Marketic
It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.
Hattie
I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.
scottsplain-13718
There is a small faction of my generation who grew up watching Chris Matthews and Hayes. Can't forget Rachel Maddow. Hearing your story, going to college for 8 years and constantly watching your show. It continues to be refreshing.The hysteria the hysteria. Gun violence and terrorism can be triggered by a text message from a big fish upstairs who got an email. Hysteria is manufactured and timed. But not on this show. Serious issues get a block. But so does everything else. Smart people also get a chance to explain themselves in paragraphs, usually without being yelled at by an @Orielly character.Mainstream media spews the same footage in loops -or from such a distance that it doesn't matter unless something horrendous happens. When I turn on this show I laugh and then engage in the political thought process. Can't wait for reruns on VICE.P.S. This show, is what political discourse should look like, probably what it used to look like.
Eric Stevenson
Let me say outright that Bill Maher is not as informed as most people would think. I will admit that he really annoys me on numerous occasions. He thinks religion is stupid, but he said that vaccines cause Alzheimer's. The statement of how someone is either a rationalist or not is a hypocritical one in that aspect. There was the time he personally threw truthers out of his show. If religion is so awful, why has he never had to throw religious people out of his crowd? If it's so stupid, why don't they harass him personally like truthers did? Anyway, Bill Maher is still definitely funny and makes me laugh. If nothing else, I appreciate how he has a lot of guests on his show. I've certainly never seen a talk show that had so many people on at once.I guess that's a different kind of show entirely. He has critical errors in his research that come off as insulting. I would say he's great for mocking Donald Trump, but here's the thing. Everyone hates Donald Trump. Of course, he's still awesome for actively ridiculing him. I also like how the show is structured. There's the monologue, the single guest, the panel, and the new rules. It's just nice to have organization like that. It's generally a balanced show, but I don't think he's ever been convinced to change his mind from anyone there. Then again, most people are probably like that.It's hard to compliment someone who thinks Steve Irwin deserves death more than Osama bin Laden. I still find the show itself insightful, if only because of the wide variety of guests. That's probably what makes the show. I could constantly mock him, but for the most part, he's fine. My folks love his show even though they're extremely religious. This is certainly a show with style and significance, even if the well, actual politics aren't that good. I'm probably way too nice in giving this a perfect score, but I will anyway. ****.
lciape1
Bill Maher is great. He will debate anyone on any issue, and often does! He also offers his opponents and enemies the respect on appearing on his show to defend their views. The fact that he is so radically popular confirm the belief that many Americans, myself included, share: Our government and 'the system' have deep deep flaws. The American people, all 99% percent of us suffer from.As we approach the breaking point of crisis in our world it livens the soul and warms the heart to see such an intelligent and savvy human being pushing the envelope on important progressive issues.Those of us who make 40K/year and are proud to call ourselves capitalists should look more closely into Maher's values. Socialism is not a dirty word. Maher would agree.
chollins
Bill Maher is an annoying character. You can appreciate his humour, his political views and his humanity but his smirk irks. That smart ass grin he gets when he tells a gag, especially a controversial one, takes the shine off an otherwise great performance. Maybe it's just me. I'm an Australian. I live in Australia and visit the US about once a year for business. I find watching Real Time and Jon Stewart's The Daily Show all I need to keep up with what is happening in that country. I get that education in an entertaining way. I don't agree with everything Maher espouses (smoking pot is dumb - period) his views sit well with a right wing Aussie. It amazes me that a right wing Aussie is about level with an extreme left wing American. Our countries are similar but so different. The show starts with a short Johnny Carson style monologue - and Maher should either refresh his writers or look at his delivery style as it isn't as great as it could or should be. A few chuckles on the events of the week but nothing you want to remember for the water cooler Monday. We then go into an interview with a weekly guest. Maher brings in some interesting guests, some of which I would normally go out of my way to avoid, but he manages to extrude interesting television from each and every one of them. I remember he once brought in a rapper I'd never heard of and had my finger poised on the fast forward button. To my amazement the interview finished before it got pressed. We then get into the panel where three guests discuss and debate issues. This is where the show gets into its own space. The conversation bubbles along with a rapid pace and humorous tone. Maher chips in with his two cents worth which is normally death to a chat show host - there's an unwritten rule that the moderator sits in the middle and steer the conversation, not get involved in it. Maher somehow gets away with it most of the time. We wrap up with New Rules where his writers earn the money. This is regularly the funniest part of the show making fun of everything from teenagers cell phone addiction to the president. New Rules finishes with a semi-serious dig and social commentary which proves to be Maher's issue of the week. All in all, a reasonably entertaining show considering it's subject matter. Not as funny as Jon Stewart but Maher goes a bit deeper in his hour than Stewart can.
