Bill Maher is known for getting involved with a number of discussions throughout the years, often weighing in on the media. Recently, he made a few comments directed toward CNN. This ended up surprising a few viewers, as the network airs his show. However, the situation was a bit more complicated than it seems.
Bill Maher Hosts Real Time, Complete With An ‘Overtime’ Segment
Maher is the host of the HBO political talk show, Real Time with Bill Maher, starting in 2003. Before this, he hosted Politically Incorrect from 1993 to 2002 on ABC and Comedy Central
Maher’s show has an interesting relationship with CNN. In addition to the main show, an “Overtime” segment follows the show on YouTube, lasting around 10 to 15 minutes. The segment was also added to CNN Tonight in 2023. The following year, the network also announced that it would air HBO’s Friday night episodes on Saturday nights. Both HBO and CNN are currently owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.
Despite this, Maher recently shared some choice words for the network during an “Overtime” segment. During the segment, Senator John Fetterman complained that political media had “all become slop.”
During the conversation, Maher spoke with DNC chair Donna Brazile and Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw, as well as Fetterman. Brazile felt that CNN needed to get back to focusing on “facts.”
This was when Maher weighed in on the network. He appeared to agree with the sentiment, sharing, “Get the news, that’s what I want.”
Despite His Feelings, Maher Still Said He Was A ‘Fan’ Of CNN
For his part, Crenshaw mused that a “just the facts” approach wouldn’t be financially viable in the current television atmosphere. He added, “We all know that.” To this, Maher replied, “News organizations shouldn’t be making money to begin with. They didn’t used to.”
Despite his sentiment that the network didn’t focus enough on the news itself, Maher still admitted to liking the network, but did disagree with some of its current tactics. As he shared, “I am a fan of CNN, but I agree. It’s too much opinion.”
Maher felt that things used to be different with the network. As he mused, ”I would rather just — when CNN was first out there, you could just always count on to turn it on and you would just get the story.” Notably, Maher did not mention any CNN personalities or programs by name.
As noted by Mediaite, CNN just finished third again in the cable news battle back in April, facing competition between MS Now and Fox News. However, CNN still pulled in just under one million viewers in prime time, which was an increase from the 600,000 it averaged the previous year.
What is your reaction to this recent discussion on Overtime with Bill Maher? Have you been following this story? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest TV and celebrity news.
John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.
