MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO SEMINAR SERIES, THE: A CONVERSATION WITH BILL MAHER
Summary
One in this series of seminars conducted by The Museum of Television & Radio. This seminar, held in Los Angeles and moderated by Los Angeles Museum vice president and director Steven A. Bell, features a conversation with stand-up comedian/political satirist Bill Maher, who hosts the show "Politically Incorrect."
After some opening remarks, Bell introduces a highlight tape featuring clips of Maher's work throughout his career. Highlights include the following: appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, and 1991; "Sara" (1985); "Comic Relief VI" (1994); "Bill Maher: The Golden Goose Special" (1997); and "Politically Incorrect" in 1995, 1997, 1998, and 1999. Bell then introduces Maher, who discusses the following topics, among others: his response to viewing his work from the past; whether his description of "Politically Incorrect" when it first aired is still valid; whether television audiences in general are more politically aware; President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial as a source of material for the show; the qualities he looks for in a guest; the use of shock value on the show; how often conversations between guests about particular topics have to be edited; whether the show can get away with more risque topics because of its time slot; whether the show would work even better if it was an hour; the most frequent guest on the show; whether guests who appear multiple times lose their spontaneity; the reasons some celebrities reject his requests to appear on the show; whether the show would have worked had it begun on a national network; the differences between doing the show on a national and a cable network; at what age he knew he wanted to be a comedian; the influence of his parents' personalities on his career; the major influences on his life; whether he still enjoys doing stand-up comedy; and his feelings about being called a "controversial comedian." Following these comments, Maher then fields questions from the audience which lead to a discussion of the following topics, among others: whether he would be interested in moving the show onto a cable network; the average life span of a topic that comes from current events; whether the show's name has become an oxymoron in light of what is happening in the political world; the amount of research he puts into the show; whether he ever gets nervous about a lawsuit being brought against him; how long he thinks he'll continue to do the show; and whether there is anyone banned from appearing on the show. As the seminar concludes, a cake and a bottle of Jack Daniels are brought out to celebrate Maher's birthday.
(Contains adult-oriented language.)
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: January 20, 1999 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:18:27
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:55904
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Steven A. Bell … Moderator
- Bill Maher … Guest