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.

So where can I pick up a copy of "Activist Juggs"?

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.

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.

Exactly what I was thinking, except I don't think the absence of a monologue makes up for the absence of New Rules.

Let's hope Maher got better Audience Security during the Break.

...

Tell me more about these deals.

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.

^ Ooh, I don't think that's gonna be good for anybody.....

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?

I think the difference is segment vs. monologue. But you also may be talking about something else entirely.

I know, right? It's just like Hollyweird to demand anal in a union contract.

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?

As I understand it, the host can write a monologue, but segments are off limits. That's why we haven't seen those things from Stewart or Colbert or anyone else.

Because he's also part of the WGA, and while he can perform, he can't write.

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.

Hey, it's finally in HD!

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.

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.

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.

No, those are definitely written by both him and his staff. * sigh * This show is probably the number one reason I miss having HBO.

I was glad Tony Snow was on there too, other wise there wouldnt of been any debating going around. That Rolling Stone guy I thought was a idiot. I didnt like him at all. I was hoping he would be only there for a couple minutes but he stayed the whole time.

Glad to see this back. Only thing I really watch on HBO

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.

I might have tuned in if I knew Snow was going to be there. A round table of Affleck, Carlin, Brokaw and Mahar has no appeal.