Bill Maher

[DrStrong]

I'm a fan, I agree with most of what he says. I really never hear of anyone mentioning him here in the Politics forum. I'de like to get opinions if anyone has any.

[wrppdarndyrfngr]

I think he is great, though he does get repetitive on his jokes sometimes (especially with religion). I watch Real Time every week and enjoy but sometimes its one big circle jerk when all the guests agree with each other. He is far better on set of Real Time than he is doing stand-up imo.

[DrStrong]

I think he is great, though he does get repetitive on his jokes sometimes (especially with religion). I watch Real Time every week and enjoy but sometimes its one big circle jerk when all the guests agree with each other. He is far better on set of Real Time than he is doing stand-up imo.
I need to edit the first post. I mean how do you feel of his political/religious views, not too much his stand up.

[HometownHero]

I agree with everything he has to say

[J.C.]

I like Maher. He can come off a bit douchey, but he's usually on point and willing to say things that need to be said. I miss getting to watch Real Time now that I don't have HBO.

[DrStrong]

I like Maher. He can come off a bit douchey, but he's usually on point and willing to say things that need to be said. I miss getting to watch Real Time now that I don't have HBO.
Just listen to the podcasts of the show. Google Real Time with Bill Maher Audio...you will see a bunch of sites hosting the entire broadcast of the show, weekly.

[Rid Ickulous]

I just think he comes off as a douche quite often. Whatever happened to just letting people be happy doing what they're doing? Most people know what it is they're doing, but it makes them happy so they live it.

I mean, doing what he's doing seems to be what makes him happy so he should give others the same opportunity.

[caveBEAR]

I just think he comes off as a douche quite often. Whatever happened to just letting people be happy doing what they're doing? Most people know what it is they're doing, but it makes them happy so they live it.

I mean, doing what he's doing seems to be what makes him happy so he should give others the same opportunity.

I don't know, but I think you can find bigger enemies to the idea of 'doing whatever makes you happy' than Bill Maher. Much bigger.

[DrStrong]

I used to watch Bill Maher on Politically Incorrect, and i feel he was treated unfairly after his comment on the 9/11 terrorists.

This is the comment that got him basically barred from network TV.


"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, it's not cowardly."



I dont think the 9/11 attack was justified, but I do think that he has a point.

[caveBEAR]

I used to watch Bill Maher on Politically Incorrect, and i feel he was treated unfairly after his comment on the 9/11 terrorists.

This is the comment that got him basically barred from network TV.

I dont think the 9/11 attack was justified, but I do think that he has a point.

The guy's got a brass pair, you have to give him that.

[ImTheSheriff]

i liked his movie religulous and agree with him most of the time, but damn has his ego become huge.

[saysmydoctor]

I don't like him.

[deFobbed14yrs]

real time gets iffy sometimes..

i think he says things sometimes that his audience takes forever to get so then things get awkward and kind of looks like a douche.

[DrStrong]

The guy's got a brass pair, you have to give him that.
I respect the guy, his stand up is decent, but he is better when he has a more serious atmosphere. Does anyone know if George Carlin was ever a guest on Real Time or Politically Incorrect? That would be pretty good.

[DrStrong]

i liked his movie religulous and agree with him most of the time, but damn has his ego become huge.
He is very arrogant, but does he ever come across as otherwise?

I don't like him.
Elaborate?

real time gets iffy sometimes..

i think he says things sometimes that his audience takes forever to get so then things get awkward and kind of looks like a douche.
haha, thats true. But i think its due to some of the audience not having the same sense of humor, and Maher has a strange one.

[saysmydoctor]

I just don't like him. I don't find him funny. I don't find him witty. I find him kind of obnoxious. I agree with a lot of what he says, but eh, just don't like him.

[ImTheSheriff]

He is very arrogant, but does he ever come across as otherwise?

he has gradually become more arrogant. the way he talks now, he thinks that what he says is the truth and that's it. it gets to be annoying.

[Scrandon]

I don't think I could possible agree with someone who consistently argues that all the Democrats are not liberal enough on every single issue.

[deFobbed14yrs]

He is very arrogant, but does he ever come across as otherwise?


Elaborate?


haha, thats true. But i think its due to some of the audience not having the same sense of humor, and Maher has a strange one.



it's like you're going to a comedy/news thing. learn humor please b/c you're making me cringe back home

[DrStrong]

he has gradually become more arrogant. the way he talks now, he thinks that what he says is the truth and that's it. it gets to be annoying.

I feel exactly that was when it comes to his views on religion. In my first post, i said i agree with MOST of what he says. This is the one subject i either find annoying, or just dumb.

He says that there IS no god, not that he doesnt believe there is one. There is a huge difference there. The first being fact, the latter being opinion.

[DrStrong]

it's like you're going to a comedy/news thing. learn humor please b/c you're making me cringe back home
Like i said, i enjoy him when he is more serious, i.e. his talk show. I can hardly watch his opening monologue or his HBO comedy specials.

[SomethingClever]

He says that there IS no god
I don't think that's true. i believe he believes that he just DOESN'T know. i mean, i imagine he def leans towards the idea that God doesn't exist but i don't think it's so black and white for him.

I personally am a huge fan. I agree with most of what he says. I agree, he gets preachy a lot especially at the end of religious but i think most of his points are valid and he's well educated. i prefer him on politics then any of his stand up. he's just super liberal but he can usually back up his position, just not everyone will agree with the position.

[DrStrong]

I don't think that's true. i believe he believes that he just DOESN'T know. i mean, i imagine he def leans towards the idea that God doesn't exist but i don't think it's so black and white for him.

I personally am a huge fan. I agree with most of what he says. I agree, he gets preachy a lot especially at the end of religious but i think most of his points are valid and he's well educated. i prefer him on politics then any of his stand up. he's just super liberal but he can usually back up his position, just not everyone will agree with the position.
To basically sum up what he believes, or doesnt believe, about God, is that no rational person could believe there is a "man living in the clouds, that build the earth in 6 days, but then needed to rest."

Judging by that quote, and many other comments he makes, its as is trying to portray the message of there being no god. Similar to the way George Carlin used to do it, he would state it as being fact.

[ImTheSheriff]

To basically sum up what he believes, or doesnt believe, about God, is that no rational person could believe there is a "man living in the clouds, that build the earth in 6 days, but then needed to rest."

Judging by that quote, and many other comments he makes, its as is trying to portray the message of there being no god. Similar to the way George Carlin used to do it, he would state it as being fact.

well, there is no god.

[Yellowcard2006]

He's awesome

[drevans18]

I like Maher. He can come off a bit douchey, but he's usually on point and willing to say things that need to be said. I miss getting to watch Real Time now that I don't have HBO.

this. he does get quite douchey. but i do really like what he has to say. i thought his movie Religulous was very eye-opening to a lot of people. i did side with him throughout the entire movie, but i think he does always bring up valid points.

[drevans18]

To basically sum up what he believes, or doesnt believe, about God, is that no rational person could believe there is a "man living in the clouds, that build the earth in 6 days, but then needed to rest."

Judging by that quote, and many other comments he makes, its as is trying to portray the message of there being no god. Similar to the way George Carlin used to do it, he would state it as being fact.

i had a very hard time reading this post. i assume you were saying that he believes rationality and God are mutually exclusive?

[GeeBee]

I feel exactly that was when it comes to his views on religion. In my first post, i said i agree with MOST of what he says. This is the one subject i either find annoying, or just dumb.

He says that there IS no god, not that he doesnt believe there is one. There is a huge difference there. The first being fact, the latter being opinion.

ARE there unicorns? IS there a tooth fairy? How do YOU know? Please be sure to site your sources...

I don't think you should get pissed at people saying "there is no god". Even though technically, it's impossible to prove a negative, and it implies some kind of iron-clad knowledge of the non-existence of god, it's a completely fair statement. There's no evidence for the claim, hence it can be dismissed as false.

[aolsux]

I like him. The problem with Stewart and Colbert is they sometimes do not get the chance to truly rip into someone the way Maher rips into people. He's ultra intelligent and when he's funny, he's priceless.

[HometownHero]

Dude has always been arrogant. So?

[DrStrong]

i had a very hard time reading this post. i assume you were saying that he believes rationality and God are mutually exclusive?
I think he believes that...He wonders how someone, with supposedly the same type of brain, can believe something that ridiculous.

[thatwasamoment]

I don't think I could possible agree with someone who consistently argues that all the Democrats are not liberal enough on every single issue.you need to travel outside the country homie

[SomethingClever]

To basically sum up what he believes, or doesnt believe, about God, is that no rational person could believe there is a "man living in the clouds, that build the earth in 6 days, but then needed to rest."

Judging by that quote, and many other comments he makes, its as is trying to portray the message of there being no god. Similar to the way George Carlin used to do it, he would state it as being fact.

"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. I believe there's some force. If you want to call it God... I don't believe God is a single parent who writes books."
[/URL]
[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Maher#cite_note-33"] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Maher#cite_note-33) He asserts that religion provides answers to questions that "cannot possibly be answered." Questions such as "Where do I go when I die?" or "Is there a heaven?", he says, are impossible to answer. By claiming to have the answers, Maher argues, religion is dishonest and it "stops people from thinking."

[drevans18]

"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. I believe there's some force. If you want to call it God... I don't believe God is a single parent who writes books."
[/URL]
[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Maher#cite_note-33"] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Maher#cite_note-33) He asserts that religion provides answers to questions that "cannot possibly be answered." Questions such as "Where do I go when I die?" or "Is there a heaven?", he says, are impossible to answer. By claiming to have the answers, Maher argues, religion is dishonest and it "stops people from thinking."

i was looking for this quote. i knew he said something like it, but i didn't remember what it was from. and this pretty much sums up my belief system on religion to the t.

[Gumbyjag]

Maher has some great points, but can be a little big-headed at times.

[ChaplainTappman]

my friend works at a local theatre (the shubert) and maher was a guest. apparently he was a massive prick in person too. but hey, he openly admits to thinking people are too dumb to take care of themselves. and i agree. he's awesome.

[ChaplainTappman]

I don't think I could possible agree with someone who consistently argues that all the Democrats are not liberal enough on every single issue.
democrats arent that liberal. republicans arent that conservative. its impossible to clearly divide the two, theyre actually nearly identical except on key high-visibility issues. the vast majority of issues are generally agreed upon. its called politics.

[3eb23]

Real Time is probably my favorite show. It's the one I look forward to the most. I don't have HBO, I download the podcasts. Show is so entertaining.

[Scrandon]

democrats arent that liberal. republicans arent that conservative. its impossible to clearly divide the two, theyre actually nearly identical except on key high-visibility issues. the vast majority of issues are generally agreed upon. its called politics.

OH! Is that how it works? OK Thanks!

[ImTheSheriff]

Dude has always been arrogant. So?

yeah he has been to an extent, but it's just ridiculous now. watch some of his older stuff, like politically incorrect.

[ChaplainTappman]

OH! Is that how it works? OK Thanks!
YEAH. IT IS. dont make dumb statements and you wont get treated like youre dumb. very easy concept.

[Scrandon]

YEAH. IT IS. dont make dumb statements and you wont get treated like youre dumb. very easy concept.

Wow kid it wasn't dumb, the original statement can be taken within the political context of the country. We don't have to compare him to the most liberal person who ever lived.

[ChaplainTappman]

Wow kid it wasn't dumb, the original statement can be taken within the political context of the country. We don't have to compare him to the most liberal person who ever lived.
it showed a lack of understanding of the way ideaology works. unless you're a libertarian/anarchist like a friend of mine, i sincerely doubt democrats are too liberal for your liking. i wasnt saying compare them to the most liberal person ever, i was saying look at it from an objective standpoint. in which case, democrats and republicans are both very close to the center of the spectrum.

[DrStrong]

it showed a lack of understanding of the way ideaology works. unless you're a libertarian/anarchist like a friend of mine, i sincerely doubt democrats are too liberal for your liking. i wasnt saying compare them to the most liberal person ever, i was saying look at it from an objective standpoint. in which case, democrats and republicans are both very close to the center of the spectrum.

You're trying to intricately depict something we learn in "Politics 101". Everyone is aware that the two major parties, Democrats and Republicans, are similar, but overall, different.

[sargentlgfuad]

Religulous is a fantastic movie. I haven't seen much else from him, just some stand-up and some of his show, since i don't have HBO. but he is very highly entertaining and smart.

[ChaplainTappman]

You're trying to intricately depict something we learn in "Politics 101". Everyone is aware that the two major parties, Democrats and Republicans, are similar, but overall, different.
no i understand that its very basic. i dont think he does if hes characterizing democrats as too liberal. i sincerely apologize for coming off as a d-bag. i know i did, and it was completely unintentional on my part.

[BottleRocket]

I just don't like him. I don't find him funny. I don't find him witty. I find him kind of obnoxious. I agree with a lot of what he says, but eh, just don't like him.
I feel exactly the same. I just don't find him funny, despite being on his side (most of the time) in regards to politics.

Real Time is very hit or miss, it depends on the panel.

[trindaddy]

I'm all day on Maher. I don't always agree with him, but unlike some others, I do like his humor and wit.

[zion the lion]

I watch it but, goddamn sometimes he acts like he is god. It annoys me how when he talks about sex scandals he always makes it so black and white like democrats never do it (or if they do, they're cheating on their wives with women, and they'll come out and be honorable about it) while republicans are running having closeted gay sex all over the place like its an all male studio 54.

[GeeBee]

I watch it but, goddamn sometimes he acts like he is god. It annoys me how when he talks about sex scandals he always makes it so black and white like democrats never do it (or if they do, they're cheating on their wives with women, and they'll come out and be honorable about it) while republicans are running having closeted gay sex all over the place like its an all male studio 54.

a) he rants on Dems almost as much as Repubs.
b) the reason that's ok is because Repubs hold themselves up as the morality police.

[zion the lion]

a) he rants on Dems almost as much as Repubs.
b) the reason that's ok is because Repubs hold themselves up as the morality police.

I'm talking about sex scandals. I watch the show just as much as anyone else in here, I'm not some dumb little puppy watching it for the first time, and it annoys the fuck out of me how when he talks about sex scandals (for example the whole snorkeling thing) he acts like democrats have never ever had a sex scandal ever in their lives. And when he gets corrected on it, he'll act like its just every once in a blue moon that a democrat is having an affair and that they're honorable about it (and that it's a straight affair), while every single republicans is out there having a "lets ass fuck goats" party.

I like him, I watch the show a lot, but it gets on my nerves when he does that. It also gets on my nerves how he rags on Christianity but not any other religion. There was that one epsiode a few weeks ago where he was bitching about how christians and muslims are violent but jews and buddhists are never violent and he got corrected and it was clear that he had no fucking clue what he was talking about when it came to the violent history of religions.

[GeeBee]

I'm talking about sex scandals. I watch the show just as much as anyone else in here, I'm not some dumb little puppy watching it for the first time, and it annoys the fuck out of me how when he talks about sex scandals (for example the whole snorkeling thing) he acts like democrats have never ever had a sex scandal ever in their lives. And when he gets corrected on it, he'll act like its just every once in a blue moon that a democrat is having an affair and that they're honorable about it (and that it's a straight affair), while every single republicans is out there having a "lets ass fuck goats" party.

I like him, I watch the show a lot, but it gets on my nerves when he does that. It also gets on my nerves how he rags on Christianity but not any other religion. There was that one epsiode a few weeks ago where he was bitching about how christians and muslims are violent but jews and buddhists are never violent and he got corrected and it was clear that he had no fucking clue what he was talking about when it came to the violent history of religions.

AGAIN:

He picks on the REPUBLICANS because they claim to have the moral high ground, hence it's FITTING that they get the majority of shit for sex scandals.

It's also FITTING that he rag on Christianity, since that's the majority religion in this country.

Learn to read before you post a long-winded, misguided retort.

[zion the lion]

AGAIN:

He picks on the REPUBLICANS because they claim to have the moral high ground, hence it's FITTING that they get the majority of shit for sex scandals.

It's also FITTING that he rag on Christianity, since that's the majority religion in this country.

Learn to read before you post a long-winded, misguided retort.

I wish you would learn to read before telling me to learn to read (its so fun to say that). If he's picking on individual people that's fine, but he's not, he's picking on an entire party. And sadly, its just individual people who are claiming to have a higher moral ground, not an entire party.

That whole excuse is bullshit, especially when he is the one talking about the world as a whole, and religion as a whole. When he criticizes and/or praises buddhists, jews, muslims, and christians, I assume he'll know the history of violence with all of them, especially since thats what he's criticizing and praising them for. And when he says that christians are THE MOST violent religion then he should maybe do some fucking research.

Again read what I say, before telling me to read what you say.

[GeeBee]

Engaging in an argument with zion is a futile enterprise. I should know better.

[3eb23]

From a recent show:

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[open mind]

his humor is hit and miss, but he does have a way of saying what i think a lot of the time so i have to be a fan.

i do wish he'd let palin fade into obscurity, quit presenting the exact same argument on afghanistan every week (which receives a mostly unchallenged rebuttal every week) , and tone down the douche factor a little though.

[Jaimehere]

Bill Maher is my religion hahaha awesome man

[boxingwithstars]

He might be an asshole, but he is an asshole I agree with most of the time. I watch Real Time religiously because it's always great and his panels are usually fantastic.

But I've never really found him all that funny to be honest...

[GeeBee]

He might be an asshole, but he is an asshole I agree with most of the time. I watch Real Time religiously because it's always great and his panels are usually fantastic.

But I've never really found him all that funny to be honest...

This. His comedy routine is rather lame, but his show is awesome, and he encourages debate.

[captivewear]

it showed a lack of understanding of the way ideaology works. unless you're a libertarian/anarchist like a friend of mine, i sincerely doubt democrats are too liberal for your liking. i wasnt saying compare them to the most liberal person ever, i was saying look at it from an objective standpoint. in which case, democrats and republicans are both very close to the center of the spectrum.
I wish democrats were more Liberal. Then we would have equal rights, universal healthcare, more small business and less big business, more jobs and more things for Rush Limbaugh to make up stuff about.

[Corey Hoffy]

I think he's funny. And I agree with pretty much everything he has to say. New Rules = awesome.

[AP_Punk]

i enjoy him now and then

[Zeran]

I think he is great, though he does get repetitive on his jokes sometimes (especially with religion). I watch Real Time every week and enjoy but sometimes its one big circle jerk when all the guests agree with each other. He is far better on set of Real Time than he is doing stand-up imo.

this.

[DrStrong]

this.
IMO, Real Time would be better without the live audience. Whenever Bill says something remotely clever, there is a huge uproar from the audience. I dunno, i actually listen to what him and the panel are talking about. Sometimes when the crowd gets routy, the panel will get drowned out or interrupted constantly.

[boxingwithstars]

IMO, Real Time would be better without the live audience. Whenever Bill says something remotely clever, there is a huge uproar from the audience. I dunno, i actually listen to what him and the panel are talking about. Sometimes when the crowd gets routy, the panel will get drowned out or interrupted constantly.

i don't like how the crowd is always so eager to attack panelists with different opinions or views. i think Bill does a fairly good job of keeping the panel balanced (most of the time) and that's why i enjoy the show so much. but the audience can be obnoxious.

[Zeran]

the audience can be pretty annoying sometimes.

[DrStrong]

i don't like how the crowd is always so eager to attack panelists with different opinions or views. i think Bill does a fairly good job of keeping the panel balanced (most of the time) and that's why i enjoy the show so much. but the audience can be obnoxious.
Thats the problem. His audience are his fans, therefore having a similar opinion as he does. There are only a couple of things that annoy me about Maher, and the show itself;

-The audience always cheering after Bill makes a good point, cutting off any opposing view.
-Maher's constant interruption, and then the crowd cheering when he goes off on a rant while cutting off the panelist.

I'm tellin ya, remove the audience, you'de have a great show.