HBO announced this week that it has decided to renew Bill Maher’s political talk show not just for one season, but for two, allowing Real Time with Bill Maher a full schedule up through 2020. Season 17 is scheduled for 2019, while the following season 18 will be for 2020.
But that’s not all the news that HBO had for Maher and fans: the premiere cable network also announced that the deal includes a stand-up special (which will be Maher’s 11th of his career) and a retrospective special to celebrate the most memorable moments from Real Time with Bill Maher.
Casey Bloys, president of HBO programming, said on the network’s latest deal with Maher, “We are incredibly proud to continue our longstanding relationship with Bill Maher. As part of the HBO family for nearly 30 years, Bill’s distinctive point of view, coupled with his passion and commitment to insightful and informative entertainment, has remained unparalleled.
Maher himself offered his own comments, expressing his gratitude that HBO has allowed him a series of new opportunities on the network. “I’m extraordinarily grateful to HBO for one of the great relationships of my life,” Maher said, going on to joke, “[I] applaud their efforts to fight ageism by signing me to this extended deal.”
HBO’s new deal with Maher comes several months after the comedian saw controversy after he made comments using questionable language on his show. Maher quickly apologized, but many wondered if the incident would see the end of Real Time with Bill Maher. With their newest deal, HBO made it clear this would not be the case.
Maher did his first special with HBO back in 1989 and gone on to star in 10 other HBO specials since then. Besides his show Real Time, Maher is also an executive producer on HBO’s news show VICE, which is currently in its fifth season.