notes Maher. “They’re almost interchangeable. They won’t say anything that might upset their basically liberal audiences. Of course, my audiences are also mostly liberal. But I’ll go after them if I think they’re wrong. I had one conservative say to me, ‘You’re the only honest liberal out there.’” Maher’s left-leaning fans sometimes squirm ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� obsessive political correctness — a practice �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� which debuted on Comedy Central and later moved to ABC, was called, aptly, Politically Incorrect. “You see a smile on Bill’s face when he’s saying things people think he wasn’t going to say,” noted Real Time executive producer Dean Johnsen during a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times. “But he’s not doing it for the smile. I think it just works for 46 artsLife | SUMMER 2017 him — the more honest he is, the more successful he gets. It feeds itself.” Usually, at least. Maher says he sometimes drives home from taping a show concerned that he’s crossed a line. “I don’t have a great mechanism for controlling things like that,” he says. “But what you see is never fake.” Maher, born in Manhattan and raised in suburban New Jersey, graduated from Cornell University with a degree in English before beginning his stand-up career at small comedy clubs. He later appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Late Night With David Letterman. Politically Incorrect, which made its debut in 1993, earned 10 Emmy nominations before ABC dropped the show in 2002, after Maher made a controversial on-air remark following the 9/11 attacks. Just a year later, though, he was back with Real Time. The show opens with Maher’s monologue, followed by a one-on-one interview with a newsmaker. Then there’s a heated but substantive discussion — sometimes more of a free-for-all — that involves three or more wildly divergent panelists. In the segment “New Rules,” which closes the show, Maher mocks politics and popular culture. �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� most of whom might be expected to give Real Time a wide berth — happily participate in Maher’s no-holds-barred panels. “I think conservatives come on the show because they see it as genuine,” he says. “But, you can never underestimate the power of a TV camera to attract guests.” In 2012, the conservative Washington Times published a “survival guide” for right-wingers who agree to appear on Real Time. Among the tips: Be prepared — Maher knows the issues — and don’t try to be a comedian. “Mr. Maher is a pro at making people laugh,” the Times advised. “The typical conservative panelist is not. Act accordingly.” Still, several dyed-in-the-wool Republican regulars told the newspaper that they enjoyed Real Time’s lively discussions, and that the often-acerbic host treated them with respect — despite their ideological differences. Surprisingly, Maher holds the record for the most total Emmy nominations — 38 and counting — without a win. In interviews, he has attributed the Emmy snubs to his willingness to tackle taboo topics and take unpopular stances. He also serves as a commentator for CNN, MSNBC, HLN and Fox News. Maher, who has been nominated for 38 Emmys without winning, believes that his often-contrarian stands have rankled some industry insiders.
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