DVD Reviews

Bill Maher: But I'm Not Wrong – DVD Review

By June L. Sep 20, 2010, 16:11 GMT

A comic force, multi-Emmy® nominee Bill Maher (Real Time with Bill Politically Incorrect ) is in his true element — stand-up comedy — in this freewheeling, no-holds-barred performance before a packed house in Raleigh, North Carolina. In this live show, Bill fearlessly and hilariously lets loose on a comprehensive set of unique insights and controversial topics: the“Great Recession,” fake patriotism, President Obama, Michael Jackson, the drug war, health care, the ...more

Comedian Bill Maher’s latest comedy special for HBO “But I’m Not Wrong” is out on DVD, and his fans should be pleased.  It is 80 minutes of commentary and reflections about what is right and what is wrong in 21st Century America. 

Filmed live in Raleigh, North Carolina, Bill Maher visits politics, social issues, ideas, beliefs, celebrities and much more to make a statement about life in our times.
 
Watching Bill Maher is rather like eating caviar.  Some people will tell you it is the most wonderful thing in the world, while others may say it is very bad.  If you’ve tried caviar once, you pretty much know if you love it or hate it, and yet there will be people who profess to either point of view with vehemence - even though you know that they have an opinion entirely opposite.  Got that? 

Well, Bill Maher is funny, and like caviar his humor may be an acquired taste for some.  He can say outrageous things, but if you are the type of person who can relax and laugh at himself or herself, and the foibles of human nature, you might find that his comedy is both entertaining and enlightening.  If you are a rigid adherent to one point of view only, pass on this comedy special.

It must take an enormous amount of energy to do a standup routine, solo, on stage for more than an hour with only a few breaks to sip on water.  Bill Maher is a master of this type of entertainment, and although he may say something that causes viewers to catch their breath with surprise, if you really listen to what he is saying and the context in which he is expressing his point of view, you may understand if not always agree with him. 

People are absurd, and whether they are Repulican, Democrat, Christian, Jew, from the North, from the West, rich, poor, celebrity or ordinary guy, none of us are perfect.  We all make dumb mistakes in the way we do things whether it is in our work or our home lives, and if we are in front of the public eye, someone is going to point these stupid things out. 

With humor and very little mean spiritedness, Bill Maher is an expert at finding the flaws and cracking our oh so superior images.  Language can get a bit rough, as stage shows do, but for any thinking adult, this should be an entertaining journey.

Bill Maher: But I'm Not Wrong is presented on single disc with a running time of 80 minutes.  There are no special features, which is a bit disappointing, as interviews with the star are always intriguing. 

There is an encore to the performance which is the most over-the-top element of the show.  It might have seemed like a really funny idea on paper, but it did push the bounds just a little. 

The rest of the bits and jokes range from hysterically funny to slightly uncomfortable as Mr. Maher can hit zingers close to home for many people’s pet projects and beliefs. 

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and it is rare that we hear one given with such clever crafting of words and ideas.  Some may be reminded of the late lamented George Carlin, who was always able to say so much with just the right punch.

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