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The Best Episodes of Real Time with Bill Maher

Every episode of Real Time with Bill Maher ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Real Time with Bill Maher!

Binge this in 29d 13h•Peaking at 7.8/10

Each week Bill Maher surrounds himself with a panel of guests which include politicians, actors, comedians, musicians and the like to discuss what's going on in the world.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Real Time with Bill Maher Season 9 Episode 26 - August 05, 2011
    7.8/10(31 votes)

    #1 - August 05, 2011

    S9:E26

    Guests: Ex-Obama economy adviser Christina Romer, Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Salon editor-at-large Joan Walsh, Palin biography filmmaker Stephen K Bannon and chef Anthony Bourdain. Topics: US credit downgrade, debt ceiling deal, failure of the stimulus package, inability of Democrats to negotiate, 'job creators', defunding of science in America, Rick Perry's prayer festival, escaping poverty, would Hillary Clinton have been better, need for a left-wing tea party equivalent.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 19 Episode 23 - Episode 573
    7.8/10(50 votes)

    #2 - Episode 573

    S19:E23

    Screen legends Martin Short and Steve Martin join Bill for the opening interview, while journalist Michael Moynihan and former DNC chair Donna Brazile join him for the panel discussion.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 3 Episode 16 - September 09, 2005
    7.7/10(27 votes)

    #3 - September 09, 2005

    S3:E16

    Guests: Walter Maestri, Joe Scarborough, comedian George Carlin, Cynthia Tucker, conservative editorialist James K. Glassman, writer Kurt Vonnegut Topics: Michael D. Brown, US political system, on race, on the Administration

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 19 Episode 8 - Episode 558
    7.7/10(55 votes)

    #4 - Episode 558

    S19:E8

    This week, Bill sits down with New York Times bestselling-author Annabelle Gurwitch. For the panel, he is joined by Scott Galloway, Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern, and comedian Larry Wilmore.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 20 Episode 10 - April 1, 2022: Nicole Perlroth, Laura Coates, Andrew Yang
    7.7/10(52 votes)

    #5 - April 1, 2022: Nicole Perlroth, Laura Coates, Andrew Yang

    S20:E10

    Kicking off this week's episode, Bill interviews Nicole Perlroth, former lead cybersecurity and digital espionage reporter for The New York Times. On the panel, he is joined by Laura Coates, a CNN Senior Legal Analyst, and Andrew Yang, former Democratic Presidential candidate and founder of the new political third party, Forward.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 9 Episode 2 - January 21, 2011
    7.6/10(29 votes)

    #6 - January 21, 2011

    S9:E2

    Guests: Journalist Michael Hastings, politician/businessman David Stockman, political commentator Rachel Maddow, economist Stephen Moore, entrepreneur Russell Simmons Topics: Keith Olbermann, Tunisian protests, health care, Ronald Reagan's legacy, gun control, Tucson shooting

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Real Time with Bill Maher

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  7. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 10 Episode 8 - March 09, 2012
    7.6/10(32 votes)

    #7 - March 09, 2012

    S10:E8

    Guests: Israeli ambassador Michael Oren, Ex SEIU head Andrew Stern, author Catherine Crier, Ex, RNC chair Michael Steele, "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm. Topics: Iran's nuclear program, Israel's conservative government, Super Tuesday results, a third political party in America, the price of freedom of speech, contraception and abortion, prejudice and voting against economic interest, home schooling.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 17 Episode 20 - Episode 500
    7.6/10(43 votes)

    #8 - Episode 500

    S17:E20

    Guests: Allan Lichtman, Dr. Debra Soh, Thom Hartmann, Liz Mair, Dan Savage.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 18 Episode 3 - Episode 518
    7.6/10(53 votes)

    #9 - Episode 518

    S18:E3

    First interview: Mayor Pete Buttigieg. On the panel: Rick Wilson, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and Mitch Landrieu. Second interview: Michael Eric Dyson.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 18 Episode 35 - Episode 550
    7.6/10(40 votes)

    #10 - Episode 550

    S18:E35

    For his final show of 2020, Bill interviews author Professor Michael Eric Dyson. On the panel, he is joined by contributing writer for 'The Atlantic' Alex Wagner and historian Jon Meacham.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 19 Episode 19 - Episode 569
    7.6/10(37 votes)

    #11 - Episode 569

    S19:E19

    Bill interviews fellow comedian Nikki Glaser to open the show and is then joined on the panel by political commentator Paul Begala and journalist Jane Coaston.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 19 Episode 20 - Episode 570
    7.6/10(49 votes)

    #12 - Episode 570

    S19:E20

    This week, Bill opens the show by interviewing acclaimed film director Quentin Tarantino, and for the panel is joined by author Max Brooks and pop-historian Dan Carlin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 20 Episode 35 - November 18, 2022: Matthew Perry, Laura Coates, Jonathan Haidt
    7.6/10(41 votes)

    #13 - November 18, 2022: Matthew Perry, Laura Coates, Jonathan Haidt

    S20:E35

    For the last show of the season, Bill interviews actor Matthew Perry about his new book. On the panel, he is joined by CNN anchor Laura Coates and Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at NYU’s Stern School of Business.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 22 Episode 20 - June 21, 2024: Martin Short, Andrew Cuomo, Adam Kinzinger
    7.6/10(57 votes)

    #14 - June 21, 2024: Martin Short, Andrew Cuomo, Adam Kinzinger

    S22:E20

    Guests: An interview with Martin Short (known as his fictional character Jiminy Glick) who will be interviewing Maher about his book "What This Comedian Said Will Shock You." This week's panel discussion includes Andrew Cuomo, former Democratic governor of New York; and Adam Kinzinger, former Republican congressman from Illinois, co-author of "Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country," and founder of the Country First PAC.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 2 Episode 18 - October 01, 2004
    7.5/10(27 votes)

    #15 - October 01, 2004

    S2:E18

    Guests: Comedian George Carlin, correspondent Katty Kay, economist Stephen Moore, The Dixie Chicks, talk show host Tucker Carlson Topics: Presidential election debates, religion

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 4 Episode 20 - October 20, 2006
    7.5/10(32 votes)

    #16 - October 20, 2006

    S4:E20

    Guests: Gov. Bill Richardson, Rep. Barney Frank, actor Jason Alexander, Stephen Moore of The Wall Street Journal; via satellite, author David Kuo Topics: North Korea policy, Congressional scandals, gay marriage, Military Commissions Act

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 7 Episode 1 - February 20, 2009
    7.5/10(29 votes)

    #17 - February 20, 2009

    S7:E1

    Guests: Financial Times editor Chrystia Freeland, journalist Tina Brown, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA); via satellite, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), journalist Brigitte Gabriel Topics: The economy, President Obama's first month in office

    Director:Hal Grant
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 7 Episode 15 - June 05, 2009
    7.5/10(25 votes)

    #18 - June 05, 2009

    S7:E15

    Guests: Actor and comedian D. L. Hughley, Council of Foreign Relations president Richard Haass, novelist Paula Froelich, journalist Jeremy Scahill, Fortune editor Matt Miller Topics: Obama's visit to the Middle East, terrorism, abortion debate and the murder of Dr. George Tiller, gay marriage, health care reform in the United States

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 7 Episode 31 - October 16, 2009
    7.5/10(27 votes)

    #19 - October 16, 2009

    S7:E31

    Guests: Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) , Actor Alec Baldwin, comedian and actor Garry Shandling, Hardball host Chris Matthews, Maryland governor Martin O'Malley Topics: Balloon Boy incident, Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, health care reform, H1N1 vaccination concerns, ongoing efforts to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, sexual harassment in the military, Rush Limbaugh's failed bid to buy the St. Louis Rams, steroid use in professional sports

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 8 Episode 1 - February 19, 2010
    7.5/10(29 votes)

    #20 - February 19, 2010

    S8:E1

    Guests: Chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel Elizabeth Warren, comedienne Wanda Sykes, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane , former Governor Eliot Spitzer, and Norah O'Donnell Topics: Lack of action by government, bipartisanship, the filibuster, Obama's handling of terrorism, torture, controversy over Family Guy's Down's Syndrome episode, race and criticism of Obama, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Kevin Smith's airplane incident, obesity, Bill's tweet criticizing media coverage of Haiti

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 8 Episode 20 - October 08, 2010
    7.5/10(25 votes)

    #21 - October 08, 2010

    S8:E20

    Guests: Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin, conservative commentator S. E. Cupp, comedian P. J. O'Rourke, journalist Joshua Green Topics: Gene Cranick, zero-sum economic theory, Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), Christine O'Donnell, Rich Iott, climate change, religion

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 9 Episode 12 - April 08, 2011
    7.5/10(25 votes)

    #22 - April 08, 2011

    S9:E12

    Guests: Pilot Chesley Sullenberger, CNN host Eliot Spitzer, BBC anchor Katty Kay, Daily Beast blogger Andrew Sullivan, comedian Colin Quinn Topics: Government shutdown, Planned Parenthood, US Budget, Objectivism, Libya, reaction to Pastor Terry Jones, Donald Trump, Class conflict

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 9 Episode 14 - April 29, 2011
    7.5/10(26 votes)

    #23 - April 29, 2011

    S9:E14

    Guests: Governor Deval Patrick (D-MA), journalist Laura Flanders, blogger Andrew Breitbart, author Mark McKinnon, director John Waters Topics: Birther and schooler conspiracy theories, labor union bill in Massachusetts, Romneycare, racism in the GOP, Donald Trump, gas prices, windfall profits tax, censorship on TV, Victory Day in Afghanistan, monarchy in the UK

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 9 Episode 18 - June 03, 2011
    7.5/10(29 votes)

    #24 - June 03, 2011

    S9:E18

    Guests: U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, professor Melissa Harris-Perry, former New York Rep. Rick Lazio, journalist Larry King, writer/director Adam McKay Topics: Mitt Romney's Presidential campaign, Republican hyperbolic rhetoric about Obama, Sarah Palin's bus tour, Rep. Anthony Weiner scandal, Lee Atwater, John Edwards scandal, the US budget deficit, link between cell phones and cancer, businessmen as politicians

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Real Time with Bill Maher Season 9 Episode 28 - September 23, 2011
    7.5/10(31 votes)

    #25 - September 23, 2011

    S9:E28

    Guests: Journalist Ron Suskind, musician and activist Tom Morello, co-editor of Deadline Artists: America’s Greatest Newspaper Columns John Avlon, former Representative and Director, President, and CEO of The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Jane Harman (D-CA), filmmaker Michael Moore Topics: Obama's first term in office, Ricky Perry's campaign, unemployment, Bill O'Reilly threat to quote, wealthy people unwilling to accept higher taxes, Tony Bennett remarks, artist censorship, occupation of Wall Street, poor people voting against their economic interests

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"August 05, 2011" is the best rated episode of "Real Time with Bill Maher". It scored 7.8/10 based on 31 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 8/5/2011. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Episode 573".