Bill Maher

William "Bill" Maher, Jr., (born January 20, 1956; last name pronounced "mar") is an American comedian, actor, writer and producer. He is most well-known for his television show Politically Incorrect and is currently the host the HBO talk show Real Time with Bill Maher. He is known for his liberal and, to a lesser extent, libertarian views, while he personally identifies primarily with the left-wing worldview. In fact, many libertarians consider him to ideologically be a member of the far-left.

Media

Talk show host

Maher is most notable as the former host of Politically Incorrect, which aired on the Comedy Central television network and later ABC. Maher is also currently the host of Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO.

Related Topics:
Comedy Central - Television network - ABC - HBO

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ABC decided not to renew Maher's contract for Politically Incorrect in 2002 after he made a controversial on-air remark, in which he, along with guest Dinesh D'Souza, objected to the President and others calling the September 11 terrorists cowardly:

Related Topics:
2002 - On-air - Dinesh D'Souza - President - September 11 - Terrorists

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During the era of the Vietnam War, the alleged cowardice of American "carpet bombing" from high above a target was a common theme among anti-war protestors. However, in the context of the sensitive aftermath of the attacks, such a remark was deemed too controversial for some financial supporters. Although some pundits, including conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=25267, supported Maher, pointing out the distinction between physical and moral cowardice, companies including FedEx and Sears Roebuck pulled their advertisements from the show, costing the show more than it returned. The show was subsequently cancelled on June 16, 2002. On June 22, 2002, six days after the cancellation of Politically Incorrect, Maher received the President's Award (for "championing free speech") from the Los Angeles Press Club.

Related Topics:
Vietnam War - Aftermath - Pundit - Rush Limbaugh - FedEx - Sears Roebuck - Advertisement - June 16 - June 22 - Free speech - Los Angeles

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Another controversial reaction to Maher's comment came from Ari Fleischer, who was the Press Secretary of the George W. Bush administration at the time. Fleischer responded to a reporter's question about Maher's firing by saying that people "need to watch what they say". Many people believed Fleischer was implying that free speech was no longer relevant in America.

Related Topics:
Ari Fleischer - Press Secretary - George W. Bush administration

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Maher's comment about the cowardice of terrorists followed another controversial comment he made on Politically Incorrect where he compared dogs to mentally handicapped children:

Related Topics:
Dog - Handicapped

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ABC was likely still dealing with the fallout from this statement when it decided not to renew Maher's contract.

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In 2003, Maher became the host of Real Time with Bill Maher on the HBO cable television network, a debate show somewhat similar to Politically Incorrect, but with a narrower selection of guests.

Related Topics:
2003 - HBO

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Since May 2005 he's been a contributing blogger at The Huffington Post.

Related Topics:
2005 - Blogger - The Huffington Post

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Press coverage

In 1997, during filming of an episode of the game show Pictionary, Erik Estrada accidentally punched Maher in the face in a moment of exuberance, knocking him out cold briefly.

Related Topics:
1997 - Pictionary - Erik Estrada

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According to court documents obtained by The Smoking Gun, in November 2004 Maher was sued for 9 million dollars by his ex-girlfriend, Nancy Johnson a.k.a. "Coco Johnsen", for palimony. Johnson claims that Maher did not fulfill promises made to her and that he physically and verbally abused her. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1111041coco1.html Maher publicly refuted her allegations on Larry King Live on November 23, 2004. His lawyer responded to the lawsuit with a claim that Maher is a "confirmed bachelor" and never promised to marry or support Johnsen and that California law doesn't allow for the palimony suit brought by Ms. Johnsen. On May 2, 2005, a superior court judge dismissed the lawsuit.

Related Topics:
The Smoking Gun - November 2004 - Palimony - Larry King Live - November 23 - 2004

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In late May 2005, Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus sent a letter to Time Warner's board of directors requesting Real Time be cancelled due to remarks Maher made about low military recruiting numbers on the May 13, 2005, episode which Bachus felt were demeaning to the military and in bad taste. Maher's comment was "More people joined the Michael Jackson fan club. We've done picked all the low-lying Lynndie England fruit, and now we need warm bodies." Maher responded by reiterating his support for the troops and asking why the Congressman criticized him instead of actually doing something about the problem. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theblog/archive/bill-maher/fruit_1561.html

Related Topics:
Alabama - Spencer Bachus - Time Warner - Lynndie England

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