Bill Maher Delays Real Time Return Amid WGA Strike in Latest Reversal

Bill Maher has caved, too.

In an 11th hour reversal, Maher announced Monday that he is delaying the Sept. 22 return of Real Time With Bill Maher in light of the writers’ strike. The HBO series was slated to be the first late-night offering to return since the Writers Guild of America began its work stoppage in May

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“My decision to return to work was made when it seemed nothing was happening and there was no end in sight to this strike,” Maher shared on X (fka Twitter). “Now that both sides have agreed to go back to the negotiating table I’m going to delay the return of Real Time, for now, and hope they can finally get this done.”

Maher’s about-face follows similar reversals over the weekend by fellow talkers Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Hudson (as well as CBS’ The Talk), although his decision comes as something of a surprise given his tepid strike stance.

“[We live in] this bipartisan world we have where you’re just in one camp or the other, there’s no in between,” he previously stated. “You’re either for the strike like they’re f–king Che Guevara out there… or you’re with Trump. There’s no difference — there’s only two camps. And it’s much more complicated than that.”

Maher’s initial decision to return sans writers drew the ire of the WGA, which released the following statement last week: “Bill Maher’s decision to go back on the air while his Guild is on strike is disappointing. If he goes forward with his plan, he needs to honor more than ‘the spirit of the strike.’ Bill Maher is obligated as a WGA member to follow the strike rules and not perform any writing services. It is difficult to imagine how Real Time With Bill Maher can go forward without a violation of WGA strike rules taking place. WGA will be picketing this show.”

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