Source: C Flanigan / Getty
Bill Maher is in hot water after using the N-word during his latest Real Time interview.
The TV host was having a discussion with Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse, when the senator casually invited him to visit the state.
“We’d love to have you work in the fields with us,” Sasse joked. Maher responded, “Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house n—er.”
The tasteless joke only mustered uncomfortable laughs from the audience, followed by backlash from viewers. The joke was shocking to just about everyone but Black Twitter, who was there to remind us that Maher has been saying offensive things like this for years now.
https://twitter.com/eveewing/status/870980369721458688
https://twitter.com/HalfAtlanta/status/870986758229504001
https://twitter.com/HausUrban/status/870985427242688513
https://twitter.com/mychalsmith/status/871037910866329600
https://twitter.com/MsPackyetti/status/870999143849873410
In a statement to Hollywood Reporter, HBO addressed the issue. “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.” Senator Sasse also felt he had some apologizing to do, and hopped on Twitter to confess that he should have stood up to Maher for making such an offensive joke.
“I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines,” Sasse tweets. “But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn’t good enough.”
Some folks don’t seem to think HBO is doling out the proper punishment. Chance The Rapper tweeted that the network should cut all ties with the political pundit.
What are your thoughts on Maher’s n-word joke, and how do you think HBO should handle it?
SOURCE: THR | IMAGE CREDIT: Getty
Black Twitter Isn’t Shocked That Bill Maher Used The N-Word was originally published on globalgrind.com
