Real Time with Bill Maher guests - Friday, August 27, 2021

[Rhiannon12866]

Real Time with Bill Maher continues its 19th season Friday, August 27 (10:00-11:00 p.m. live ET/tape-delayed PT), with a replay at 12:00 a.m., exclusively on HBO.

This week features a one-on-one, in-person interview with Craig Whitlock, Washington Post investigative journalist and author of The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War.

This week's in-studio panel discussion will include Katty Kay, Washington Editor of Ozy Media and co-host of the When Katty Met Carlos podcast; and Ralph Reed, founder and chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition and the author of For God and Country: The Christian Case for Trump.

[hlthe2b]

1. Ralph Reed, uggh.

Maher has said and done many things that have rankled me but it wasn't until the big anti-vaxxer spiel that I couldn't simply attribute him to being a comedian and let it go. Thankfully he was knocked down by another guest, but...

Not sure I can do so now. Too much at stake.

Sad, because he has the kind of dry sense of humor I've always enjoyed. And his show, even when it showcases an RW nutcase or two, could still yield a "golden nugget" or two.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. He's had some pretty decent guests lately, like Malcolm Nance, Rob Reiner and Max Brooks

And then he comes up with a ringer like Ralph Reed that he has to know his audience will hate. Back in the day when he had a real panel, maybe he was looking for some kind of lively discussion, but these days with so many perilous issues facing us, it really makes no sense (though Malcolm Nance did successfully shut down Ben Shapiro). He'd better have a really good New Rules.

[WHITT]

3. Ralph Reed Is Scum

[LenaBaby61]

4. Haven't see Maher at all this year ...

And I don't miss him one bit.

[Vinca]

5. Ralph Reed? Wonderful. Another unwatchable show.

[question everything]

6. This should be interesting. Don't know Kay but I hope that neither hogs the mic

Thanks again for the list. Good timing, I suppose.

[PlanetBev]

7. Ralph Reed again?

Remind me to miss it.

[walkingman]

8. Ralph Reed - a total fucking idiot

[UTUSN]

9. K & big R#5

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Thank you!

I obviously don't choose the guests.

[UTUSN]

11. Plus we Libs are supposeded to be Civil Liberties peeps.

and the wingnut guests usually get whipped.

[Rhiannon12866]

12. I've often thought that's why they were on

Though these days it's kinda pointless since there's not a real "panel." However, Malcolm Nance totally decimated Ben Shapiro. I don't expect much from Katty Kay...

[ecstatic]

13. He's becoming more bitter with each show

What is this nonsense about liberals sounding too much like onion headlines? We have 3-year-olds picking their own gender? 🙄

[Behind the Aegis]

14. Good show.

Not as bas as I feared, but Reed has the most punchable face I have ever fucking seen! I am sure there will be plenty of whining and and hand-wringing over the last of the New Rules, but it was appropriate and accurate. Crazy has to weeded out, no matter the side. Honestly, it was a topic throughout the show. Kay even alluded to the most vicious attacks come from within...it is the old horror trope of "the call is coming from inside the house".

[Rhiannon12866]

15. Same here, I was dreading the panel - but it wasn't as bad as I thought. Agree it was a good show

I could have done without Ralph Reed, I have no idea why he was chosen for this particular week. All I can think is that they're having trouble getting in-person guests during Covid?

And of course there will be hand wringing and unpleasantness, but I thought it was another of his better New Rules and I agree with your analysis - and it almost made up for having to sit through Ralph Reed!