Just took in the high-wire act that was the anniversary edition of Bill Maher's Real Time show, this evening.
They've cobbled together many of the best segments and comebackers from Maher's 25 years on television and had several of his high profile guests, including rabid viewers of his show like Barbara Streisand and Larry David, provided a lot of astute soundbytes.
Maher does a unique brand of comedy, it's not just irreverent, it's groundbreaking and being able to be at the forefront of news satire over so many years, is astonishing. It's something that is tough to do -- and requires a lot of moxy to face an audience and guests like he does. And it never gets stale.
I missed his Politically Incorrect days but caught up quick with Real Time. There are plenty of clips from the Politically Incorrect show, mullets and all -- and even then, he showed an uncanny ability for repartee and smart, on the spot analysis.
I have no dog in the US fight between their political parties and don't care about where Maher leans or what his guests stand for. All I am looking for is intelligent, compelling exchanges on serious subjects for the most part and enjoying how Maher peppers any segment with a witty, potty-mouthed remark that appears to come out of left field but is very much grounded into what a lot of people are really thinking but are afraid to say outloud.
Maher is a maverick when it comes to using comedy as a tool in such a charged arena and being able to survive that for 25 years, week over week, says a lot about the man. And he hasn't relented -- the show tonight evoked how Maher spends 12-15 hours every week of a show, to refine and more clearly enunciate his closing 6 minute monologue on every show.
He's a consummate pro who got his first opportunity on stage from Larry David, made his debut on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and who has continued to actively do stand-up on a regular basis, even as he's hosting his show. Tonight's highlights underscored the foregoing.
I attended one of his stand-up shows in Montreal, it was at the St-Denis Theatre a few years ago. I remember how his opening remark was about how there are so many streets and buildings named after saints, he couldn't get over it. And he charged on alone, armed only with a chair, a mic and a few bottles of water. They played his Real Time theme when he entered the stage and the rest of the evening was exactly what he did on his show, except that there were no guests and nor did he take questions from the audience. It was a couple of hours's worth of a monologue.
I didn't enjoy his live show because I had heard most of the material before and also because there was no one to challenge him as his forte is having someone there who holds diametrically opposed views or who is so absurd that Maher will rip into them hard -- and then there is that one second where you don't know where the interview is headed. And oddly, it always works -- he manages to get a laugh from the person he rips into with impunity, right in their face. I've enjoyed this kind of exchange for the whole of Real Time's existence and have always looked forward to his New Rules -- one of the best comedy bits on TV.
I know Maher may not be everyone's cup of tea on account of some of the views he holds and his own shameless involvement in one of the parties (he donated a million dollars towards helping the Democrats win the Senate), but as a non-US citizen, that doesn't faze me. I don't get involved in his politics or those of his guests -- I have enough just trying to handle the quagmire of Canadian politics.
I will however absolutely gravitate toward any show that involves a smart free thinker who tackles a variety of topical subjects no matter how controversial and who is able to use the power of comedy to string it all together.
If you've never watched the show, or if you'd like to get an overview of several of his best moments over the last 25 years, his Real Time anniversary show will be replaying all week on HBO.