Back in the year 2013, a phone call from Bill Maher, the host of HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher, raised an incident that led to an attempt at humour through my column. Maher had humorously questioned if Donald Trump could be the offspring of a human female and an orangutan, suggesting this was perhaps the root cause of his distinctive orange hair. In a jesting proposition where he committed to $5 million for charity given Trump’s birth certificate, he mirrored Trump’s similar offer for records verifying President Barack Obama’s birthplace.
Trump, however, failed to see the satire, considering the joke overly harsh and commanding his attorney to reply to Maher with a document proving he was indeed Fred Trump’s son, and not an orangutan’s. The opulent business tycoon then initiated a $5 million lawsuit against Maher, only to retract it later, after two months. Michael Cohen, an associate of Trump’s, was the one threatening to revisit the lawsuit.
A noticeably frustrated Maher compared Trump to an ’80s pop reference, equating their skirmish to a rivalry with the character JR Ewing from Dallas. He dubbed Trump as “not even a real individual”.
Despite my advice to ignore Trump, his frivolous litigations and laughable prospects for presidency, Maher continued to pursue the Trump matters.
Regardless of skewed predictions, the 68-year-old comic remained a persistent adversary to Trump. Early in 2015, Maher gave serious attention to the potential threat of Trump. Four years later in 2020, he cautioned about Trump’s possible refusal to sanction the election results in case he faced a defeat. He forecasted the same occurrence if Trump was defeated once again, speculating a contentious standoff on January 20th, incidentally Maher’s birthday.
The comedian relishes drawing comparisons between an overly dolled-up Trump and a drag queen, even jesting that in light of Trump’s team plea for a mistrial in a hush-money case in New York, the former president’s drag alias could be “Miss Trial”.
In life, it’s foolish to obsess over what you lack, despite having almost everything, posits Bill Maher. Renowned for his sharp wit and biting social commentary, Maher is regarded as a modern-day equivalent of Will Rogers – unapologetically abrasive, patriotically-American, and equally capable of inviting praise and inciting controversy. He’s particularly credited for his incisive interviews and biting end-of-show commentaries on Real Time, where he broaches myriad topics, from politics to relationships, education, mass culture, victim mentality, and technological disruptions.
Maher’s latest book, ‘What This Comedian Said Will Shock You’, represents the best of his editorials from the past decade, aiming to “burst bubbles” in public discourse. “Bill has an unusual gift for making people listen and, perhaps, learn something new, despite an environment where people often only pay attention to their own biases,” comments Richard Plepler, former HBO exec who has worked closely with Maher and currently heads Eden Productions for Apple TV.
Maher’s persona reflects a blend of irreverent schoolboy humour and the bluntness of a curmudgeon relative. Yet, his complaint-driven commentary comes from a place of genuine concern—a heart behind the cynicism. His editorial consistency has impressively drawn compliments from fellow comedian Jerry Seinfeld. “Your intellect deserves all the attention it receives,” Seinfeld jested during an episode of Maher’s podcast, Club Random.
There’s an explanation for Maher’s breadth, he suggests; as a former Cornell history major, he observes, he indulges in the History Channel with the same fervour most men reserve for adult sites.
Despite his prominence, Maher is not universally adored. Some criticise his apparent smugness; others suggest he’s fallen prey to far-right thinking. His show has also been Emmy-nominated 21 times without a single victory. Maher jests about this anomaly, claiming half in jest, he should’ve clinched the award 20 times by now.
And despite his stated distaste for politics, he doesn’t hesitate to make his voice heard. In a situation where he had to vote between Trump and Biden, he jokes, he’d opt for Biden’s preserved head.
In a serious tone, he expressed how the ageing process doesn’t bother him as it once used to, stating, “wisdom that comes with age cancels out the negative aspects of growing old. The worst thing in life, in my opinion, is to obsess about what’s missing despite having almost everything.”
Despite the absence of many prestigious awards, his career is in a revival phase, dubbed the “Bill-aissance” by Katie Couric during a Club Random appearance. His ability to make news surpasses that of all other late-night comedians combined, probably because he doesn’t subscribe to comedy’s hardened partisan perspective. Standing out from the rest of the political commentators, he doesn’t curtail his opinions to please either political side.
“The truth is,” he said, “both parties only hope their candidates kick the bucket.” Sometimes Fox News showers him with praises while MSNBC criticises him, other times the positions swap. Maher stands in the current whirlpool of misinformation, providing forthright and practical views on global topics that are independent of political or personal biases. Topics covered by him range widely; from Barbie dolls, Bibi, to babies, and even explains why he doesn’t have any of his own.
He pondered, while ordering a shot of tequila with his Margherita pizza, “why doesn’t everyone dwell in the moderate zone of my world, where we’re level-headed?” He is an avid health enthusiast, outspoken critic of endorsing obesity as body positivity, and an Ozempic sceptic. He usually accompanies his sparkling water with a product named Jing, a carbonated water augmenter devoid of aspartame, gluten or carbs.
Frequently asked why he ridicules the left more than he previously did, he responded, “Yes, I do, the left has become more strange and irritating than it was before.” This was during his show featuring Frank Bruno and Douglas Murray as guests. He added, “as a comedian, I hunt for the ridiculous.”
Addressing his departed fans who couldn’t accept his deviation from the standard liberal stance, he notes in his book, “I don’t mourn their loss.”
He believes that the right poses a more significant threat and is an advocate for what he dubs “the Blue Liquid Doctrine”. In this context, he states, “If the choice is between Trump and Biden, I will support Biden’s head in a jar of blue liquid.” Yet, his fellow liberals in Hollywood argue that he should avoid commenting on Biden’s age and walking style. Maher humorously suggests that Biden should embrace it, saying, “I might walk like a toddler wearing a fully loaded nappy, but I support democracy.”
Instead of behaving like we’re approaching a civil war, he suggests that we engage in more conversations with each other. He finds performing stand-up shows in conservative states enjoyable.
He writes, “We should consider each other not as deadly foes but as irritating flatmates.” He’s familiar with the nightmare of a terrible living situation, once having partitioned his flat with white tape.
Over dinner, our conversation turned to the rise in anti-Semitism. “It’s challenging to comprehend people shouting ‘Death to America’ on American soil,” he reflected.
He abhors the progressive students who, he claims, endorse Hamas overseeing a nation where sexual harassment, spousal rape, domestic violence, homophobia and child marriages are scarcely curbed.
Maher describes top-tier universities as “the source from which drivel emanates”, creating “students who despise America and lack knowledge. If they understood the Middle East, apartheid, or genocide, would they really support Hamas?”
In the courts of the old, jesters had the privilege of speaking the truth to the king, similar to fools in Shakespeare’s plays. However, with the advent of safe spaces and trigger warnings, the profession of jesters has evolved.
“He weathered his first cancellation,” commented media authority, Tina Brown, “and has now become a champion for everyone else, tenaciously opposing the urge to be cautious.”
I familiarized myself with Maher post his initial show cancellation in 2002 – his ABC show, Politically Incorrect, received a literal axing.
Against the backdrop of a startling 90% approval rating, the Bush-Cheney White House post 9/11 took the discernment of an intolerant regime, choosing to silence any opposing views. When Maher sided with a guest on his show stating that the 9/11 hijackers were indeed monsters, but not cowards, Ari Fleischer, the press secretary for the White House, arrogantly reprimanded Maher, warning him and his fellow Americans to be cautious with their words. Consequently, ABC discontinued Maher’s programme.
Escalating the matter to pen and ink, I penned down a column emphasising that it is crucial not to stifle the torrent of contrasting ideas that ignite our adversaries’ warped jealousy, especially under the shadow of being targeted. A societal climate where differing opinions endanger the position of comedians and columnists should instil fear in all of us.
I admire Jonathan Swift greatly and I believe other satirists – the “Swifties” should be given ample space. While they may occasionally cross a line or offend some, our jesters are essential in providing a candid reflection of our society.
Recently, Maher was emotionally touched when his producers awarded him a box reminding one of an engagement ring presenting him with a ring on a chain in a symbolic gesture connecting him to his adoring viewers. He revealed to me that his connection with his loyal audience is the most enduring relationship he has had. Despite never truly craving for children, if he had any, he would have neglected them in pursuit of polishing his editorials.
Maher, being a Peta board member, divulged an unexpected predilection – he adores fur whilst doesn’t particularly enjoy human company. Harrowing human scenes in films do not stir his heart, but animal suffering is unbearable for him, to the extent he cannot even endure King Kong, Godzilla, Planet of the Apes or Seabiscuit.
Born into a Roman Catholic family in New Jersey to a nurse mother and a radio broadcaster father who later turned editor, Maher still posseses some records of his father’s news broadcasts, including one marking Mickey Mantle’s retirement. He was hit by unexpected news when he discovered, at the age of 13, during a Christmas gathering that his maternal lineage was of Jewish descent.
Reflecting back, he realised the taboo around discussing politics or religion which existed during his childhood, was an interesting contrast from the constant debates on these topics in today’s society. He recalled his mother’s lack of attendance at church, something that didn’t strike him as odd at the time.
He’s been mulling over the idea of retiring from stand-up comedy after his forthcoming HBO special, comparing the art to mastering a cello, requiring persistent practice.
On his show, Club Random, where he occasionally involves in light drinking and marijuana usage, he encourages his guests to indulge in their preferred substances as well. His conversations on the show are often revolving around a range of topics, from very personal fears like death, to critical societal issues projecting through pornography. He lamented the evolution of pornography from Playboy era to today’s disturbing and violent forms.
He partly owns the Woods, a cannabis dispensary in Hollywood, set up with John McEnroe and Woody Harrelson. Once, he spent time there with Paul McCartney and recalled the experience positively.
He does not adhere to a strict daily schedule, preferring instead to wake naturally around mid-day, he then fasts for the majority of his day, sticking to the philosophy that eating restricts one’s efficiency. As an owner of two rescue dogs, his day involves playing basketball and writing, complemented by a healthy dietary routine. This includes a shake at around 3 pm, with dietary choices made after learning Hispanic men had a lower incidence of prostate cancer. He tends to have a lighter meal in the evening.
Upon departing from Craig’s, I questioned Maher, who was making his way to his sleek, grey, fully-electric Mercedes, if he ever experiences the sensation of continuously hitting his head on a brick wall. His response? Affirmative. Nevertheless, he remarked with a hint of dry wit that he stands prepared to bind himself to the ship mast and “press forward on the voyage.”
His sentiment is not about fostering hatred towards half the nation. Indeed, he expressed, “I harbour no resentment towards half the country. I also do not wish for America to become separated.”
This piece was primarily published in The New York Times.
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