Gov. Schweitzer, Joe Scarborough and Jason Alexander on HBO's Real Time, July 17

By April MacIntyre Jul 16, 2009, 4:31 GMT

US actor Jason Alexander, Maher\'s roundtable guests this week include Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas, Mont. Gov. Brian Schweitzer and actress Anna Deavere Smith; the interview guests are actor Jason Alexander and news anchor Joe Scarborough. EPA/JIM HOLLANDER

Bill Maher is baaaack finally after a few weeks off the air. 

Maher is the main event of the HBO Friday night fight card, and always mixes it up with politicians, actors, writers, pundits and in-the-trenches journalists.

"Real Time" continues its seventh season in prime time Friday, July 17 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), on HBO, with an instant replay at 11:00 p.m. following the live presentation. 

HBO's Bill Maher series continues to draw interesting guests who cut a wide swath of opinion and expertise.

"Real Time with Bill Maher" continues its seventh season with host Maher, who does not claim allegiance to either the Democrats or the GOP, and routinely takes Americans to task for laziness in educating themselves on diet.  The host is also an ardent animal rights proponent and underscores many of his interviews with his heartfelt belief that marijuana needs to be decriminalized.

Maher's roundtable guests this week include Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas, Mont. Gov. Brian Schweitzer and actress Anna Deavere Smith; the interview guests are actor Jason Alexander and news anchor Joe Scarborough.

Other HBO playdates:  July 19 (1:30 p.m., 3:00 a.m.), 20 (8:00 p.m.) and 22 (11:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates:  June 17 (3:30 a.m.), 18 (10:30 a.m., midnight), 19 (7:00 p.m.) and 21 (10:00 p.m.)