Senator Al Franken Cancels Bill Maher Appearance Amid Controversy

[Jose Garcia]

Source: Huffington Post

A spokesperson for Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) confirmed to HuffPost that the senator is canceling his appearance on the upcoming episode of “Real Time” in the wake of host Bill Maher’s use of a racial slur on-air.

“Senator Franken believes that what Bill Maher said was inappropriate and offensive, which is why he made the decision not to appear on the next episode of ‘Real Time,’” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “He was glad to see Bill, who the Senator considers to be a good friend, apologize and express sincere regret for his comment.”

Last Friday, Maher joked that he was a “house n****r” while in conversation with Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), who invited Maher to “work in the fields” of his represented state. Maher later called his use of the term “offensive.”

The backlash was strong enough for Maher to apologize ― something he’s known for rarely doing ― and for HBO to confirm that the network currently has no plans to fire him.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bill-maher-controversy-al-franken_us_59359b04e4b013c48169f65c?b

[mucifer]

1. a good idea.

[Orrex]

2. Someone on DU should tell Franken that Maher is just a comedian and a bold political commentator

Rather than the racist, sexist, misogyninst, Islamophobic and transphobic endorser of child rape that Maher's own statements over the years reveal him to be.

[Paladin]

3. Well said. Sen. Franken already detached himself from Kathy Griffin.

It's only correct that he do the same with the loose-lipped and increasingly conservative Maher.

Franken for President, 2020 (if not sooner).

[forgotmylogin]

4. Oh come on. He apologized completely and directly.

We need to hear Al Franken, and we need people like Maher who are truthful and responsible for owning up after an occasional misstep.

Franken still works with Don the Con, doesn't he?

[Orrex]

5. He was forced to apologize for his most recent idiotic statement, yes.

When he apologizes sincerely for his long history of racism, sexism, misogyny, Islamophobia, transphobia, and endorsement of child rape, then maybe he'll seem less like a poisonous asshole.

* * *
"Franken still works with Don the Con, doesn't he?"
* * *

How is that relevant? Herr Trump occupies the Whitehouse, so Senator Franken is required to work with him.

The chronically over-rated Bill Maher occupies a slot on tv, so Senator Franken isn't required to have anything at all to do with him.

[forgotmylogin]

6. Well I guess you're right.

We should remove Maher from television despite him getting great panels that take down the Administration regularly and being on our side. His own personal opinions should be quashed despite them being tempered with liberalism. Comedians should never bring on risky guests even for the purpose of exposing their hypocrisy.

[Plucketeer]

7. Yeah

GOD FORBID there anything provocative or controversial or non-PC available for people to choose from! What we need is something like Mr. Rogers for the over 21 gang. TV sets still come with tuners.

Hell, you can go see a foul-mouthed comic at a theater - or not buy a ticket. From what I've heard, the last perfect person had his life cut short at age 33 because he WAS perfect. I've lived to see my 70s and I make no apologies!

[Orrex]

8. Did I call for him to be removed from television? Obviously not.

So why would you base your response upon that false notion?

Left him be on tv for as long as his employers care to put up with his bullshit. For my part, I'd be content if he were held in less exalted reverence here on DU, where his throng of fans are happy to excuse his every anti-progressive attitude as long as he sometimes pisses of a Conservative.

[maddiemom]

9. I'll agree Mahar's been a bit mysogenistic at times; most annoying to me, personally,

but I'd appreciate a few good examples of each of that glib list of his offenses you rattle off. One thing about Maher: he has the most varied and interesting guests of any show, and is not afraid to include those who disagree with him, AND sometimes they get the better of him, to the appreciation of many of his audience. Some, like Cornell West, often get annoying (to me), but they're ALWAYS interesting.

[Orrex]

10. Here are a few to get you started

Let's Shine Some Light On The Awfulness That Is Bill Maher

Bill Maher Justifies 14-Year-Old Being Arrested For Bringing Clock To School

Bill Maher, who aided Yiannopoulos’ fall, also defended sex with children

Bill Maher Weirdly Warns That ‘The Transgendered’ Could Help Donald Trump Win

He holds a lot of views that we would condemn outright in any Conservative, and we certainly wouldn't bend over backwards to defend such a Conservative.

[maddiemom]

12. You can agree or disagree with individual OPINIONS.

In fact, I agree with some of these opinions. Maher thrives on being controversial. Again, often his guests and audience put him in his place. Aside from RADICAL Islam, he rarely flogs these opinions relentlessly (except for marijuana legalization and religion, most are one-time things). Still, his guests and their opinions make this very entertaining and mentally stimulating television.

[Orrex]

13. Then we have nothing further to discuss

Maher isn't simply "controversial;" he's an asshole. His opinions demonstrate him to be an asshole.

And if you share (some of) those opinions, well...

[maddiemom]

14. Wholeheartedly agree! End of discussion.

[Jose Garcia]

11. There are lots of other outlets for Senator Franken to make his voice heard

[whathehell]

16. Yeah..that's more than he did for his ugly misogynist comments

...or was asked to.

[Sunlei]

15. IMO it would be better, more helpful to society if he discussed his feelings on the live show.

[ImpeachTheGOP]

17. I wish Al would have shown a little more loyalty and fortitude.

He knows damn well that Bill is no racist and he knows damn well how comedy works. At the very least he could have gone on and lectured Bill.

This whole thing is so overblown by the right pretending to be outraged over something they do with malice and vituperation all the time and by the ultra purist left bent on destroying one of our own.

Mountains, molehills and all that jazz.

[rzemanfl]

18. Welcome to DU. n/t