Bill Maher gets comically correct, funny at CPAC

By Porschia Baker
On-line Forty-Niner

Guess who's coming to dinner? Bill Maher and he is bringing a plate of flame broiled honesty and his infamous bowl of creamy quick sense of humor to Cal State Long Beach Friday at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center.

It has been two years since his sold-out 2001 appearance at CSULB.

Maher is returning to the Carpenter Center, and he is well prepared to feed his audience until they are stuffed with his form of political and social commentary.

His book, "When you ride ALONE you ride with bin LADEN: What the Government SHOULD Be Telling Us to Help Fight The War on Terrorism," is a best seller.

In the book he covers issues with freedom of speech, and adds that war will continue beyond the Sept. 11 tragedy, and what people at home can do to help the war, besides just donating blood and displaying American flags on their cars.

In April Maher did a comedic performance of his "Victory Begins at Home" on Broadway. His show, which was inspired by his best selling book, was nominated for a Tony Award.

Selling books has not been Maher's claim to fame. Maher burst onto the scene with his creation of "Politically Incorrect" on Comedy Central in 1993. On his show he brought together politicians, entertainers, authors and journalists to discuss controversial and topical issues.

TV Guide called it "The Best Talk Show on Television."  "Politically Incorrect" also won seven Cable Ace Awards and was nominated for 18 Emmys, including "Outstanding Variety."

As "Politically Incorrect" became more popular, it eventually took over ABC's "Nightline" time slot and thrived there for five- and-a-half-years. In July of 2002, "Politically Incorrect" abruptly ended its run on television because of a comment Maher made only a few days after September 11, 2001.

In a quote from Newsday Maher said, "that it might possibly take more courage to fly yourself into the side of a building than to drop tonnage on people from the sky."

As a result of his comment, there was an uproar from viewers and advertisers, who pulled their advertisements. An article in the Philadelphia Inquirer said, "When Ari Fleischer, Bush's press secretary, was questioned about Maher's comment he said 'Americans need to watch what they say.'"

Eventually ABC cancelled "Politically Incorrect." In an interview with The Village Voice, Maher said, "I was the first one to be Dixie Chicked."

Although "Politically Incorrect" was cancelled, this did not extinguish the comedian's flame. Currently he has a new show on HBO, "Real Time with Bill Maher," which airs Friday evenings.

Maher was not available for comment.

EVENT LISTING

What: Bill Maher
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA
For ticket information call: (562) 985-7000