Real Time with Bill Maher (S02E09): March 12, 2004 Summary

March 12, 2004 Summary

Rated: TV-MA for Adult Content (AC) and Adult Language (AL)
Tonight's episode is Live from L.A.
This week's Real Time with Bill Maher began with a political ad campaign from Bush/Cheney '04. "Jesus calls him every night around 8:30 - just before he goes to bed. This November, vote for George W. Bush."
Bill first chewed "the fat about fat" with Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson. "Chunky is good, but slim is better," Thompson quipped. Bill suggested that we reduce high-fructose corn syrup from our foods. "It's in just about everything. The per capita consumption -- over 62 pounds a year. Mister Secretary, I think that's too much syrup."
Bill wrapped up on question of whether America's ban on cheaper drugs from Canada was a way to protect the pharmaceutical industry. Thompson replied the standard of safety set by the U.S. was just too high for anyone to meet.
Bill, then, posed this question to the evening's roundtable: "If George Bush had been honest about this war, would you have supported it?" Author/linguist John McWhorter said yes, because the administration wanted to "show that an Arab country can be run on a democratic plan." He added, "I would have gone with it, but I doubt if a lot of other people would have." Canada's first female prime minister, Kim Campbell stated, "I'm actually amazed that you think you know why he did it, because, I mean, to me, it's still a mystery."
As the conversation moved to religion, comedian George Carlin stated: "It is my opinion that at the base of most of the evil in the world is religion of any kind." Campbell noted, "I don't think in Canada you could be prime minister if you were ever quoted as saying that you thought God wanted you to run, and you thought the jury was still out on evolution."
Next, Bill talked about indecency with ousted NPR commentator Sandra Tsing Loh. Loh was fired when the 'F-word' didn't get bleeped for a report she did. Bill, incensed her boss at KCRW told her she needed help, exclaimed, "How dumb is this fucking country?" Campbell added, "if you never encounter anything in your community that offends you, you're not living in a free society."
The Madrid terrorist attack had Bill asking, "Do you think every country would make a memorial the way we're making a memorial?" McWhorter responded, "Frankly, yeah. It's natural." Carlin rejoined, "It's obscene! There is an unhealthy fascination with passing and remembering the dead." Concluding, "if you have grief, fine, good inside. Same with religion: keep it inside. Keep it to yourself. If you want to share it a little bit with friends and family, fine. But don't be coming and taking over things that are kind of public, and thrusting your 'GRIEF' on me."
With that off Carlin's chest, Bill launched into his "New Rules."

Episode Viewers and Ratings

Season 2 Episode 9 of Real Time with Bill Maher resulted in a 0.00 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

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Real Time with Bill Maher Show Summary

Real Time with Bill Maher is a talk show that airs every friday night on HBO, hosted by comedian and political satirist Bill Maher. Much like Politically Incorrect on ABC, Real Time features a panel of guests that discuss current events in politics and the media. It is an hour-long program that is filmed in front of a studio audience in Fairfax, Los Angeles.