Bill Maher’s “Real Time” returns to HBO this Friday, and if the guest list is any indication, it’s shaping up to be a lively one. California Governor Gavin Newsom, fresh off his podcasting duties on “This is Gavin Newsom,” takes the hot seat for a one-on-one with Maher, a pairing that practically guarantees some sparks.
Given Maher’s penchant for skewering political correctness and Newsom’s own navigation of the California political landscape, the conversation could veer anywhere from the state’s ongoing challenges to the broader national discourse. But if there’s one topic Maher seems particularly keen on dissecting these days, it’s the ever-thorny issue of cancel culture.
And who better to join that discussion than his handpicked panel: John McWhorter, a linguist and contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, and Rikki Schlott, a columnist for the New York Post. McWhorter’s book “Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words” and Schlott’s co-authored work “The Canceling of the American Mind,” suggest that the gloves will be off when it comes to debating free speech, political correctness, and the state of public discourse. With such divergent perspectives, it’s unlikely anyone will be agreeing on everything.
As always, “Real Time” will feature Maher’s signature opening monologue, likely touching on the week’s absurdities, before moving to the Newsom interview and the panel discussion. And of course, no episode would be complete without a fresh batch of “New Rules.”
“Real Time with Bill Maher” airs Friday, March 28th at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT on HBO and streams on Max.
