Talk:Bill Maher/Archive 6

Allegations by Johnsen
I would like to remove the following sentence: "Johnsen had previously accused another former boyfriend of rape and kidnapping in 1997, and the charges were later dismissed for lack of evidence." It is unrelated to the allegations against Maher and clearly establishes bias. Lack of evidence does not prove a pattern one way or the other, and in any case should not be stated in this article (it is already in hers). The fact that no action proceeded against Maher should stand by itself. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.234.125.91 (talk) 13:50, 2 December 2016 (UTC)
 * Further, if the insinuation is this is part of a pattern it should be stated explicitly and supported. Otherwise this is simply a stated fact meant to imply Johnsen is not to be believed. In any case this is more suited to her article. Why is a case predating their relationship relevant to Bill Maher? 99.234.122.127 (talk) 03:33, 3 December 2016 (UTC)
 * Reliable sources detailing Johnsen's allegations against Maher also detail her past allegations against others. So yeah, they are related according to reliable sources.  You are correct that lack of evidence doesn't prove a pattern one way or another, which is why our article doesn't say there is a pattern.  Wikipedia conveys what reliable sources say.  If you want to add that it is a part of a pattern, then provide the reliable sources saying so and add it to our article. Xenophrenic (talk) 00:53, 4 December 2016 (UTC)
 * Thank you for making an argument. However, a single source can say many things. If the contention is that this fact is related, it should be stated as such in the article and attributed to the source or Maher. As these are not exactly scholarly sources, I would be wary of enshrining such a connection in this article. One source is literally a celebrity gossip website. Need every assertion be included when it is clearly stated the case against Maher was dropped? 2607:FEA8:D5DF:F7E0:4C39:EFB:622D:7210 (talk) 01:07, 4 December 2016 (UTC)
 * You are asking the wrong person. There are several reliable sources which convey that Johnsen's past relationships are related to her brief relationship with Maher.  It is the sources, not me, which convey the information as related -- so you need to be making your argument with the reporting sources, not me.  In addition to those sources, Maher himself also mentions her past in his legal response to her claims (and he includes newspaper clippings about her past court attempts, see: court filing), so it is an integral part of Maher's legal response and was considered by the judge.  So the Zayden affair will certainly be mentioned in this article if the Johnsen lawsuit is mentioned at all.  We should be careful not to state as an assertion of fact that her Zayden allegations and her Maher allegations are part of a pattern - unless reliable sources convey exactly that. Regards, Xenophrenic (talk) 01:51, 4 December 2016 (UTC)

Sam Harris and Bill Maher categories
Hi, you reverted my category edits to Sam Harris and Bill Maher (I changed Category:Critics of religions to Category:Critics of Islam and Category:Critics of Christianity) to broaden the categories -- but Category:Critics of religions is a parent category of both these categories, so I felt these were more appropriate categories to use. --Jatkins (talk - contribs) 19:38, 13 February 2017 (UTC)
 * Hi, Jatkins. Maher and Harris criticize many religions, too many to list, and are indeed notable as "critics of religion" - not just one or two specific religions.  "Critics of religions" is the appropriate cat.  Regards, Xenophrenic (talk) 19:48, 13 February 2017 (UTC)

7} Atheist, apatheist agnostic,...and deist. There was a time when Maher refered to himself as and espoused Deist beliefs. That should be added to the article. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYW2xXxFVtU The above is but one example. There are a few other examples, that I'm having difficult tracking down, but remember, from the 90's/early 2000's where he actually used the label 'deist". Then in mid-2000's he moved towards agnostic than apatheist and then later in the 2000's he took on "atheist' as his label/belief — Preceding unsigned comment added by 142.13.26.224 (talk) 22:50, 15 February 2017 (UTC)

Maher Was Not All Responsible for the Scandal Which Brought Down Milo Yiannopoulos
His Real Time episode in fact aired after Reagan Battalion had leaked the videos. The episode merely fanned the fire.2601:447:4101:B820:A09F:AD15:63F0:AE0C (talk) 22:58, 4 June 2017 (UTC)

Racist jokes
Multiple news sources have reported on Mahers usage of racially charged material. Do not remove the information from the article or act like it is too controversial to be seen. 2600:6C46:4A00:131A:A51A:E207:5AAB:59B2 (talk) 18:01, 8 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Please see WP:UNDUE; putting a single controversial incident in a lead of a person (where WP:BLP must be followed) who most likely had many more controversial moments is very much undue weight. I wouldn't be opposed to a "Controversy" section, but if we do go that route, please get consensus here before adding it. Sky  Warrior  18:07, 8 July 2017 (UTC)
 * In that case I moved it to a new section. It's not controversial information. What he did is controversial. I'm just stating the facts. 2600:6C46:4A00:131A:A51A:E207:5AAB:59B2 (talk) 18:21, 8 July 2017 (UTC)
 * And I've deleted it again. Please do not edit war and refer to WP:BRD.   Cassianto Talk   19:44, 8 July 2017 (UTC)

External links modified
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Please add his opinions about these issues

 * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Atheism

Talk pages are more controversial, we must know the real Bill, not learn again what basic atheism is! We should add his quotations about the nonlayman aspects of atheism. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A02:2149:844B:600:E865:16E9:EDB6:2449 (talk) 02:06, 8 November 2017 (UTC)


 * You'll need 2 or 3 reliable sources to support your claim and community consensus to add what is considered trivia, this is an Encyclopedia you know. -  FlightTime  ( open channel ) 02:23, 8 November 2017 (UTC)

PETA and pro-choice
How can we best include his support for abortion in this article, contrasting his position with animal rights?MickeyDonald (talk) 01:58, 9 March 2018 (UTC)
 * First, he does not "support abortion" he supports the right of each woman to decide this issue for herself. Second, the only way any content can be added to the article is if you find a mainstream reliable source reference that states, explicitly, what is paraphrased in the article content. If you believe that there are such references, please present them here and explain what article content you believe they would support.  SPECIFICO talk 03:05, 9 March 2018 (UTC)


 * How's this? Is this reliable? It contrast his stance for rights for animals with death for human beings: "I'm for the death penalty, I'm pro-abortion, I'm pro-assisted suicide, I'm pro-regular suicide. Anything that'll get the traffic moving."   Source:  MickeyDonald (talk) 15:52, 12 March 2018 (UTC)
 * Stop this nonsense.   SPECIFICO talk 17:28, 12 March 2018 (UTC)

steve allen
steve allen links seem to not go through — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.209.197.234 (talk) 17:03, 24 April 2019 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 3 April 2019
(Introductory comment: I became aware of Bill Maher's association with Steve Allen when I viewed on Youtube a video clip of one of Steve Allen's shows -- "Steve Allen's Music Room." Here is that clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgjGEkzWiow&list=RDJgjGEkzWiow&start_radio=1  Mahr is first seen at about the 45 second mark and then comes and goes during the episode.  But, before that, I am pretty certain that Maher is the announcer. Guests on this episode included Doc Severinsen, Patti Page, and Ann Jillian.  When I saw this, I wasn't absolutely certain that it was Maher that I saw, but that sighting was confirmed when I read this account today: "After graduating (B.A., 1978), Maher became a regular in clubs throughout the country. He also made many appearances on The Tonight Show and came to the attention of Steve Allen, who cast him as his sidekick on the cable series Steve Allen’s Music Room." https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bill-Maher Steve Allen was not only himself an extremely talented and accomplished musician, comedian, composer, author, and playwright, but he recognized great talent in others.)

My suggestion is that this important part of Maher's early career be included in the Wikipedia bio, while updating at the same time. Perhaps the following edit would work:

Replace the first three sentences under the "Early Career" heading with:

After graduating from Cornell, Maher began his career as a comedian and actor. Maher became a regular in clubs throughout the country. He was host of the New York City comedy club Catch a Rising Star in 1979. He came to the attention of Steve Allen who cast him as his sidekick on the cable series Steve Allen’s Music Room (1984-1986). He also made many appearances on The Tonight Show (which was originated and first hosted by Steve Allen) and The Late Show, beginning in 1982 -- continuing for 37 years to the present time (2019). 72.28.182.30 (talk) 15:32, 3 April 2019 (UTC)
 * Pending-protection-unlocked.svg Not done: The page's protection level has changed since this request was placed. You should now be able to edit the page yourself. If you still seem to be unable to, please reopen the request with further details. DannyS712 (talk) 18:58, 2 May 2019 (UTC)

Vaccines on Nov 2019 show
Edited last sentence in Health Care section. In his blog, Gorski did argue that Gordon is anti-vaccine, saying that giving six vaccines that day was low for a pediatrician. But that does not mean Gordon is antivaccine. Gorski did not address the fact that Maher notes Gordon gives himself vaccines. Gordon said vaccines are important, “but we could do them better.” Considering Gordon is a living person, I think that characterization of Gordon as “antivaxx” is unsupported and thus I removed the modifier. I added “possibility of” to “a link btwn vaccines and autism” bc that is much more in line with what Gordon said. I have started a section on the talk page. Pls discuss there before reverting. Thank you. JustinReilly (talk) 22:56, 12 November 2019 (UTC)

On Bill Maher....
Bill Maher does NOT consider himself jewish. so for him to be tagged under 'jewish American comedians' is idiotic and I hope you see that....... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.226.21.114 (talk) 18:59, 9 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Source?  Cassianto Talk  19:00, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

here is the source!

https://www.rawstory.com/2014/11/jewmentia-jewish-bill-maher-cant-figure-out-why-people-think-hes-jewish/i jk

this text is found in the article!!!!!

''as Maher explained, “the third thing I think we have in common is that people think we’re Jewish and we’re not. We were both raised Catholic.” ''
 * We go by lineage, not religion. He is of Jewish decent. -  FlightTime  ( open channel ) 19:12, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

if....that is so...then how come there is no category for 'Irish American comedians' or 'Scottish American comedians'

just 'jewish American comedians'? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.226.21.114 (talk) 19:16, 9 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Don't know, I don't work categories. -  FlightTime  ( open channel ) 19:18, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

well flighttime I am sure that you can understand why I do not think he should go under the category especially since HE considers himself non-jewish and I honestly feel that that should be respected! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.226.21.114 (talk) 19:21, 9 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Well, you can think what you want, but we have guidelines tha we follow here. Also please don't go around changing people articles to what you think they should be. Thanx, -  FlightTime  ( open channel ) 19:26, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

I just fear that an agenda is being pushed here by someone (perhaps you) by calling the man a 'jewish comedian' when he clearly isn't. that is why I detest it so much flighttime..... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.226.21.114 (talk) 19:28, 9 February 2020 (UTC)


 * Can you prove the reliability of Raw Media?  Cassianto Talk  20:58, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

He said those words in the interview so if you find it “not reliable” I have to imagine you are trying to push some agenda on this man rather than accepting the facts - which is that he is NOT jewish! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.226.21.114 (talk) 21:45, 9 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Rather than insinuate that there is some sort of antisemetic agenda going on, can you answer the bloody question: Can you prove the reliability of Raw Media?  Cassianto Talk  21:49, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

Umm do you seriously want me to find the exact interview and video? Hahaha oh my gosh. That is rather petty.

Well I found. that it comes from the November 14 2014 episode but I do not know how to find the episode footage itself — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.226.21.114 (talk) 22:00, 9 February 2020 (UTC)
 * My advice to you would be to go away, find a reliable source, like a major news network or paper (not tabloid) and forget about Raw Media as that relies on left-wing conspiracy theories to fill its pages. By all means, then come back and I will check it and gladly put it in for you.  Cassianto Talk  22:06, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

My advice to you is stop being petty. I will try to find the FULL episode but it won’t be easy. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.226.21.114 (talk) 22:12, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

RawStory is a legit news source by the way. You just want to push your pro-jewish agenda on this man by trying to judaize him when he isn’t jewish. I also want to say I noticed you are semi-retired that is a good thing, you should go in to FULL retirement if you are going to push your agenda on people. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.226.21.114 (talk) 17:46, 10 February 2020 (UTC)

add Maher's Club Random to article?
(Going to sleep very soon and don't have time to add to article now.) Hoping someone can add Club Random to article. Just watched Bill Maher being interviewed on a recent Jimmy Kimmel Live (TV show) and interview includes talk of Maher project Club Random. URL at Maher's website is at https://billmaher.com/videos/club-random-videos/. Videos hosted at YouTube, where the channel is named "Club Random Podcast", but the series seems to be named "Club Random with Bill Maher". --EarthFurst (talk) 10:17, 5 May 2022 (UTC)

Is Bill Maher far-right?
A quick Google search of "Bill Maher far right" seems to turn up quite a bunch of sources that refer to him as such. Valgrus Thunderaxe (talk) 18:13, 13 November 2022 (UTC)
 * Sources, please. SPECIFICO talk 18:18, 13 November 2022 (UTC)
 * I don't see a single source calling him far-right. –CWenger (^ • @ ) 18:23, 13 November 2022 (UTC)

Howard Stern Feud
Maher and Howard Stern had a feud some time back. The two have long since reconciled. I am unable to find reference to this feud here. (Nor can I find it on the Howard Stern article.) I wish someone could mention the feud and explain what it was all about. How did it begin? How was it resolved? Allan Marain 16:57, 12 February 2023 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Marainlaw (talk • contribs)
 * What do you think is the significance of this real or staged show-biz flap? Is it an important part of Maher's life story? SPECIFICO talk 18:21, 12 February 2023 (UTC)


 * Without details of the feud, I am unable to assess its significance. Allan Marain 18:23, 13 February 2023 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Marainlaw (talk • contribs)

COVID-19 lab leak
The section on a COVID-19 lab leak hypothesis shouldn’t be under, or described as, a conspiracy theory. This seems to me like a legitimate hypothesis that a significant minority of scientists do, in fact, believe -- I don’t think there’s any academic consensus about this yet. 128.12.123.55 (talk) 10:42, 18 March 2023 (UTC)


 * and moved to the 'Health care' section accordingly. –CWenger ( ^ •  @ ) 17:19, 18 March 2023 (UTC)

Writers' strike bit
You recently added a single sentence about the reaction of the head of the Writers' Guild. Without more detail and context, it really doesn't tell the reader anything significant. Please incorporate a brief summary of the aspect of Maher's view and that reaction that esablishes WP:WEIGHT for this article and better informs our readers. SPECIFICO talk 14:37, 6 September 2023 (UTC)

Antecedent of "that"
The piece says,


 * ~"In 2019, during a "New Rules" segment of Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher stated that he questioned Stan Lee's legacy, that comic books are not literature, and that adult fans of comic books "need to grow up".

Suggest that the editor clarify what is the antecedent of the relative pronoun, that before comic books. As written the closest antecedent is legacy, but I doubt that such was the intention of the editor. (TerryKave (talk) 22:32, 10 December 2023 (UTC))


 * I think it's just listing 3 opinions from Maher: (1) he questioned Stan Lee's legacy, (2) he thinks comic books are not literature, and (3) he thinks adult fans of comic books "need to grow up". –CWenger ( ^ •  @ ) 01:37, 11 December 2023 (UTC)

No mention he's a conspiracy theorist?
He's definitely no Alex Jones but he is about one degree up from Joe Rogan for his penchant for pushing fringe theories especially around Covid or his virulent racism towards Asian countries' animal welfare (because the welfare of cats and dogs is virtuous compared to the welfare of cows, pigs and sheep in the American meat processing industry). His latest podcast with Seth Macfarlane has come under particular scrutiny for the utter bilge he was spouting about vaccines. In relation to this article, there is a normalcy projected here that does not address the fact that his views have become ensconced in conspiracy theories. I would like to point out it's quite noticeable; the disparity that this guy gets (who is politically aligned with the Democrats) with his watered-down pass of an article in comparison to Republican-aligned individuals who have shown interest in a QAnon topic because they are quickly labelled "supporters" of this conspiracy. Articles like this one on Maher show the inequity of this site where the lack of parity between topics of the same ilk make it look like articles have an agenda. WP:NPOV is all well and good, but it's what missing from the article that is just as conspicuous as to what is in them. The unbalanced views of Maher needs to be addressed, he might make an off-color remark in a joke but I think that's his shtick in getting a dubious point made that goes under the radar because it's meant for laughs not for commentary.147.147.221.201 (talk) 12:21, 5 January 2024 (UTC)