UPDATE, 3:13 p.m. ET:
Maher has released an apology about the incident:
“Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I’m up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn’t have said on my live show. Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry.”
Not cool, Bill Maher.
During an interview with Republican Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse on his HBO show Real Time last night, Maher dropped the n-word in casual conversation, leading to an awkward moment with the politician and an even bigger blow-back from Twitter and others afterward.
Related: Sometimes Maher Is Good… Unlike Last Night
Maher was trying to make a joke, it’d seem, but that’s obviously not a very smart word to use in a joke, no matter the context.
Watch the moment of controversy (below):
But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable. pic.twitter.com/K5XlEjekQ9
— deray mckesson (@deray) June 3, 2017
Wow.
WTF, Bill?!
Sasse — who had a weak reaction to the offensive word in the moment — walked back his role in the interview earlier this morning, tweeting:
Am walking off a redeye from LAX.
3 reflections on @billmaher
1. I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines.
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
2. But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn’t good enough.
(2of4?) https://t.co/e4Bw8s8tV2
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
3. Here├óΓé¼Γäós what I wish I├óΓé¼Γäód been quick enough to say in the moment: “Hold up, why would you think it├óΓé¼Γäós OK to use that word?…
(3of4?) https://t.co/mQL6wMEd7W
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
(4of4)
“…The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It├óΓé¼Γäós therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don’t use it.” https://t.co/kEZm5vPFHK
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
While others are going off on Maher and calling for his removal from the TV network!
Here’s a rundown of what everyone on Twitter thinks about Maher’s really ugly moment (below):
Maybe don’t be the white guy that tries to explain why it was okay for Bill Maher to say the n-word.
— Solomon Georgio (@solomongeorgio) June 3, 2017
Half the people telling you its OK for Bill Maher to say N***er spent the past week upset over a ladies only screening of Wonder Woman.
— Ragnarok Lobster (@eclecticbrotha) June 3, 2017
Bill Maher and Kathy Griffin showed this week that racism can’t be hidden as “comedy” and stupidity can’t be hidden as “art”.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) June 3, 2017
It’s important to separate the art from the artist. Bill Maher may be a terrible person, but he’s ALSO a terrible comedian.
— Pixelated Boat (@pixelatedboat) June 3, 2017
Bill Maher said the N-word? Wow this totally changes my previously high opinion of that smug Islamophobic misogynistic attention-whore.
— OhNoSheTwitnt (@OhNoSheTwitnt) June 3, 2017
I can’t believe Bill Maher said something racist, said no Muslim ever. #realtime
— Reza Aslan (@rezaaslan) June 3, 2017
Seems Maher is in REALLY big trouble, trending worldwide this morning on Twitter.
We’ll see if anything comes of it regarding his show’s future, but for now… wow.
What do U think, Perezcious readers?! Did Maher go too far?
[Image via Charlie Steffens/WENN.]
