'Real Time with Bill Maher' Returning to HBO Without Writers Amid WGA Strike

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'Real Time With Bill Maher' is returning to the air, but without its writers amid the Writers Guild of America strike. Host Bill Maher announced the news on Twitter writing, "Real Time is coming back, unfortunately, sans writers or writing. It has been five months, and it is time to bring people back to work. The writers have important issues that I sympathize with, and hope they are addressed to their satisfaction, but they are not the only people with issues, problems, and concerns."

Transcript

00:00Real Time with Bill Maher is returning to the air without its writers amid the Writers Guild of America strike.

00:05Host Bill Maher announced the news on social media on Wednesday.

00:08He wrote,

00:09Real Time is coming back. Unfortunately, sans writers or writing.

00:13It has been five months and it is time to bring people back to work.

00:16The writers have important issues that I sympathize with and hope they are addressed to their satisfaction.

00:21But they are not the only people with issues, problems and concerns.

00:25Maher went on to say,

00:25Much of the staff is struggling mightily and that though he appreciates his writers,

00:29I'm not prepared to lose an entire year and see so many below the line people suffer so much.

00:34The host said he will, quote,

00:35Honor the spirit of the strike by not doing a pre-written monologue, desk piece, new rules segment or editorial segments.

00:41Maher continued,

00:42And I'll say it up front to the audience.

00:44The show I will be doing without my writers will not be as good as our normal show. Full stop.

00:48The WGA said in a statement,

00:50The Guild has and will continue to picket struck shows that are in production during the strike.

00:54The union also shared a lengthier statement on social media that read,

00:57Bill Maher's decision to go back on the air while his guild is on strike is disappointing.

01:01If he goes forward with his plan, he needs to honor more than the spirit of the strike.

01:05As a WGA member, Bill Maher is obligated to follow the strike rules and not perform any writing services.

01:10It is difficult to imagine how real time can go forward without a violation of WGA strike rules taking place.

01:16For more on this story, go to THR.com.

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'Real Time with Bill Maher' Returning to HBO Without Writers Amid WGA Strike | THR News Video

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