Bill Maher Sucks

Let me tell you why

There have only been a handful of tv shows that I’ve ever considered as must-watch, or by-appointment television. You know — the ones that you set your DVR or Vivo for, or arrange your other activities around. Bill Maher’s HBO show Real Time used to be solidly in that number. I found his insights into American society and politics refreshingly honest and thought- stimulating. He was an avowed, unabashed liberal. He was a champion for Barack Obama’s candidacy and presidency. He never missed a chance to slam conservative policies that supported racism, misogyny, or homophobia. He was (and still is) loudly outspoken about legalizing marijuana and other drugs, for recreational use. It seemed to me that on every issue that needed people to take a stand and speak up, he was coming correct.

So, I was a big fan, but I want to mention something, just for context. Probably the main reason why I wasn’t an even more enthusiastic fan of Maher’s was his near-militant atheism. I’m okay with his being an atheist. To each his own. Live and let live. I just never agreed with the way he can’t restrain his mocking of others’ faith in a deity. I understand and even partially agree with the popular notion that organized religion has caused more harm than good. But it has always struck me as a useless, and strangely personal exercise of his — to attack and insult even the idea of having faith. His attacks are nasty, with an almost religious zeal, and I’ve always thought that they said more about him than about anyone who prays to someone or something.

Setting aside his personal vendetta to shit on religion, I felt that he was maybe one of the most important voices out there for all causes that can be considered liberal or progressive.

But then, something happened… Or maybe several things. Whatever happened, it clearly changed Maher. I noticed that he’s picked up a lot of new fans from the right side of the political spectrum. These new fans make the argument that Bill hasn’t changed at all — that it is the world that has changed. Maher has simply changed his commentary accordingly. They say that it is this new political correctness -”wokeness”-that has warped reality. It’s the fucking “wokeness” that made Bill Maher‘s talking points a little different.