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Ron Howard and writer Gore Vidal join Bill Maher, April 10 on HBO

By April MacIntyre Apr 10, 2009, 2:24 GMT

Bill Maher. Serving as moderator, commentator and satirist, Maher doles out his unique perspective on contemporary issues via an opening monologue, roundtable discussions with panelists, "New Rules" and interviews with in-studio and satellite guests. EPA/Darren Decker / AMPAS

Bill Maher is back on HBO for his Friday night wrap up of news, trends and analysis with some of the most diverse opinions and voices out there.

Now in prime time, Real Time with Bill Maher continues its seventh season Friday, April 10 (10:00-11:00 p.m. live ET/tape-delayed PT), on HBO, with an instant replay at 11:00 p.m., following the live presentation. 

Serving as moderator, commentator and satirist, Maher doles out his unique perspective on contemporary issues via an opening monologue, roundtable discussions with panelists, "New Rules" and interviews with in-studio and satellite guests.

The roundtable guests this week include director Ron Howard and writer Gore Vidal.

Vidal penned an essay a little over a year ago after the death of nemesis William F. Buckley, who he debated with vigorously.  Vidal writes of Newsweek magazine and their coverage of Buckley's death:

    "But why is Newsweek currently lousy? Here's an example provided by an editor   who keeps a sharp eye on their crimes. He sent me their recent obituary of William F. Buckley, a hero to those who feared democracies.   Buckley bridled at bullies [we are assured]. But one of the rare times he lost his temper was debating Gore Vidal, who 'got under his skin,' says son Chris. When Vidal called Buckley a 'crypto-Nazi,' Buckley responded, 'Now listen, you queer, you stop calling me a crypto-Nazi or I'll sock you in your goddamn face and you'll stay plastered.'  But usually his public manners were genteel [I think they mean gentile]."...Unknown to them and everyone else who might read that publication, my views on many matters do not conform to the tired hacks who've taken over Newsweek, a magazine that has convinced itself that Bobby Kennedy Sr. was a great liberal. They love throwing about misunderstood terms like liberal and conservative that seldom suit their superficial, not to mention malicious, standards..."

Ron Howard was recently announced to direct Image Comics’ graphic novel “The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft,” which is set to hit shelves this April.  According to Variety, Universal and Howard's company Imagine Entertainment have bought the rights to the novel, and are planning it as a director’s vehicle for Howard.

The graphic novel is described as a nod to the classic Universal horror movies like Dracula and Frankenstein. The story is a bit of a Roman à clef of Lovecraft; his nightmares come to life, and the evils of his imagination are set loose upon the world.  The premise borrows elements of his real life, such as family mental illness and his writer’s block.

Maher is a favorite of HBO viewers since his first special on the network in 1989, Maher’s other HBO credits include six hour-long specials.  Maher also starred in the recent feature film “Religulous.”

Other HBO playdates:  April 12 (1:00 p.m., 1:40 a.m.), 13 (10:30 p.m.) and 15 (11:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates:  April 10 (2:15 a.m.), 11 (10:30 a.m., midnight), 12 (7:00 p.m.), 13 (8:00 p.m.) and 14 (10:30 p.m.)