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Bill Maher full interview on Leno, takes on Palin, Gibson, religious dogma

By April MacIntyre Sep 14, 2010, 15:43 GMT

08/29/2010 - Bill Maher and guest - 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards - HBO\'s Post Award Reception - Arrivals - The Plaza at the Pacific Design Center - Los Angeles, CA, USA © Keadrick D. Washington / PR Photos

HBO star, author, filmmaker and comedian Bill Maher was doing what he does best on last night’s Tonight show with Jay Leno.

Not one to suffer any perceived fools, Bill rants about Mel Gibson, Sarah Palin and a whole host of other things in his interview from last night.

Maher's Emmy curse is in the news as well.  Maher has been nominated 22 times — 11 for "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," nine for "Real Time with Bill Maher," and twice for comedy specials, but he is the Susan Lucci of TV comedians.

The Hollywood Reporter interviewed Maher, who believes that religious Emmy voters refuse to vote for him because of his atheism.

"A panel of like 10 people watches one tape," he said. "If half of those people are religious, that probably eliminates me right there. A lot of people wouldn't vote for such an outspoken atheist, someone who made 'Religulous.'"

Christopher Hitchens, a frequent panel guest and favorite guest of Maher's, is also an atheist. Maher told THR he hopes to have him on his show this season eight on HBO (debuts this Friday September 17 on HBO).  "I expect him to be back on our panel, if not this season then next. People wish the fear that drives them their whole life would now drive him, because he's got cancer. But he's not a fearful guy, so it's not going to happen"

Maher was on Leno, here is what he had to say:

Part 1: Bill Maher's equal opportunity rant on religion, Sarah Palin and Mel Gibson.

Bill Maher continued

Part 2: Bill Maher talks President Obama, Birthers and Churchers and The Undercover Brother.