Imagine: a man Bill Maher's age can still jump over an entire shark

[Bucky]

https://deadline.com/2023/09/bill-maher-wga-strike-1235536973/

Maher Criticizes WGA Strike, Calls Demands “Kooky”; Nobody “Owed A Living As A Writer”
Anthony D'Alessandro
September 5, 2023

"What I find objectionable about the philosophy of the strike {is} it seems to be, they have really morphed a long way from 2007’s strike, where they kind of believe that you’re owed a living as a writer, and you’re not. This is show business. This is the make-or-miss league,” said Maher about the WGA’s demands to the AMPTP in a work stoppage that’s gone on for 127 days.

"I’m not saying they don’t have points,” Maher added, agreeing that streaming platforms should be reporting viewing data

Seriously, can you imagine the audacity of a labor union demanding that their large corporate employers share some of their record-breaking profits with the people who dedicate years of their life to honing their crafts and create the work-product that generates those profits?

Better keep an eye on those bolsheviks, Bill! They'll be demanding two day weekends and healthcare next

[BlueTsunami2018]

1. I'm just not sure where he's coming from with this.

He’s right that show biz, like most top level professions, are “make or miss” but the people that are there made it, they’re in it and they deserve to be paid fairly. He’s making an entirely different argument than the one at hand.

He’s gotten so frigging weird over the past couple of years.

[Wounded Bear]

3. He's always been more of a libertarian than a liberal...

[czarjak]

26. Libertarianism: Screw anyone who isn't me.

[Ford_Prefect]

40. Yes, yes he has. I hear he likes the sound of his own voice over those with genuine wisdom and experience.

I had a college friend who was much the same. You tend to expect that from sophomores, and insecure, wiseass fools.

[Bucky]

17. You know what used to be "make or miss"? Coal, oil, team driving, sewing mills

Then the unions organized and it became steady work with improved pay. Same goes for longshoreman, merchant marines, machine operators...

It's the very risks of labor, including the intellectual labor of writers (mostly through risking unemployment in highly competitive field s), that makes it necessary to organize the workers and ensure more equitable treatment in wages and benefits.

But as long as streaming services are benefiting from their labor, the people who actually labored to create the content of the show ought to be benefiting as well. That's all residuals are. You attract customers with the shows I write, then I should get a slice of the action too

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. lol people will still support him because he says the right things about people they don't like

[Earth-shine]

4. Some people -- not me. I used to be a fan. He lost me slowly over time these past few years.

[Maraya1969]

41. Me too. I don't want to watch his show....ever.

[UTUSN]

5. Turned into get-off-my-lawn dude. More noticeable on unscripted? pod than on HBO

[Oneironaut]

6. Bill Maher is a massive hack these days.

He’s beating the anti-woke / bootstraps right wing grift for all it’s worth.

His “I’m so cool for smoking pot” shit was always annoying too.

[PCIntern]

7. Olbermann's story about him

tells you all you need to know about this prick.

https://omny.fm/shows/countdown-with-keith-olbermann/gop-on-trump-i-cant-wait-until-this-guy-dies-1-31

Starts around 35 min in…

[rsdsharp]

11. That is a classic! Thanks for posting it.

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

12. Olbermann is a narcissistic dick with this

Maher out-did Keith's career over the decades, and Keith is jealous - "Keith hated him on site"

[Bucky]

14. What?

What teacher instructed you to believe that an ad hominem attack is any kind of response to criticism?

I mean, yes Olbermann is a blowhard. Most people with broadcast opinion shows are going to be like that. But your speculation on how much jealousy drives his opinions is baseless and a tad hysterical.

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

24. No teacher, and touche

I actually like both (for a long time) and accept their nuances in how they deliver their commentary - and like how they challenge my politics/thoughts.

This podcast was a bit overboard (and not hysterical), and is a bit consistent in Keith's attitude with Maher over time

[Bucky]

27. Fair enough

I definitely enjoy listening to entertaining talkers who make me re-examine my opinions.

[niyad]

46. LOVE IT!!!!!

[Silent3]

48. Thanks! n/t

[UTUSN]

52. Wow/EXCELLENT link/story! - "He only does the show for the party afterward!"

That reinforces what I've seen of "Club Random" where he attempts to get the guest to partake of the weed & liquor and if it's somebody he really kisses up to, tries to get them to go on a weekend with him to Vegas! When the guest turns down the weed/liquor, he acts all shocked, with, "REALLY?!1" I've never seen a guest take him up on the Vegas thing, and Kris JENNER, of all people, did the whole hour just letting him fawn all over her without her giving him any encouragement, totally cool since she's been around several blocks of dealing with immature people in her world.

I thought he was only turning into the get-off-my-lawn dude, but it sounds like he's really LONELY and can't get enough regular socialization except from gatherings enhanced by his shows. Plus, on Random he often says that he never dated or had that kind of luck at Cornell or before, either.

And I've been puzzled at his references to COLBERT, calling him a corporate sell-out, just like in Keith's story. Wow!

*** When the LICHT thing was going on at CNN, Keith also had telling background: We knew he was coming from COLBERT's show as producer, but Keith said LICHT had started as flunky for SCARBOROUGH and that the wimpy boss at MSNBC back then was totally intimidated when LICHT would demand for the boss to blacklist Lib guests from the other hosts' shows and threaten that SCARBOROUGH would call in sick if this wasn't done.

[orleans]

54. that was interesting. thanks for the link. i can't stand maher btw. nt

[crickets]

57. Wow. That's quite the story. Thanks for the link! nt

[doc03]

8. Bill Mahar does whatever will give him ratings. I think he is full

of crap.

[Bucky]

15. There's definitely an aging bro culture that tunes in for that type of content

He reminds me of Winston Churchill's observation that when men get old and acquire power, they become more conservative.

Him nuzzling up to large network corporate interests probably is a good business move if he wants to be invited to the right golf matches and Martini lunches.

He was useful for a while. Now he's just his own Ed McMahon.

[efhmc]

9. I do not now or have I ever been able to stand that Misogynist.

[Demobrat]

13. Right there with you.

The smarmy little creep lost me decades ago.

[DBoon]

10. Maher is like HL Mencken

Sometimes says something wickedly memorable, most of the time is just a blowhard

[xocetaceans]

35. Maybe, but he is certainly no Ambrose Bierce. n/t

[LudwigPastorius]

16. The guy has always had a Libertarian bent.

That extends to his belief that if somebody is "good enough" companies will be falling all over themselves to reward them with money and benefits.

This is a very 'Tech Bro' belief that doesn't take into account the massive power shift toward corporations and away from labor in the past 50 years.

[StClone]

18. There are some really graphic Youtube vids of people being eaten by sharks.

Maher should take note.

[4lbs]

19. I stopped watching Maher after the 2020 election. He is pretty much a single issue

voter, and once his "issue" (marijuana) was legalized in California, he seems to be searching for something new to hang his hat on.

He blames Democrats for not fighting like Republicans. He wants Democrats to be just as dirty, vile, disgusting, and "fight in the mud" as Republicans, selling out if needed just to "win". Regardless of the issue or what is at stake. He has said this many times on his show in the past. I doubt it has changed much in the past few years.

Dude frequently cozies up to Cornel West and the like, and has been loathe to criticize some that sorely need it. So, one can see where his loyalties lie. If it would mean more money for him or his comedy, he would go full on MAGA at the drop of a red hat. However, currently, since he can gain more by somewhat siding with the left and Democrats, he'll stick to the left lane, until the right lane really opens up and welcomes him.

Remember, he once dated Ann Coulter, and is still good friends with her. He also likes Vivek.
Says he's a likable guy, and ignores his vile speech and policies. Because you know, that's what
makes a good President. Likability.

So, I guess if Vivek sticks a knife in your chest and steals your wallet, that's ok as long as he smiles at you and shows you pearly whites, and says "Don't worry, it will all be over soon and things will be better off." To Maher, it's not what Vivek says or does, it is more important how he says it.

I'm nearly three years Maher free now. Yay.

My father liked him and his HBO show, ever since he was on "Politically Incorrect", but I quickly grew tired of his schtick on HBO and definitely don't watch anymore, nor do I care what he says or thinks.

I'm thinking his statements about WGA might be more about his show when it boils down to it. I'm not sure he would have any real show without the writers, and the artists that support them in this strike.

Since he is so against the WGA's stance, maybe he should try letting an AI come up with a monologue for
him and see how that goes. I'm sure once he realizes how crappy it is and how awful the show would be without the writers, he might STFU about the WGA and the writers.

[rpannier]

22. Maher likes Manchin and Sinema

He wants the Democrats to be more like them

[4lbs]

23. Ah, good. Some more examples.

Most of us don't like them, but he loves them.

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

29. You seriously have a problem with

" cozies up to Cornel West"

What possibly do you have a problem with this man?

[4lbs]

36. I am fully supportive of Biden. Cornel has frequently blasted Biden

for many things, and is a leading figure for the Green Party.

I'm sure we all know what happened in 2016. Anybody here a Stein lover?

If that party and he can muck everything up like that in 2024, they would have no qualms about doing it.

Oh, and Cornel West's criticism of Biden. Let's see here.

He's done multiple exclusive interviews for The New York Post. That right-wing scandal rag owned by Rupert Murdoch. Yeah, I'm sure he didn't say anything untoward Democrats in that.

Gives him a C- and accuses him of "crimes against humanity" regarding blacks. This was a few months ago, and seemed to ignore Biden admin policies the past several years that have been geared toward helping blacks more. Cornel was more focused on things from like 30 years ago.

He also said that Biden was "slowing down" and had serious cognitive problems, so that age thing again.

He echoes Republican chants about the federal government and agencies as being weaponized.

He also sided with Republicans apparently regarding the bag of cocaine found somewhere in the White House and links to Hunter Biden and the Secret Service.


Yeah, I'm sure Cornel has Biden and Democrats best interests at heart and isn't trying to self-service his own needs and politics.

Just last week, Cornel said that the Democratic Party and Democrats were "beyond redemption".

So, Maher frequently has had him as a 'guest' on his show, and has rarely called him out on anything.

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

51. I do appreciate the post

I guess I see it being far more that he's trying to be introspective to the (D) platform, not that he turned to some kind of right wing advocate.

He's always fought the good fight for what's right, as it were. I mean, he's been outspoken for what's right for decades...

[localroger]

20. It wasn't a very big shark. /nt

[Bucky]

25. Ha!

😆😆😆

[LostOne4Ever]

21. I used to like and defend this Asshole

To anyone who debated me about him:

I am sorry, I was wrong.

He is just another rich bigoted entitled male chauvinistic dick who cares about nobody but himself.

[Silent Type]

28. Maybe one of Maher's writers will tweet or comment elsewhere.

[haele]

34. Nah, he steals from Bill Hicks and George Carlin.

He's not clever enough to steal from Hunter S. Thompson or Kurt Vonnegut.

Haele

[Orrex]

30. Maher is first and foremost an asshole. All else is incidental.

His fans declare him "not afraid to tell it like it is," praising him for every nugget of seeming wisdom that his writers channel through his mouth.

And then, when he blurts out some sexist or transphobic or corporatist comment, his fans say "well what do you expect? He's a comedian!"


He's always been an asshole, and--to his credit--he's never been shy about admitting it.

[Hassler]

31. He's always been a punk. Can't imagine why anyone would watch

His act. Olbermann has a great story from his time in college and Maher was a punk then.

[dlk]

32. A grumpy old man...

[OAITW r.2.0]

33. He is younger than me and I think he is an asshole.

Sometimes we find common ground, but not often.

[aggiesal]

37. Once the strike is settled, all of Bill Maher's writers ...

should take a week or two off, and see how he gets his show done.


I think he's getting pi$$ed because he's losing money.
I like watching his show, but I don't agree with all of his opinions.

He needs to learn a lesson.

[Silent Type]

39. Still miss his show. Somedays groans are as good as laughs.

[PatSeg]

38. He's had a lot of experience jumping sharks

the past few years. He has become quite the pro.

Ever since the COVID19 lockdown, he's gotten progressively weirder. There's something wrong with that guy.

[Laffy Kat]

42. I haven't watched Maher in years.

It appears he's getting worse and worse.

[BaronChocula]

43. He is shilling because here's the fact

His statements suggest that this business is all sink or swim. To his point, if you don't have the stuff to be on a show, maybe this business isn't for you. But if you're on a hit show or multiple hit shows that generate millions of dollars and you are only earning hundreds to the single thousands, that is exploitation.

I'm very lucky that most of my WGA covered work is still aired through network television and the WGA is still currently working on the part of my colleagues and me to get redress for contract violations. It vexes me that people who are more talented than I am are are so being taken advantage of by companies that make billions.

Bill Maher knows better which is why I haven't watched his show in years. His zeal to cling to the artificially created center is out of sync with what America needs. I can't even believe he's still on air.

[NoMoreRepugs]

44. Maher can go pound some salt.

[ColinC]

45. I'm other words: "the people who kept me well fed and pampered do not deserve to support themselves.

“

[Warpy]

47. meanwhile, without his writers, he's been off the air, struck mute

Writers made you rich and famous, Bill, maybe a little gratitude is in order.

Working solely for the love of one's craft doesn't pay the bills or put food on the table, living wages do that.

[relayerbob]

49. He's been full of shit for at least a decade

I can't understand why anyone even gives him the time of day, much less actually watches him

[MyNameIsJonas]

50. I think Maher is a shit-stirrer.

A typical troll. I wonder how much he actually believes.

[Initech]

53. Yeah when he starts hanging out with Vivek Ramaswamy and Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson...

I'm done. Fuck those clowns.

[betsuni]

55. It was a conversation with Jim Gaffigan who said the strike is going to kill the

late night shows. A conversation. Why anyone needs to hate Bill Maher with a passion I do not know. He has never urged anyone not to vote for Democrats. He's a Hillary Clinton, people love to hate him. Hate hate hate hate. Whatever. Knock yourselves out.

[edhopper]

56. That is the very definition of work

You work for somebody and they owe you a living for it.
Does he think people should work for free. Does he think his writers shouldn't get paid. Does he get residuals from HBO? Shouldn't his writers also?

I am not a Maher hater, but this is bullshit.