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In the constantly evolving and often chaotic landscape of political discourse and cultural commentary, few shows have been as influential as HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. The talk show, led by satirical comedian and political commentator Bill Maher, airs a new episode weekly featuring a panel of at least three guests from a variety of backgrounds. Everyone from seasoned politicians to outspoken activists to even fictional characters have graced Maher’s late-night talk show with their presence, often yielding meaningful discourse regarding current events.
Season 22 of Real Time lasted from mid-January to the end of November 2024, which was a pivotal election year in the United States. Of course, Maher and his team pulled out the big guns in terms of guests, who offered clever commentary and often unforgettable jokes, all against the backdrop of a tense election cycle. But, election year or not, Real Time’s lineup of guests in 2024 was the cream of the crop and managed to challenge viewers' perspectives on politics, technology, entertainment, and even art.
11 Gov. Gavin Newsom
January 19th, 2024
California Governor Gavin Newsom charmed viewers with his sense of humor. His interview was riveting not only because of Newsom’s dynamic presence but also because of the exchange of ideas between the governor and Maher. In the interview, Maher explored the possibility of Governor Newsom potentially running for President in the 2024 election. Gov. Newsom, of course, didn't run, but Maher discussed how he would be an ideal candidate for president.
The 40th governor of California expressed his thanks and appeared flattered by Maher's idea. While the interview did tackle major issues like gender, climate change, and California's greater impact on the world, it never felt boring because both Gov. Newsom and Maher were on the same page. They both knew, going into the interview, that hot-button issues would be discussed but kept the tone light, resulting in a satisfying discussion.
10 Robert De Niro
March 8th, 2024
Robert De Niro might be known as one of the best actors of all time, but he showed his political side during his interview on Real Time. The actor touched on the then-upcoming 2024 Presidential election, where he expressed his support for President Biden. At the time, President Biden had not dropped out of the race, so Maher discussed a then-recent New York Times poll that showed Trump winning the election over Biden. When Maher asked De Niro for his take on the polls, the actor expressed his dislike for President Trump.
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De Niro skillfully used his prowess as an actor to unpack his feelings about the current president. De Niro called Trump such "a mean, nasty person" who he would never play as an actor because, De Niro quote, "sees no good in him". The actor ended the interview with an ominous message about Trump if he wins another term: "things will happen that we never could have imagined". While De Niro's final words in the interview certainly show his political bias, he also delivers them flawlessly, making for some intense television.
9 Killer Mike
February 2, 2024
In his appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, rapper and activist Killer Mike discussed his Grammy nominations among other relevant topics. Killer Mike, also known as Mike Render, spoke about how his eventual Grammy-winning album, Michael, symbolizes his childhood growing up in a predominately Black neighborhood. Specifically, Killer Mike discussed how his upbringing in Collier Heights, Atlanta shaped his sensibilities as a person and as a musician.
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His interview featured two great quotes, as Render said he "only saw white people on PBS" and his grandmother "loved Dan Rather", both of which made the audience and Maher burst out laughing. Render offered insight into how Michael ties into current American politics, particularly issues facing the Black community. The rapper spoke about his work with such passion, and Maher listened diligently, adding a few clever quips along the way that created a thought-provoking discussion about the essential connection between art and politics.
8 John Waters
May 31, 2024
John Waters, the director and filmmaker behind cult classics like Pink Flamingos and Hairspray, brought his unique personality and sharp sense of humor to Real Time. The filmmaker, who identifies as gay, spoke about LGBTQ+ advocacy and Pride Month, specifically saying that he'd like to see new minorities represented in the celebration. Waters was also a part of a round table with former Pres. Obama campaign manager David Axelrod and former Colorado congressional representative Ken Buck.
In the round table, Waters spoke about everything from Elon Musk to the use of AI in film and, of course, LGBTQ+ casting in Hollywood. The filmmaker offered his viewpoints in a respectful albeit hilarious matter, but the fact that both Water's interview and round table covered many topics seamlessly is a testament to his quick wit. It seemed that every moment Waters was on-screen, he could answer any question that came his way about anything, which is exactly what Maher likes to see on his show.
7 Charlamagne Tha God
June 14th, 2024
Maher interviewed the radio personality and comedian, Charlamagne Tha God in two ways, much like John Waters and many other guests. First, Tha God sat down for a one-on-one interview focusing on WNBA star Caitlin Clark's success, racism in athletics, and white privilege. Maher and Tha God then had a meaningful back-and-forth about the issues presented. However, at the end of the interview, Tha God was noticeably left at a loss for words when Maher asked him if people didn't watch athlete Serena Williams play tennis because she's Black.
After some stunned silence, which made for an awkward moment that could be felt through the screen, Tha God answered no. While Maher did put Tha God on the spot, the interview effectively addressed concerns about racism in sports. Later in the episode, Tha God was part of a panel with Maher, The View's Ana Navarro, and journalist Joel Stein which brought a lot of laughs and clever commentary specifically about the role of comedy in political rhetoric.
6 Former Speaker Of The House Kevin McCarthy
July 12th, 2024
Maher's interview with former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy was intriguing because Maher is a staunch liberal who often does not entertain conservative voices. The host's decision to press former Speaker McCarthy led to an uncomfortable discussion that ultimately served Maher's comedic purpose. While Maher was likely trying to get to the bottom of McCarthy's relationship with President Trump, something about his light-hearted tone and use of jokes made it seem like he was using comedy to make former Speaker McCarthy look foolish.
However, to former Speaker McCarthy's credit, he kept his wits about him during the exchange and even laughed off some of Maher's criticisms, which put viewers at ease. While the format of Real Time allows for differing opinions, this interview reminded viewers that if Maher doesn't agree with something or someone, he's going to use comedy to make that person look bad. However, some would argue that Maher's sometimes mean-spirited comedy is arguably what makes Real Time so entertaining.
5 Jiminy Glick
June 21st, 2024
Jiminy Glick's interview expertly straddled the line between absurd and informative. For reference, Jiminy Glick is not a real person, but a character who's a talk show host, played by comedian Martin Short. Short's portrayal of Glick brought a unique, exaggerated style to Real Time that transformed serious topics into engaging entertainment. Glick interviewed Maher about his recent book, What This Comedian Said Will Shock You. Glick's outrageous questions garnered candid responses from Maher and revealed profound truths about politics and celebrity culture. The chemistry between Glick and Maher is electric, as Glick plays the goofball opposite Maher's straight man.
The interview serves as a testament to the power of comedy on difficult political issues, making it a highlight of season 22.
Additionally, Glick's whimsical approach arguably encourages viewers to reflect on political issues because his presence is so ridiculous that it makes serious issues seem more accessible. It's almost as if, through Glick, Short and Maher are saying, if this guy can talk politics, so can you. But more than anything, the interview serves as a testament to the power of comedy on difficult political issues, making it a highlight of season 22.
4 Former Speaker Of The House Nancy Pelosi
August 30th, 2024
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi appeared on Real Time to discuss her 2024 book, The Art of Power: My Story as America's First Woman Speaker of the House. Maher capitalized on Pelosi's vast political knowledge for an interesting exchange regarding her novel and policymaking in general. Aside from discussing her book, former Speaker Pelosi was brave enough to discuss the attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi.
In 2022, a far-right man, David DePape, broke into Nacy Pelosi’s San Francisco home demanding to see her but instead found Paul. DePape then proceeded to beat Paul, leaving him with serious injuries. Maher remained respectful while asking questions regarding the attack and its effect on the former Speaker’s well-being. But above all, the interview showcased a combination of seriousness and levity while still touching on important topics like political violence.
3 Sen. John Fetterman
June 7th, 2024
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania discussed a variety of topics with Maher, including woke ideology and the October 7th, 2023, Hamas attacks against Israel. Sen. Fetterman, known for his blunt speaking style and down-to-earth demeanor, answered Maher's difficult questions without yelling or making disrespectful comments, as so many of Maher’s best guests have done in the past.
However, it was clear from the interview that Maher respects the senator, as he complimented Fetterman on his candid speech, saying that he "speaks like a politician out of office," which Maher described as a "beautiful thing to see." Senator Fetterman, wearing his trademark hoodie, discussed that he was recovering from a stroke and his struggles with depression. Considering that so many of Maher's interviews with politicians revolve around polarizing topics, hearing Senator Fetterman speak openly about his mental and physical health served as a welcome change of pace.
2 Kaitlan Collins
August 23rd, 2024
Former CNN correspondent and anchor Kaitlan Collins offered insight into the then-upcoming 2024 presidential election when she appeared as a guest on Real Time with Bill Maher. In 2021, Collins served as the news network's chief White House Correspondent, so her wealth of media knowledge gave Maher a lot to work with in terms of interview topics. While the discussion covered a wealth of political topics, Maher asked Collins how she felt about media biases and CNN's role in creating a neutral news sphere.
Collins, of course, defended her network but was still capable of engaging with the idea of media bias without becoming overly defensive. She did not resort to insults or aggressive language, which is a testament to her skills as a journalist. Collins also provided a rare insight into President Trump's relationship with the media, as Collins detailed her experience interviewing the president while working as a White House correspondent.
1 Neil deGrasse Tyson
November 22nd, 2024
In the Real Time with Bill Maher season 22 finale, renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson spoke to Maher about the controversial transgender athlete issue. The host tied the issue to the scientific world and asked for Tyson’s take. Maher specifically pointed to the then-recent firing of one of Scientific American's editors, who wrote an article effectively saying that gender and athletic prowess are not connected.
Despite Maher pushing Tyson for his opinion on the issue at large and the editor's firing, the astrophysicist notably did not offer his opinion on the science behind gender and sports. He simply continued to ask Maher about the merits of the editor at Scientific American and what transgender athletes had to do with science.
In a way, Tyson was trying to deflect Maher's question, which seldom happens on his show, so it was interesting to see. The push and pull, coupled with the interchange of ideas between Degrasse Tyson and Maher made the Real Tim with Bill Maher interview especially captivating to watch.
Real Time with Bill Maher - Season 22
Release Date January 19, 2024
Network HBO
Episodes 36
English (US) ·