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What This Comedian Said Will Shock You
The hilarious and controversial host of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher has written his funniest, most opinionated, and most necessary book ever—a brilliantly astute and acerbically funny vivisection of American life, politics, and culture.
Some of the smartest commentary about what’s happening in America is coming from a comedian—this comedian being Bill Maher. If you want to understand what’s wrong with this country, it turns out that one of the best-informed and most thought-provoking analysts is this very funny pothead.
The book was inspired by the “editorial” Bill delivers at the end of each episode of Real Time. These editorials are direct-to-camera sermons about culture, politics, and what’s happening in the world. To put this book together, Maher reviewed more than a decade of his editorials, rewriting, reimagining, and updating them, and adding new material to speak exactly to the moment we’re in. Free speech, cops, drugs, race, religion, the generations, cancel culture, the parties, the media, show biz, romance, health—Maher covers it all. The result is a hugely entertaining work of commentary about American culture in the tradition of Mark Twain, Will Rogers, and H. L. Mencken.
Some of the smartest commentary about what’s happening in America is coming from a comedian—this comedian being Bill Maher. If you want to understand what’s wrong with this country, it turns out that one of the best-informed and most thought-provoking analysts is this very funny pothead.
The book was inspired by the “editorial” Bill delivers at the end of each episode of Real Time. These editorials are direct-to-camera sermons about culture, politics, and what’s happening in the world. To put this book together, Maher reviewed more than a decade of his editorials, rewriting, reimagining, and updating them, and adding new material to speak exactly to the moment we’re in. Free speech, cops, drugs, race, religion, the generations, cancel culture, the parties, the media, show biz, romance, health—Maher covers it all. The result is a hugely entertaining work of commentary about American culture in the tradition of Mark Twain, Will Rogers, and H. L. Mencken.
13 pages, Audiobook
Published January 1, 2024
1651 people are currently reading
1886 people want to read
About the author
Bill Maher
20 books468 followersWilliam Maher, Jr., is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He hosted the late-night television talk show Politically Incorrect on Comedy Central and ABC, and is currently the host of Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO. On June 1, 2006, he also began hosting an Internet-exclusive talk show on Amazon.com entitled Amazon Fishbowl.
Maher is known for his political satire and sociopolitical commentary. His commentaries target a wide swath of topics, from the right-wing to the left-wing, bureaucracies of many kinds, religion, political correctness, Hollywood, the mass media, and persons in positions of high political and social power, among many others. He supports the legalization of cannabis and gay marriage and serves on the board of PETA. Maher is number 38 on Comedy Central's 100 greatest stand-ups of all time.
Maher is known for his political satire and sociopolitical commentary. His commentaries target a wide swath of topics, from the right-wing to the left-wing, bureaucracies of many kinds, religion, political correctness, Hollywood, the mass media, and persons in positions of high political and social power, among many others. He supports the legalization of cannabis and gay marriage and serves on the board of PETA. Maher is number 38 on Comedy Central's 100 greatest stand-ups of all time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 594 reviews
August 25, 2024
A great book for those who are not political partisans. As Maher explains, a partisan lens is counterproductive if your goal is to accurately interpret the world.
Another comedian Stephen Colbert may be right about some things (and quite funny to boot), but he was wrong when he famously said that, “Reality has a well-known liberal bias.”
It doesn’t.
The empirical world is not liberal or conservative. Sometimes the right answer happens to be liberal; sometimes it happens to be conservative; and sometimes it has no home on either side of the rigid ideological divide. The world unfolds according to the immutable laws of nature and science, not the transient perceptions of politics. Leaves don’t rustle in the wind differently depending on which party controls the presidency. And political policies, events, and scandals don’t conform to the knee-jerk narratives of distant partisans.
A funny, insightful--nonpartisan--book about American politics.
Another comedian Stephen Colbert may be right about some things (and quite funny to boot), but he was wrong when he famously said that, “Reality has a well-known liberal bias.”
It doesn’t.
The empirical world is not liberal or conservative. Sometimes the right answer happens to be liberal; sometimes it happens to be conservative; and sometimes it has no home on either side of the rigid ideological divide. The world unfolds according to the immutable laws of nature and science, not the transient perceptions of politics. Leaves don’t rustle in the wind differently depending on which party controls the presidency. And political policies, events, and scandals don’t conform to the knee-jerk narratives of distant partisans.
A funny, insightful--nonpartisan--book about American politics.
July 12, 2024
1.25 ⭐️ — I tried to get through this after a conversation with a persistent Family member.
But it become horrifically evident within 30 pages, that this man’s ego has simply permeated everything he does. Not only does he come across an abhorrently elitist, out of touch with what real humans suffer with this century, but the glaringly overt ghost writing that’s been employed to tone it down, only succeeds in making the author all the more insufferable!
I’m not at all kidding when I say that page 90-ish, I was forced to literally swallow my stomach contents. So fair to say at that point, I’d had enough.
But it become horrifically evident within 30 pages, that this man’s ego has simply permeated everything he does. Not only does he come across an abhorrently elitist, out of touch with what real humans suffer with this century, but the glaringly overt ghost writing that’s been employed to tone it down, only succeeds in making the author all the more insufferable!
I’m not at all kidding when I say that page 90-ish, I was forced to literally swallow my stomach contents. So fair to say at that point, I’d had enough.
August 23, 2024
(Image: Black and white sign saying Warning: For Mature Audiences Only)
By mature, I mean those of us who are grown up enough to not have our feelings hurt when we discover that -gasp!- there are people who don't think exactly like us.
I know, I know. It's scary. It can feel uncomfortable to have your thoughts challenged by hearing a different opinion and have your brain cells nudged into a little action.
I promise though, no matter how dangerous you think it is, you will not be injured by hearing something you don't agree with.
The reason I write this warning is because so many of us can no longer handle reality, especially when there are people whose opinions differ from our own. And I highly doubt there is anyone who will agree 100% with what Bill Maher writes in this book.
We liberals are used to (and enjoy) Maher picking on conservatives and the religious. Now it's our turn. Not that he's not still liberal - he is. Our party has gone a bit bonkers though, and Bill calls us out on it.
I absolutely loved reading this book, even though I didn't agree with everything (see, kids, it's possible, it really is. Look at me, I don't have any bruises).
He still calls out the right, but the left is pulled into his criticism too:
"Large numbers on both sides will believe anything you send them in an email that denigrates the “other” side or supports their own. Both sides like to cancel people they don’t agree with."
Both sides want to censor the other and it's a slippery slope we're on, folks. We can't label everything we disagree with as hate speech, even when it hurts our feelings. We all talk about freedom but who has freedom when no one is allowed to think for themself?
"Wokeism in its current form is not an extension of liberalism, it is more often its opposite; it is not mostly an expanding of traditional liberalism but an undoing of."
Not to worry though, for the liberals there's still a whole lot of jokes and put-downs of the religious right. He made me laugh but he also made me think when it came to what he has to say about the direction we liberals are going in.
It's like we're on this rickety old train track, one party going in one direction, while the other goes the opposite. However, this is a circular track and eventually we're going to go so far on each side that we come back around and crash into each other.
This book is well worth reading whether or not you end up agreeing with it. There's lots of food for thought and one of my favourite things about reading is having my brain stimulated.
To keep this review equal and not be mistaken as conservative, I'll leave you with this little gem that made me laugh:
"We need to stop pretending there’s no way we’ll ever understand why the Trump mob believes in him. It’s because they’re religious and they’ve already made space in their heads for shit that doesn’t make sense."
May 27, 2024
Fabulous. As Bill Maher says, "This book is great for people who are not stupid about shit." Truth
August 16, 2024
Everyone talks about the divide between the left and the right, but more people should talk about the multiple divides within the American left, the rifts that stem from quasi-religious fervor, from a vain race to out-virtue-signal each other, the inability or unwillingness to deal with differing standpoints - and that's where the discussion around Bill Maher comes in. I listened to the whole 13 hours of this, his latest work, and there is no reasonable ground for the demonization this guy is experiencing in some circles. Do I agree with everything he says? Nope. Do I think he is a progressive mind genuinely interested in discussing important issues and advancing civil and human rights causes? Yes, I do think so.
And having the same objective while disagreeing on particular subjects is a good thing, because that's how you consider different aspects and viewpoints, and maybe sometimes you just have to deal with the fact that others don't see the world the same way you do, even if you believe they are wrong. I, for once, think it's an outrageous take to qualify the denial of the Holocaust under free speech, to make it an issue in the marketplace of ideas: Whether a genocide happened or not is not up for debate, which is why people around these parts will go to jail if they claim it never happened, and I support that. I'm also rather annoyed by Maher's silly arguments regarding religion, it makes me want to explain to him what a parable is, a fable, or even a metaphor. But then again, I'm a Catholic from a secular country, and he's an atheist from a country where religious nutjobs are quite powerful, so you do you, Bill (I'm also here for you to explain the revolution of '68 that the German pope was referring to, German history is apparently not your forte). His remarks about marriage are also only mildly funny, and I'm saying that as someone who 100 % gets his point. And I could go on and on.
But then, many reviews, also here on GR, prove him right: I don't like his reasoning, so he's an elitist and all about his ego (when in fact, he talks a lot about how the left is entangled in theoretical discussions instead of actually improving things). He invites Milo Yiannopoulos and makes him seem reasonable (have you seen this interview? Milo looks like the absolute lunatic he is). He is critical of anti-Israeli protests getting entangled with pro-Hamas (so-pro-terrorist) stances, and that's bad (in Germany, Maher's is a mainstream opinion, btw). Much like Maher is dumbing down some issues which hurts his credibility, these takes do as well.
Maybe we should all do something super painful: Dealing with differing opinions instead of shutting them out, and only morally condemning them in extreme cases. Maher engages in debate and puts his opinions out there, fully knowing that some people will not only disagree, but try to verbally crucify him. And he's not the enemy, especially not in Trump country.
And having the same objective while disagreeing on particular subjects is a good thing, because that's how you consider different aspects and viewpoints, and maybe sometimes you just have to deal with the fact that others don't see the world the same way you do, even if you believe they are wrong. I, for once, think it's an outrageous take to qualify the denial of the Holocaust under free speech, to make it an issue in the marketplace of ideas: Whether a genocide happened or not is not up for debate, which is why people around these parts will go to jail if they claim it never happened, and I support that. I'm also rather annoyed by Maher's silly arguments regarding religion, it makes me want to explain to him what a parable is, a fable, or even a metaphor. But then again, I'm a Catholic from a secular country, and he's an atheist from a country where religious nutjobs are quite powerful, so you do you, Bill (I'm also here for you to explain the revolution of '68 that the German pope was referring to, German history is apparently not your forte). His remarks about marriage are also only mildly funny, and I'm saying that as someone who 100 % gets his point. And I could go on and on.
But then, many reviews, also here on GR, prove him right: I don't like his reasoning, so he's an elitist and all about his ego (when in fact, he talks a lot about how the left is entangled in theoretical discussions instead of actually improving things). He invites Milo Yiannopoulos and makes him seem reasonable (have you seen this interview? Milo looks like the absolute lunatic he is). He is critical of anti-Israeli protests getting entangled with pro-Hamas (so-pro-terrorist) stances, and that's bad (in Germany, Maher's is a mainstream opinion, btw). Much like Maher is dumbing down some issues which hurts his credibility, these takes do as well.
Maybe we should all do something super painful: Dealing with differing opinions instead of shutting them out, and only morally condemning them in extreme cases. Maher engages in debate and puts his opinions out there, fully knowing that some people will not only disagree, but try to verbally crucify him. And he's not the enemy, especially not in Trump country.
September 7, 2024
Bill Maher is a fallen idol to me. I grew up in a small conservative Midwestern town where no one else held the liberal progressive views that I did. When I got to college and finally had unfettered internet access, I found a plethora of voices that finally resonated with my own. George Carlin, Penn Jillette, Lewis Black, Christopher Hitchens, Trevor Noah, Stephen Fry, Neil Degrasse Tyson, Lindsay Ellis, Adam Conover, The Escapist channel, and Bill Maher.
Maher had gags and astute biting jokes on his show and in his stand-up that still make me laugh. Unfortunately, Maher has made a gradual right-wing turn and now barely resembles his former self. First he brought on ultra right-wing figures on to his show including Ben Shapiro, Steve Bannon, and Milo Yiannopoulos, not to confront them on their atrocious views but ask them questions that made them look sort of reasonable. I justified Bill's actions by telling myself it was the marketplace of ideas at work. Then, over time came a gradual flurry of spectacularly bad takes on various subjects. Bill said fat shaming should be brought back, he ridiculed Stan Lee's legacy right after the man died, he brought his long percolating anti-vaxxer views to the forefront, his criticisms of Islam morphed into Anti-Muslim bigotry, and he started fence-sitting on the issue of abortion and on Trans issues. Finally, Bill outright stated very similar views to known transphobe J.K. Rowling and claimed that Trans people were being created 😡. That was the last straw and my cue to get off the ride. I didn't recognize the guy I looked up to anymore.
After that point, Maher has fallen even farther in my estimation. Maher sided with human trouser stain Ben Shapiro against Malcom Nance when discussing Critical Race Theory, attacked the Hollywood actors picketing for better pay for months and tried to put his show back on air before he was publicly criticized, attacked the Barbie movie for supposedly being anti-men, is forever complaining about "woke people" (whatever that's supposed to mean this minute), claimed bring a conservative partner home to the parents was the new Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (please F*** O** forever), and very recently claimed on The View that the college students around the US protesting Israel's right-wing government's mass killings of unarmed Palestinian civilians meant that the students are somehow supporting the terrorist group Hamas (how?!?) and that progressives are now against trying to house homeless people (I have no clue what imaginary friend told him that 🙄).
One of the hosts on The View, Sunny Hostin, told Maher in the same episode that he has changed and despite his claims in his new book, "What This Comedian Said Will Shock You", he has. College age me never would have looked up to this guy or taken his advice on anything. I'm not sure just what ideological slot Maher fits into at this point, but he's dead wrong on enough things that I can only mourn the guy he used to be.
Maher's new book "What This Comedian Said Will Shock You" epitomizes Maher's unpleasant new direction and convinced me that I was right to search out other better comedians and political commentators.
Maher had gags and astute biting jokes on his show and in his stand-up that still make me laugh. Unfortunately, Maher has made a gradual right-wing turn and now barely resembles his former self. First he brought on ultra right-wing figures on to his show including Ben Shapiro, Steve Bannon, and Milo Yiannopoulos, not to confront them on their atrocious views but ask them questions that made them look sort of reasonable. I justified Bill's actions by telling myself it was the marketplace of ideas at work. Then, over time came a gradual flurry of spectacularly bad takes on various subjects. Bill said fat shaming should be brought back, he ridiculed Stan Lee's legacy right after the man died, he brought his long percolating anti-vaxxer views to the forefront, his criticisms of Islam morphed into Anti-Muslim bigotry, and he started fence-sitting on the issue of abortion and on Trans issues. Finally, Bill outright stated very similar views to known transphobe J.K. Rowling and claimed that Trans people were being created 😡. That was the last straw and my cue to get off the ride. I didn't recognize the guy I looked up to anymore.
After that point, Maher has fallen even farther in my estimation. Maher sided with human trouser stain Ben Shapiro against Malcom Nance when discussing Critical Race Theory, attacked the Hollywood actors picketing for better pay for months and tried to put his show back on air before he was publicly criticized, attacked the Barbie movie for supposedly being anti-men, is forever complaining about "woke people" (whatever that's supposed to mean this minute), claimed bring a conservative partner home to the parents was the new Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (please F*** O** forever), and very recently claimed on The View that the college students around the US protesting Israel's right-wing government's mass killings of unarmed Palestinian civilians meant that the students are somehow supporting the terrorist group Hamas (how?!?) and that progressives are now against trying to house homeless people (I have no clue what imaginary friend told him that 🙄).
One of the hosts on The View, Sunny Hostin, told Maher in the same episode that he has changed and despite his claims in his new book, "What This Comedian Said Will Shock You", he has. College age me never would have looked up to this guy or taken his advice on anything. I'm not sure just what ideological slot Maher fits into at this point, but he's dead wrong on enough things that I can only mourn the guy he used to be.
Maher's new book "What This Comedian Said Will Shock You" epitomizes Maher's unpleasant new direction and convinced me that I was right to search out other better comedians and political commentators.
August 4, 2024
Bill Maher dares to take on both sides of the political landscape, calling everyone out for living in their own little bubbles and refusing to use common sense. Does it work? Well, sort of. As with so many books that are a compilation of essays, it’s a mixed bag. At times, I felt that he fell victim to the exact thing he derides in others - generalizations and stereotypes. But other times, it felt spot on.
I did feel like he called out the liberals more than the conservatives, despite saying the Republicans have bigger issues. Is that because he feels the liberals will be the ones reading this? So, he’s not wasting his time preaching to the choir but actually trying to teach his readers something?
I think the whole book can be summarized in this quote “conservatives govern without shame and liberals shame without governing.”
Here’s what I think he gets right:
That wokeness has just gone way too far. I’m willing to bet the vast majority of people think transgender women shouldn’t be allowed to play sports as a woman. Or aren’t happy with the idea of forgiving student debt or providing free college for all.
He wants to know when things changed. Republicans used to be the uptight ones. But now, Matt Gaetz is doing drugs and a whole group of them are into weird sex. Now it’s the liberals who are sucking the fun out of everything with their wokeness, presentism, cancel culture and political correctness.
That the reason evangelicals are willing to believe nonsense like QAnon and follow Trump is that they've been raised to believe without questioning all sorts of religious beliefs (the world being created in six days and only being 5000 years old). So more crazy theories are just par for the course.
That it’s crazy not to legalize marijuana across the country. As we’ve seen with abortion, states rights just don’t work. He cites the example of a man losing custody when he went across the Kansas state line to buy pot in Colorado.
That fees and permitting have made affordable housing an oxymoron. Not to mention a lot of worthy projects like high speed railroads getting priced out of consideration.
That our education system is failing. And as he says “I mark the onset of the decline when the parents started siding with the children instead of the teachers.”
That there should be a sanity test for politicians. Or at least an intelligence test. Lauren Boebert only got a GED certificate a month before she ran for office and she sits on the House Budget Committee. “If she wasn’t in Congress, she could probably get a job at a truck stop, dusting the jerky.”
But the big thing he gets right is that it’s impossible to seek compromise or even have a conversation when both sides are wrapped up in hating the other. Not that we need to have a conversation about politics or religion because we won’t change each other’s minds. But to get out of our silos and meet up. “Like with marriage the three magic words aren’t I love you but let it go.”
As you would expect, he is no fan of Trump and his barbs against him are numerous. But he also understands the appeal, especially for the white middle class feeling that they’ve been forgotten by liberal elites who have no idea what rural life is like.
In summary, he points out that both sides have their fanatics and we should be ignoring, not listening to them. The title is accurate, I guarantee that everyone reading or listening to this will find multiple instances they’re shocked or ticked off. But they’ll also find numerous instances they’re nodding their heads.
I listened to this and no one but Bill Maher could have been the narrator.
I did feel like he called out the liberals more than the conservatives, despite saying the Republicans have bigger issues. Is that because he feels the liberals will be the ones reading this? So, he’s not wasting his time preaching to the choir but actually trying to teach his readers something?
I think the whole book can be summarized in this quote “conservatives govern without shame and liberals shame without governing.”
Here’s what I think he gets right:
That wokeness has just gone way too far. I’m willing to bet the vast majority of people think transgender women shouldn’t be allowed to play sports as a woman. Or aren’t happy with the idea of forgiving student debt or providing free college for all.
He wants to know when things changed. Republicans used to be the uptight ones. But now, Matt Gaetz is doing drugs and a whole group of them are into weird sex. Now it’s the liberals who are sucking the fun out of everything with their wokeness, presentism, cancel culture and political correctness.
That the reason evangelicals are willing to believe nonsense like QAnon and follow Trump is that they've been raised to believe without questioning all sorts of religious beliefs (the world being created in six days and only being 5000 years old). So more crazy theories are just par for the course.
That it’s crazy not to legalize marijuana across the country. As we’ve seen with abortion, states rights just don’t work. He cites the example of a man losing custody when he went across the Kansas state line to buy pot in Colorado.
That fees and permitting have made affordable housing an oxymoron. Not to mention a lot of worthy projects like high speed railroads getting priced out of consideration.
That our education system is failing. And as he says “I mark the onset of the decline when the parents started siding with the children instead of the teachers.”
That there should be a sanity test for politicians. Or at least an intelligence test. Lauren Boebert only got a GED certificate a month before she ran for office and she sits on the House Budget Committee. “If she wasn’t in Congress, she could probably get a job at a truck stop, dusting the jerky.”
But the big thing he gets right is that it’s impossible to seek compromise or even have a conversation when both sides are wrapped up in hating the other. Not that we need to have a conversation about politics or religion because we won’t change each other’s minds. But to get out of our silos and meet up. “Like with marriage the three magic words aren’t I love you but let it go.”
As you would expect, he is no fan of Trump and his barbs against him are numerous. But he also understands the appeal, especially for the white middle class feeling that they’ve been forgotten by liberal elites who have no idea what rural life is like.
In summary, he points out that both sides have their fanatics and we should be ignoring, not listening to them. The title is accurate, I guarantee that everyone reading or listening to this will find multiple instances they’re shocked or ticked off. But they’ll also find numerous instances they’re nodding their heads.
I listened to this and no one but Bill Maher could have been the narrator.
July 7, 2024
Being that I have been a fan of Bill Maher for years now, I wanted to listen to this collection of essays from Maher's television show Real Time.
I don't always agree with his opinions, but they always give me something to think about. The only issue I ended up having with this book is that, at times, it got a bit depressing. There are a lot of problems with the United States, and hearing about them all at one time left me needing a break. Once I resumed the topics got a bit less serious and I was able to listen to the rest straight through.
Maher takes shots at both the left and the right, and his position that our divisiveness is not good for the country is a valid one. Our not even being able to have a conversation with the other side is detrimental to who we are as a country. (I do have some problems with this, as it's hard to have a conversation with someone who stands up for everything you hate-like rapists, cheaters and thieves.) As a political argument, I agree with him, but in reality I find it difficult.
America as a whole is difficult these days, but I guess it's been difficult here since this country was founded- it's just that the difficulties change over time. Bill Maher's insights always hold value to me, whether or not I agree with them and that's why I enjoyed this book.
Since this book is a selection of bits that he did on his television show, his writers do deserve credit as well, and he gives it to them in the acknowledgements at the end.
*Thanks to my local library for the free audio download and I didn't even have to wait that long.
LIBRARIES RULE!*
I don't always agree with his opinions, but they always give me something to think about. The only issue I ended up having with this book is that, at times, it got a bit depressing. There are a lot of problems with the United States, and hearing about them all at one time left me needing a break. Once I resumed the topics got a bit less serious and I was able to listen to the rest straight through.
Maher takes shots at both the left and the right, and his position that our divisiveness is not good for the country is a valid one. Our not even being able to have a conversation with the other side is detrimental to who we are as a country. (I do have some problems with this, as it's hard to have a conversation with someone who stands up for everything you hate-like rapists, cheaters and thieves.) As a political argument, I agree with him, but in reality I find it difficult.
America as a whole is difficult these days, but I guess it's been difficult here since this country was founded- it's just that the difficulties change over time. Bill Maher's insights always hold value to me, whether or not I agree with them and that's why I enjoyed this book.
Since this book is a selection of bits that he did on his television show, his writers do deserve credit as well, and he gives it to them in the acknowledgements at the end.
*Thanks to my local library for the free audio download and I didn't even have to wait that long.
LIBRARIES RULE!*
June 3, 2024
He infuriates me. He’s smug, reflexively contrarian, and so self righteous - and most annoyingly of all, he’s often funny. I like the book because he makes me think - and challenges my assumptions.
May 28, 2024
Really good points mixed with solid humor. Takes shots at “both sides of the aisle” politically and points out the lunacy that exists at the extremes. Salient facts and makes it funny too. Really enjoyed this read. Has an undercurrent of solid gravitas.
August 4, 2025
What This Comedian Said Will Shock You by Bill Maher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've had a love/indifference (not hate) relationship with Bill Maher for decades. In recent years, I tuned out of his show—I'd grown tired of all the political outrage from every direction. But this spring, I heard he’d toned things down a bit, so I gave him another shot. To my surprise, it was true. (Somewhat) I’m as liberal as they come, but I try hard to respect where others are coming from—and, at times, that’s the tone Maher seems to be aiming for now too.
For a while, I kept seeing this book in stores and would flip through it without committing. Then one day, at a giant thrift store in the great city of Chicago, I found a near-mint hardcover for $2. That sealed the deal.
I dove right in—and I’m glad I did. I even picked up the Audible version because Maher reads it himself, and let me tell you: it’s a good time.
The Good:
This book is funny as hell. It’s biting, raw, and brutally honest. Maher doesn’t hold back—he skewers Millennials, cancel culture, environmental hypocrisy, and societal fragility. His signature gift is calling out nonsense across the board, and doing it with sharp comedic timing. I laughed a lot and found myself nodding along more than I expected. Some of the punchlines practically begged for a rim shot.
The Not-So-Good:
At times, Maher definitely leans into full-on curmudgeon mode—more so than during the Obama years. Think Lewis Black energy, but for a new era. It doesn’t always land well. Also, a good chunk of the book recycles material from his show, which made parts feel like a repackaged podcast transcript. I hate when that happens, but sadly it’s common with books by media personalities.
Still, I blew through the book—laughing the whole way. Maher makes plenty of sharp points and, surprisingly, even manages to tug at the heartstrings. In the conclusion, he reminds readers that we’re stronger together—that the "Red" and "Blue" islands we’re living on aren't sustainable. He calls for unity, for dialing down the division, and yes, for returning Facebook to cute cat and dog photos.
If you're a diehard conservative or a Trump loyalist, this book may not be for you. It will land on the nose! But if you’re open to a few uncomfortable truths, delivered with sharp wit and a healthy dose of sarcasm, it’s worth the read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've had a love/indifference (not hate) relationship with Bill Maher for decades. In recent years, I tuned out of his show—I'd grown tired of all the political outrage from every direction. But this spring, I heard he’d toned things down a bit, so I gave him another shot. To my surprise, it was true. (Somewhat) I’m as liberal as they come, but I try hard to respect where others are coming from—and, at times, that’s the tone Maher seems to be aiming for now too.
For a while, I kept seeing this book in stores and would flip through it without committing. Then one day, at a giant thrift store in the great city of Chicago, I found a near-mint hardcover for $2. That sealed the deal.
I dove right in—and I’m glad I did. I even picked up the Audible version because Maher reads it himself, and let me tell you: it’s a good time.
The Good:
This book is funny as hell. It’s biting, raw, and brutally honest. Maher doesn’t hold back—he skewers Millennials, cancel culture, environmental hypocrisy, and societal fragility. His signature gift is calling out nonsense across the board, and doing it with sharp comedic timing. I laughed a lot and found myself nodding along more than I expected. Some of the punchlines practically begged for a rim shot.
The Not-So-Good:
At times, Maher definitely leans into full-on curmudgeon mode—more so than during the Obama years. Think Lewis Black energy, but for a new era. It doesn’t always land well. Also, a good chunk of the book recycles material from his show, which made parts feel like a repackaged podcast transcript. I hate when that happens, but sadly it’s common with books by media personalities.
Still, I blew through the book—laughing the whole way. Maher makes plenty of sharp points and, surprisingly, even manages to tug at the heartstrings. In the conclusion, he reminds readers that we’re stronger together—that the "Red" and "Blue" islands we’re living on aren't sustainable. He calls for unity, for dialing down the division, and yes, for returning Facebook to cute cat and dog photos.
If you're a diehard conservative or a Trump loyalist, this book may not be for you. It will land on the nose! But if you’re open to a few uncomfortable truths, delivered with sharp wit and a healthy dose of sarcasm, it’s worth the read.
June 12, 2024
America current political landscape as explained by Bill Maher
Bill Maher's "What This Comedian Said Will Shock You" is a multifaceted exploration of American life, politics, and culture, delivered through his signature comedic lens. Here's a deeper dive into some of the topics discussed across 24 chapters:
* Sociopolitical commentary: Maher delves into political issues, criticizing what he perceives as hypocrisy and absurdity on both sides of the aisle. Democrats, for instance, shouldn't treat every republican as a monster, he says. On the other hand, he asks why do republicans have patriotic immunity?
* Social critiques: He tackles social issues like religion, gun control, and political correctness, often pushing boundaries with his humor.
* Cultural observations: The book sheds light on Maher's perspective on American culture, including topics like media, education, and societal trends. "Democracy dies in dumbness,"he writes; a jab at the Washington Post slogan.
Style:
* Witty and acerbic: Maher's humor is known for being sharp and unforgiving, often employing sarcasm and irony to make his points.
* Provocative and controversial: He doesn't shy away from expressing unpopular opinions, sparking debate and challenging readers' viewpoints.
* Conversational and engaging: The book reads like an extended conversation with Maher, making complex topics accessible and entertaining.
Impact:
Maher's goal is not just to entertain, but to provoke thought and encourage readers to engage in critical discussions about pressing issues. He challenges assumptions by questioning widely held beliefs as he pushes readers to re-evaluate their stances on various topics. The book reflects the political and social climate of this time in the United States, offering a glimpse into current American discourse.
In sum, Bill Maher's "What This Comedian Said Will Shock You" isn't actually about a specific comedian saying something shocking. The "comedian" refers to himself. The book is a collection of Bill Maher's opinions and commentary on various aspects of American life, politics, and culture. It's inspired by his signature "New Rules" segment on his show "Real Time with Bill Maher." The book draws on over a decade of his editorials, with some revisions and new material.
Bill Maher's "What This Comedian Said Will Shock You" is a multifaceted exploration of American life, politics, and culture, delivered through his signature comedic lens. Here's a deeper dive into some of the topics discussed across 24 chapters:
* Sociopolitical commentary: Maher delves into political issues, criticizing what he perceives as hypocrisy and absurdity on both sides of the aisle. Democrats, for instance, shouldn't treat every republican as a monster, he says. On the other hand, he asks why do republicans have patriotic immunity?
* Social critiques: He tackles social issues like religion, gun control, and political correctness, often pushing boundaries with his humor.
* Cultural observations: The book sheds light on Maher's perspective on American culture, including topics like media, education, and societal trends. "Democracy dies in dumbness,"he writes; a jab at the Washington Post slogan.
Style:
* Witty and acerbic: Maher's humor is known for being sharp and unforgiving, often employing sarcasm and irony to make his points.
* Provocative and controversial: He doesn't shy away from expressing unpopular opinions, sparking debate and challenging readers' viewpoints.
* Conversational and engaging: The book reads like an extended conversation with Maher, making complex topics accessible and entertaining.
Impact:
Maher's goal is not just to entertain, but to provoke thought and encourage readers to engage in critical discussions about pressing issues. He challenges assumptions by questioning widely held beliefs as he pushes readers to re-evaluate their stances on various topics. The book reflects the political and social climate of this time in the United States, offering a glimpse into current American discourse.
In sum, Bill Maher's "What This Comedian Said Will Shock You" isn't actually about a specific comedian saying something shocking. The "comedian" refers to himself. The book is a collection of Bill Maher's opinions and commentary on various aspects of American life, politics, and culture. It's inspired by his signature "New Rules" segment on his show "Real Time with Bill Maher." The book draws on over a decade of his editorials, with some revisions and new material.
September 19, 2024
Clever observations of our county, many obvious and many not so obvious. Many validated my thoughts. It’s full of 12 year old male vulgarity. If you can get past that, you will take away some things that you never thought about. I didn’t feel “shocked” though.
December 1, 2025
Maher gets attacked both sides in political divide He reaches out with humor to rest of us in the middle. In relationships, men don't know what women want; women don't know what men want. I've read several romance, dark romance and what's struck me is how many tropes are so macho. I've discussed this with several women. They've told me they have trouble finding strong men these days; easier to have book bfs. Maher says women want two things from men: courage and communication. I think many women would agree.
June 9, 2024
If you watch his show, you’ll be familiar with many of the jokes and talking points recapped in this book. I was hoping there might be some more original stories but there weren’t. Still, if you read it in his voice, you can enjoy some laughs.
May 27, 2024
I am torn about Bill Maher. Half the time he is very funny and insightful, and then he is 30% interesting but the jokes fall flat, and the final 20% is just wrong and annoying.
June 10, 2024
You know a book has to be entertaining for me to set aside the latest Steven King short story collection to finish it. I tend to be liberal on social matters, conservative on financial so guess that makes me a centrist.
Bill keeps taking shots at the "woke" on the left and the "Trumpers" on the right so I'm guessing that makes him a centrist as well. He takes down the sacred cows on both sides and makes some compelling arguments on how to repair the rift in this country so some thoughtful elements.
I'm not a big fan of profanity but it has become a major part of the vernacular and some of it is downright funny but if you find it offensive you might wish to skip this one as it is loaded with it but it can be really funny.
Probably not a good idea to read this in public unless you are really good a suppressing chuckles! Anyone with an interest in politics who follows what is going on in that world will find this a worthy read.
Bill keeps taking shots at the "woke" on the left and the "Trumpers" on the right so I'm guessing that makes him a centrist as well. He takes down the sacred cows on both sides and makes some compelling arguments on how to repair the rift in this country so some thoughtful elements.
I'm not a big fan of profanity but it has become a major part of the vernacular and some of it is downright funny but if you find it offensive you might wish to skip this one as it is loaded with it but it can be really funny.
Probably not a good idea to read this in public unless you are really good a suppressing chuckles! Anyone with an interest in politics who follows what is going on in that world will find this a worthy read.
October 6, 2024
"You can’t call yourself a “patriot” of the United States and not be for the whole “united” part."
Agree or disagree with Bill Maher but he is smart, witty, irreverent, and absolutely hilarious. I am not easily shocked so nothing he said shocked me, but I did spend quite a bit of time laughing out loud.
Maher skewers both sides with equal humor and gusto, and most of what he points out is right on the money for example:
"I can name some things that actually are worse than they’ve ever been, like the health of the oceans and homelessness and the prospects for maintaining an actual democracy in America. But where progress has been made, it’s not a sin, and it’s certainly not inaccurate, to say we’ve come a long way, baby. Not “mission accomplished.” Just a long way."
As Bill recommends "Stop talking politics to each other all the time." and take a deep breath!
Agree or disagree with Bill Maher but he is smart, witty, irreverent, and absolutely hilarious. I am not easily shocked so nothing he said shocked me, but I did spend quite a bit of time laughing out loud.
Maher skewers both sides with equal humor and gusto, and most of what he points out is right on the money for example:
"I can name some things that actually are worse than they’ve ever been, like the health of the oceans and homelessness and the prospects for maintaining an actual democracy in America. But where progress has been made, it’s not a sin, and it’s certainly not inaccurate, to say we’ve come a long way, baby. Not “mission accomplished.” Just a long way."
As Bill recommends "Stop talking politics to each other all the time." and take a deep breath!
June 12, 2024
Balanced, funny, smart. Bill Maher hit so many nails on the head, I’m surprised he’s not a carpenter. He has the unpopular ability to speak about societal and political issues in a fair and logical way, all while being a sarcastic asshole. I love it! It’s all so serious, yet he knows being too serious about anything doesn’t really help. And he’s not just whining about the problems this country faces; he actually offers up solutions that make sense. With a tad bit of give and take, maybe just maybe, America will be able to get it together. Beyond that, all we can do is laugh.
November 20, 2024
Hilarious and insightful.
January 16, 2025
I think Bill Maher may be misogynistic; he is definitely sexist, immature, self-absorbed, irreverent - and completely hilarious. I watch him a lot on TV and he is funnier live, thus the 3 stars. Passionate about free speech and yes, politically incorrect, he alternates between being refreshing and offensive - but always honest. No one can expose hypocrisy like Bill as he swings both ways - left and well, back, if not right. His finest moment may have been when he bet Donald Trump a million dollars to produce his birth certificate to prove he wasn’t born of an orangutan mother since only Donald and apes had that hair color. This was back when Trump was demanding Obama’s birth record. Trump’s lawyer actually produced the certificate and demanded the million. Trump took Bill to court and the judge threw out the case as it was clearly a joke. Maher fills his own little ecological niche, and I’m glad he’s around.
May 23, 2024
A great compilation of Mahr’s editorials. I could hear his voice as I read and found myself nodding in agreement with a lot of it. Will appeal to fans of his show and anyone who is interested in a reasonable point of view on most hot button issues.
July 9, 2024
His wit is second to none. He also makes a good number of valid points to consider.
June 28, 2024
Bill Maher either strikes as brilliant or an opinionated buffoon. This book seems to provide proof of those feelings.
Mostly I wish he didn't have to be so crass. But, he's also witty and an original thinker.
Despite the title of the book, it didn't all shock me, but there a few shockers.
Mostly I wish he didn't have to be so crass. But, he's also witty and an original thinker.
Despite the title of the book, it didn't all shock me, but there a few shockers.
June 17, 2024
I'm not finished with this book yet, but I know I will in the next two nights. I will be so busy that I won't have time to do a proper review. But at 75% finished, I think my thoughts on the review won't change much.
Bill Maher can cause me to laugh out loud, nod in agreement, OR scream at my TV (at least in my head). And I'm okay with that. I like hearing different points of view presented with a sense of humor or thoughtfully. This book is like his show; it is open and works over ideas. Bill's point of view. This is one that you don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I feel we can disagree and still like/love each other. Bill gives us other ways to look at it all.
I was lucky to get this from Libby as an Audible. Bill Maher narrates with all his best humor and maybe a bit of bitterness. But thoughtfully, respectfully, um, for the most part.
Give it a try and see what you think.
Bill Maher can cause me to laugh out loud, nod in agreement, OR scream at my TV (at least in my head). And I'm okay with that. I like hearing different points of view presented with a sense of humor or thoughtfully. This book is like his show; it is open and works over ideas. Bill's point of view. This is one that you don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I feel we can disagree and still like/love each other. Bill gives us other ways to look at it all.
I was lucky to get this from Libby as an Audible. Bill Maher narrates with all his best humor and maybe a bit of bitterness. But thoughtfully, respectfully, um, for the most part.
Give it a try and see what you think.
August 6, 2024
Bill says he is an “old-school liberal” and much of this book revolves around his vision of those ideas. Talking about how “the left” has gone too far in recent years with certain things (cancel culture, etc.) and how crazy and hypocritical the right has gotten. He makes some solid points along these lines, both backing it up with emotional and factual appeal at times. The book is not as funny as you would assume coming from a comedian, but he sprinkles in some humor and some good digs. While he makes some solid points about being realistic on certain issues, I can’t agree with everything he says. Some of his content will look out of date and possibly offensive in due time, but to his credit he acknowledges this as part of being a comedian and commentator. He also both calls for unity and uses demeaning rhetoric which is a bit hypocritical. End of the day, a relevant, easy to read, and interesting book for this moment in time.
June 5, 2024
I'm a fan of Maher in general, but the man has flaws, and they're on display here. This whole book has "Old Man Yells at Cloud" energy, which to be fair is what we signed up for. However, sometimes Bill's chagrin is on point, and sometimes it misses the target entirely. The book oscillates between incisive political commentary and inane cultural commentary. We get it, Bill. You haven't read a comic book since the 60s, and your idea of the pinnacle of music is Frank Sinatra crooning about how hard it is to be a womanizer.
The jokes are often chuckle-worthy but never hilarious, and you'll want to punch Bill in the face just as often as you'll give him an ovation.
The jokes are often chuckle-worthy but never hilarious, and you'll want to punch Bill in the face just as often as you'll give him an ovation.
August 3, 2024
Fantastic. As he states, 'a book for those who can handle the truth'.
September 17, 2024
I've never seen the tv show Real Time. I was quite unfamiliar with Bill Maher before reading this book. If applauding while reading was a thing, I'd have done it many times throughout.
July 7, 2024
Bill Maher hosts “Real Time with Bill Maher” on HBO. This book is based on the “editorials” he does at the end of every show. He went through the last ten years of the editorials he did and updated them and put them into this book. He covers culture, politics, and events happening in the world. He clearly has done his research on all different topics and offers his observations and opinions on them all. The book shows that he is very intelligent and has a very keen sense of humor - I found myself chuckling often throughout the book. Sometimes you feel like he’s that voice inside your head saying how crazy something is but afraid to say it out loud. Thank goodness someone is saying these things out loud! I enjoyed the book very much and give it 4.5 stars out of 5.
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