As other reviewers mentioned, there are a number of moments where you'll think "I've heard this before on Real Time." However, there are enough interesting nuggets and good laughs that I would recommend it. Last 20-30 minutes are the strongest in the set.
42 Reviews
Very Thoughtful and Thought Provoking
tkdlifemagazine17 April 2022
I am not a huge fan of Bill Maher but I don't hate him either. This one is more of a talk than a stand up comedy special. It is not particularly funny but it is good. I disagree with much of Bill's perspectives on things but I agree with others. For example, I don't think the masks are pointless but I do agree with his perspective on the dangers of the ultra woke movement. Listen the upside of this show is I did feel a general respect for opinions that run contrary to Maher's own. If more dialogue was like this the world would be better. I do think more Americans agree with his refusal to side with the extremes of both sides. I still won't go out of my way to watch Maher's show but I would recommend this one.
Republicans can watch too
Nevergivea1020 April 2022
I lean right politically so I was reluctant to watch such a renowned liberal. But I was surprised. I believe he actually made fun of democrats more than anything. As far as the actual show, I laughed a few times. It was ok to kill an hour.
This Show Should be Watched
jd_schneider16 April 2022
This show is more than just a comedy special. This show is so full of insight about what is going on around us. Bill is telling it like it is (and always does) and is explaining why so much of what we do is ridiculous and contradictory. It only takes a little bit of intelligence, a little bit of knowledge, a little bit of a sense of humour and some maturity to know this man is right on the money with his observations of politics, religion, race, gender and sex. (All things that you are not supposed to talk about in bars.) I say that this show is a must see!
Familiar If You Watch "Real Time"
wolcottalexander14 May 2022
The first half of it is basically the "greatest hits" from the last season or two of his HBO show "Real Time." It's funny and current with the times, it's just nothing new if you watch his show regularly. But if you like his style of comedy and don't keep up with his show, you will like it a lot. The second half picks it up a lot and is fresh content though. True to form, he pushes the limits in a few spots and is a professional.
Is there a less endearing comedian on the planet?
matthewssilverhammer29 April 2022
This is just all the worst parts of Real Time, repeating all the hacky jokes he has beat into the ground on a weekly basis. So why do I like this? Because Stockholm syndrome is a helluva thing...and for whatever reason I'm mentally stuck with Bill Maher as my comedic abuser at this point.
Just not it...
Brad_G3516 April 2022
I like Bill and he obviously still draws a crowd. I've watched him since my teenage years and Politically Incorrect. With Real Time, I tend to watch the interviews and his panel. I almost always skip his intro monologue. I've always thought he should devote his show to more interview and more panel... I don't see Maher as a standup guy. Funny? Yes, he can be funny but his standup... it just doesn't do it for me.
Like some of the other reviews here, this special is Real Time monologue in long form. Everything he says here is what all the sensible people have been saying for years(including Maher on Real Time).
I am glad he touched on religion in this special. Bill has always been loud about how ridiculous religion is and I honestly think he should've ran with that for the majority of his career.
Worth a watch? This is a put on in the background and listen to. No need to plan an evening around it.
Like some of the other reviews here, this special is Real Time monologue in long form. Everything he says here is what all the sensible people have been saying for years(including Maher on Real Time).
I am glad he touched on religion in this special. Bill has always been loud about how ridiculous religion is and I honestly think he should've ran with that for the majority of his career.
Worth a watch? This is a put on in the background and listen to. No need to plan an evening around it.
Thank You Bill
davidsox19 April 2022
One of the very few voices of reason and genuine liberalism in modern times. Thank you for pushing back against the illiberal BS being propagated by hypersensitive wokesters and the complete insanity of Trump and the Republican Party. Carlin would be proud.
Sad, just sad
stevebesley17 April 2022
Bill starts off by insulting the folks in the audience who are wearing masks, saying that we now have the vaccine, and no one with the vaccine dies. (Tell that to the 2000 fully vaccinated people in Minnesota who have died from Covid.) Then he goes off on Trump - again. Nothing wrong with that, except that he isn't funny, or clever when he does it. He thinks all he has to do is say "Trump" and his audience will laugh. The hour just came across as a mean spirited rant, not clever or insightful observations.
He keeps doing his thing...
speedemon-119973 May 2022
Not worth it
mkatepaski16 April 2022
Bill, this one sucks.
esweet-154-19126017 April 2022
Bill starts with, 'I see young people, in masks, alone, walking outdoors, I just want to punch them'. Bill chose a Floridian audience, an anti vax state with an audience including mask wearers in attendance to spout this crap. Even jabs an audience member about his own mask. I thought Bill was smarter than this. Bills anti science opinions have been peeking thru his veneer this season on Real Time and this #Adulting has him letting loose. I have watched him for years and enjoyed the varied opinions and personalities he shares with us. I am not going to debate the efficacy of mask wearing, by now if people don't get it, they never will. Time for Bill to take a balcony seat with the muppet show, he's old, opinionated and out of touch. The incessant pot smoking has caught up with him. Done with him.
Genius!
kermithh21 June 2022
I'm Swedish and just watched the show on HBO Max here in Gothenburg. I've have had a subscription for a couple of years now and I haven't heard of Bill Maher before I got HBO a few years back. I have now watched his Real Time every week for 4 years and I think it's one of the best shows out there. I used to follow David Letterman when a cable channel started to televise his show in middle of the 90s. Unfortunately Letterman is not as good and juicy as he used to be, I watched a couple of episodes on Netflix of his new programming and Letterman have just become a washed out older man in fold with the rest of the sheep.
This hasn't happened to Maher, I think he's getting better each year and though I'm a middle-aged white Conservative I enjoy Bill every week. I think he's very funny, warm and quick. And this 1 hour special is hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing, even my cat checked me out if I'm OK. I've read through some reviews on here which are negative and rate it low and I could understand that. I do have some woke and very leftists friends and recognise the reasoning and commenting. They just can't take a joke, unfortunately this how far our society have come. We need people like Maher who sees for what things really are,
This hasn't happened to Maher, I think he's getting better each year and though I'm a middle-aged white Conservative I enjoy Bill every week. I think he's very funny, warm and quick. And this 1 hour special is hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing, even my cat checked me out if I'm OK. I've read through some reviews on here which are negative and rate it low and I could understand that. I do have some woke and very leftists friends and recognise the reasoning and commenting. They just can't take a joke, unfortunately this how far our society have come. We need people like Maher who sees for what things really are,
Real Time in logn format
alejandrowolf16 April 2022
No new jokes... he saids: I haven't change.... well he hasn't... not worth it, people can spect the same sh@t as the HBO friday's shows but in 1 hr looooong monologe. If you watch any Real Time monologe on youtube you can get the 5 minute version.
The far-left is to 2022 as Puritans are to 1622
JoElliot16 April 2022
Its preference for silencing dissent at the expense of free speech, dogmatism over following the facts, vilification of anyone who dissents, etc. As for us voters, we've spent too much time on social media and in our own echo chambers to see the world as it truly is. We've forgotten who the real baddies are - totalitarian regimes such as China and Russia - and how our goal is to strengthen our republic in order to provide a better life for others, both in our country and around the world. Having worked in our school system, I've seen the essay testing of the late nineties become an exception rather than the rule, and as our focus shifted to standardized testing, our kids have not been extensively coached on the ability to analyze arguments, perceive nuance, and reach compromises. The world is perceived in black and white, rather than greyscale; true or false, rather than the "depends on..." essay form.
Of course there are plenty of measured adults and well-informed, analytical kids and, but we are the exception rather than the rule - on both the left and the right. We are the proud heretics and the true Resistance - and we love Bill Maher, because he consistently points out all the hypocrisy and buffonery that has plagued the Democrats over the last few years, as well as the ongoing trainwreck that is the Republican side. This special does exactly that - puts into words all the ridiculousness of the past few years and the heartbreak of those of us who've been lifelong Democrats. I voted Democrat on my first election in 2004 and have continued to do so ever since, but recently changed my registration to Independent. I have no interest in belonging to a cult.
So thanks, Bill Maher! You're the only reason we bother with HBO Max ever since the demise of GOT (but that's a whole other post).
Of course there are plenty of measured adults and well-informed, analytical kids and, but we are the exception rather than the rule - on both the left and the right. We are the proud heretics and the true Resistance - and we love Bill Maher, because he consistently points out all the hypocrisy and buffonery that has plagued the Democrats over the last few years, as well as the ongoing trainwreck that is the Republican side. This special does exactly that - puts into words all the ridiculousness of the past few years and the heartbreak of those of us who've been lifelong Democrats. I voted Democrat on my first election in 2004 and have continued to do so ever since, but recently changed my registration to Independent. I have no interest in belonging to a cult.
So thanks, Bill Maher! You're the only reason we bother with HBO Max ever since the demise of GOT (but that's a whole other post).
Pathetic
rmmil17 April 2022
Starting off his material by saying basically how great his audience was by not being big babies and staying home let me know what I was in for with this "comedy" special.
Bill used to be funny. But now I realize he's just a complainer to complain. Another "liberal" (in quotes because he's definitely not) complaining their horrible jokes making fun of people aren't necessarily okay anymore, and they just don't like it! (Stamps foot) "The media is mean to me! They are trying to cancel me!" (Stamps foot)
Miserable human. Go away.
Bill used to be funny. But now I realize he's just a complainer to complain. Another "liberal" (in quotes because he's definitely not) complaining their horrible jokes making fun of people aren't necessarily okay anymore, and they just don't like it! (Stamps foot) "The media is mean to me! They are trying to cancel me!" (Stamps foot)
Miserable human. Go away.
And I REALLY Used to Love Bill Maher, Too..
paulszebin17 April 2022
For as much as he keeps insisting, "I haven't changed," it sure seems like he's practically pulled a 180 on just about everything he's ever cared about... or pretended to care about, anyway..
Just more typical 2020s, "The Left got a little too PC, so I changed all of my opinions about the economy, social issues, systemic racism, healthcare, and history," Bill Maher... showing, once again, that he's nothing more than a paid, performative contrarian, who only cares about himself and his fortune..
And it's such a shame, too, because I honestly thought he was pretty hilarious and insightful for such a long time. I even gave him a pass on his previous special, because I figured they can't all be gems..
But, man.. ever since the 2020 Primaries started and he abruptly reversed course on so many of (what he had PRESENTED as) his long-held principles, his show has been PAINFUL to watch... and, now, I guess this is just the final confirmation that his stand-up will be from now on, as well..
No wonder he's been making the rounds on outlets like the Daily Wire to shop around for a new audience lately..
Just more typical 2020s, "The Left got a little too PC, so I changed all of my opinions about the economy, social issues, systemic racism, healthcare, and history," Bill Maher... showing, once again, that he's nothing more than a paid, performative contrarian, who only cares about himself and his fortune..
And it's such a shame, too, because I honestly thought he was pretty hilarious and insightful for such a long time. I even gave him a pass on his previous special, because I figured they can't all be gems..
But, man.. ever since the 2020 Primaries started and he abruptly reversed course on so many of (what he had PRESENTED as) his long-held principles, his show has been PAINFUL to watch... and, now, I guess this is just the final confirmation that his stand-up will be from now on, as well..
No wonder he's been making the rounds on outlets like the Daily Wire to shop around for a new audience lately..
Excellent Material .. a bit jetlagged
squarebird122 April 2022
Bill seemed a little nervous.. and so the timing a bit off .. his delivery of the same material he has delivered with confidence on Real Time .. of course the problem with working out material on Real Time rather than in private clubs is that fans have seen much of it .. I felt that him being aware of that also affected his delivery. Still, for those who have not kept up with him, the material was strong enough to work.
Old Man Yells at Cloud: The Movie
thekeithbahjat16 April 2022
Bill laughed way more at his own jokes than I did. More than the live audience did. An hour of smugly complaining about the blatantly obvious without proposing solutions (not that this was supposed to be a policy talk, it's a comedy show - nevertheless, that's kind of his MO as of late. Non-constructive criticism). He remains overly-concerned with other people's choices, i.e., mask wearers, people with tattoos. If you're one of the few people still watching his show, you've heard most of this special.
Delivers as always
marjeeg17 April 2022
He's just so current with honesty truth and of course do fair in every dialog, I started watching him as I got matured, never interested watching tv or had time to do so, but for him I give my full attention whenever have extra time, he never disappoints , I feel he speaks exactly what I'm thinking of or believe, please never go away.
Wow Ward Cleaver is not funny
riddler_von_stueban16 April 2022
Bill has turned into the old relative who always moans and complains at family gatherings
cotta002-318-86511920 April 2022
Having watched the majority of Bill Mather's work over the decades I have to say he has morphed from an edgy comedian to a celebrity that uses his show to botch about issues or things he doesn't like.
The show begins with a tirade on mask wearers, now for a libertarian that seems strange right peoples right to choose, masks hurt no one else, but he chooses to berate all including a member of the audience. Never mind covid killed more Americans than every war since the countries birth, he just goes at it like a ranting elderly relative who doesn't understand rock and roll music or long hair on men or (fit your own subject here). It's completely ignoring that he doesn't know the health situation of anyone, they may be imunocompromized, having cancer therapy etc and want to see a show.
Then it's at woke or cancel culture or twitter, you name it he has a beef with it, after 20 minutes I said where are the jokes, a couple were even reused from his "real time" show.
It was like eating week old bread with a lemon, stale and bitter.
Bill needs to lighten up, be a bit less judgemental and crack some original jokes, or stick with political commentary shows, give up on stand up as no amount of viagra can revive this one.
The show begins with a tirade on mask wearers, now for a libertarian that seems strange right peoples right to choose, masks hurt no one else, but he chooses to berate all including a member of the audience. Never mind covid killed more Americans than every war since the countries birth, he just goes at it like a ranting elderly relative who doesn't understand rock and roll music or long hair on men or (fit your own subject here). It's completely ignoring that he doesn't know the health situation of anyone, they may be imunocompromized, having cancer therapy etc and want to see a show.
Then it's at woke or cancel culture or twitter, you name it he has a beef with it, after 20 minutes I said where are the jokes, a couple were even reused from his "real time" show.
It was like eating week old bread with a lemon, stale and bitter.
Bill needs to lighten up, be a bit less judgemental and crack some original jokes, or stick with political commentary shows, give up on stand up as no amount of viagra can revive this one.
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