God Bless Bill Maher
And now, the award for best critical thinking by a television news commentator. The nominees are (Drumroll): Bill Maher . . . and that's the only nominee. He wins.
I watched Mr. Maher this weekend (March 20) on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher." I was taken aback, pleasantly, by how thoroughly entertaining his questions were of his guests. Why? Because it wasn't merely a Barack Obama, progressive love-fest. It was more than reiterations of how we hate Bush, Cheney's evil and how waterboarding is wrong. There was not the incalculably insane refrain of trying Bush and Cheney as war criminals. It wasn't the usual "we're smart and conservative Republicans are stupid." O.K., in fairness there was some of that. Mostly because it's true. More on that later.
No, Maher not only challenged the guests' statements when necessary, but dared to ask them to explain why they thought such and, what was even better, to at least consider a point advanced that was antipodal. I've all but abandoned the notion of watching anything even resembling a TV news commentary show. It's Barnum & Bailey narrow-casting. No, Bill Maher and Jon Stewart have earned my seal of approval for cogent commentary.
Incidentally, as for plain old news shows, those are even harder to find mostly because we're watching the format's extinction before our very eyes. BBC's still hands-down the best for international news with The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer reigning supreme for national coverage. When you watch a bare-bones, true news show, it's a thing of beauty. It's the abecedary of news reportage. Fine. Maher's not that, nor do we want him to be.
Let me be more specific. Bill Maher has a point of view shot through his own perspective barrel with its own rifling. You can see his comedic ballistic marks. We know his frame of reference. Personally, I love his take on religion and Religulous is brilliant. I'm biased. As is he. While on the subject, it's perhaps one of the best compendia of religious and Biblical lore. Lore, mind you, not fact. He learned a very serious lesson when he dared to make a crack about the bravery of the 9/11 hijackers. Let's hope that issue doesn't recrudesce; that's history. I will say that the event certainly gave Bill an obvious hypersensitivity to the issue. Maybe that's why he has bought the official version hook, line and stinker -- er, sinker -- thus earning him the ultimate label of disparagement among the 9/11 truth-seekers: Gatekeeper. But that's for another time.
Bill has his perspective, his take, his riff, his biases. No doubt. (Did I mention I love "New Rules"?) All right, enough with the paeans. Bill Maher is not a lap dog for Barack Obama. He's not a fawning, obsequious toady whose eyes flutter when you dare mention B.O.'s name. He doesn't immediately jump on the DNC or progressive bandwagon. He's got gonadal elephantiasis. He agrees when he agrees. He's obviously a stoner and makes no bones about it. He agrees with me that the late Steve Irwin met his demise by unnecessarily annoying a stingray. It was self-defense for Chrissakes. That's very non-progressive. Remember, liberals and progressives are smart, not brilliant, and not necessarily funny.
He asks questions about stimulus packages and the recession and doesn't assume a priori that whatever Obama and his trusted knights do is correct.
Let me return for a sec to the funny/smart reference. The difference between the archetypal liberal and conservative is how they see themselves and each other. The former believes that she's smart, educated, sophisticated and worldly compared to her opposite, who is dim-witted, slow, old-fashioned, scientifically-nescient, churlish, mawkish, homophobic, sexually-cloistered and very uncool. The conservative sees himself as right, correct, resolute, patriotic, God-fearing, America first, traditional, family-oriented and rock-ribbed. He sees the liberal/progressive as LGBT-loving, un-American, silly, Birkenstock-shod, climate-crazy, tree-hugging, Commie-loving . . . You get the picture. Liberals are smart. Conservatives are Jed Clampett.
But what separates Maher from the Obama-crazed parvenus is that he thinks about an issue and then decides. He doesn't ask: "What's Obama's position? Me, too." Doesn't anyone with a synapse have any questions inter alia as to the stimulus package(s), bank nationalization or whether ex post facto legislation clawing back A.I.G. bonuses is in effect a bill of attainder? Even SNL most aptly captured the feeling over Geithner's competence and mockingly referenced the halcyon days of the inaugural, lo those two months ago.
Let me mention one point about the A.I.G. bonus structure issue. Without naming names, there were a few Obama TV operatives who were a tad quiescent at first when the Byzantine indictment of A.I.G.'s bonus payments was first announced. They had nary a clue as to what this mess was about. Something about credit default swaps or whatever. When Larry Summers said that it was improper for a government to abrogate private contracts that antedated the government's supervision and intervention (and I agree), the usual suspects were quiet, following Larry's lead. Or perhaps they were just confused. Then, when on high, President Obama called for the figurative heads of these latter day robber barons, the lickspittle choir all lip-synced en masse a collected "Whatever you say, Boss" and changed their tunes immediately.
There's a network that repeatedly refers to the first 100 days of Obama's administration with background music of harps and triumphant fanfare. A little premature, don't you think? Maher wouldn't have fallen for that anachronism, i.e. assuming that the first 100 days would be celebratory and transcendent. We're in the midst of a global economic maelstrom, cataclysmic by all accounts. If I want to hear the administration's position I'll go on its website. I don't need a wide-eyed cheerleader echoing what the President's saying. I don't want the anti-Fox point of view. Bias is bias. And understand, I voted for this President, he's now my and our President and, as such, I want him to succeed.
Maher believes in an issue or position himself. And that's the crux of the issue. I want his opinion and not rote repetition from an administration amanuensis. I want to be, oh, I don't know, surprised, maybe, when someone is enlisted to advance an opinion on a show.
I know exactly where to go for that.
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You know those news-y, shout-over
Yes, Bill gets preachy at times. I've gotten more preachy the last four years as well. I am SICK of stupid Americans dominating the debate, and when I hear the same ignorant crap repeated over and over as "conventional wisdom" I feel like leaving the country. Until we get mad that our republic has been hijacked and do something to change the discussion, those of us that are paying attention are going to continue to be islands of thought, surrounded by a rising sea of stupidity.
Obama has been the president of the U.S.of A. for 2 + months. Can we give the man a chance to see if his policies are gonna work? I'm not an Obama psychophant but damn it seems like everyone is trying to rush to been seen as a descenting opinion against Obama's policies. I voted for the man because I thought his policies would better serve this nation than McCain's ideas. Now it seems every article I read demonizes those that believe in Prez Obama as being blinded by a false mesiah. Yes you can follow the president & criticize him at the same time. I agree but dont act so sanctimonious when doing so. Bill Maher has a great show but please quit acting like Obama supporters follow him blindly like Bushies did for Pres Bush.
I have been watching Bill Maher ever since his POLITICALLY INCORRECT days at Comedy Central. He is smart, funny and willing to debate instead of dragging out talking points. I don't think he hates people at all like some here are claiming. I think he just has a low tolerance for those uncritical thinkers who let others on the left or the right do their thinking for them. Ru$h's listeners are proud to call themselves dittoheads. I don't always agree with Bill on every issue, but I respect his postion and know he isn't taking a certain side to be popular.
Not only does he have an opinion, but he can clearly and concisely explain and defend his position. With citations if necesary.
That's the difference.
Bill Maher is interesting, sometimes funny, always irreverent, blatantly egotistical, and on occasion, well-informed. But Maher is as intolerant of those who do believe in religion and God as those he seeks to criticize are about atheists. That is stalemate. If you don't agree with Maher you're an idiot (actually his words are harsher). And by the way, Maher wouldn't want to "God to bless" him.
I watch Maher not for his opinion, but those of his guests, who, like Maher, occasionally have something worthwhile to say.
But, frankly, given the choice between Bill Maher and Jon Stewart -- you can only choose one -- it's Jon Stewart hands down.
It would be stalemate if not for the small detail that the atheists have reality on their side. You might think Faith is an incredibly strong human motivator, but it is never as strong as, say, the molecular bonds holding together a piece of extremely thin and fragile tissue paper.
These are my feelings, too. Maher has gotten a bit too over-the-top with my views are right and anybody who doesn't agree with me is stupid or whack. He comes across as a bit too mean-spirited as times. He's changed. Where last year I would have watched one of his one-man shows on HBO, I feel the next one he does I won't bother.
I appreciate that he's not doing the Obama love-fest at the moment, but he overboard ga-ga over Obama before the election.
I would not want to have a sit-down chat with Maher -- Stewart and Colbert, any time.
The problem with Maher is that he seems to hate people, thinks people outside of himself are stupid-- he states this repeatedly-- and generally conducts himself as if he is the enlightened one. He attempts to cover over this mud vein in his nature with a false chuckle to appear good-natured.
The one thing that marred (or Maher-ed) Religulous was his affection for his own views and distaste for others'. He touted the movie as even-handed; however, it is a smug smirk-fest, where he attempts to ridicule many of those he interviews. He's not Limbaugh; Maher uses the nudge-nudge, wink-wink to the audience a la Bugs Bunny (insert Maher holding up a sign that says "Silly, isn't he?"). An agnostic like Maher, I feel if you're going to show religion affecting, you don't find the wackiest person in the room. One Christian organization purchases people held as Sudanese slaves and frees them. Not crazy, is it?
Maher treads the uncomfortable line that many comics do, protecting his right to say anything he likes, which maintains his personal free speech, but to ridicule everything, including serious matters, encourages people to view all things as equal, as butts of jokes. What we ridicule, we show unworthy of being taken seriously. If nothing is taken seriously, then any concept of right and wrong erodes, and things like rape and torture become more acceptable--after all, you have to have a sense of humor about it, right?
He doesn't hate people - he, like many of us, are just sick of the bible thumpers shoving their views and air-port bathroom morals down our throats, expecting us all to live the way they believe we should live - but most of them can't even stand up to their own standards - i.e, Miss Sarah, Teddy Hagg., Limbag, the list goes on and on...
Egaeus,
I think your comments are thoughtful and you present a good point for debate. As someone who has performed and produced stand-up comedy for over ten years I have dealt with the 'fine line' often. It's very tricky. I don't set out to anger people, rather my goal is to make them think. Still, because my humor is topical I have made people mad. Mr. Maher is kind of a smarter-than-you, wink, wink type of entertainer, but that's his style, his shtick (sp?) if you will. Al Franken is egocentric, that's his shtick. Watching Maher take audience questions, which he does in his stand-up act, I get the sense that he likes a good arguement and is willing to be challenged. It's in that context that you see a more thoughtful side of him.
You are just as verbose as Lionel.
And ridiculing the ridiculous is always funny. Your last take on rape and torture shows how lopsided your thinking is.
Agree.
EGAD! egaeus, quite confused,WHAT!? #1 "..an agnostic like Maher." Well straight out the gate WRONG. He's an unapologetic atheists. HUGE difference. .."you don't find the wackiest person in the room." WHO NEEDS TO! Hey hey! Here, from the leader of those who follow the SKY GOD “I know one man who was impotent who gave AIDS to his wife and the only thing they did was kiss” what? what? and that, was one of the LEAST INSANELY inflammatory comments Pat "mendacity filled" Robinson makes, ON A DAILY BASES. quite, quite. I say, you might be just a bit sensitive by old fellow, but then again, after reading your expressive quote "things like rape and torture become more acceptable" maybe to folks like YOU, by Jove. But then, just ask your sky god(s?); after ANYTHING, ask forgiveness and all is Okee doke-e! I say, you people. And what do I mean by "you people" ? precisely, don't you? What, what? quite.
It is not insane to call for prosecutions for war crimes if they were in fact committed. If Bush and Cheney, et al, were committing street crime and were caught, it would not be insane to prosecute them. If Cheney and Bush were non-whites torturing people in a basement somewhere, Rush Limbaugh and the right wingers would not cease their din of outrage until something was done about it. If Bush and Cheney were engaged in white-color crime, people would want them to be tried. Why is it crazy to want them held accountable for setting a dangerous precedent for future leaders: namely, that it's okay to commit war crimes as a US president because you will never be held accountable for them.
Look about the war crimes, it only makes sense to pursue them...Ima
schatsie I'M SORRY. Totally, I wrote something about having a "dash-hound" (a "dachshund" named schatsie when I was a kid; It's true.) But, I think what I was writing, and other folks, is that we AGREE (WITH you, I think) about pursuing war crimes; as a matter of fact (you can read my blog) I said many years ago (while being slandered by Billshit O'Really and others as unAmerican, a traitor and a "socialist") that war crimes should be investegated and suggested starting with and looking at "war profiteering" charges against Dick "what rhymes with" Cheeny back in about the year 2000! "The year two-THOUSAND!" If you read the post up, read between the lines and you'll probably see that we (or I) were being "ironic" or giving voice to characters (thru my inventive writing don't ye know?) in a sarcastic or "facetious" manner. Oke-e doke-e?
EGAD! A-gain, young egaeus. Good show! But, see here old fellow they were "in fact" committed. The Veep admitted it and quite often what? Has the kingh he was prime Minister for? I do beg your pardon. You say this country ELECTED that chap? By Jove you mean to tell me he is NOT the product of royal in-breeding year after bloody year? Oh, my. Well, you can't hold HIM responsible. You see old boy, you went along with it. EVERYBODY went along with it what! All quite comfy in this land! For 8 years, SOME stood up agin his kind and jolly good too! (like that strapping young buck that got elected chief what!) Comfort and laziness wining over life and death is quite an American trait I must say. If the ebony prince fry's these two fascistas (and that Rove chap by Jove) or HANDS THEM OVER TO THE WORLD COURT as I would do, quite the proper action, he'll have an IMPOSSIBLE time getting ANYTHING done for the American people hey hey! Getting health care or (what THEY dread) education reform (you see, they thought at 1 time and some still do, that a boy like your president just scientifically doesn't have the brain power as Bwana don't ye know!) they want the mob ignorant you see. So the question is, my good man, do you want revenge? Or, do you want a semblance of a civilized society? What what!
What's with the faux cockney?
I mostly liked "Religulous", except that it was toughest on Islam, softest on Judaism.
Maybe because Jews don't believe that people HAVE to think the way they do to go to Heaven.
"The righteous among the Gentiles have a place in the world to come." (Talmud)
What?? I thought he was way too soft in Islam! During the whole movie, and afterward, we wondered why he was so soft on Islam, as if he was scared to make extremely offending statements. Yet he was pretty tough on the other religions.
Not to mention that he left out Hinduism - which with India's population, should be as big a religion as any other, and has plenty of fodder for his movie.
I NEVER miss Maher's show. I love it and think he, like Stewart, are the people we should be watching for news analysis.
Maher, Maddow, Olbermann, Stewart, Matthews and Colbert, the World's great News Reporters/
Good list, except for Matthews's name in it...
I really like Maher and think he's the best guest that Larry King has on. Maher is smart and funny, and a perfect foil to Rush Limbaugh. For awhile after 9/11, I didn't like Maher very much because he went off the reservation and turned conservative. Thank goodness that midlife crisis didn't last long. All is forgiven, Bill.
Your comparison of conservatives to Jed Clampett puts a pall upon your entire post. Do you know anything of the wit and wisdom of Jed Clampett? Archie Bunker, maybe, but the revered JC should never be cast in such a negative connotation.
Widow Fenwick: [buxom elderly millionaress) " I need a partner who will come into Honeymoon Lane with me. I have the license, and I have the heavy equipment.
Jed Clampett: "Well, ma'am, them's the kinda things a man likes to find out fer himself."
I was thinking myself that it would be far more common to see Jed ridiculing the conservatives for getting all wound up over the liberals than it would be to see him ridicule liberals.
Is this your first time on HuffPO or watching the news? You seriously think that there are more panderers of Obama than there are critics?
I love Bill Maher because he speaks his mind and sometimes mine, but don't think for a second that he wouldn't have Obama's back
I agree. HuffPo posters are not giving BO a free ride, and there isn't all that much sycophantic rhetoric these days. He is getting it from both sides, and I'm pretty happy that most progressives are being adults and are pretty good about pointing out both the good and the bad.
I'll be interested to hear what Bill Maher has to say about BO's comment about not legalizing drugs -- I was disappointed in that flippancy by the prez.
All this from a guy who wanted Hilary to win the primary. I love Bill Maher. I don't trust your motives.
C'mon, time to give that a rest, don't you think?
Look, Lionel is erudite, well-informed, and on occasion, funny, but he is often wrong about his political and other prognostications. I thought his oft-repeated support for Hillary Clinton during the primaries was ridiculous and I strongly disagree with his apocalyptic views of the situation in the Middle East, especially his apparent consent for Israel's near-genocidal contempt for the Palestinian people, but I can at least respect the fact that he has given whatever the issue a fair degree of thought and consideration.
Doesn't mean he is going to make a decision with which I or you can agree.
"Show's over, monkey's dead, sue you."
Bill Maher is excellent and I always look forward to Friday nights. I like the tough questions he asks and how he either agrees with you or is totally against you and is not afraid to let you know. I think he is good at getting the best responses from people. I like his quick wit and sense of humor. I wish his show was on more then just once a week. I hope he comments on the way Obama reacted to the question about legalizing marijuana.
and so what if he does? you think that's going to reverberate to the WH and change Obama's mind.
Perhaps it will give others useful fodder to approach the issue with.
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