Comedian and political commentator Bill Maher has made a bold decision to continue his popular show, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” on HBO, even in the midst of the ongoing Hollywood strike. Maher took to his X account, previously known as Twitter, to share his stance on the matter, expressing his commitment to the show despite the absence of his writers.
In his statement, Maher acknowledged the legitimate concerns of the striking writers but emphasized that there are other individuals in the industry with their own issues and challenges. He stated, “It has been five months, and it is time to bring people back to work. The writers have important issues that I sympathize with, and hope they are addressed to their satisfaction, but they are not the only people with issues, problems, and concerns.”
Maher had initially hoped that the strikes would be resolved by Labor Day, but he lamented that there still seems to be no resolution in sight. He voiced his concern for the below-the-line workers who have been significantly impacted by the strike and expressed his unwillingness to see an entire year go to waste.
To honor the spirit of the strike, Maher announced that he will refrain from delivering his usual monologue, desk pieces, “New Rules,” or editorials, which are typically written by his team of writers. However, he assured his audience that the heart of the show, the unscripted panel discussions that aim to cut through partisan divides, will continue.
Maher candidly admitted that the show without his writers may not be as polished but promised that the core essence of “Real Time” would remain intact. He affirmed, “But the heart of the show is an off-the-cuff panel discussion that aims to cut through the bull**** and predictable partisanship, and that will continue. The show will not disappoint.”
The strike initiated by members of the 11,000-strong Writers Guild of America (WGA) began in May following failed contract negotiations with the studio chiefs of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. As the strike persists, Maher’s decision to forge ahead with his show underscores the complexities and challenges faced by the entertainment industry during this period of labor unrest.