Al Franken Backs Out of Bill Maher Show in Wake of N-Word Backlash
Senator was scheduled to appear on Friday’s episode of HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher”
Nigel M. Smith | June 5, 2017 @ 1:41 PM
Last Updated: June 5, 2017 @ 2:01 PM
Senator Al Franken will no longer be appearing on Friday’s episode of “Real Time With Bill Maher,” in the latest sign of backlash to Maher’s use of the N-word on last week’s show.
A spokesperson for Franken confirmed the decision to the Huffington Post in a statement: “Senator Franken believes that what Bill Maher said was inappropriate and offensive, which is why he made the decision not to appear on the next episode of ‘Real Time.’ He was glad to see Bill, who the Senator considers to be a good friend, apologize and express sincere regret for his comment.”
On Friday’s episode of the HBO show, Maher joked that he was a “house n—-r” while speaking with Republican Senator Ben Sasse, a guest on the talk program. Maher later apologized for his remark, calling his use of the term “offensive.”
“Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I’m up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn’t have said on my live show,” Maher said Saturday through a spokesperson. “Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry.”
HBO issued a statement immediately following the episode, blasting his comment as “tasteless” and “completely inexcusable” and removing that portion of the interview from future broadcasts.
Symone Sanders, an activist and former national press secretary for Bernie Sanders, is still scheduled to appear on Friday’s episode. She stressed in an email to the Huffington Post that she hopes to discuss Maher’s use of the racial slur.
“I thought Maher’s comment, Ben Sasse’s reaction and the crowd’s applause were all equally distasteful, inappropriate and offensive,” she said. “I am glad Maher too recognized as such and issued an apology.
“I look forward to a dialogue about it and other pressing issues of the week on Friday. The -word is not a joke to be thrown about and it is never OK to make light of slavery and/or the experiences of enslaved people.”
Ice Cube, former Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.) and journalist David Gregory are also scheduled to join her as guests.
11 Times Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect Comments Sparked Outrage (Photos)
Comedian Bill Maher has made a career of saying things that could come back to haunt him, both on his former ABC show "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" and on his current HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher." Though Maher prides himself on being politically incorrect, there have been plenty of times he's said offensive things that got him into hot water. Here's a look at 11 of them.
HBO
11. Maher interviews alt-right darling Milo Yiannopoulos After Milo’s speech at Berkeley University was canceled because of protests that included a few small fires and thrown objects, Maher brought the alt-right idol in for an interview. Though Milo’s anti-feminism, anti-transgender and anti-Muslim positions are well known -- as is his role in the harassment-focused online movement known as GamerGate -- Maher offered almost no pushback against Milo. Read more here.
HBO
10. Maher jokes about Tila Tequila being assaulted In 2009, news broke that Tila Tequila claimed she’d been assaulted by then-boyfriend and San Diego Charger Shawne Merriman. Maher responded with a joke many found sexist: “New rule: Stop acting surprised someone choked Tila Tequila! The surprise is that someone hasn’t choked this bitch sooner.”
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9. Maher claims Hillary Clinton cried for political gain During the 2008 presidential campaign, Maher tore into Clinton. In what many read as a sexist remark, Maher said women use crying to win arguments and accused Clinton of crying on the campaign trail for the same reason. Watch the clip here.
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8. Maher says millions of Muslims supported the “Charlie Hebdo” attacks Maher has a long history of being highly critical of religion and, in recent years, of Islam in particular. In the wake of the 2015 “Charlie Hebdo” attack in France, Maher said “hundreds of millions” of Muslims supported the violence, in which 12 people were killed and 11 more were injured. Watch the clip.
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7. He gets into an Islamophobia argument with Ben Affleck On a panel with actor Ben Affleck and author Sam Harris, Maher defended Harris’ assertions about Islam, including when Harris said “Islam at this moment is the mother lode of bad ideas.” The discussion turned into a shouting match, as Affleck quickly challenged the stance and bigotry related to discussions of Islam. Watch the clip here.
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6. Maher compares One Direction’s Zayn Malik to Boston Marathon bomber Singer Zayn Malik quit the band One Direction, prompting a few jokes from Maher during an episode. But people were angered when Maher asked, “Where were you during the Boston Marathon,” placing an image of Malik beside one of bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Many saw the joke as one mocking both Malik’s appearance and his Muslim faith. Watch the clip.
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5. He defends Bill O’Reilly’s joke about Maxine Waters After former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly said Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ hair looked like a “James Brown wig,” Maher came to his defense on “Real Time.” Maher’s point: liberals can’t take a joke. Many criticized O’Reilly’s joke to be racist, and he later apologized. Watch the clip here.
HBO
4. Maher says dogs are like children with mental disabilities In the middle of making some point about how he’s not lauded enough for raising dogs, Maher said dogs are “like retarded children.” Guests floundered both to address Maher’s use of the offensive word and the much more offensive comparison of children with disabilities to animals. Watch the clip.
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3. ...And makes fun of Sarah Palin’s son Trig Maher pushed that button again when he referred to Trig as “it” and said he “looks a lot like John Edwards.” Watch the clip here.
HBO
2. Maher says 9/11 terrorists weren’t cowardly Maher's ABC show “Politically Incorrect" was canceled in June 2002 after what he later explained was his attempt to level criticism against the American military. Less than a week after Sept. 11, 2001, Maher said the terrorists who stayed aboard planes were “warriors,” adding that the U.S. had been cowardly for firing cruise missiles at enemies “from 2,000 miles away.” The comment caused a row, as advertisers pulled out of the show. Watch the clip.
The “Real Time” host has said the n-word on TV… and a lot more
Comedian Bill Maher has made a career of saying things that could come back to haunt him, both on his former ABC show "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" and on his current HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher." Though Maher prides himself on being politically incorrect, there have been plenty of times he's said offensive things that got him into hot water. Here's a look at 11 of them.