Maher highlighted Trump's own public references to Maher's assertions that Trump was "not going to leave", and quoted Trump's March 14, 2019, assertion, "I have the support of the police, the military, the bikers [for Trump]" and "the tough people",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> citing this as evidence that Trump would seek to remain in office by force. Maher predicted there would be violence by armed Trump supporters attempting to keep Trump in power and criticized Democratic Party politicians for not taking the threat seriously:
"So my question to all Democratic candidates is: what's the plan? If you win, and the next day he claims he's voiding the election because of irregularities he's hearing about, what do you do? What do you do when the crowd that was in Virginia this week, 22,000 strong, marches on Washington? This is a scary moment. And when I've asked Democrats, 'What do we do if he doesn't go?', their answer is always some variation of 'We have to win big!'... First of all, NO! No, we don't have to win by a landslide! Jesus, fucking Democrats! I am so sick of Democrats volunteering to play by two different sets of rules. That's the new paradigm? Republicans can win by one vote, but we're not legitimate unless it's a landslide? Fuck. And two, do you really think it would matter if it was? That they would suddenly get rational about math and facts? They believe Hillary ran a pedophile ring out of a pizza parlor!"
Maher later said in an August 15, 2020, interview with Vanity Fair that "we've baked it into the cake that he's not going to leave."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In the September 25, 2020, edition of Real Time, Maher criticized the framing of a New York Times story by Michael Crowley headlined "Trump Won't Commit to Peaceful Transfer of Power", which ran on page 15 of the print edition of the paper. Maher asserted, "I got no help from the New York Times, Washington Post, [or] CNN", adding that the media "should have amplified" the severity of Trump's threats that he would refuse to concede or commit to a peaceful transition of power.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In January 2022, Maher declined to run in the 2024 United States presidential election following speculation by Dana Perino that he might be called on to do so.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> In July 2024, he called on Joe Biden to decline the Democratic party's nomination in order to have an open convention at the Democratic Convention; Maher expressed his support for Gavin Newsom to replace Biden as the party's nominee.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In February 2025, Maher endorsed Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman for the 2028 Democratic Party presidential primaries and praised his strong support of Israel and stance against "woke".<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>
National security
On June 7, 2013, Maher expressed on his show limited support for the NSA's PRISM intelligence data collection from private phone calls and the Internet, saying that the threat of terrorists obtaining and using nuclear weapons was the tipping point for him. While he stated that he trusted the Obama administration to employ the program responsibly, he described the NSA's access to private data as a "slippery slope", and worried about whether other politicians would be as responsible.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Since the 9/11 attacks, he has endorsed certain uses of profiling at airports, saying, "Places like Israel, where they have faced terrorism for a long time, of course understand that profiling is part of all detective work. It's part of all police work. If they stop calling it profiling and start calling it high-intelligence screening or something, people would go, it's about time."<ref name="cnn transcript">(2002-12-16 broadcast.) "CNN American Morning with Paula Zahn: Talk with Bill Maher" (Transcript) (Caveat: "This is a rush transcript."). Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref>
Maher opposed Trump's Executive Order 13769, which banned entry into the US of citizens from five majority-Muslim countries, and has hosted multiple guests, including Sam Harris and Jim Jefferies, on his show who have also opposed the order.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 2022, Maher criticized the Biden administration's Disinformation Governance Board and agreed with the comparison that the board was similar to the Ministry of Truth from George Orwell's dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Foreign policy
Maher favors having a strong military,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but has said he is disenchanted with the size of the American military<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and defense spending.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2015, Maher criticized Barack Obama's visit to Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally, saying: "Stop respecting their medieval bullshit under the guise of, 'It's their culture.Template:' "<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Maher opposed the Iraq War from the beginning and has summarized his opinion by saying that the United States and the world have had to pay too high a price for the war.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Maher says he is "more on the side of the Israelis" and does not consider both sides equally guilty. He acknowledges that "Palestinians do have gripes", and he has been critical of U.S. financial aid to Israel, saying "they don't need our money, they can handle it themselves." Maher says that most Israelis prefer a two-state solution and oppose the hard-line stance of their government, which he describes as having been taken over by their version of the Tea Party. However, Maher has defended Israel's military actions against Palestinians amid criticism over civilian deaths and disproportionate casualty count between Israelis and Palestinians during the 2014 Gaza war. He argues that Israel is still showing restraint, and he finds it ironic that the same people who were incredulous over how the Jews in World War II were led "to their slaughter" cannot understand why they are defending themselves now.<ref name="Jewish Journal" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher faced online backlash for tweeting at the start of the war, "Dealing w/ Hamas is like dealing w/ a crazy woman who's trying to kill u - u can only hold her wrists so long before you have to slap her".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In August 2019, Maher denounced the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, saying: "It's predicated on this notion ... I think it's very shallow thinking that the Jews in Israel are mostly white and Palestinians are mostly brown, so they must be innocent and correct and the Jews must be wrong."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He responded to Rep. Rashida Tlaib's call to boycott his talk show: "Some people have one move only: boycott. Cancel. Make-go-away. But here's the thing, the house voted 318 to 17 to condemn the #BDS movement, including 93% of Dems. Does Tlaib want to boycott 93% of her own party?"<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Condemning the October 7 attacks, Maher spoke about it as Israel's 9/11, and took serious issue with people who seemed to applaud these attacks; however, he cautioned Israel not to "lose the moral high ground" in the Gaza war.<ref name="Decider">Template:Cite web</ref> Maher expressed disappointment with former President Barack Obama over his comments on the Gaza war,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> saying that "there is a big difference between collateral damage and what Hamas did."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In April 2020, Maher criticized those who equated using the term "Wuhan virus" with racism, stating, "Scientists...have been naming diseases after the places they came from for a very long time. Zika is from the Zika Forest, Ebola from the Ebola River, hantavirus the Hantan River. There's the West Nile virus and Guinea worm and Rocky Mountain spotted fever and, of course, the Spanish flu." He added: "This has nothing to do with Asian Americans, and it has everything to do with China."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In March 2021, Maher criticized China's treatment of Uyghur minority in Xinjiang. He said the United States has "lost" to China in the "battle for the 21st century". According to Maher, China is dominating the world while the United States is wasting time in a "never-ending woke competition".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In September 2025, Maher criticized the lack of news coverage on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, stating that they are being "systematically killed".<ref name="Goins-Phillips2025">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="King2025">Template:Cite web</ref> He rhetorically questioned: "Where are the kids protesting this?"<ref name="King2025"/><ref name="Quiñones2025">Template:Cite web</ref>
Race
In June 2017, Maher came under criticism for saying in an off-the-cuff joke "I'm a house nigger" in response to guest Senator Ben Sasse offering Maher to work on the fields in his home state on Real Time. This led to calls being made by people to HBO to fire him.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following the episode, HBO sent a statement to media outlets, calling Maher's remarks "inexcusable and tasteless", and said the cable network would remove that segment from future airings of the show.<ref name="maherni">Template:Cite news</ref> Maher also issued a statement apologizing for the remarks, saying in part, "I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive, and I regret saying it and am very sorry."<ref name="maherni" /> Maher apologized on his show and had a discussion with Michael Eric Dyson, Ice Cube, and Symone Sanders about the controversy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2021, Maher opposed the NFL's decision to play the "Black national anthem" before games, considering it a form of segregation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Instead, he argued for one national anthem and rejected separate ceremonies and dorms based on race, which drew some criticism.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2022, Maher criticized the Democratic Party for "checking boxes" in regard to candidates of different identity groups, including race. He stated that Democrats prioritize diversity over merit.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher has also spoken out against critical race theory but supports teaching the history of racism.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Immigration
In November 2015, Maher expressed opposition to the United States accepting Syrian refugees. Maher argued that they have different values which are at odds with American values due to some refugees may be coming from places which are governed by Sharia law or want to be. Maher cited cases in the UK where Muslim immigrants had carried out female genital mutilation and honor killings.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2021, after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Maher urged America to take in Afghan refugees.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher has criticized Donald Trump's opposition to immigration, including his proposed border wall, and accused him of hypocrisy, having himself married two immigrants.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher has also accused Republicans of hypocrisy for opposing immigration and praising their immigrant parents, saying "You can't spend the first half of a debate bitching about how immigrants are ruining the country and the second half on the uplifting stories of your immigrant parents."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher has criticized Democrats' approach to immigration and has praised Canada's system, saying "Canada is much more to the right on immigration. You have to have a skill. That's mostly what it's based on. Ours is mostly based on family."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Gun rights and hunting rights
Maher endorsed a 2014 Maine referendum to ban the use of bait, traps and dogs to hunt bears in Maine. He specifically criticized the use of bait, referring to its use as "nothing but an execution".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Maher is a gun owner, and explained in his February 12, 2013, appearance on the late-night TV talk show Conan that he owns guns for personal home protection. However, he does not identify himself as a "proud" gun owner, commenting that being a proud gun owner is akin to "saying I'm a 'proud remote control ownerTemplate:' ". Maher has stated that statistics showing that gun owners are more likely to harm a member of their household are caused by irresponsible gun owners, and believes that tragedies such as school shootings will not lead to a fundamental change in gun laws because both Democrats and Republicans favor guns.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> Maher has also questioned the need to own large arsenals of guns.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He believes the Second Amendment is "bullshit"<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and said that bipartisan background check legislation proposed by Pat Toomey and Joe Manchin was "so marginal". In 2022, Maher blamed mass shooting in part due to Hollywood romanticization of gun violence in movies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However Maher has said that despite him not liking guns he is glad that they exist saying it "levels the playing field".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Views
Religion
Maher is highly critical of religion and views it as highly destructive. He has been described, or self-identified, variously as an agnostic, atheist, and apatheist, while objecting to having his views defined by a single label. In his 2008 feature film Religulous, he refers to himself as agnostic.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He has rejected being grouped with explicit atheists, saying in 2002, "I'm not an atheist. There's a really big difference between an atheist and someone who just doesn't believe in religion. Religion to me is a bureaucracy between man and God that I don't need, but I'm not an atheist, no."<ref name="AVClub">Template:Cite web</ref>
Maher has occasionally referred to himself as an apatheist, saying in 2011 "I don't know what happens when you die, and I don't care." When discussing his apatheism and his views on the existence of God, he said on a scale from 1 to 7 (7 being "absolutely certain there is no god"), he was only at 6.9, like Richard Dawkins, "because we just don't know ... but we just don't think about it." He added, "There's atheist and there's agnostic, and I'm okay with us not splitting the difference on those; if you are just not a super-religious person, you are on my team."<ref name=CNN>"Bill Maher explains his 'apatheism,' apathetic atheism" Template:Webarchive. CNN Belief Blogs, July 12, 2011.</ref> Several months later on a 2012 episode of his HBO show, Maher declared that "idiots must stop claiming that atheism is a religion ... believe it or not, I don't really enjoy talking about religion all the time. In fact, not only is atheism not a religion, it's not even my hobby, and that's the best thing about being an atheist. It requires so little of your time."<ref>HBO: Real Time with Bill Maher; Episode 236 – New Rules; Home Box Office; February 3, 2012</ref> He has reiterated his stance during other interviews, rejecting both the certitude of the existence, as well as the certitude of nonexistence of deities, concluding, "I'm saying that doubt is the only appropriate response for human beings."<ref>"Bill Maher: The God Botherer"Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore. The Sunday Times April 1, 2009.</ref>
While critical of all organized religions, saying "they're all stupid and dangerous", Maher says all religions are not alike, and has drawn comparisons and contrasts between them.<ref name="RCP">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He has said, "By any standard, Mormonism is more ridiculous than any other religion."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He has referred to tenets of Judaism as "insane" and "funny", and has said that Buddhism includes some crazy things like "reincarnation".<ref name="Jewish Journal">Template:Cite web</ref> He has described Christianity and Islam as more "warlike", and has asserted that, like historic Christianity, present-day Islam needs to undergo its own reformation and enlightenment.<ref name="VF1">Template:Cite news</ref>
In defense of his criticism of Islam, Sharia law and Muslim culture, Maher says he "believes in the values that Western people believe in which a lot of the Muslim world does not. Like separation of church and state. Like equality of the sexes. Like respect for minorities, free elections, free speech, freedom to gather. These things are not just different from cultures that don't have them.... It's better ... I would like to keep those values here."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2017, Maher agreed with the author Sam Harris that "the left has allied itself with Islamists", and that the liberals had failed to stand up to Islamic extremism.<ref name="Hill-Sam">Template:Cite web</ref>
Citing studies and poll results by Pew Research Center, the World Economic Forum and others, Maher says the human rights violations and "illiberal ideas" found in Islam are not extremist views held by a small minority but are supported by a majority of citizens in Muslim countries. Maher has criticized liberals as hypocritical for defending these core liberal values and ideals only at home, while not condemning the oppression of these values and groups in Muslim culture.<ref name="VF1"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Regarding the more recentTemplate:As of? publicity generated by his stance in the ongoing debate, Maher says he thinks people are finally paying closer attention to a conversation that they need to have. "I'm just shining a light on the reality of the situation. I don't even understand why this is so controversial."<ref name="VF1"/>
Maher received the 2009 Richard Dawkins Award from Atheist Alliance International.<ref>Timonen, Josh (September 28, 2009). "A note about the 'Richard Dawkins Award' being presented to Bill Maher this weekend". The Richard Dawkins Foundation. Template:Webarchive</ref> He was an advisory board member of author Sam Harris's Project Reason, a foundation that promotes scientific knowledge and secular values within society.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, while still being critical of religion, Maher discussed some of his spiritual queries and interests with long-time friend and new age guru, Deepak Chopra.<ref name=MJ2023>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Health care
Maher supports the establishment of a Medicare-for-All universal single-payer health care system, and has consistently<ref>Template:CitationTemplate:Cbignore</ref> agreed with the proposal since 2011.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Maher has stated that the American Medical Association is a powerful lobbying group and was one of the primary reasons why the United States had failed to enact health care reform in the decades prior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act.<ref name="youtube.com">(2009-06-15). Template:YouTube.Template:Dead link Countdown With Keith Olbermann. Retrieved June 30, 2009.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the topic of getting the Affordable Care Act passed, in 2009 Maher stated that Obama should forget about trying to get 60 votes for it because "he only needs 51": "Forget getting the sixty votes or sixty percent—sixty percent of people don't believe in evolution in this country—he just needs to drag them to it, like I said, they're stupid; get health care done, with or without them."<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> On Fox News in a televised debate with Bill O'Reilly, Maher said that "if Jesus was in charge of the country we'd probably have health care for everybody."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Maher has expressed the view that a lot of illness was the result of poor diet and lack of exercise, and that medicine was often not the most appropriate way of addressing illness. In an episode of his show about the 2008 presidential candidates' health plans, Maher stated that poor nutrition was a primary cause of illness, and that "the answer isn't another pill."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He also has said: "If you believe you need to take all the pills the pharmaceutical industry says you do, then you're already on drugs!"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He has expressed his distaste for the pharmaceutical and health care industries in general, arguing that they made their money out of treating people who are made sick by consuming unhealthy food that corporations push on the public. Maher maintains that mass consumption of high-fructose corn syrup is a contributor to the rise in frequency of obesity in the United States.<ref>Larry King Live – Interview With Bill Maher; CNN; September 13, 2004</ref>
In a discussion with Michael Moore about the film Sicko, Maher said, "The human body is pretty amazing; it doesn't get sick, usually, for no reason. I mean, there's some genetic stuff that can get to you, but, basically, people are sick in this country because they're poisoned. The environment is a poisoning factor, but also, we gotta say, they poison themselves. They eat shit. People eat shit, and that's, to my way of thinking, about 90 percent of why people are sick, is because they eat shit."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tara Parker-Pope and former Senator (R-TN) Bill Frist, a physician, have called Maher's criticism of the H1N1 flu vaccinations unscientific.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Infectious diseases expert Paul Offit wrote that misinformation about vaccines from celebrities like Maher has put children at unnecessary risk.<ref>Offit says that celebrities like Maher are seen as "less credible" and would still be considered just "great entertainment" if they weren't joined by the former Director of the National Institutes of Health, Bernadine Healy and influential pediatrician, Robert Sears. Template:Cite book</ref>
Surgical Oncologist David Gorski criticized Maher's claims about vaccines several times on ScienceBlogs, and deemed it inappropriate that Maher received the Richard Dawkins Award.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Skeptics, including magician and popular science writer Martin Gardner,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> neurologist Steven Novella,<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> and magician Jamy Ian Swiss have also strongly rebuked Maher, characterizing him as anti-science, uninformed and potentially endangering the health of fans who take his "non-medical" advice.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Maher responded to the criticism, saying, "What I've read about what they think I'm saying is not what I've said. I'm not a germ theory denier. I believe vaccinations can work. Polio is a good example. Do I think in certain situations that inoculating Third World children against malaria or diphtheria, or whatever, is right? Of course. In a situation like that, the benefits outweigh costs. But to me living in Los Angeles? To get a flu shot? No."<ref>Slotek, Jim (October 28, 2009). "Needling Bill Maher". Winnipeg Sun.</ref> In 2019, Gorski again criticized Maher for his HBO interview with the doctor Jay Gordon and Maher's claims about vaccines (in particular, the influenza vaccine), including the speculation about a link between vaccines and autism, which is debunked according to consensus science.<ref name="Gorski2019">Template:Cite web</ref> In January 2021, Maher promoted the COVID-19 lab leak theory.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On April 16, 2021, Maher called media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic "panic porn" and added that "When all of our sources for medical information have an agenda to spin us, yeah, you wind up with a badly misinformed population, including on the left."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Cannabis legalization
Maher, who has a California medical marijuana card, openly and publicly uses cannabis, and has been a visible supporter of cannabis law reform. Maher is a member of the advisory boards for both the NORML and Marijuana Policy Project, organizations that support regulated legalization of cannabis.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> He sold cannabis while in college at Cornell and credits it for making his college and the beginning of his career as a comic possible.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2015, Maher called on then President Barack Obama to pardon people incarcerated for marijuana offenses and later praised President Joe Biden for pardoning citizens convicted of marijuana offenses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He has been called "one of the brightest torches for sensible marijuana policy" and "a contemporary cannabis statesman".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Conspiracy theories
Maher has been a critic of 9/11 conspiracy theories. On October 19, 2007, Maher confronted several 9/11 truthers and had them ejected from his show audience after they interrupted the live show numerous times by calling out from the audience. The incident drew significant media attention and praise from Fox News talk show host and frequent critic John Gibson.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Maher has spoken out against QAnon and the conspiracy theories they have promoted.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Maher has criticized the decision to ban conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from Twitter saying "I don't like Alex Jones, but Alex Jones gets to speak. Everybody gets to speak."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Gender and sexuality
Maher has been critical of the #MeToo movement, describing it in February 2018 as McCarthyism.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":4">Template:Cite news</ref> He has supported Chris Matthews against allegations of sexual harassment in 2020.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite news</ref> He has also downplayed the sexual harassment allegations against former senator Al Franken including rejecting the idea that Franken was a "sexual predator" and has suggested that the allegations against Franken were political.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Maher supports same-sex marriage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He has referred to arguments against same-sex marriage as "bankrupt".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In May 2022, on why more people are identifying as LGBT, Maher said "Yes, part of the rise in LGBT numbers is from people feeling free enough to tell it to a pollster, and that's all good, but some of it is [because] it's trendy".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher also referred to puberty blockers and other transgender health care for trans youth as "literally experimenting on children".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> GLAAD criticized Maher for these statements and referred to him as transphobic, citing articles from organizations such as the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics that state gender-affirming care is medically appropriate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He has claimed that Democrats will "lose every election" without changing their positions on trans issues and banning gender-affirming care for minors.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Maher has also criticized the Democratic Party's approach to sex education on multiple occasions.<ref name="Wulfsohn">Template:Cite web</ref> In March 2022, Maher rebuked liberals for their opposition to the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act and defended Republicans for pushing the bill.<ref name="Wulfsohn"/>
2023 Writers Guild of America strike
Maher criticized the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike on his Club Random podcast. Speaking to comedian Jim Gaffigan in September 2023, has stated, "they kind of believe that you're owed a living as a writer, and you're not". He went on to say that "They're asking for a lot of things that are, like, kooky."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In an interview with TMZ, Maher stated he supported the strike and added that the writers have "legitimate gripes" with the studios. However, Maher clarified his problems with the strike noting "there are some things that [the writers] are demanding I don't agree with." In particular, Maher criticized the WGA proposal of having a mandate to have a particular set number of writers on each show. He stated, "They want to micromanage the creative process in a way that I think is antithetical to anybody that is an artist. They want to tell people how many people, what kind of people you can have working on your show, writing on your show". Maher stated his wish to have Governor Gavin Newsom help end the strike.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On September 13, 2023, Maher released a statement on Twitter announcing his plans to restart a version of his HBO show. He wrote in part: Template:Blockquote
Maher's announcement, as well as the continuation of The Drew Barrymore Show and The View, led to protests. The Writers Guild of America released a statement describing Maher's decision as "disappointing", adding, "It is difficult to imagine how Real Time with Bill Maher can go forward without a violation of WGA strike rules taking place. WGA will be picketing this show."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Early the next week, Maher said he would wait a few days to see what the next round of negotiations might produce.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Awards and nominations
Maher has received 41 Primetime Emmy Award nominations winning for Outstanding Informational Series or Special for Vice in 2015. He also received two Grammy Award nominations and various Producers Guild of America Award and Writers Guild of America Award nominations. In 2003 he was nominated at the 57th Tony Awards for the Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event for Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2016 Vice was nominated for the Peabody Award their segment on Student debt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher was honored by High Times as "Top Pot Comic in 2006" and Real Time won a Stony Award in 2006 for "Best Cable News Show". High Times later designated him as "Stoner of the Year".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Personal life
Maher has never married.<ref>"Clips From Last Night: Bill Maher on why he's never been married... and American innovation" Template:Webarchive. Piers Morgan Live. CNN. July 12, 2011.</ref><ref name="DailyNews">Template:Cite web</ref> Regarding marriage, Maher is quoted on his website as saying, "I'm the last of my guy friends to have never gotten married, and their wives—they don't want them playing with me. I'm like the escaped slave—I bring news of freedom."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Maher has said his comedic influences include Lenny Bruce,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Steve Allen, Johnny Carson, Robert Klein, and George Carlin.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Comedians who have said they were influenced by Maher include Chris Rock.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In 2003, he began dating flight attendant Coco Johnsen. In November 2004, at the end of their 17-month relationship, Johnsen sued Maher for US$9 million for "pain and suffering" for alleged "insulting, humiliating and degrading racial comments." Her suit stated that Maher promised to marry her and father her children, support her financially and buy a house in Beverly Hills. Johnsen's suit also alleged that she quit her job as a flight attendant and occasional model to be with him.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher's lawyers in their response, filed on November 23, 2004, in Los Angeles County Superior Court said Maher is a "confirmed bachelor, and a very public one at that" who "never promised to marry [Johnsen] or to have children with her."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Maher's filing stated that, after the relationship had ended, Johnsen "launched a campaign to embarrass, humiliate, and extort ridiculous sums of money from Bill Maher." Johnsen's lawsuit was dismissed on May 2, 2005.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2005, Maher began dating Karrine Steffans, author and former hip hop model.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="savvy">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> When commentators suggested there was a pattern to his dating because both his girlfriend and former girlfriend were black, Maher said, "People say I'm into black women. Robert De Niro is into black women. I'm just into women who are real, and they happen to be black."<ref name="savvy"/> From 2009 to 2011, Maher dated former adjunct professor, science educator, and current Skeptics' Guide to the Universe co-host Cara Santa Maria.<ref name=DailyNews/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since 2014, Maher has dated Canadian singer Anjulie Persaud.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2012, Maher purchased a minority ownership interest in the New York Mets,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which he sold in 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | D.C. Cab | Baba |
| 1986 | Ratboy | Party Guest |
| 1987 | House II: The Second Story | John |
| 1988 | Out of Time | Maxwell Taylor |
| 1989 | Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death | Jim |
| 1991 | Pizza Man | Elmo Bunn |
| 1998 | Primary Colors | Himself |
| 1999 | EDtv | Himself |
| 2001 | Tomcats | Carlos |
| 2002 | John Q. | Himself |
| 2003 | Pauly Shore Is Dead | Himself |
| 2005 | The Aristocrats | Himself |
| Fuck | Himself | |
| Inside Deep Throat | Himself | |
| 2007 | Heckler | Himself |
| 2008 | Swing Vote | Himself |
| Religulous | Himself | |
| 2012 | The Campaign | Himself |
| 2013 | Iron Man 3 | Himself |
| Delivery Man | Himself | |
| 2014 | A Million Ways to Die in the West | Comic |
| The Interview | Himself | |
| 2015 | Ted 2 | Himself |
| 2018 | Gringo | Himself |
| 2019 | Late Night | Himself |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Alice | Officer Gary Conroy | Episode: "Vera's Anniversary Blues" |
| Sara | Marty Lang | 13 episodes | |
| 1987 | Rags to Riches | Freddie | Episode: "Pilot" |
| Hard Knocks | Gower | 3 episodes | |
| Max Headroom | Haskel | Episode: "Whacketts" | |
| 1988 | Newhart | Norm Murphy | Episode: "The Buck Stops Here" |
| 1989–90 | Murder, She Wrote | Rick Rivers/Frank Albertson | 2 episodes |
| 1989–1992 | One Night Stand | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 1991 | Charlie Hoover | Elliot | 4 episodes |
| 1993 | Married... with Children | Adam Gold | Episode: "You Can't Miss" |
| The Jackie Thomas Show | Mr. Lorre | Episode: "Strike" | |
| Roseanne | Photographer | Episode: "It Was Twenty Years Ago Today" | |
| 1993–2002 | Politically Incorrect | Himself (host) | 2,266 episodes; creator, writer and executive producer |
| 1997 | The Larry Sanders Show | Himself | Episode: "The Roast" |
| Dharma & Greg | Himself | Episode: "Mr. Montgomery Goes to Washington" | |
| 1998 | V.I.P. | Himself | Episode: "One Wedding and Val's Funeral" |
| 1999 | Spin City | Himself | Episode: "Politically Incorrect" |
| Brother's Keeper | Himself | Episode: "Politically Impolite" | |
| Snoops | Himself | Episode: "Higher Calling" | |
| 2000 | The Chris Rock Show | Himself | Episode: "5.8" |
| 2002 | Son of the Beach | Himself | Episode: "Penetration Island" |
| 2003–present | Real Time with Bill Maher | Himself (host) | Also creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2004 | MADtv | Himself | Episode: "10.6" |
| 2008 | True Blood | Himself | Episode: "Strange Love" |
| 2010 | The Sarah Silverman Program | Himself | Episode: "The Silverman and the Pillows" |
| The Boondocks | Himself (voice) | Episode: "It's a Black President, Huey Freeman" | |
| 2010–2017 | Family Guy | Himself (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2012 | The Good Wife | Himself | Episode: "Anatomy of a Joke" |
| 2013 | House of Cards | Himself | Episode: "Chapter 6" |
| 2013–2018 | Vice | Template:N/a | 113 episodes; executive producer |
| 2015 | Blackish | Himself | Episode: "Elephant in the Room" |
Specials
| Year | Title | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Bill Maher: Stuff that Struck Me Funny<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | HBO |
| 1997 | Bill Maher: The Golden Goose Special | |
| 2000 | Bill Maher: Be More Cynical | |
| 2003 | Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home | |
| 2005 | Bill Maher: I'm Swiss | |
| 2007 | Bill Maher: The Decider | |
| 2010 | Bill Maher... But I'm Not Wrong | |
| 2012 | Bill Maher: Crazy Stupid Politics | |
| 2014 | Bill Maher: Live from D.C.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2016 | Bill Maher: #WhinyLittleBitch<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2018 | Bill Maher: Live from Oklahoma<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2022 | Bill Maher: #Adulting<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2025 | Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This?<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Bibliography
- True Story: A Novel, 1994 (Template:ISBN)
- Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect's Greatest Hits, 1996 (Template:ISBN)
- Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? The Best of Politically Incorrect, 1997 (Template:ISBN)
- When You Ride Alone You Ride with bin Laden: What the Government Should Be Telling Us to Help Fight the War on Terrorism, 2003 (Template:ISBN)
- Keep the Statue of Liberty Closed: The New Rules, 2004 (Template:ISBN)
- New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer, 2005 (Template:ISBN)
- The New New Rules: A Funny Look at How Everybody but Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass, 2011 (Template:ISBN)
- What This Comedian Said Will Shock You, 2024
See also
References
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