Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) - 6/11/21

[Rhiannon12866]

Last edited Sun Jun 13, 2021, 10:26 PM - Edit history (1)

Monologue: Irreconcilable Differences

Bill recaps the top issues of the week, including President Biden's meeting with world leaders and Sen. Joe Manchin's obstruction of his own party's agenda.




Neil deGrasse Tyson: Cosmic Queries

Astrophysicist, author, and Webby-winning "StarTalk" host Neil deGrasse Tyson answers Bill's questions about the universe.




New Rule: Progressophobia

In his editorial New Rule, Bill argues that there's a brain disorder affecting liberals that makes them incapable of recognizing the progress we've made on racism, sexism and homophobia.




Here's a "bootleg" version of the show which includes the the entire interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson (7:14) and panel discussion with Rob Reiner and political scientist Rachel Bitecofer (19:09), Bill's "funny bit" (32:42) and complete New Rules (45:49). It won't last long, as usual:

[JohnSJ]

1. When Maher started going off marginalizing vaccinated Democrats for wearing masks he really pissed

me off, and then adding if you have a “good immune system”, you don’t have to worry about COVID

and his dumb assed ending saying that the left don’t recognize the progress that has been made in civil rights, etc. was just stupid. Gee, things are so much better than from the Civil War when there were “real slaves”, as though that is the standard to use. Not surprisingly he didn’t mention the dramatic increase in hate crimes.

He really is a jackass

[Rhiannon12866]

3. Yeah, that annoyed me, too. Masks are still required most places here in NE New York

Some places do say masks are optional if you've been vaccinated, but how do you know if anyone has been?? I'm still not taking chances since we still have a way to go (only 58% in my county despite a busy county walk-in vaccination site). And it was disappointing that the others agreed with him.

But I did enjoy this week's guests, Neil deGrasse Tyson is always delightful and Rob Reiner is always great, informed, outspoken and funny, but I agree with others here who said they would have liked to have heard more from him.

Here's the NY Times U.S. county vaccination rate map that I was looking at, posted it here last week, but they keep it updated:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-19-vaccine-doses.html

[JohnSJ]

4. Why would it bother him if a vaccinated person wants to wear masks or not, and his comparison

of how much better thing are because we don’t have slavery anymore was absurd. Hate crimes are at there highest level in decades

I agree with your analysis Rhiannon, and Tyson and Reiner were great

Actually Reiner didn’t agree with Maher, and said you are mask shaming now

You are right the other guest wouldn’t let anyone get a word in edgewise

[Rhiannon12866]

5. Sometimes I do feel a little weird in case others think my mask means I'm still not vaccinated

Though I do have my vaccinated sticker on my jacket.

There really is no excuse at this late date. I took my reluctant brother to the state walk-in site (old Sears store at the local mall) last month and it was not just busy, but everyone was efficient and nice. And while I was waiting, I saw a couple of young kids come out with their Moms and both took photos. It's good to see the 12+ age group getting vaccinated now. I went to CVS back in March, got mine at the first possible opportunity.

And you're right, Rob Reiner did point that out - I was remembering that he said he wanted to be "closer" to Bill, LOL. Rachel Bitecofer is usually fairly popular here, but she's rather pedantic and we would have much rather heard from the entertaining Rob Reiner. I was especially looking forward to seeing him back on the show.

[Bluepinky]

2. I watched the show, was also annoyed by Maher's comments about masks.

The segment with Neil deGrasse Tyson was good; I found Rachel Bitecofer extremely irritating, it seemed like she spoke over everyone and kept laughing; half the time, I couldn’t understand what the heck she was trying to say. Rob Reiner was great, when he got the chance to speak.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. I felt the exact way, cringed when Bill brought up masks in his monologue

But I try to give him a little leeway since he is a comedian first. *sigh*

And Neil deGrasse Tyson was delightful as usual, but I was also disappointed that we didn't get the chance to hear more from the usually outspoken Rob Reiner. I was particularly looking forward to seeing him on the show. I think Bill was irritated with Rachel Bitecofer, too, since she wouldn't get to the point. That said, I think it was one of the best shows of the season, so far.

[Bluepinky]

7. All in all, it was a good show.

I would like to see Rob Reiner on the show again soon and hear more from him. He’s smart and insightful.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. Oh, I agree.

Neil deGrasse Tyson is always informative and entertaining and Rob Reiner is another favorite, smart, informed and outspoken. I was particularly looking forward to seeing him. Neil deGrasse Tyson was scheduled on the show that was canceled due to Bill's positive Covid test - as was Max Brooks - and I was hoping that they'd finally air that show's lineup. What would be especially good would be having Rob Reiner and Max Brooks on together. They're both smart and funny, no surprise for the sons of Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks!

[Duppers]

14. Bet Bitecofer will never again be asked back.

At least I hope she won't.

[Auggie]

20. I agree. Annoying and selfish.

[Rhiannon12866]

29. Bill got irritated since she wouldn't get to the point

The rest of us got irritated since we wanted to hear more from Rob Reiner, always a favorite guest.

[BigmanPigman]

8. Bill is wrong. Cal/OSHA said masks are required until June 28th

due to the safety of indoor workers. I am glad they made this decision.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/104026246

Bill has nerve mask-shaming people after he got Covid and had to cancel his show for 2 weeks last month. True that he was vaxxed so he was not sick but Rob Reiner was right. He said he is worried for others who are not vaxxed spreading it to someone else.

The show was pretty good for the most part. The female guest swears like a sailor and I thought I was bad. She put me to shame.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. Well, someone should have explained that to Bill considering his history

It's not surprising since he was not happy broadcasting from home, he wanted to continue his comedy tour. And I also agree with Rob Reiner. We're not out of the woods yet. Here in New York, after over a year of masks being required to go anyplace, a few places now have signs saying masks are no longer required if you're vaccinated. I'm still wearing mine in any store, gas station, etc., since I'm just not comfortable not knowing if anyone is vaccinated or not. My county is only at 58% despite the proliferation of vaccine sites now including a nearby state site that has started accepting walk-ins. I took my brother there last month, got mine at CVS back in March.

But I agree this was a good show. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Rob Reiner are returning favorites.

[Lemon Lyman]

10. Thanks for posing Rhi!

Maher's been picking the wrong fights way too often over the past couple of years. He picks a small problem like "woke'ness" when r's are ripping democracy limb by limb.

[Rhiannon12866]

12. You're more than welcome!

And this week Bill had veteran guests who aren't reluctant to correct him if he's wrong. Neil deGrasse Tyson is always delightful and Rob Reiner is informed and outspoken, plus he also has a sense of humor. But I agree with the others who were frustrated that he kept getting interrupted.

[Behind the Aegis]

13. Frankly, I agree with his "Progressophobia" comments.

I am not a "glass half full" type of person, unless you ask me what the glass is half-full of. However, I do recognize as much work that still needs to be done, there has been incredible progress...I AM FUCKING MARRIED TO MY LOVE! I never thought that would happen! NEVER! Does it mean there isn't work to be done? Of course not, as I already wrote.

[Rhiannon12866]

15. I agree, this really was one of his most perceptive New Rules

I realize that things aren't perfect, far from it - especially in the wake of the past 4+ torturous years. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't ignore the profound changes and progress made over the past few decades - and I think that Bill did a good job pointing that out. We need to remember where we were compared to where we are now. And you've been a part of that progress - actually all of us are in ways big and small.

[empedocles]

18. Agree. Notable, imo, is that Maher calls out by name, Kevin Hart's 'white supremacy at

an all time high' remarks. Hart will that there is a price to be paid. No sacred cows.

[Thank you Rhiannon for posting the videos. I have HBO and Maher, but often miss Maher anyway].

[Rhiannon12866]

25. Awww, thanks!

Some shows are better than others, including guests, and sometimes Bill misses the mark (as DUers are quick to point out), but I always think it's worth watching and I know that not all DUers have HBO, cable or even TV, or stay up as late as I do. Back in the day, it was posted here with the warning that it wouldn't last long, so I started posting from the "official" site a few years back - they've started offering less lately, but I post what I can. And these days, I figure that we can use the humor.

[empedocles]

28. Similiar reaction here. On the stand-up routines, there are at least a few good jokes imo.

I wish he had some Carville smarts though.

[Rhiannon12866]

30. It would be a good time to have Carville on his show

He'd be awesome on the panel - especially if he was paired with the equally awesome Max Brooks who was scheduled for the show that was canceled.

[Behind the Aegis]

23. Yup. IMO, there is also something deeper.

In my community (gay), there are those who are always bemoaning this or that, and fail to recognize how far we have some and, frankly, it is goddamned disrespectful! People in my community suffered and some died to get us where we are and when people refuse to see, much less acknowledge, the accomplishments is disregards the sacrifices of the previous generations. There is a profound arrogance in some who stubbornly refuse to understand, comprehend, and appreciate the GLBT movement and its history. Things can be better, and depending on where one lives, things can get much better, but it is no excuse to forget, minimize, and/or ignore the accomplishments and strides which have been made.

[Rhiannon12866]

27. I agree and what Bill pointed out was that we tend to forget how things used to be

In fact, many who are doing that are young enough to never have experienced it. As with any important movement, progress is gradual. But like Bill said, if we actually take the time to remember, things are completely different than they were just a generation ago. That doesn't mean that the work is finished, there are still some stuck in an antiquated way of thinking, but they're in the minority now and that's impressive progress.

[Goonch]

16. Complains about masking and habitually covers his mouth

[Rhiannon12866]

17. Good screen shot! And it's probably a nervous habit

But I think Rob Reiner put Bill in his place - and with humor. Other than that, I thought it was one of the best shows of this season, good guests.

[richdj25]

19. Sorry everyone but............

Maher is full of pure BS. Never really watched him in the first place, yet some folk feel they need to share a video or written story about what he said from time-to-time, and he usually comes across like some angry old man, yelling at random people and animals to get off his lawn.

What he doesn't get is that Democrats are a large basket of different folk, with a wide range of personalities and ideologies, as with a rainbow of vast colors, which is 360 to that of the racist/bigoted damn near all white Republican party. Maher needs someone to explain to him that liberal Dems are not here to conform to his ignorant - single - minded way of approaching the world. They are just as important to the party as centrist Dems.

And what is this guy's obsession with this "woke" thing that only faux news is trippin' over?

Have much more to say but why.......Maher is pretty much like the OAN network, that no sane person wants to be subjected to.

Take care everyone.

[Auggie]

21. I disagree

"Woke" is being used against Democrats with great effectiveness. Maher is bringing this to our attention.

IMO, and Maher's too, Democrats have failed to craft messaging that is proactive and bulletproof to Republican counterclaims. We just might need a single-minded approach to reach a vast majority of people we currently do not, even when we know in our hearts we are diverse "with a wide range of personalities and ideologies."

Number one rule of advertising: speak to a common denominator. Republicans are masters at this, and they're kicking our ass.

[richdj25]

24. No disrespect Auggie but

"Woke" and "critical race theory" ain't a thing in the progressive and African American communities. Just more boogy-man garbage coming out of the right-wing echo chamber. Their m/o is always to attack by turning something into a threat against white society....like brown and black people moving into their neighborhoods and trailer parks.

If one is on the fence about such things, in terms of "not" voting against the Republican party, it simply means they're no different than those who stormed the Capitol back on January 6th. I don't know anyone like that, except a few who don't show up at the polls when they should, and it doesn't have a thing to do with so-called conservatives turning "woke" into something bad for white people.

Republicans aren't into Legislating.......it's all about scare tactics.

[Warpy]

22. That panel sure didn't want to listen to anything Rachel Bitecofer had to say

until it became glaringly obvious she was the only one making sense about the attack on voting rights.

Maher is simply not smart about a lot of the things he prides himself on being hip to, leading him to mansplain when he needs to shut up and let a guest do more talking. Fortunately, they did let Bitecofer speak eventually.

His new rule about blindness to the progress that has been made in so many human areas over the lst 60 years was spot on. Those of us who remember the 1950s and before know how far we've come. And that's what we did with our lives, we began the process of dragging ourselves out of conventional thinking and regimentation.

Cue eye rolling and heavy sighs and "OK Boomer."

[mucifer]

26. maher has a pattern of being a bully IMO