Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This?

It's true. Said that to set the foundation.

I mostly avoid American news/media since 2017ish. Yeah, I catch stuff here in there. Not much. Over these years, didn't have an opinion about Maher one way or the other. I will say, I did love Maher from way back in the day.

Last six months, I do watch Rubin Report almost every day. You probably already know their relationship. They just went to a Lakers game together, right? From what Rubin shows, I really like. But, a lot of what Rubin says about Maher aren't feelings I have. I feel like Maher is way more like Rubin and I than Rubin understands.

Saying all this because this disagreement with Rubin's views on Maher is what made we watch this.

Watching made me feel Maher's way more like Rubin and I than Rubin can even imagine.

Overall, it was a homerun from Maher. He 100% says what he thinks and believes and he didn't judge anybody. Ok, maybe he judged a little. But, whatever. None of that bothered me 1 bit.

His honesty and not worrying about offending anyone is what makes me love this!

I'm giving this one star for every joke I hadn't heard yet (a few of them were genuine laugh-out-loud gut-busters) . It's probably my own fault for overexposing myself as a regular watcher of Real Time, and semi-frequent listener/viewer of Club Random, and a listener of the What This Comedian Said Will Shock You audiobook. So the premises are just what Bill Maher talks about these days. Many of the punchlines seem familiar, too. Watching this gave me the same feeling I used to get watching his stand-up before I got on board with him -- at times it feels more like a humorous lecture than a stand-up special.

Bill Maher's been talking about the same things for years now. If you don't go outside your comfort zone and change up your material, you're a very tame comedian. Chances are if you went to see this show you've already heard all this before. Now I agree with a lot of what he's saying, but it doesn't really matter. What matters is if it's funny or not. And the answer is "eh." I chuckled a few times but the score I'm giving it isn't because it's very funny. It would at least be a 6 if that were the case. If you're a huge Bill Maher fan you have nothing to lose, listening to him talk about the same thing for the past 5 years. Otherwise, I would t really say it's particularly worth checking out as a "comedy show."

Full disclosure- I am not a a huge fan of Bill Maher; however, I liked this special a lot. This is a very honest and bold stand up that daringly attacks insanity on the left and right. While he takes on Trump's madness he also takes on the madness that is Woke thinking in the 21st Century. He very intelligently distinguishes Liberalism, a Progressive way of thinking, and Wokeness, a disease of the mind and society. I don't love his delivery, but I do agree with a lot of his messaging. Even on the stuff I don't agree with- who cares- the whole point is that we should have the ability to disagree. His attack on collegiate thought and young people is so on the mark. This is smart thinking and thoughtful provoking.

I've watched real time very consistently for years and have a lot of respect for Mr Maher, but not as much for his brand of humor and stand up.

Well, this was very enjoyable and had way more laugh out loud moments than I would have predicted. Bill seems very comfortable. His timing is mostly on point. The material is his usual metre but with some nice twists and very good presentation.

So, thank you Bill. See you next Friday night. Will be coming for a dose of common sense and with renewed interest in your funny bone.

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