Ep 18. May 28, 2021

On May 28, 2021, Real Time with Bill Maher aired its 18th episode of the 19th season. As always, host Bill Maher was joined by a group of panelists to discuss the latest news and current events. This episode promised to be especially interesting, as Maher welcomed a diverse group of guests to the show.

First on the panel was Jay Leno, former host of The Tonight Show. Maher and Leno have a long-standing friendship and often agree on political issues, so their conversation promised to be lively and entertaining. Next was MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, known for her incisive political commentary and her Emmy-winning show The Rachel Maddow Show. Rounding out the panel was Adam McKay, the writer and director of comedy classics like Step Brothers and Anchorman, as well as more serious works like The Big Short.

The panel began with a discussion of the Biden administration's first few months in office. Maher and Maddow both praised Biden for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his efforts to pass an infrastructure bill. Leno noted that he had concerns about inflation and the national debt, but he also acknowledged that Biden had inherited a difficult situation.

From there, the conversation turned to recent developments in the GOP. McKay, who has been an outspoken critic of the Republican Party, offered his perspective on the growing influence of far-right voices like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz. Maddow added that she was concerned about the GOP's attempts to restrict voting rights in many states, while Leno questioned whether the party was truly representing the interests of its constituents.

The panel also discussed the recent ceasefire in Israel and Palestine, with Maddow sharing her thoughts on the conflict and the role of the United States in resolving it. Maher, who has been a vocal critic of Israel's policies in the past, welcomed Maddow's input and pushed back against some of Leno's more pro-Israel comments.

In addition to the panel discussion, the episode featured several interviews. Maher chatted with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a prominent scholar and expert on race relations, about his new book on the legacy of George Floyd's death. Maher also spoke with Robert Costa, a political journalist who has covered the GOP for years, about the current state of the party and the upcoming midterms.

As always, the episode closed with Maher's "New Rules" segment, which took on a variety of topics from cryptocurrency to the culture wars. Maher seemed particularly fired up during this segment, offering his trademark mix of humor and pointed commentary.

Overall, Real Time with Bill Maher season 19 episode 18 was a lively and engaging discussion of the week's top stories. With a diverse and insightful panel and a range of interesting guests, this episode was a must-watch for anyone interested in politics and current events.