UPDATE: HBO released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter calling Maher’s remarks “completely inexcusable and tasteless” and removing his comment from future airings of the episode.
Comic Bill Maher has never been one to filter what comes out of his mouth, having been in countless controversies for what he’s said on his HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” and his previous show “Politically Incorrect.“
The latest dust up came on his show Friday night when interviewing Republican Senator Ben Sasse.
Sasse was on the show promoting his new book, “The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance,” when he told Maher he should visit his state of Nebraska and “work in the fields.” Maher responded by saying, “Senator, I’m a house n—-r.” Sasse gave a nervous laugh as the audience applauded.
Maher said what he said was just a joke.
But people watching weren’t laughing as many tweeted their disgust.
Warning: There’s explicit language in the video below.
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But really, @BillMaher has got to go. Thereare no explanations that make this acceptable. pic.twitter.com/K5XlEjekQ9
— deray mckesson (@deray) June 3,2017
But really, @BillMaher has got to go. Thereare no explanations that make this acceptable. pic.twitter.com/K5XlEjekQ9
Unacceptable. And the audience applauds!?! So hurtful. https://t.co/V5yAk9C9ON
— Danielle Brooks (@thedanieb) June 3, 2017
Today is the day Bill Maher became president.
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 3, 2017
And Chance the Rapper feels HBO should fire Maher:
Please @HBO Do Not Air Another Episode Of Real Time With Bill Maher.
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) June 3, 2017
After getting off a plane from being on the show, Senator Sasse took to Twitter to give his thoughts:
Am walking off a redeye from LAX.
3 reflections on @billmaher
1. I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines.— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
2. But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn’t good enough.
(2of4?) https://t.co/e4Bw8s8tV2— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
3. Here’s what I wish I’d been quick enough to say in the moment: “Hold up, why would you think it’s OK to use that word?…
(3of4?) https://t.co/mQL6wMEd7W— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
(4of4)
"…The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don't use it.” https://t.co/kEZm5vPFHK— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
Het bericht Bill Maher used the N-word on his show, HBO calls it ‘completely inexcusable’ verscheen eerst op Business Insider.