Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) - Series Discussion Thread
#351
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Tommy Ceez
Ill say it again, Its just not funny.
I think everyone's pretty much just repeating themselves at this point, so I think this has run it's course.
But JoeR63 I appreciate your post, and I do actually know the difference between party independent and neutral/moderate. Two things bug me about Maher claiming to be an independent. As I discussed in an earlier reply to you, Maher uses it to claim for himself more credibility - giving it some higher meaning - placing himself above the petty fray of party politics. Secondly, his show is set up as a forum to repeat DNC talking points, and bash the ideas, candidates, and constituents of one party. He's so hopelessly one-sided that he is independent in name only. That's why I compare him to O'Reilly, who bugs me in a very similar way. When PI started I was a casual fan, but towards the end it degraded into what I see on HBO today.
#353
DVD Talk Legend
Real Time With Bill Maher returns tonight - 1/11
Bill Maher returns with his first new episode since the strike. Guests include Ben Affleck, George Carlin, and Tom Brokaw.
No monologue and no "new rules". It will be interesting to see how they format the show.
No monologue and no "new rules". It will be interesting to see how they format the show.
#354
DVD Talk Hero
Those are some good guest. But New Rules is my favorite segment - though his monologue is usually pretty awful, so I guess their absence cancel each other out.
#355
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by slop101
Those are some good guest. But New Rules is my favorite segment - though his monologue is usually pretty awful, so I guess their absence cancel each other out.
#359
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: H-Town, TX
Posts: 3,662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New Rules is the main reason I watch the show. It certainly isn't for the political "debate". Which of course I'm certain will be riveting tonight which a balanced panel like Asslick, Carlin, and Brokaw.
#361
DVD Talk Legend
I read that instead of the monologue that Bill will take questions from the audience, and speak off the cuff, drawing from his improv/stand-up days.
Didn't Bill usually write new rules himself? I am not sure why he can't still do that. Is he a member of the WGA?
Didn't Bill usually write new rules himself? I am not sure why he can't still do that. Is he a member of the WGA?
#362
DVD Talk Hero
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Hail to the Redskins!
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 0
Received 49 Likes
on
38 Posts
Originally Posted by Jadzia
I read that instead of the monologue that Bill will take questions from the audience, and speak off the cuff, drawing from his improv/stand-up days.
Didn't Bill usually write new rules himself? I am not sure why he can't still do that. Is he a member of the WGA?
Didn't Bill usually write new rules himself? I am not sure why he can't still do that. Is he a member of the WGA?
#363
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by cracksky
I've refused to watch all these late-night scabs but this I'll watch. It appears Bill didn't make any deal with the WGA like the others. Should just be guests talking about current events. No writers needed. New Rules is a great segment as well as Bill's final wrap up comments each week but pay the damn writers what they deserve.
Last edited by Jadzia; 01-14-08 at 10:28 AM. Reason: Removed offensive slur in quote
#364
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by DVD Josh
I think the difference is segment vs. monologue. But you also may be talking about something else entirely.
I understand he has writers on staff who can't write due to the strike, but why can't Bill write his own material for the show?
#365
DVD Talk Hero
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Hail to the Redskins!
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 0
Received 49 Likes
on
38 Posts
Originally Posted by Jadzia
What I don't understand is why Bill can't pre-write his new rules (or his monologue) for that matter.
I understand he has writers on staff who can't write due to the strike, but why can't Bill write his own material for the show?
I understand he has writers on staff who can't write due to the strike, but why can't Bill write his own material for the show?
#367
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bellefontaine, Ohio
Posts: 5,628
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great to see Maher back but there were not a lot of highlights tonight.
That douche bag Tony Snow would not shut his mouth and all he did was fucking blabber on and on and ended up making absolutely no sense whatsoever.
I did very much enjoy Maher's analysis of the WGA near the end of the show.
That douche bag Tony Snow would not shut his mouth and all he did was fucking blabber on and on and ended up making absolutely no sense whatsoever.
I did very much enjoy Maher's analysis of the WGA near the end of the show.
#369
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally Posted by chris_sc77
Great to see Maher back but there were not a lot of highlights tonight.
That douche bag Tony Snow would not shut his mouth and all he did was fucking blabber on and on and ended up making absolutely no sense whatsoever.
I did very much enjoy Maher's analysis of the WGA near the end of the show.
That douche bag Tony Snow would not shut his mouth and all he did was fucking blabber on and on and ended up making absolutely no sense whatsoever.
I did very much enjoy Maher's analysis of the WGA near the end of the show.
#370
Banned
I'll watch when Maher has an even number of conservatives vs. liberals (which would mean 2 conserv guests & 1 lib since Maher (despite his self-proclaimed 'libertarian' status) takes a liberal approach 99% of the time.
Which means I'll never be watching since Maher has to stack the deck (obviously, doesn't have enough confidence in his 'arguments'). Of course, as the host, Maher can always cut off a guest whose opinions are beginning to score points...or Maher can always change the subject by making a joke. It also annoyed me whenever Maher used blatant lies & exaggerations to make his 'points' (to the delight of the uninformed, politically-correct crowd). Since I wasn't getting any useful information (just rants, to borrow Dennis Miller's phrase), I quit watching.
Still, I guess Maher's guest ratio is fair since one good conservative debater trumps three liberals any day.
Which means I'll never be watching since Maher has to stack the deck (obviously, doesn't have enough confidence in his 'arguments'). Of course, as the host, Maher can always cut off a guest whose opinions are beginning to score points...or Maher can always change the subject by making a joke. It also annoyed me whenever Maher used blatant lies & exaggerations to make his 'points' (to the delight of the uninformed, politically-correct crowd). Since I wasn't getting any useful information (just rants, to borrow Dennis Miller's phrase), I quit watching.
Still, I guess Maher's guest ratio is fair since one good conservative debater trumps three liberals any day.
Last edited by creekdipper; 01-12-08 at 03:27 AM.
#371
DVD Talk Legend
cracksky,slop101, I edited your post to remove an offensive slur. Please do not use that language on the forum, it is offensive to many members. Thanks.
Last edited by Jadzia; 01-12-08 at 10:29 AM.
#372
Moderator
Originally Posted by Jadzia
Didn't Bill usually write new rules himself? I am not sure why he can't still do that.
#373
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Traverse City, MI
Posts: 3,955
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mwbmis
I'm hardly a Republican, but I was glad Tony Snow was there. That snarky little shit from Rolling Stone deserved to be taken down a peg. Did he talk too much? Probably, but I can't imagine that it's easy to debate when it's 3 on 1, and then Bill trots out another guy to make it 4 on 1.
Glad to see this back. Only thing I really watch on HBO
#374
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Jadzia
cracksky,slop101, I edited your post to remove an offensive slur. Please do not use that language on the forum, it is offensive to many members. Thanks.
The point of my post was that it was offensive.
I guess sarcasm doesn't read well...
I liked what Maher said about the strike.