Guest
Bill Maher
Bill Maher is a comedian, talk-show host, and professional irritant best known for making politics feel like a nightclub argument.
Circuit updated August 1, 2026
Every appearance, the moment worth your time
- Bill Maher says he made his early career harder by openly hating his audience
“They're not laughing. Everyone's too stupid for what I do.” 0:09
- Bill Maher says his high school talent show was canceled after he stole a risqué Johnny Carson joke
“Well, the first time on stage was in high school.” 0:03
Notable quotes
-
“If you are willing to go back into the ring after you get your dick knocked in the dirt, you have a good chance of of getting somewhere.”
Bill Maher · Read the story -
“I was many people just grinned all the way through it as you should. Uh I just was thick and brash or whatever.”
Bill Maher · Read the story -
“Not because I was bad. I just stole my jokes from the Tonight Show.”
Bill Maher · Read the story -
“They're not laughing. Everyone's too stupid for what I do.”
Bill Maher · Read the story -
“Well, the first time on stage was in high school.”
Bill Maher · Read the story -
“Cuz I'm calling their daughter a [ __ ]”
Bill Maher · Read the story
All coverage
Culture
Bill Maher says he made his early career harder by openly hating his audience
The late-night host tells Lisa Kudrow that his refusal to smile through a bad set made his rise in comedy much more difficult than it had to be.
Comedy
Bill Maher says his high school talent show was canceled after he stole a risqué Johnny Carson joke
Maher’s first cancellation story is less a free-speech epic than a very on-brand origin myth: a teenage comic, a Carson bit, and a room full of parents who were not having it.