Real Time with Bill Maher guests - Friday, February 20, 2026

[Rhiannon12866]

Real Time with Bill Maher continues its 24th season Friday, February 20th (10:05-11:05 p.m. live ET/7:05-8:05 p.m. PT), with a replay at 11:38 p.m., exclusively on HBO.

This week features a one-on-one interview with legendary singer and songwriter Paul Anka, who recently released his 37th studio album Inspirations of Life and Love and is the subject of the HBO Original documentary Paul Anka: His Way.

This week's in-studio panel discussion will include James Talarico, Democratic state representative from Texas who is currently running in the 2026 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate; and Rep. Lauren Boebert, Republican congresswoman who represents Colorado’s 4th district.

[rampartd]

1. talarico and boebert?

[Rhiannon12866]

4. I know, that's a bummer and I was looking forward to James Talarico

Boebert changed districts and so my cousin is now stuck with her. My cousin told me she's thinking of moving.

[SunSeeker]

2. James Talarico is making the rounds!

Bill Maher is on cable, so the FCC has no jurisdiction to go after him.

[Prairie Gates]

3. Fuck Bill Maher

[OnionPatch]

7. I don't like him much either these days

But I'll watch tonight to see Talarico. He's awesome!

[Abolishinist]

5. We saw Paul Anka on last weekend's Sunday Morning show,

where he was inteviewed by Lee Cowan. It was interesting, and part of the segment was at his house where he could play the piano and sing, so I can't imagine anything new or better will come up. I found that he has written songs for Tom Jones, Buddy Holly, and Michael Jackson. But of all the songs he's known for, it's the one he wrote for Old Blue Eyes that still endeavors.

"I grew tall, through it all, and did it my way"

As the story goes, Frank Sinatra told Anka that he was thinking about retiring. And Anka, only 25 at the time, says the lyrics just came to him (I later found it was an English-language lyrical adaptation of the French song Comme d'habitude)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Way

I'm interested in watching James Talarico, but Boebert is a complete turn-off.

But at least his opening and New Rules are usually fun. Thanks for posting!

[Just_Vote_Dem]

6. For those who watch Maher

Did he really hand Bannon a copy of the Constitution? I saw that on an HBO commercial and thought that was pretty cool.

[UTUSN]

8. K&R

[question everything]

9. Paul Anka "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" on The Ed Sullivan Show

&list=RDzpGpu-pIVEk&start_radio=1


Oh I remember the slow dancing more than half a century ago

[DET]

10. I Almost Forgot

I saw Paul Anka at Wolf Trap or Merriweather Post (can’t remember which) a million years ago. He talked about his kids a lot (fun fact - one of his daughters is married to Jason Bateman). Put on a good show. I can’t believe he’s still touring.

[question everything]

11. Was a good program, except for Boebert who aped the party line. Paul Anika was very entertainig

and Talarico was impressive.

[Rhiannon12866]

13. I agree with you on all counts, Boebert behaved as expected so I don't know what the point was in having her

Since she changed districts, my cousin now has her as a Rep. My cousin said she's thinking of moving, but then I'm in New York and have unfortunately been stuck with Stefanik.

[Rhiannon12866]

12. Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) - 2/20/2026

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1322107126