Bill Maher has been raising eyebrows and turning heads before many of us were even born. Now, it looks like big bad Bill has done it again. On Friday night’s Real Time, The HBO political pundit spoke to Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska. Sounds boring, huh? Not when Mr. Controversy himself has a live microphone. Here is a guy who referred to the Quran as a “hate-filled holy book.” Yikes! What else will this guy say?
Apparently, a conversation about adults wearing Halloween costumes veered off into making a tongue-in-cheek slavery joke while using a variation of the “n-word.” He saw an opportunity to jump on race-related humor from a seemingly obscure conversation and he took it.
Here’s a snippet of the conversation:
“SASSE: “It’s frowned upon. We don’t do that quite as much.”
MAHER: “I’ve got to get to Nebraska more.”
SASSE: “You’re welcome. We’d love to have you work in the fields with us.”
MAHER: “Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house n*gga.””
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfdI4hsT_cQ
Many studio audience members laughed and clapped. Some groaned and then let out a reluctant laugh. Others left it at a groan or remained silent.
The senator did responded to Maher’s off-putting, taboo racial humor by saying, “No, it’s not a joke.”
Sasse later on Twitter to better address the incident. The senator condemned these remarks. Later, the internet responded with some real comedy. But first let’s check out the senator’s tweets…
Am walking off a redeye from LAX.
3 reflections on @billmaher
1. I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines.— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
2. But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn’t good enough.
(2of4?) https://t.co/e4Bw8s8tV2— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
3. Here’s what I wish I’d been quick enough to say in the moment: “Hold up, why would you think it’s OK to use that word?…
(3of4?) https://t.co/mQL6wMEd7W— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
(4of4)
"…The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don't use it.” https://t.co/kEZm5vPFHK— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
People on the internet were bothered by Maher’s casual use of the “n-word,” especially while making a slavery pun. Some of these Tweets are pretty funny too.
Bill Maher is that white dude in high school that thinks he got his honorary black card because he fist bumps black ppl all the time.
— 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐤𝐲 𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦 🏳️🌈 (@disco_socialist) June 3, 2017
Me after watching that clip of Bill Maher pic.twitter.com/y099nvBsp0
— b-boy bouiebaisse (@jbouie) June 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/pixelatedboat/status/870880256273424384
the only shocking thing about Bill Maher saying the n word on air is that he hasn't done it before now
— Sarah Jones (@onesarahjones) June 3, 2017
Oh? Some of you are just now discovering Bill Maher is a heap of flaming hot trash, huh? pic.twitter.com/ZfTO7IFgLJ
— Copy McPasty, Writer (@KashannKilson) June 3, 2017
*opens twitter*
"bill maher just called himself a house nig-"
*shuts off phone*
*lays burdens down by riverside*
*walks into water*— shalewa sharpe aka yung star krunch (@silkyjumbo) June 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/ira/status/870885265589493760
The only thing Bill Maher could say that'd shock me would be a good joke.
— Mike Ginn (@shutupmikeginn) June 3, 2017
speaking from personal experience, bill maher is hilarious if you’re 14, don’t know anyone without a garage, and think doing drugs is comedy
— Jon Bois (@jon_bois) June 3, 2017
I'm upset that Bill Maher has a show, but only because so many people have kept watching him after he's shown his bigoted ass over & over
— Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) June 3, 2017
Yep, Bill really knows how to stir the pot. You should see what this guy said less than a week after September 11th, 2001. That guy can piss people off no matter the year. I wonder what type of sh*t will come out of his mouth next…
Update: The next thing that came out of Mr. Maher’s mouth is an apology. I wonder what Ice Cube has to say about all this…
