Real Time with Bill Maher is an hour long political comedy and debate show that airs Friday nights on HBO. Now perhaps you remember that Bill Maher once had a half-hour show called Politically Incorrect on Comedy Central first, then later on ABC, whom cancelled the show in 2002. Real Time has a similar format--a monologue followed by a panel who debates current political events. Maher's monologue is nothing to write home about, he's much more interesting (and funny) when simply conversing with an interviewee or with his panel. His panel discussion takes up a great chunk of the show, and usually part way through introduces another "Real Time Correspondent" into the fray. (In this way I discovered Matt Tabbi, an excellent writer for Rolling Stone.)These debates are really what I love about the show. The panel is normally comprised of a wide array of political leanings, allowing for actual discussion and not just conservative/liberal bashing. While the debates can sometimes get out of hand and from time to time a panel member deserves to be stabbed a little, as a rule the debates are interesting to watch, and the panel members intelligent. I'm a lazy guy and watching well informed folks argue about political matters can function as a short-hand for actually doing research. I certainly wouldn't be prepared to write a paper afterwards, but it is certainly and entertaining way to become better informed myself. And if you subscribe, like I do, to the idea that debate leads to greater understanding, then Real Time is at least good for something more than laughs and arguments.
Now, yes, the Real Time is hosted by Bill Maher, and I know a lot of people have reservations about him. And I can understand this. Bill Maher is kind of a dick. So if you hate Bill Maher then you likely won't be able to stand this show. Bill Maher is his regular opinionated and overbearing self. He makes sure his (often abrasive) voice is heard. I don't know if I can justify his behaviour, but maybe a debate show like this needs a strong persona like his to keep it focused--perhaps a consistent political frame of reference grounds the show somehow. I like Maher for the most part so this isn't a problem for me, suckas.
For us that don't have HBO (like anyone in Canada) Real Time is easy to find each new episode on YouTube the next day via TULLYCASTS's channel. You don't even have to download this one.
Now, this year will also see the release of Bill Maher's documentary Religulous that is going to be hella controversial. I mean the shit is going to fly when this comes out. Watch the link and prepare to cringe.
Mumbo perhaps. Jumbo perhaps not!
