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General => Current Events => Topic started by: McQ on October 08, 2009, 10:12:54 PM

Title: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: McQ on October 08, 2009, 10:12:54 PM
So I watched Bill Maher last night for the first time (his HBO show, I saw his old show before). Richard Dawkins was on for a few minutes, and Marcy Kaptur, and his panel of celebs/writers.

I have to say that I don't get the big deal with him or his show. His monologue wasn't funny, his panel was so ridiculously biased to the left that is was pathetic (Janeanne Garafalo was a total "lack of facts dipshit"). Marcy Kaptur was fine, actually.

But the whole show seemed like a bunch of self-congratulatory back patting, and serious whining like babies rant. Even Dawkins wasn't very good. He looked uncomfortable and Maher didn't give him much time.

I know lots of folks here might like the show, but I was seriously underwhelmed by it, and felt Maher came off looking like a whiny dick.

What do you folks who like the show see about it that's so great? Do I need to see more episodes or something? I sort of liked Maher before seeing last night's trash.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Will on October 08, 2009, 11:55:51 PM
Most of the time, Maher will have a conservative or two in an attempt at being equal. Those are the episodes you'd probably want to watch.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Whitney on October 09, 2009, 01:06:28 AM
I'm still not that happy about Maher recently tweeting (paraphrased) "If you get the swine flue vaccine, you're an idiot."   To me that just shows that he either doesn't do his research and jumps on whatever boat seems nice at the time or that he's an idiot who just happens to be an atheist that is sometimes funny.

Quote from: "Will"Most of the time, Maher will have a conservative or two in an attempt at being equal. Those are the episodes you'd probably want to watch.

Ya, I was actually surprised that they were all liberal when Dawkins was on.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: McQ on October 09, 2009, 02:53:11 AM
I know my post/critique was rant-like, and I was obviously venting at my disappointment in the show. So, for the rant, sorry. But I have to say that I try to see a balanced view of shows like his, and it was impossible to find anything redemptive in that one show I saw. Perhaps it's not representative of what he puts out there most of the time. I hope it's not. I'm not conservative by any means (well, maybe fiscally conservative), but he should have had somebody on there that wasn't just there to yuck it up with the lame stuff. I guess Kaptur was that person, but she didn't have as much to say as Garofalo did.

Oh well, I guess it's not gonna be my cup of tea. I don't get HBO at home anyway. Only see it occasionally when I travel.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Whitney on October 09, 2009, 03:00:51 AM
We have HBO and I still don't watch his show regularly.  I really didn't even know he had a show till Religiulous came out.  We do record his show, but I think it typically gets deleted unless we have nothing else to watch.  

I think I'd agree that it is always biased towards the left (the libertarian view specifically).  It doesn't necessarily bother me for it to be that way, but if you are going for something that covers two sides of a story his show is not the one for you.  Even when they do have someone from the right on that person is typically an idiot.   I guess it's possible I haven't watched enough shows too...but that's my perception.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: hismikeness on October 09, 2009, 11:36:22 AM
Quote from: "McQ"but she didn't have as much to say as Garofalo did.

Not many do. She's an idiot in my opinion. I hated the fact they put her on 24 last year.

Hismikeness
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ultima22689 on October 09, 2009, 01:34:59 PM
I like Bill Maher, some things about him I don't like but for the most part I like what he says but I guess i'm pretty liberal anyway save for a few minor conservatives views I think, now when it comes to his show it's hit or miss. The panel really helps drive the show and when he doesn't have a good one it doesn't do well. I prefer him to have at least one SMART republican/conservative on his show because when he does have them on they often say things that make you consider what they're saying opposed to the crazies that seem so vocal these days. I know it sounds kind of backwards to watch a show that is incredibly liberal leaning but at least Bill does put on occasion actual intellectual conservatives opposed to watching Glenn Beck and hoping to find a smart conservative.  It's a little off topic but I wish there were a lot more atheist conservatives out there,eh, i'm sure there will be as time moves forward.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ninteen45 on October 09, 2009, 03:21:33 PM
The show is hit or miss.

Most conservatives know what they will be in for when they go on, like some people with Penn and Teller.

It's biased, but it's not always like that.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 09, 2009, 05:55:09 PM
Maher was never really funny to me. I personally am tired of his political opinings because frankly it tends to have sexual joke somewhere in there. When he talked about gun owners with Ron Paul he made it a point about how buying a lot of guns had to deal with penis size. Really? I am tired of hearing people play that angle. Then they get pissed (Maher does this tactic quite often) when you turn the same joke on them and demand a more "grown-up" debate.

Maher's movie Religoulous or whatever was shit. He just walked around aimlessly fucking with the religious. He then claims he just wanted an honest dialogue. I'm all for trolling teh IRL scenes wit leet skills but it was just bad comedy.

I was waiting for Galvatron to show up and blast him.

Maher is the left's answer to Bill O'Reilly in my opinion. And I hate him just as much.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ultima22689 on October 10, 2009, 12:18:27 AM
Quote from: "Big Mac"Maher was never really funny to me. I personally am tired of his political opinings because frankly it tends to have sexual joke somewhere in there. When he talked about gun owners with Ron Paul he made it a point about how buying a lot of guns had to deal with penis size. Really? I am tired of hearing people play that angle. Then they get pissed (Maher does this tactic quite often) when you turn the same joke on them and demand a more "grown-up" debate.

Maher's movie Religoulous or whatever was shit. He just walked around aimlessly fucking with the religious. He then claims he just wanted an honest dialogue. I'm all for trolling teh IRL scenes wit leet skills but it was just bad comedy.

I was waiting for Galvatron to show up and blast him.

Maher is the left's answer to Bill O'Reilly in my opinion. And I hate him just as much.

No, Keith Olberman is Bill O'Reilly. As far as his jokes about people buying guns en masse like China is going to invade or something, yeah, the jokes are warranted. I can't remember someone trying to demand Maher to act more mature, care to give an example. As for Religious I disagree, when he did actually talk to some open minded people he got interesting answers like from the priest at the vatican who seemed surprisingly incredibly great and intelligent. And what did you expect from a person going all around asking people about religion? It could have been Dawkins and he probably would have gotten the same thing.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Will on October 10, 2009, 02:26:56 AM
Due respect, but the left doesn't really have an answer to Bill O'Reilly. Or Glenn Beck. We have strong progressives and people a bit to impassioned for their own good, but there's not really an equivalent on the left for those characters.

Olbermann would be a bit more like a toned down opposite of Hannity.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ultima22689 on October 10, 2009, 02:32:04 AM
Well, yeah, that makes sense with Keith being kinda like Hannity but yeah, you can't really compare any of these celebrities like Bill Maher, Keith or any others out there, I'd name more but there aren't many I can think of that are really vocal and none of them say bat shit insane crazy stuff like the Glenn Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, etc. Now that I think of it I don't get why people say there are people just as insane on the left, i'm sure there ARE some out there that have some crazy ideas like eco terrorist or something but there doesn't really seem to be any psychos on the left that are notable, correct me if i'm wrong.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 10, 2009, 03:01:13 AM
Quote from: "Will"Due respect, but the left doesn't really have an answer to Bill O'Reilly. Or Glenn Beck. We have strong progressives and people a bit to impassioned for their own good, but there's not really an equivalent on the left for those characters.

Olbermann would be a bit more like a toned down opposite of Hannity.

The Left is a bunch of hypocritical assholes who do the same shit conservatives do. They attack those who disagree with them. Don't believe me? Go visit a leftist site like AN and if you disagree they'll attack you like you're satan. The left and right are sides of the same coin. I'm in that little group of ridges between the two. This country has yet to have an intelligent news person who can keep it strictly business in a debate. It's all "ZOMG, you disagree!!!" kind of shit.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Will on October 10, 2009, 03:03:20 AM
Quote from: "Big Mac"The Left is a bunch of hypocritical assholes who do the same shit conservatives do. They attack those who disagree with them. Don't believe me? Go visit a leftist site like AN and if you disagree they'll attack you like you're satan. The left and right are sides of the same coin. I'm in that little group of ridges between the two. This country has yet to have an intelligent news person who can keep it strictly business in a debate. It's all "ZOMG, you disagree!!!" kind of shit.
I'm on the left. Do I do that? Do I attack people that disagree with me or do I show them respect?
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ultima22689 on October 10, 2009, 03:04:35 AM
Quote from: "Will"
Quote from: "Big Mac"The Left is a bunch of hypocritical assholes who do the same shit conservatives do. They attack those who disagree with them. Don't believe me? Go visit a leftist site like AN and if you disagree they'll attack you like you're satan. The left and right are sides of the same coin. I'm in that little group of ridges between the two. This country has yet to have an intelligent news person who can keep it strictly business in a debate. It's all "ZOMG, you disagree!!!" kind of shit.
I'm on the left. Do I do that? Do I attack people that disagree with me or do I show them respect?

Same here, i'm on the left and I don't go around slinging poo everywhere. You can't make broad generalizations like that.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 10, 2009, 03:11:00 AM
I can make them because it's fucking true. The majority of both sides are that stupid and childish. Fuck them both. I am waiting for them to create the crash of society. It's going to happen.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ultima22689 on October 10, 2009, 03:17:44 AM
Quote from: "Big Mac"I can make them because it's fucking true. The majority of both sides are that stupid and childish. Fuck them both. I am waiting for them to create the crash of society. It's going to happen.

I think you're the one that is being childish, i'm not trying to defend particularly the left or the right but you should never make mass generalizations about everyone on the entire spectrum like that. What is your view anyway? Just fuck everything?  There are stupid people on the left and right and there are intelligent people on the left and right and instead of being so pessimistic why don't you actually try to contribute something meaningful to the discussion instead of insulting everyone and being a doomsayer. Society isn't going to collapse, it's just going to change and keep moving.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 10, 2009, 03:27:43 AM
I've learned frankly to be pretty much apathetic. Getting excited over anything is an exercise in futility. The same shit gets brought up every year and nothing changes. I'm not a doomsayer, I'm just being a realist who is fed up with this bullshit. It will collapse eventually. The Romans thought it wouldn't and where did they end up? Italians!!! Would you wish that on your children!?!? WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA!!!
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Will on October 10, 2009, 03:34:06 AM
Quote from: "Big Mac"I can make them because it's fucking true.
If this is the case, it should be easy for you to demonstrate your claim with evidence.
 :pop:
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 10, 2009, 03:34:51 AM
Quote from: "Will"
Quote from: "Big Mac"I can make them because it's fucking true.
If this is the case, it should be easy for you to demonstrate your claim with evidence.
 :pop:


I said it, that makes it true. I can eat you like a rabbit...with my special mind powers!! LULZ!!!
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Will on October 10, 2009, 04:20:54 AM
You've been around these parts for a long time, so you get a lot of leeway, but when you're trolling try not to completely derail the conversation. Or maybe let us know you're not serious.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 10, 2009, 04:22:05 AM
Quote from: "Will"You've been around these parts for a long time, so you get a lot of leeway, but when you're trolling try not to completely derail the conversation. Or maybe let us know you're not serious.

Uh.....it's pretty obvious if I'm trolling, ain't it? Look at the Obama thread I started.....obvious troll is obvious.

Besides, what are you going to do, kill me?
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: McQ on October 10, 2009, 04:47:50 AM
Quote from: "Big Mac"
Quote from: "Will"You've been around these parts for a long time, so you get a lot of leeway, but when you're trolling try not to completely derail the conversation. Or maybe let us know you're not serious.

Uh.....it's pretty obvious if I'm trolling, ain't it? Look at the Obama thread I started.....obvious troll is obvious.

Besides, what are you going to do, kill me?

What will happen is that you will be banned. Any other questions?
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ultima22689 on October 10, 2009, 04:53:43 AM
Wow, with all due respect man, what a punk. How immature do you have to be to troll a forum real people try to have intelligent discussions and you seek to disrupt that for your own selfish joy. Do you have any consideration for others? I mean wow, how much a douche bag do you have to be to be such an antagonist to common human intelligence? It's people who like you who happen to be surprisingly incredibly intelligent yet you give up all positivity and talk about things like something akin to a "lulz world order" it's just wild, you know how terrible a world like that will be yet you post it anyway. We all know you don't believe it, your post were so clearly troll post yet you made me face palm with all that stupidity. It was as if I was trying to subtly nudge you and tell you to grow up but you just kept going and going. You sir are the worst with those insane notions because sometimes people are stupid enough to listen to your troll posts and take it in as a great idea, that's how we get such sites like storm front. Like a blight upon the internet  spreading it's scourge to progress and society, now would you really want to be responsible for such a disgusting social parasite? I hope not, If you could live with such guilt then you truly are the scourge of humanity and if I were silly enough(no disrespect) to believe in a god I would pray for you now but instead I'll just give you a pat on the back and say good luck and hope you aren't responsible for the next social blunder.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 10, 2009, 04:59:07 AM
Quote from: "Ultima22689"Wow, with all due respect man, what a punk. How immature do you have to be to troll a forum real people try to have intelligent discussions and you seek to disrupt that for your own selfish joy. Do you have any consideration for others? I mean wow, how much a douche bag do you have to be to be such an antagonist to common human intelligence? It's people who like you who happen to be surprisingly incredibly intelligent yet you give up all positivity and talk about things like something akin to a "lulz world order" it's just wild, you know how terrible a world like that will be yet you post it anyway. We all know you don't believe it, your post were so clearly troll post yet you made me face palm with all that stupidity. It was as if I was trying to subtly nudge you and tell you to grow up but you just kept going and going. You sir are the worst with those insane notions because sometimes people are stupid enough to listen to your troll posts and take it in as a great idea, that's how we get such sites like storm front. Like a blight upon the internet  spreading it's scourge to progress and society, now would you really want to be responsible for such a disgusting social parasite? I hope not, If you could live with such guilt then you truly are the scourge of humanity and if I were silly enough(no disrespect) to believe in a god I would pray for you now but instead I'll just give you a pat on the back and say good luck and hope you aren't responsible for the next social blunder.

Dude, don't be so melodramatic. Some loudmouth like me on the interwebs is not going to start the next genocide or some crazy shit. Not that I haven't tried. Damn Norwegians.....bunch of southern hemisphere commies...

I thought you guys could take a joke. Sheesh.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ultima22689 on October 10, 2009, 05:01:58 AM
Quote from: "Big Mac"
Quote from: "Ultima22689"Wow, with all due respect man, what a punk. How immature do you have to be to troll a forum real people try to have intelligent discussions and you seek to disrupt that for your own selfish joy. Do you have any consideration for others? I mean wow, how much a douche bag do you have to be to be such an antagonist to common human intelligence? It's people who like you who happen to be surprisingly incredibly intelligent yet you give up all positivity and talk about things like something akin to a "lulz world order" it's just wild, you know how terrible a world like that will be yet you post it anyway. We all know you don't believe it, your post were so clearly troll post yet you made me face palm with all that stupidity. It was as if I was trying to subtly nudge you and tell you to grow up but you just kept going and going. You sir are the worst with those insane notions because sometimes people are stupid enough to listen to your troll posts and take it in as a great idea, that's how we get such sites like storm front. Like a blight upon the internet  spreading it's scourge to progress and society, now would you really want to be responsible for such a disgusting social parasite? I hope not, If you could live with such guilt then you truly are the scourge of humanity and if I were silly enough(no disrespect) to believe in a god I would pray for you now but instead I'll just give you a pat on the back and say good luck and hope you aren't responsible for the next social blunder.

Dude, don't be so melodramatic. Some loudmouth like me on the interwebs is not going to start the next genocide or some crazy shit. Not that I haven't tried. Damn Norwegians.....bunch of southern hemisphere commies...

I thought you guys could take a joke. Sheesh.

Wow, you really do go around doing that. That's pretty sad dude, no disrespect, I'm just being a realist.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 10, 2009, 05:02:44 AM
Quote from: "Ultima22689"
Quote from: "Big Mac"
Quote from: "Ultima22689"Wow, with all due respect man, what a punk. How immature do you have to be to troll a forum real people try to have intelligent discussions and you seek to disrupt that for your own selfish joy. Do you have any consideration for others? I mean wow, how much a douche bag do you have to be to be such an antagonist to common human intelligence? It's people who like you who happen to be surprisingly incredibly intelligent yet you give up all positivity and talk about things like something akin to a "lulz world order" it's just wild, you know how terrible a world like that will be yet you post it anyway. We all know you don't believe it, your post were so clearly troll post yet you made me face palm with all that stupidity. It was as if I was trying to subtly nudge you and tell you to grow up but you just kept going and going. You sir are the worst with those insane notions because sometimes people are stupid enough to listen to your troll posts and take it in as a great idea, that's how we get such sites like storm front. Like a blight upon the internet  spreading it's scourge to progress and society, now would you really want to be responsible for such a disgusting social parasite? I hope not, If you could live with such guilt then you truly are the scourge of humanity and if I were silly enough(no disrespect) to believe in a god I would pray for you now but instead I'll just give you a pat on the back and say good luck and hope you aren't responsible for the next social blunder.

Dude, don't be so melodramatic. Some loudmouth like me on the interwebs is not going to start the next genocide or some crazy shit. Not that I haven't tried. Damn Norwegians.....bunch of southern hemisphere commies...

I thought you guys could take a joke. Sheesh.

Wow, you really do go around doing that. That's pretty sad dude, no disrespect, I'm just being a realist.

I'm doin' it for teh lulz. Chargin' mah lazor and shit.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ultima22689 on October 10, 2009, 05:04:02 AM
QuoteI'm doin' it for teh lulz. Chargin' mah lazor and shit.

Haha, wow, yeah i'm done with this stupidity, he just keeps trolling, I apologize to the others if I've been somewhat... passionate.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 10, 2009, 05:07:25 AM
Quote from: "Ultima22689"
QuoteI'm doin' it for teh lulz. Chargin' mah lazor and shit.

Haha, wow, yeah i'm done with this stupidity, he just keeps trolling, I apologize to the others if I've been somewhat... passionate.

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.encyclopediadramatica.com%2Fimages%2F6%2F63%2FRollinhatin.jpg&hash=a815dc72131a152c6a48d3e61821843eb9090632)

You can't catch me ridin' durtay....don't be hatin', dawgs!>!>! LULZ!!!!
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ninteen45 on October 11, 2009, 03:55:30 AM
The door is that way. This giant Hammer McQ is holding will smash you through it.

Oh, yeah. Pick up any bone fragments or skin pieces while you are at it.

thank you!  :blush:
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 11, 2009, 06:58:01 AM
Quote from: "Ninteen45"The door is that way. This giant Hammer McQ is holding will smash you through it.

Oh, yeah. Pick up any bone fragments or skin pieces while you are at it.

thank you!  :blush:


You're not welcome?


OHHHHHH BURN!!!!
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ninteen45 on October 11, 2009, 09:58:42 PM
Quiet, Nail!
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 12, 2009, 01:57:12 AM
Quote from: "Ninteen45"Quiet, Nail!
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_IVI5W8Eg3Gs%2FSI8lYL-M6jI%2FAAAAAAAAABE%2FhJEyACF7rNQ%2Fs320%2FYouMad.jpg&hash=11dd16a43cbbb37c9d6991a7932d0ef72a323a9d)

Why so serious?
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Renegnicat on October 12, 2009, 05:31:57 PM
I don't see the problem with Bigmac's "troll" post, as I don't think they were meant as a legitimate troll. He's just trying to be funny, and, well, if he changed his tack and labeled the post "satirical" it would probably get a better reception. Maybe it's just me, but I've yet to see his posts cause that big of a disruption, and it's not like he's actually trying to upset others.

He's trying to be satirical. I don't mind. It's just that, you have to be careful, because on the internet people often take things very seriously. So much information is lost in the internet, that it's hard to tell when someone is making fun. And so the result is he looks like a troll.

I don't mind, though.  :blush:
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: McQ on October 12, 2009, 07:59:58 PM
Quote from: "Renegnicat"I don't see the problem with Bigmac's "troll" post, as I don't think they were meant as a legitimate troll. He's just trying to be funny, and, well, if he changed his tack and labeled the post "satirical" it would probably get a better reception. Maybe it's just me, but I've yet to see his posts cause that big of a disruption, and it's not like he's actually trying to upset others.

He's trying to be satirical. I don't mind. It's just that, you have to be careful, because on the internet people often take things very seriously. So much information is lost in the internet, that it's hard to tell when someone is making fun. And so the result is he looks like a troll.

I don't mind, though.  :blush:

Thanks for the feedback.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ninteen45 on October 12, 2009, 08:52:42 PM
Quote from: "Big Mac"*Pic*

Why so serious?

Oh yeah, well:

Hannah Montana is the next Mozart.

YOU MADE ME DO IT! I WARNED YOU!
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Whitney on October 12, 2009, 11:27:07 PM
Since this thread is already derailed, I'm just going to post this here rather than pm...plus a public shaming is in order....


Big Mac....what have we discussed about your not posting when you are drunk?  You know you can't handle yourself when drunk and you know that I don't appreciate it when you troll the forum while drunk.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Ninteen45 on October 12, 2009, 11:39:47 PM
It's all just some fun. lighten up!

This is the Happy Atheist Forum, no?

Anyway, I like the new rules thing he posts.
Title: Re: Bill Maher - what's the big deal?
Post by: Big Mac on October 13, 2009, 09:10:09 AM
Quote from: "Whitney"Since this thread is already derailed, I'm just going to post this here rather than pm...plus a public shaming is in order....


Big Mac....what have we discussed about your not posting when you are drunk?  You know you can't handle yourself when drunk and you know that I don't appreciate it when you troll the forum while drunk.

Yeah I know....I just get the urge to be dumb on the sauce. On the other hand, I did get a few lulzcows....