Smallscreen News
'Real Time with Bill Maher' hosts Hagel and Bernstein
By Stone Martindale Sep 17, 2007, 13:55 GMT
US Senator Chuck Hagel (Republican- Nebraska) (R) EPA/MELISSA GOLDEN
The Emmy "bridesmaid" Bill Maher welcomed actor Drew Carey, journalist Carl Bernstein, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). and via live feed the writer, Robert Draper and the engaging Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE).
The show was one of the best ones of the season so far, the mics were on the guests properly, nobody overtly messed up cues or audio. Good job.
Bill Maher was denied once again for an Emmy last night. After losing two noms tonight for writing and producing "Real Time with Bill Maher," he has now surpassed Angela Lansbury as the biggest loser in Emmy history.
Maher's nominations are for a mix of producing, writing and performance. Maher's snubs total 19.
Bill Maher took a swipe at the previous guest, Mos Def and others who believe in conspiracy regarding the 9/11 attacks.
He lambasted the kooks of the 9/11 "Truth movement" in his "New Rules" segment.
"Crazy people who still think the government brought down the Twin Towers in a controlled explosion have to stop pretending that I'm the one who's being naive," says Maher.
"How big a lunatic do you have to be to watch two giant airliners packed with jet fuel slam into buildings on live TV, igniting a massive inferno that burned for two hours, and then think 'Well, if you believe that was the cause...'
Stop asking me to raise this ridiculous topic on the show and start asking your doctor if Paxil is right for you."
Retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel's segment was especially poignant, and made Carl Bernstein note that news was being made.
Hagel told Bill Maher why the president’s exploitation of Gen. Petraeus is “not only a dirty trick, but it’s dishonest, it’s hypocritical, it’s dangerous and irresponsible. The fact is, this is not Petraeus’ policy, it’s Bush’s policy.”
Hagel, who says he’s not running because he is “looking for some honest work,” also argues that the Iraq war—and the decision to continue the war—will go down as “the biggest foreign policy blunder in the history of our country.”
