HBO Wednesday announced the renewal of “Real Time with Bill Maher” through the 2020 season, extending the comedy and current events show an additional two years beyond the previously announced renewal for 2018.
“We are incredibly proud to continue our longstanding relationship with Bill Maher,” said Casey Bloys, president of HBO programming. “As part of the HBO family for nearly 30 years, Bill’s distinctive point of view, coupled with his passion and commitment to insightful and informative entertainment, has remained unparalleled.”
“I’m extraordinarily grateful to HBO for one of the great relationships of my life, and I applaud their efforts to fight ageism by signing me to this extended deal,” said the 61-year-old Maher.
The deal also includes Maher’s 11th stand-up special on the network and a retrospective special highlighting memorable moments from previous seasons of “Real Time.”
Maher began hosting the show in 2003, more than a year after his run as the host of ABC’s “Politically Incorrect” came to an end amid controversial remarks about the 9/11 hijackers.
The comedian has occasionally been in hot water for various comments on “Real Time” as well, most recently in June when he was forced to apologize for using a racial slur for African Americans as part of an improvised joke.
“Real Time” is taped for live broadcast Friday nights at 7 p.m. from CBS Television City in Los Angeles.
–City News Service