What is Real Time with Bill Maher about?

Each week Bill Maher surrounds himself with a panel of guests which include politicians, actors, comedians, musicians and the like to discuss what's going on in the world.

Real Time with Bill Maher

Name: Real Time with Bill Maher
Genre: Comedy, Talk
Released: 2003-02-21
Rating: 6.0
Cast: Bill Maher

"Let's get America re-hinged."

TV Show TV-MA 2003 6.0 /10 Returning

A HBO Original

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Not Currently Available On (7 platforms)

Streaming availability last verified: February 01, 2026

About Real Time with Bill Maher

Real Time with Bill Maher is a weekly HBO talk show that mixes monologue, interviews and an unscripted roundtable to respond to current events. Bill Maher opens with a topical monologue, then speaks one-on-one with a politician, author or entertainer, and wraps with a panel of comedians, journalists and public figures arguing over policy, scandals and pop culture. Conversations are often blunt and quick, with interruptions and heated exchanges that push guests to defend their views. The show doesn't hide Maher's perspective, and it often features a 'New Rules' monologue each week, which helps set the tone for the episode's debates, often.

Premiering on HBO in 2003, Real Time continued Bill Maher's brand of political comedy for cable television. The series is filmed before a live audience and airs weekly, maintaining a looser, more uncensored tone than network talk shows.

Over its long run the show and Maher have received recognition from television industry bodies, earning several nominations across awards seasons. That attention reflects peer acknowledgment of the program's production and influence, even as its partisan stance and abrasive interviews draw continued debate.

Real Time has produced memorable exchanges and headline-making interviews that have entered political conversation. The 'New Rules' segment and viral moments from contentious panels have fed late-night riffs, internet memes and opinion pieces, making the show a frequent reference point in discussions about media, free speech and public argument.

Critics and viewers respond unevenly, reflected in its relatively modest vote average of 6.041/10 from 230 votes. Fans praise direct debate and late-night satire, while detractors fault perceived bias and abrasive tone. The show centers on politics, cultural criticism and the limits of provocative commentary in a polarized media climate.

Details

Release Date: February 21, 2003
Rating: TV-MA
User Ratings: 231 votes
Type: TV Series
Seasons: 24
Episodes: 718
Network: HBO
Status: Returning Series
Genres: Comedy, Talk
Country: United States
Studio: Bill Maher Productions +3 more
External Links: View on IMDB

Cast

Bill Maher

Self - Host

Seasons (24 seasons, 718 episodes)

Season 1

20 episodes - 2003

Season 2

23 episodes - 2004

Season 3

23 episodes - 2005

Season 4

24 episodes - 2006

Season 5

24 episodes - 2007

Season 6

27 episodes - 2008

Season 7

31 episodes - 2009

Season 8

25 episodes - 2010

Season 9

35 episodes - 2011

Season 10

35 episodes - 2012

Season 11

35 episodes - 2013

Season 12

35 episodes - 2014

Season 13

35 episodes - 2015

Season 14

38 episodes - 2016

Season 15

35 episodes - 2017

Season 16

35 episodes - 2018

Season 17

35 episodes - 2019

Season 18

35 episodes - 2020

Season 19

35 episodes - 2021

Season 20

35 episodes - 2022

Season 21

24 episodes - 2023

Season 22

36 episodes - 2024

Season 23

35 episodes - 2025

S24

Season 24

3 episodes - 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Real Time with Bill Maher is available to stream on Max. You can also rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, Real Time with Bill Maher is available to stream on Max.

Yes, you can buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Real Time with Bill Maher has 24 seasons with a total of 718 episodes.

With a rating of 6.0/10 from 231 viewers, Real Time with Bill Maher is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

Real Time with Bill Maher stars Bill Maher.

Real Time with Bill Maher was released on February 21, 2003.

Real Time with Bill Maher is a Comedy and Talk series.

Real Time with Bill Maher is a weekly talk show built around panel discussions, where Bill Maher and several guests talk about current events. Guests include politicians, actors, comedians, musicians and others, and conversations often focus on politics and pop culture.

As of the provided data, Real Time with Bill Maher has 24 seasons and 716 episodes. The show has been running since 2003.

Bill Maher appears as himself and serves as the show's host. He moderates the panels and leads discussions on topical issues each week.

Real Time with Bill Maher has a rating of 6.041 out of 10. That figure reflects the provided aggregated score.