Real Time with Bill Maher
| Real Time with Bill Maher | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Presented by | Bill Maher |
| Theme music composer | Scott "Shavoni" Parker Louis "Buster" Brown II Christopher "Kid" Reid |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 15 |
| No. of episodes | 421 (as of April 7, 2017) (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Location(s) |
CBS Television City Hollywood, California |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | HBO |
| Picture format |
4:3 SDTV (2003–07) 16:9 HDTV (2008–present) |
| Original release | February 21, 2003 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Politically Incorrect |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Real Time with Bill Maher is a talk show that airs weekly on HBO, hosted by comedian and political satirist Bill Maher. Much like his previous series Politically Incorrect on ABC (and before that, on Comedy Central), Real Time features a panel of guests who discuss current events in politics and the media. Unlike the previous show, guests are usually more well-versed in the subject matter: more experts such as journalists, professors and politicians participate in the panel, and fewer actors and celebrities are included. Additionally, many guests appear via satellite.
Real Time is a weekly hour-long program with a studio audience, airing live on Friday nights at 10:00 pm EST. It originates from Studio 33 ("The Bob Barker Studio") at CBS Television City in Los Angeles. In addition, a 10- to 15-minute "Overtime" segment quickly follows the show on YouTube (Live Streams) which answers questions posted by viewers through HBO's online website for the show. Prior to 2009, approximately 12 new weekly episodes aired from February to early May, followed by another such set of new episodes from late August to November. In 2009, the show began airing as one continuous season.
HBO has renewed Real Time through 2018, for its 15th and 16th seasons.
The format of the show usually features an opening current events or political skit, followed by the credits and a comedy monologue. Maher then interviews an important figure via satellite or in-studio before sitting down with three panel guests for an extensive debate. Halfway through the panel session, Maher does a comedy skit that usually satirizes current news items. Following the comedy bit, Maher interviews another figure via satellite or in-studio. The format varies, with two or three people on the interview panel. Maher explains that the format is not rigid and that they prefer live interviews to satellite interviews. Near the end of every episode, Maher has a segment called "New Rules" which serves as a humorous editorial on popular culture and American politics. The final "New Rule" segues into Maher's closing editorial monologue.
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