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May 24, 2013

Bill Maher, Amazon.com team up for weekly talk show

by Anna Johns, posted Jan 19th 2006 12:09PM

This sounds good... but then it gets weird. Amazon is creating original programming on its website in the form of a talk show, hosted by comedian Bill Maher. The 30-minute program will open in traditional talk show format, with a monologue by Maher and then an interview with a guest or a performance from a musical group. All the featured acts will have something up for sale on Amazon.com. Now, here's where it goes downhill. Bill Maher is known for his political humor, but, according to the New York Times, Amazon has asked him to steer clear of politics in his weekly monologues. Why get Bill Maher, then? What on earth will the man talk about?

The new show, called Amazon Fishbowl, launches on its website on June 1st. A new episode will appear each Thursday night for twelve weeks. After that, Amazon says it has plans for other original programming, which it's not yet revealing.

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sean crean

LAST NIGHT BILL MAHER MOCKED A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM .RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME WHICH I HAVE AND 18 MILLION PEOPLE .GETS SO BAD THAT IT CAUSES PEOPLE TO KILL THEMSELVES .WHILE I LIKE MAHER IT WAS SHAMEFUL TO BELITTLE SUCH A SERIOUS THINK .THANKS .SEAN

March 18 2006 at 1:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Suzanne

I think you're all selling Bill Maher short. He's a smart and acerbically funny guy, and (IMHO) doesn't need politics to show off his sharp-witted interview prowess. I didn't see the NYT article, but cannot believe Maher would allow anyone to "tell" him what to say or not say. I don't suppose it is possible that this was a mutual decision between him and Amazon? He's already got a political venue -- why does he need another? Sorry, I'm just a big bullheaded fan. ;-) Could be just as Maher who wants to stretch himself.

January 21 2006 at 2:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sam

I'm equally curious as to why Bill agreed to host a sow that won't let him show off what he's best known for. I guess he wants to broaden his horizons. Or something. Or maybe they're just paying him a lot.

January 19 2006 at 3:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Myron

Marketer: Lets get somebody really provocative.
Junior Assistant: How about Bill Maher?
Marketer: Perfect!
Business Guy: But what if he says something provocative?
Marketer: Oh. He'll have to agree not to say anything provocative. We'll get that in writing.
Business Guy: Sounds like a plan.

January 19 2006 at 1:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
BC19

Perhaps they figure he can keep his opinions to himsulf during these 30 minute fluff pieces online. If he feels the need to say something really political he can wait until the next episode of Real Time on HBO.

January 19 2006 at 12:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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