Is Bill Maher Quitting His Show ‘Real Time’?

Bill Maher has been hosting Real Time for over 20 years. Over the years, there have been rumors about the political satirist wanting to leave the show and what would happen next. Recently, Maher himself has shed some light on these claims.

Bill Maher Recently Spoke About Real Time With CNN’s Jake Tapper

Maher arguably first came to prominence as the host of Politically Incorrect for Comedy Central from 1993 to 1997. He would continue on in the show for ABC from 1997 to 2002.

The following year, Maher would go on to host Real Time. The HBO series would go on to have over 20 seasons. In addition to this, he has served as a political commentator for various networks over the years.

With Maher having hosted the show for over two decades, rumors have come out that the host might be considering retirement. Recently, Maher addressed these rumors while speaking with CNN.

Speaking with anchor Jake Tapper, “I don’t know where this started about I’m getting rid of Real Time. They’re going to have to drag me off of that show.”

As People noted, the rumors might have spread thanks to comments Maher made this past December. During an episode of his podcast, Club Random, Maher teased he “may quit” Real Time.

Real Time Is About To Enter Season 23

While talking to guest Jane Fonda, Maher mused that, with President Donald Trump returning to office, he’s already used a lot of material on the 45th turned 47th president. As he noted, “I may quit because I don’t want to do another.”

“I did Trump. I did all the Trump stuff before anybody.”

During the CNN interview, Tapper mentioned these comments. As he noted, “Well, you said something to Jane Fonda about — about thinking about that.”

Maher clarified that he was talking about his stand-up career. He explained, “OK. I am stopping doing stand-up, just because I’m tired of touring, just because I’ve been doing it for 40 years.”

“I love nothing more than being onstage somewhere telling jokes to strangers. It’s been my entire life. It’s been the most consistent thing in my life.”

“But for those people who say to me, ‘Why don’t you just do it a little bit?’ You can’t do it a little bit. Stand-up is like being a boxer. You have to be in training. You can’t just walk up there and do it.”

Real Time with Bill Maher is about to enter its 23rd season. It will premiere on HBO at 10:00 PM ET.

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