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Submit your question now for Bill and his roundtable guests, and selected questions will be answered on the HBO.com website in our weekly program Overtime, immediately following the Friday premiere of Real Time on 4/25/08.
Please be aware concise, single-topic questions have the best chance of being selected.
Refresh the Bill Maher homepage right before midnight if you do not see the "Watch Overtime" video link.
Scheduled guests:
Blogger Arianna Huffington, comedian Garry Shandling, TV personality Phil Donahue, and Real Time correspondent Matt Taibbi. Plus via satellite, economist Jeffrey Sachs.
Please note: Video is optimized for use with Windows Media Player on a PC.
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Edited by HBOAdmin5 at 04/25/2008 10:51 AM PDT
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9
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2/24/08
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(903 of 918)
Apr 27, 2008 1:59 PM
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How I do agree with these postings of Bill Maher's finale. I was REALLY LOOKING FORWARD to hearing Phil Donahue's thoughts on the state of things, but Bill was too busy giggling over Garry Shandling's lame jokes (BTW, has he ever been funny?) and his endless flirting with Ms. Huffington. Please don't have Shandling on your show again, and next fall, your first show should only feature Phil Donahue as an apology for ignoring him on Friday night. Did anyone notice that he wasn't even on the panel during the Overtime online?
Phil Donahue has been a stalwart in the American journalism and political scene for decades and has sure done more good than the un-funny Garry Shandling. He should have gone ahead and had his knee surgery. No one would have missed him.
My husband was in another room and came in and said, "Boy, I sure miss Phil Donahue's voice". So did we on Friday night.
Shame on you Bill Maher for letting a blabber mouth unfunny comedian hijack your finale.
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4/26/08
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(902 of 918)
Apr 27, 2008 12:19 AM
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I'm glad I'm not the only viewer who thought Garry Shandling did a disservice to the show...knowing it was the last show of the season I was almost shouting "SHUT UP!" at the screen...Phil Donahue, a TV legend, could not get a word in edgewise (and what he did manage to say was verbatim from the Tavis Smiley interview, nothing new), and Ms. Huffington, who I would have also liked to hear more from, just looked embarrassed for Mr. Shandling. If I could have my way, it'd be for a "do-over"...one more show to make up for that disappointing end to the season. I know that won't happen...but anyone else agree?
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Posts:
1
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4/26/08
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(901 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 11:10 PM
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I look forward to watching RTwBM every Friday night. Best straight talk on TV. I was highly disappointed about the 4/25 show, however. How could Bill let Shandling hijack the show like that. I wanted very much to hear Bill and Phil discuss plus hear Donahue's feedback and commentary on some timely issues, but Phil couldn't get a word in edgewise. Please don't waste an opportunity like this again Bill. We only get an hour a week with you (and now have to wait unitl August!!!!????), and look forward to your bantering with intelligent guests who have something to contribute to the current discussions.
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Posts:
2
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4/26/08
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(900 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 10:55 PM
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> The Reverend Wright is really Reverend Wrong....
>
> Wrong about Americans and a stone cold ghetto
> racist...
>
> And that moron Obama and his goofy wife are too
> simple to get that Americans won't stand for their
> overt racism against whites who have never done a
> thing wrong to them....
>
> What a joke of a candidate.....such a joke that even
> an idiot like McCain might win in the fall.....
This is the problem....narrow minded bigots such as your selves. I watched Reverend right on PBS...did you? or did you just see the 30 second clips that the media choose to completely misrepresent what the reverend is saying? And another thing "whity" have you ever walked in a black man's shoes? So how could you possible be able to identify with the african american community when you don't have a clue to the culture and the history. the black church is not anit white, it is simply pro black. It has been a cultural center for blacks through out history. And further more I am not black I am white, but I am married to a black man and I have two bi-racial children. I live with existing prejudice everyday. I understand what the Rev. Wright was saying....b/c i have the upper brain capacity to actually to think for myself and not what the corporate media plays into my mind. The reverends msg in the "God Damn America" was don't put your faith in government b/c gov't fail, put your faith in God, b/c God will not fail you." In his sermon he illustrated examples through out history of how from Caesars time until current how the government has failed the people. And how can you argue....the American gov't' has committed many vile acts to other countries and it own citizens. Our Current president is committing those acts as we speak. Our solders are die every day in the name of what? And don't even get me on New Orleans....if we are going on 3 years and look what has been done. Our presidents lack of response to the devastation brings up a lot of racial divides that americans don't want to see. AMERICA is in DENIAL about RACISM. White America does not want to deal with these issues, b/c it is easier to ignore them and act as if they don't exist. But Black americans can't ignore it b/c they live it every single day. This county has made radical progress in the last 40 years....But can your really think that b/c blacks were given civil rights in the 60's that " well they got there civil rights so what's the problem" Do your homework "whitey" the current social problems with in the black communities is a direct effect to low paying jobs.....do you think that the high percentage of black men incarcerated is an accident...or is it b/c you believe that they "lower moral and values" It does not take a Doctorate in sociology to put 2 & 2 together to realize the still existent social problems in "Urban American" (now code name for black)And the view of the atrocities is very different from a black perspective than a white perspective. But I belive that if anyone has the ability to unite this country and help heal these still seething wounds of racism in this country it is BARACK OBAMA!!!
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14
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2/3/08
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(899 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 8:11 PM
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The Reverand Wright is really Reverand Wrong....
Wrong about Americans and a stone cold ghetto racist...
And that moron Obama and his goofy wife are too simple to get that Americans won't stand for their overt racism against whites who have never done a thing wrong to them....
What a joke of a candidate.....such a joke that even an idiot like McCain might win in the fall.....
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Posts:
12
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9/8/07
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(898 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 6:25 PM
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Yes, I noticed that too. No follow up on the Wright story today. I guess maybe on Monday?
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Posts:
12
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4/25/08
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(897 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 6:17 PM
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Furthermore, Wright said something good came out of the evil media frenzy on him and his church (including bomb and death threats). Barack opened the conversation about race in a wonderful way. Too bad that conversation is now in the toilet, with stupid "dick" comments and the like. Maher you should come back on your show and call yourself the "dick" for believing yet another sound bite about Wright. Why would you trust that the mainstream media was giving it to you straight? It's amazing how silent they are today about the interview. They know Wright and Moyer showed them up for what they are - thoughtless, arrogant, money grubbing, heartless incompetents. You joined their ranks last night, Bill.
> when i heard you call rev. Wright a dick i had to
> wonder did you see the interview or if you did were
> you watching it from the skewed view of fox news or
> hillary. basically i was trying to give you the
> benefit of the doubt because if you had seen and
> understood what rev. Wright was saying when he said
> obama is a politician, it was not in a bad way. he
> was merley saying obama is a politician and he was a
> reverend and therefore they speak to different
> concerns of the people i.e. religious leaders and
> politicians should be separate. i would think you of
> all people would appreciate that instead of calling
> the man a dick!
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12
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9/8/07
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(896 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 2:48 PM
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sandyb01,
> I belive that this poster has it wrong when he
> suggests that one should blindly support the party.
> One should select the best canidate from the options
> s available. Such a blind support the party plan is
> how Bush was elected, not the result of thinking
> voters.
What you say about people not making intelligent choices is true except I know that some so called democrats voted for Bush in 2000 and in 2004. I happen to know some personally, so I can only assume that others around the country did the same. There are more registered voters in the democratic party than in the republican party. *(According to a study done in 2004 by the Pew Research Center, there are 33% of Amercians registered as Democrats, versus 29% registered as Repubs. (This leaves 38% of voters either registered with smaller parties, or not registered at all. Many states do not require Party registration at all) http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071220064127AANoa9R
Perhaps if democrats had been true to the party, Bush never would have won. But your point I assume is that if republicans as well as democrats, who crossed over, and independents or others registered to smaller parties had thought intelligently about their choice instead of making their choice on whether or not gays should be allowed to be married, that women shouldn't have the right to choose, and that Bush was the only person who could get us out of Iraq, Kerry may have won in 2004.
Admittedly, I am coming from an elitist position *(views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously or carry the most weight; whose views and/or actions are most likely to be constructive to society as a whole; or whose extraordinary skills, abilities or wisdom render them especially fit to govern, wikipedia) that the democratic party, during my lifetime, has been the party of the people and the party which produces the best candidates with the people's interests at heart. So when I say true to the party, I actually mean true to the party which bests serves the interest of the people - not just my own interests. The reason why this primary season is going on so long is because the democratic party's system allows the voice of all the people to be heard. We are just not used to that because the nominees are usually selected early on, but because it is not a winner take all system there is the chance that everyone's voice will be heard. Whether the nominee is Obama or Clinton, it is my elitist view that each is better than McCain. In my lifetime, the republican party has not produced a candidate worthy of my vote, or worth me switching allegiance from the party of the people. I understand that is is about perspective but I believe that I have chosen correctly to be a member of a party, which allows me to vote in closed primaries, and that I have chosen the correct party to which to belong. Time may prove me wrong but to date, I don't think so but I am open to hear opposite views which is why I try really hard to stomach Joe Scarborough in the morning.
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Edited by gentyle1 at 04/26/2008 11:49 AM PDT
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Edited by gentyle1 at 04/26/2008 11:51 AM PDT
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1
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4/26/08
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(895 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 1:54 PM
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when i heard you call rev. Wright a dick i had to wonder did you see the interview or if you did were you watching it from the skewed view of fox news or hillary. basically i was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt because if you had seen and understood what rev. Wright was saying when he said obama is a politician, it was not in a bad way. he was merley saying obama is a politician and he was a reverend and therefore they speak to different concerns of the people i.e. religious leaders and politicians should be separate. i would think you of all people would appreciate that instead of calling the man a dick!
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3
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4/26/08
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(894 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 1:48 PM
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In total agreement with your thoughts about the show. I can't understand Shandlings rants.. was he trying to be funny or prevoke thought.. in any case it was pretty lame. Bill didn't reign him in and Phil Donahue is polite and NOT a comedian and his views were completely trounced on by Shandling. Ariana was astute but the show could have been much better if Bill had exercised more control.
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Posts:
9
Registered:
3/28/02
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(893 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 1:37 PM
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Ok seriously, who ended up giving Arianna the high hard one?
Gary ? Phil?
Or did you sneak in and steal there thunder?
LOL!!!
See you when you get back bill!!
Have a great summer .
Rotten
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Posts:
1
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4/26/08
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(892 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 1:32 PM
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This is my first post and though I have done my research, as should most people before they look to Bill for "news", I've found that the word agree can have too much bullshit attached with it. Regardless whether you agree with Bill's views, that isn't the point. The idea is to point out stupid things people do, and instead of just moan about everything, find something funny in it. HBO isn't the little baby network you can send in complaints to, its the chance to say what comes to mind even if people don't agree. Just grow a pair, and a brain. If you disagree, say why, don't just say you hate him for it (its redneck logic). Good logic and coherence are what he talks of most, and if you claim to be a fan you'd try using it a bit more.
This doesn't apply to everyone. A lot of you people make sense, and I commend you for being antitheses to the oxymoron Intelligent-American.
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1
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4/26/08
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(891 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 1:05 PM
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Bill, I use to be a HUGE FAN of yours until last night. I have watched you for many many years and as an african american female i was not at all impressed by your show last night. Gary should not have been on the show and instead had someone with a real dialogue instead of just stupidity. I didn't get one topic that was mentioned as Gary kept trying to make it into a Comedy Show. I felt bad for Phil and Arianna as I have great respect for the both of them, but last night for it to be the last show until August, you did no good service to yourself. I would've rather listened to one of the conservative right wing republicans than Gary stupid *ss. What did we learn from your show last night? That you think Rev Wright is a "DICK"? What a stupid thing to say. I watched the PBS interview and it was a very good interview, but I never believed any of the things that were being said anyway about the pastor or Obama. And then you make this stupid remark that Hillary can win the election.. WHAT THE **CK WAS THAT ALL ABOUT??? After many years of sticking by you and standing up for you as recently as a few weeks ago when you made the comment about the Pope, I can no longer call myself one of your diehard fans as I will no longer watch you try and make a fool out of good people.
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Posts:
7
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2/2/08
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(890 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 12:52 PM
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> > Do any of you Obama nuthuggers realize that if
> this
> > primary contest were a general election
> contest,
> > Clinton would have already trounced Obama in
> > electoral votes? In the general election, Obama
> is
> > incredibly weak and all you fanatics are
> setting
> > yourselves up for a major disappointment.
>
> Then that is just the lot we will have to bear. This
> is not the general election, this is party business
> which is separate from the general election. The
> parties may establish the rules and the rules have
> not been challenged before but now the system is not
> a good system because why, because Hillary is not in
> the lead. This same system made it possible for Bill
> to become the nominee. People, right or wrong as you
> may see it, have the right to vote for whom they
> choose. for the life of me, I couldn't understand
> how Bush won a first term, let alone a second but he
> did and I and others like me have had to persevere.
> If Obama gets the nomination, those of you who wish
> h he hadn't, will live and the country will move on.
> And if McCain wins, then it will be because
> e individuals who claim to be members of the
> democratic party were not loyal to the party.
I belive that this poster has it wrong when he suggests that one should blindly support the party. One should select the best canidate from the options available. Such a blind support the party plan is how Bush was elected, not the result of thinking voters.
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1
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4/26/08
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(889 of 918)
Apr 26, 2008 12:05 PM
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Let's hope the average Real Time viewer has a better grasp on things than this poster. Phil Donohue kept looking out at the audience because he, like most of us, was extremely uncomfortable about the Gary Shandling trainwreck and wasn't going to dignify Shandling's inane comments with a response. If Shandling had shut up for a few minutes, Bill could have had some intelligent conversation with Ariana Huffington and Donohue...but, alas, Shandling babbled on till the bitter end--till Bill had to actually interrupt him for New Rules.
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