Bill Maher Makes a Comeback on HBO's Real Time, Offers Thanks to Writers
These remarks were delivered right before the show transitioned into a panel discussion featuring Sam Harris.
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00:00 Bill Maher has made his return to HBO's real time following recent controversy.
00:07 Although he didn't directly address the backlash he faced, he took a moment to express
00:11 his gratitude for his staff, including both writers and non-writers, as well as the Writers
00:17 Guild of America, during the Friday episode of his political talk show.
00:21 Maher began by saying, "First of all, I want to thank everybody who made this possible
00:26 to be back.
00:27 You know, I am talking about my brilliant staff, writers and non-writers, who scrambled
00:33 the jets so we could be on in two days, and the union folks who expedited the paperwork
00:39 so we could get back so quickly.
00:41 So thank you."
00:42 These comments were made just before the show transitioned into a panel discussion, featuring
00:47 Sam Harris, host of the Making Sense podcast, and Mary Katherine Hamm, author and co-host
00:53 of the Getting Hammered podcast.
00:55 The current 21st season of Real Time premiered in January but went on eight years after the
01:01 Writers Guild of America's strike began in May.
01:04 Typically, the show airs 35 weekly episodes and runs through the end of November.
01:09 However, in September, the 67-year-old host announced his decision to return to work and
01:15 ceased participating in the strike, stating, "Real Time is coming back."
01:20 Unfortunately, sans writers or writing, he expressed his concern for the writers' issues
01:26 and hopes they are addressed satisfactorily, and emphasized that other individuals working
01:32 on the show also have their own problems and concerns.
01:35 Mayer stated, "I am not prepared to lose an entire year and see so many below-the-line
01:49 people suffer so much."
01:51 (dramatic music)