Comedian and talk-show host Bill Maher has apologized for using a racial slur during a joke he made on this weekend’s edition of his HBO chat show « Real Time. »
June 4 (UPI) — Comedian and talk-show host Bill Maher has apologized for using a racial slur during a joke he made on this weekend’s edition of his HBO chat show Real Time.
« Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I’m up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn’t have said on my live show. Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry, » he said in a statement to Variety Saturday after the cable network denounced his use of the derogatory word for African Americans on his program.
« Bill Maher’s comment last night was completely inexcusable and tasteless. We are removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show, » HBO said in a statement to TVGuide.com.
The Hollywood Reporter said Maher made the on-air joke to Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, who asked, « Would you like to come work in the field with us? »
« Work in the fields? » Maher responded. « Senator, I am a house [expletive.] «
Sasse took to Twitter after the show to express his regrets regarding how he handled the exchange.
« Am walking off a redeye from LAX. 3 reflections on @billmaher 1. I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines, » Sasse tweeted.
« 2. But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn’t good enough, » he added.
« 3. Here’s what I wish I’d been quick enough to say in the moment: « Hold up, why would you think it’s OK to use that word?… » read another tweet .
« … The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don’t use it, » he concluded.
