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Real Time with Bill Maher

Each week Bill Maher surrounds himself with a panel of guests which include politicians, actors, comedians, musicians and the like to discuss what's going on in the world.

Comedy, Talk

Episodes (27)
1Fri, Jan 11, 2008

January 11, 2008

Guests: Entrepreneur Mark Cuban, former TV anchor Catherine Crier, former press secretary Tony Snow, Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi (election correspondent), humorist P.J. O'Rourke Topics: New Hampshire primary, electronic voting machines, Iraq troop surge, subprime lending and prospects for economic recession. Maher refrained from a large-scale discussion of the ongoing writers' strike, offering only a brief opinion in the closing moments of the show.

2Fri, Jan 18, 2008

January 18, 2008

Guests: Comedian D. L. Hughley, Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund, country singer Trace Adkins, author/sex columnist Dan Savage (election correspondent), journalist Fareed Zakaria Topics: South Carolina primary and influence of religion, militant violence in Pakistan, U.S. relations with Iran, impact of economy on the election, defining victory in Iraq, thoughts on Confederate flag

3Fri, Jan 25, 2008

January 25, 2008

Guests: Actor/comedian Richard Belzer, musician Herbie Hancock, reporter Martha Raddatz, political strategist Amy Holmes (election correspondent), country singer Merle Haggard Topics: Bill Clinton's role in campaign, Democratic campaign issues and oversight of Iraq War, Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan, race and gender in the election, Rudy Giuliani's campaign strategy

4Fri, Feb 01, 2008

February 01, 2008

Guests: Columnist Clarence Page, feminist Kim Gandy, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), pollster/author Frank Luntz, Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi (election correspondent) Topics: State of the Union address, Clinton/Obama debate and Republican strategy, withdrawals of Giuliani and Edwards, Middle East policy

5Fri, Feb 08, 2008

February 08, 2008

Guests: Author/columnist Jonah Goldberg, political strategist Matthew Dowd, sportscaster Bob Costas, political humorist P.J. O'Rourke (election correspondent), CNN analyst Amy Holmes Topics: Super Tuesday results, suspension of Mitt Romney's campaign, McCain vs. conservatives, U.S. role as superpower, Roger Clemens steroid controversy and overdependence on prescription drugs, death of Maharishi

6Fri, Feb 15, 2008

February 15, 2008

Guests: Commentator Andrew Sullivan, veterans' activist Paul Rieckhoff, Nina Hachigian of the Center for American Progress, pollster Frank Luntz (election correspondent), Sen Claire McCaskill (D-MO) Topics: Clinton vs. Obama, candidates' policies toward Middle East, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act renewal and changes, John McCain vs. Democrats, Roger Clemens congressional hearing

7Fri, Feb 22, 2008

February 22, 2008

Guests: Former Bush speechwriter David Frum, The Hotline editor Amy Walter, Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi (election correspondent), journalist Tom Brokaw Topics: Clinton/Obama debate, John McCain lobbyist controversy, Americans' love of country and Michelle Obama remarks, candidates' positions on war, resignation of Fidel Castro, beef recall

8Fri, Feb 29, 2008

February 29, 2008

Guests: Columnist Christopher Hitchens, author Shashi Tharoor, comedian Harry Shearer, author/sex columnist Dan Savage (election correspondent); via satellite, Gov Ed Rendell (PA) Topics: Pennsylvania primary, Al-Qaeda in Iraq, appeal of Barack Obama, religion in politics

9Fri, Mar 07, 2008

March 07, 2008

Guests: MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, actor/director Adam Goldberg, NPR host Farai Chideya, journalist Jeremy Scahill (election correspondent); via satellite, fmr DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe Topics: Hillary wins primaries in Texas and Ohio, McCain clinches Republican nomination, media coverage of candidates, economic news and impact of Iraq War, strategies for Iraq withdrawal, elections in Russia

10Fri, Mar 21, 2008

March 21, 2008

Guests: Rep Barney Frank (D-MA), actor Jon Hamm, professor/author Melissa Harris Lacewell, humorist/author P.J. O'Rourke (election correspondent); via satellite, CNN correspondent Michael Ware Topics: Fifth anniversary of Iraq War, Obama and Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy, economic class warfare, Eliot Spitzer resignation and scandal, legalization of marijuana

11Fri, Mar 28, 2008

March 28, 2008

Guests: Talk show host Tavis Smiley, journalist Robin Wright, comedian Robert Klein, author/sex columnist Dan Savage (election correspondent); via satellite, actor John Cusack Topics: Violence in Iraq, Clinton statements on Bosnia trip, use of contractors in Iraq, definition of patriotism, more on Jeremiah Wright and race relations, use of Patriot Act in Eliot Spitzer case

12Fri, Apr 04, 2008

April 04, 2008

Guests: Actor Esai Morales, fmr Labor Sec Robert Reich, Rep Barbara Lee (D-CA), CNN analyst Amy Holmes (election correspondent); via satellite, Sen Arlen Specter (PA) Topics: 40th anniversary of the King assassination, education in inner cities, Bush tax rebate and U.S. budget priorities, U.S. defense budget, abstinence education, investment in biofuels, bailout of Bear Stearns

13Fri, Apr 11, 2008

April 11, 2008

Guests: Counter-terrorism expert Richard Clarke, journalist Dana Priest, actor Jason Alexander; via satellite, Rep Joe Sestak (D-PA), scientist/author Richard Dawkins Topics: Iraq War hearings and Bush speech, Bill Clinton's effect on Hillary's campaign, rationalizing religion, environment and global warming, airline cancellations and wiring inspections

14Fri, Apr 18, 2008

April 18, 2008

Guests: Prof Cornel West, blogger Markos Moulitsas Zúniga, writer/activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali, journalist Jeremy Scahill (election correspondent); via satellite, MSNBC host Chris Matthews Topics: Pennsylvania primary and Democratic debate, Pope's visit to U.S., oil prices and worldwide food shortages, polygamy and raid on Texas compound

15Fri, Apr 25, 2008

April 25, 2008

Topics: TV host Phil Donahue, columnist Arianna Huffington, comedian Garry Shandling, Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi (election correspondent); via satellite, economist Jeffrey Sachs Guests: Earth Day and demand for resources, Pennsylvania primary results, tax rebate checks, extension of veterans' benefits, Democratic campaign tactics

16Fri, Aug 29, 2008

August 29, 2008

Guests: Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ), TV host Craig Ferguson, journalist Michel Martin, Matt Taibbi (election correspondent); via satellite, Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA) Topics: The 2008 election, 2008 Democratic National Convention, McCain's VP pick Sarah Palin

17Fri, Sep 05, 2008

September 05, 2008

Guests: Actress Kerry Washington, fmr. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, fmr. Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, journalist Jeffrey Toobin, and Real Time correspondent Dan Savage Topics: 2008 Republican National Convention

18Fri, Sep 12, 2008

September 12, 2008

Guests: Actress Janeane Garofalo, Author Salman Rushdie, Roseanne Barr, political consultant Paul Begala, and journalist John Fund Topics: 7th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks

19Fri, Sep 19, 2008

September 19, 2008

Guests: Musician will.i.am, journalist Naomi Klein, political blogger Andrew Sullivan; via satellite, economist Paul Krugman Topics: Candidacy of Sarah Palin and responsibility for the subprime mortgage crisis.

20Fri, Sep 26, 2008

September 26, 2008

Guests: Politician Ralph Nader, actor Tim Daly, National Review Online contributor Lisa Schiffren; via satellite, journalist Ron Suskind, comedian Chris Rock Topics: The first presidential debate, subprime mortgage crisis, economic stimulus package, Sarah Palin

21Fri, Oct 03, 2008

October 03, 2008

Guests: Actor Alec Baldwin, reporter Christiane Amanpour, and comedian Garry Shandling; via satellite, journalist Bob Woodward Topics: Bush's legacy, VP debate, Palin's performance, bailout bill, future of the country

22Fri, Oct 10, 2008

October 10, 2008

Guests: Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), economist Stephen Moore, and comedian Dana Gould; via satellite, director Oliver Stone, former Comptroller General of the United States David Walker Topics: Economic situation, Palin's rhetoric, ongoing election, voting fraud, US military budget

23Fri, Oct 17, 2008

October 17, 2008

Guests: Actor Ben Affleck; actor, comedian Martin Short; pollster Frank Luntz; Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT); via satellite, journalist Thomas Friedman Topics: Joe the Plumber, ongoing election, third presidential debate

24Fri, Oct 24, 2008

October 24, 2008

Guests: Actor Tim Robbins, comedian Carol Leifer, political consultant Matt Dowd, economist Arthur Laffer; via satellite, ex-GOP operative Allen Raymond Topics: Electoral fraud, voting, the election, Joe the Plumber, economy, Barack Obama, future of the Republican Party

25Fri, Oct 31, 2008

October 31, 2008

Guests: Singer/Songwriter John Legend, columnist Connie Schultz, commentator Amy Holmes, Prof Cornel West; via satellite, activist Michael Moore Topics: Sarah Palin, Patriotism, Joe the Plumber, Taxes

26Fri, Nov 07, 2008

November 07, 2008

Guests: Comedian Howie Mandel, humorist Joe Queenan, NPR commentator Farai Chideya, political advisor Paul Begala; via satellite, Mayor Cory Booker (D-Newark) Topics: 2008 election results, racism, John McCain, Barack Obama

27Fri, Nov 14, 2008

November 14, 2008

Guests: Author and Newsweek editor Jon Meacham, actor Ashton Kutcher, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL); via satellite, musician Sean Combs, columnist Dan Savage Topics: Detroit auto-industry bailout, increase in gun sales since the election, California Proposition 8 (2008), marijuana decriminalization, Hillary for Secretary of State, voting