Parents' Guide to

Real Time with Bill Maher

By Will Wade, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Mature, profane political comedy for grown-ups.

TV HBO Comedy 2003
Real Time with Bill Maher Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 17+

Based on 7 parent reviews

age 18+

A twisted propaganda show

Another type of reality show. A changing group of propagandists acting as political experts pushing the corrupt democratic liberal agenda and a good portion of the uneducated and children of our country are sucking it up like people who believe professional wrestling is real. Wake up people think for yourselfs.
age 16+

The one show that HBO needs to apologize for

When I was younger I liked Bill. Enjoyed Religulous (although he did the documentary using only the most radical of religions and not every day people. Bill Maher has become an extremist and hateful. he is not providing truth but invoking more hate and perpetuating lies. If a person like me can research stories and find the truth so should he and his staff. I will quickly turn the channel when it comes on. he is a liar

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7):
Kids say (5):

Maher aims both high and below the belt. His barbs demand that viewers be up to date on current events -- if not, they won't get many of his rapid-fire jokes. In fact, he's so quick-witted that even sharp viewers may have trouble keeping up with all the references to pop culture, political infighting, and the latest juicy scandals, but those who can follow along will enjoy the ride. Maher makes no effort to hide either his left-wing views or his contempt for politicians who misuse their authority or fail to live up to his expectations -- but he also praises those who do their job without kowtowing to special interests or succumbing to the temptations of power.

Maher also expects his audience to have plenty of tolerance for blue humor. His jokes are profane and riddled with explicit sexual references, and he often pokes fun at the use and abuse of alcohol and other intoxicants. It's funny, but it's very much aimed at adults. And though he sometimes misses (Maher came under fire shortly after the Sept. 11 terror attacks when he appeared to defend the terrorists by saying that flying planes into buildings was "not cowardly"), most of his jokes are dead-on.

TV Details

  • Premiere date: February 21, 2003
  • Cast: Bill Maher
  • Network: HBO
  • Genre: Comedy
  • TV rating: TV-MA
  • Last updated: February 3, 2023

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