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David Simon, Christine O’Donnell on Real Time on HBO, Friday

By April MacIntyre Sep 6, 2012, 20:05 GMT

Bill Maher (L) and Chris Matthews - "Hardball" Interview with Bill Maher at Exposition Park in Los Angeles on May 17, 2011 - Exposition Park - Los Angeles, CA, USA © Claudio Uema / PR Photos

Friday night is owned by HBO's Bill Maher, who speaks truth to power and holds court with liberal to conservative pundits and celebrities as they dissect the headlines and trends of the moment.

On Sept. 7, the roundtable guests are political strategist Steve Schmidt, Politico co-founder Jim VandeHei and Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor of The Nation; former Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell and David Simon, creator of “The Wire” and co-creator of “Treme,” are interview guests.

The series continues its tenth season on Friday (10:00-11:00 p.m. live ET/tape-delayed PT), exclusively on HBO, with an instant replay at 11:00 p.m. following the live presentation. Allowing Maher to offer his unique perspective on contemporary issues, the show includes an opening monologue, roundtable discussions with panelists, and interviewswith in-studio and satellite guests.

Bill Maher has been favorite of subscribers since his first special on the network in 1989, starring in nine solo specials, including the hour-long presentations “Bill Maher…But I’m Not Wrong,” “The Decider” and “I’m Swiss” (both nominated for an Emmy® in the Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special category), “Victory Begins at Home,” “Be More Cynical,” “The Golden Goose Special” and “Stuff That Struck Me Funny,” and two half-hour stand-up specials, plus the specials “30 Seconds Over Washington” and “Comic Relief VI™.”

He was the creator and host of “Politically Incorrect,” which was produced by HBO Downtown Productions and debuted on Comedy Central in 1993. The series moved to ABC in 1997 and ran through 2002.

His latest book, “The New New Rules: A Funny Look at How Everybody but Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass,” was published in November 2011 and made the New York Times bestseller list. Maher’s 2006 book, “New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer,” also made the New York Times list, as well as bestseller lists across the country. He is also author of the books “When You Ride Alone You Ride with Bin Laden: What the Government Should Be Telling Us to Help Fight the War on Terrorism,” “Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? The Best of Politically Incorrect” and the novel “True Story.” Maher produced and starred in the 2008 feature film “Religulous,” the seventh most successful documentary of all time.

            For more information on REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER, please visit www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher. Facebook page: facebook.com/Maher. Twitter: @Realtimers.

            Other HBO playdates: Sept. 9 (1:45 p.m., 11:15 p.m.), 10 (8:00 p.m.) and 12 (11:00 p.m.)

            HBO2 playdates: Sept. 7 (2:25 a.m.), Sept. 8 (10:30 a.m., 12:10 a.m.), 9 (7:00 p.m.) and 11 (10:00 p.m.)

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