Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) - 11/16/18

[Rhiannon12866]

Monologue: Burning Down the House

Bill recaps the top stories of the week, including Trump's response to the California wildfires and paranoia over the Mueller probe.




Rep. Eric Swalwell

On the heels of House Democrats' midterm election gains, Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) joins Bill to discuss the future of his party.




Future Headlines: Winter 2018 Edition

Bill Maher reports all the news that is bound to happen before Real Time returns on January 18, 2019.




Garry Kasparov: Fight for Liberty

Russian political activist and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov joins Bill to discuss the challenges facing democracy worldwide.




New Rule: Just Don't Go There

In his final New Rule of the season, Bill calls on Americans to find something to talk about other than politics.




Overtime: Eric Swalwell, Garry Kasparov, Van Jones, Steve Schmidt, Nancy MacLean

Bill Maher and his guests answer viewer questions after the show.

[Bigredhunk]

1. Thanks Rhi

Was it good this week? I liked last week's epi, save for Stephens being a killjoy whom I cannot stand.

See Bill again in January! Hopefully Dish/HBO deal is done by then.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. Thank you! And I thought this was a good show, not an irritating guest in the bunch, LOL

I'm just bummed that this is his last show of the year! I know he likes to take time out for his live appearances, but these are tough political times and we need to hear from him before next year!

Good luck with your Dish/HBO deal. I really don't watch a lot on HBO besides Bill Maher and John Oliver, though I did catch some of the Pod Save America broadcasts, especially the one with Beto O'Rourke.

[burrowowl]

2. K&R!

[alwaysinasnit]

4. Thanks for posting. I don't subscribe to cable so I appreciate you posting Bill's show.

[Rhiannon12866]

5. Thanks!

I know that a lot of people don't have HBO - or even TV - and Bill often makes news as well as weighing in on it, so this is must-see-TV for a lot of DUers. The bad news is that this is his last show until January - but these are all good guests, not a RWer in the bunch!

[Cetacea]

6. Thank you!

Much appreciated!

[Rhiannon12866]

7. Thank you!

It was another really good show - where Bill was on a roll!

[stuffmatters]

8. Thanks,Rhiannon, it was a great show. So many funny jokes in the monologue!

[Rhiannon12866]

9. Thanks! And I agree!

Bill was really on a roll tonight - he has been for the past couple of weeks, speaking out more than ever! And it was nice to see guests who were all on the same team for a change. I'm just bummed out that he won't be back till January...

[stuffmatters]

10. Yes the Maher empty months are definitely tough.

But I'm glad his schedule took Bill through two shows post midterms. He's cheered up & pepped up substantially since last week where I don't think it'd sunk in with him yet how big the Democrats had won. Add to that our new wins declared this week (esp the
turning OC blue, which is an esp BFD to SoCals), all our new, energetic, fascinating Reps he'll get to have on his show. Bill's definitely feeling more optimistic.
I think Swalwell also knocked Maher for a (good)loop right on his show. So focused, so resolute, so determined, so informed, Bill was simply delighted.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. Agreed on both counts, he's definitely more optimistic

And at least he didn't cut us off while we were still anxiously waiting the outcome of the midterms. And you're right, this gives him a whole new roster of interesting potential guests that Bill will enjoy. And Swalwell was terrific, Bill didn't get the chance to challenge him like he's used to doing with his RW guests.

[stuffmatters]

12. Yes,Yes

Tonight Swalwell checked off a lot of points on Maher's list for how he wishes Democrats would act when challenged in interviews...
assertive, affirmative, knowledgeable and irrepressible, no distraction, no insecurity. I thought he was going to hug Swalwell!

Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving, Rhiannon, and BKZ Maher'll be gone for two months (and the enjoyment of your Fri night Maher posts & chats) a happy & snug holliday!

[Rhiannon12866]

13. That's it in one!

Bill finally found someone he couldn't argue with or lecture, LOL. And he chose to spend his birthday doing Bill's show! I don't know if Bill's in his district, but he said he'd vote for him - that's quite a compliment coming from Bill!

And you have a Happy Thanksgiving, as well! I do post weeknight comedians as well, but we'll not only be missing Bill Maher, but this Sunday is John Oliver's last show for the "season" too. So I'll still be around even if they aren't. I've never understood why they show repeats over holidays since people are more likely to be home...

[Duppers]

16. Yes to your points.

And another kick for Rhi's OP.

[Merlot]

14. Thanks for posting - it was a really good panel this week.

Nancy McLean made some good points, as did Van Jones. Swalwell was good in the opening interview, but I found his answer in the overtime segment regarding Koshoggi to be rather weak.

Chess, we play by the rules was best laugh!

Bill Mahar is my weekly dose of sanity ; )

[Rhiannon12866]

15. I sure agree, no RW guests for Bill to argue with, LOL

I don't know why he persists in having the likes of Rick Santorum since the audience obviously doesn't enjoy hearing from them. It was a really good panel, good guests all around.

Though it did seem to me that Nancy had trouble getting a word in and I agree with you about Swalwell, though he was great in the opening segment.

And I feel the same way so I'm bummed that this was his last show for the "season." At least he stuck around through the midterms when we needed him the most.

[bdamomma]

17. He's right

Just don't go there!!!!

[Tigerlillygirl]

18. I used to like Maher but he has gotten all too smug in his position these days.

Its quite a put off.