Bill Maher Apologizes for ‘Real Time’ Racial Slur

By Michael Malone
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

Bill Maher, host of Real Time on HBO, apologized Saturday for using a racial slur while speaking with Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska during a live broadcast. The slur happened a little after 10 p.m. Friday. 

HBO said Maher’s remark was “completely inexcusable and tasteless,” and that it would be edited out of future airings.

Maher said in a statement: “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. 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.”

Michael Malone
Michael Malone

Michael Malone, senior content producer at B+C/Multichannel News, covers network programming, including entertainment, news and sports on broadcast, cable and streaming; and local broadcast television. He hosts the podcasts Busted Pilot, about what’s new in television, and Series Business, a chat with the creator of a new program, and writes the column “The Watchman.” He joined B+C in 2005. His journalism has also appeared in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Playboy and New York magazine.