Bill Maher apologizes for N-word. HBO/Sasse also comment
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UnemployedVillain
Member
Yeah, it was basically akin to this
Lord Frieza
Member
They actually put the episode on HBO Now (and I assume Go). They must've been double guessing doing so because usually it's up a long time before now. I'm assuming they censored that in some way.
OG Shaka Zulu
Member
Baby Boy Bill is a diet racist like a lot of Liberals.
Sarcastico
Member
Maher gonna Maher, but at least he apologised this time.
This post stands out at me, so let me try to address it.
When you apologize, you don't do it unprompted. You do it because you caused some kind of harm, minor or otherwise, to some party. You also don't whisper it to you bedroom wall, you say it to the injured party.
If you're apologizing to make yourself feel better, you're now telling the person or people you harmed to sit down so that you can purge your emotions at them, and then perhaps subsequently ignore them because your apology has done its job. Then you're expecting them to treat you as if you did something noble.
The purpose of an apology is not to serve you as the person who caused the harm. It's to provide some sort of reparation for the damage caused to the injured party. That's who the focus is on.
In the case of a minor everyday indiscretion - let's say you didn't watch where you're going and you bump into someone on the street - the bulk of your damage is immediate stress. So you show sympathy and you show that the problem isn't ignored in order to relieve that stress. "I'm sorry, are you okay?"
In the case of a larger issue, there's two effects. One is the same as above; your problem probably caused immediate stress, and your apology should be working to relieve that. But it also serves to inform the injured party that something is being done to solve the problem, which is especially important if they have no way of actually seeing what it is that's being done.
In the situation you posted, "I'm apologizing because I have to", the person doing the apology is still putting the focus on themselves.
You could tell right when he said it that he knew he went too far with the joke
People accepting and tolerating racists like Maher was one of many reasons which made the Trump era possible
Lord Frieza
Member
Between HBO being unhappy, and a rotation of black guests who I'm sure were even more unhappy, I really doubt he had much choice this time
legacyzero
Banned
What's just as concerning to me is that people still want his head for it. As long f he were Toni Lahren or Richard Spencer. God forbid somebody take his apology at face value.
Yeah I agree. But with Talking Heads getting chopped left and right from various networks lately for stupid shit, he was probably like ".....Uh-Oh..." I mean, you could see the look on his face. He knew he fucked up lol
Don't know your taste in comedy or who you like, but here is Bill Burr and Colin Quinn using the word faggot, here is Louis CK repeatedly using nigger. I'd say that both shows are pretty close in tone to Real Time.
If these also outrage or upset you, that's okay - at least you are consistent. We disagree on what is offensive and I'm okay to end it there. But if your reaction is "yeah, but..." then I'm back to wondering what's so special about what Bill said.
Eric the Red
Member
Maybe if he used it referring to someone then I'd bet he does. But the historical reference doesn't come across that way.
Exactly.
Lord Frieza
Member
To be fair, it's not hard to believe it's not a face value apology, because Maher dies on hills that are not worth dying on all the time.
Mister Wolf
Member
I won't lose any sleep over him being fired.
OG Shaka Zulu
Member
Bill slipped. Clearly his women let him say the n-word.
polyh3dron
Banned
He should also apologize at the beginning of his show next week before going into his monologue, and I expect him to do as much. And then Ice Cube is slated to be on his panel so hahaha
True.
Context for this: that's Karine "Superhead" Steffans.
Lord Frieza
Member
It's bad, but it doesn't rise to the level of an offense deserving of termination in my eyes. He should probably take some time at the beginning of his next show to offer a more formal apology though; no excuses or jokes of being tired/high, just an honest "I fucked up, I'm sorry and I'll strive not to do it again. " Full stop.
Go to work on Monday and try it. It might work out for you. Might not. Let's roll that dice and test your theory, yes?
Exactly. With him and Kathy Griffin giving the right ammunition has been frustrating to watch.
I'm not a comedian.
I am conflicted, because I thought the joke was made in poor taste and he shouldn't have even gone there, but at the same time...I am not into literally banning words, even horrible ones that could be used against me, my family or my cultural background, let alone in the context of a tasteless yet otherwise non-aggressive joke. Which means people have a right to be offended and demand an apology, but not sure if it should go far beyond that.
Autodidact
Banned
Telosfortelos
Advocate for the People
I'm usually a Maher critic. I think he often lets bias dominate judgment, I think he's often insensitive and doesn't appreciate the power of statements, and I think he lacks nuance when discussing a lot of difficult topics (i.e., Islam). But I'm surprised by how many people are reacting this way.
To be clear: he shouldn't have said it, and he should apologize for using it.
Do people not think some uses of the word are more harmful than others? Should we not differentiate between intent and bad humor? I think these should all be considered different in their level of offense:
- Using it as an epithet or to describe a person. *
- Jokingly using it to describe a person. *
- Joking about the nature of the word (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuLrBLxbLxw)
- Discussing the nature of the word in a way that's sensitive.
- Reciting a lyric while listening to music.
- A capella reciting a lyric (so bad)
- Using the word in a joke that attacks or criticizes black people.
- Using the word in a joke that doesn't attack or criticize black people, probably deriving humor from culture transgression (this is where Maher's joke clearly is)
The joke was bad, insensitive, and offensive, and needs an apology. But I also I appreciate that comedians can dance around the rules of society. It helps us better understand those rules so that we can make explicit why they're important and modify the ones that need adjustment. I think the correct response is to apologize and open a dialogue about how many people feel harmed by the word and why they do. Firing Maher over his use of the word, where he wasn't attacking or making fun of anyone, just being an insensitive asshole for humorous effect (and yes, humor often lies next to outrage - that's why he used it), seems a gross overreaction that diminishes the ability of comedians to explore difficult topics.
For people that think he should be fired, do you think any use of the word would be fireable? Should we not differentiate based on intent, even if the comedian apologizes and opens a dialogue about the word?
wumster3000
Member
Not happening. Not enough outrage.
There is no distinction if you are not black.
There are white folks in the south that sound like they are saying "nigga" but they sure as shit mean "nigger."
metalslimer
Member
I don't see in what context that was funny unless bad shock humor is your thing. Usually when comedians do shock humor they follow it up with some story about why they are using said shock humor.
If someone's comedy routine was just them dropping faggot and nigger with no follow ups they'd be rightfully criticized. This was just him wanting to use the word nigger.
Captin Quacker
Member
I think there's a difference. Ending it with er would leave no room for interpretation. But then again I probably have no authority on determining how offensive it is.
It's more of a taboo than a ban, I'll admit, at least legally speaking.
Bill's not funny either. Comedic credentials are a thin shield to be hiding behind. Do let us know how it goes on Monday, yes?
Not with that attitude.
-Pyromaniac-
Member
Made a bad joke in bad taste. Apologized for the stupid decision. Cool.
That's all I take away from this really. He frequently says "edgy" shit. He just barked up the wrong tree on this one. It's good he realized that because I really thought he wasn't going to apologize.
That's all I take away from this really. He frequently says "edgy" shit. He just barked up the wrong tree on this one. It's good he realized that because I really thought he wasn't going to apologize.
So you think there's a difference when racists sound like they're saying nigga but mean nigger?
If you someone isn't black they shouldn't say it and there is no difference.
Yeah, my first thought as well.
There's a difference between making an offensive joke and not understanding that as a white person, a certain word should never be a part of your vocabulary.
You have to be on the older end if you think this true.
I mean guys like Big Joe said the N word for years without any sort of backlash. In fact, he didnt receive any until 50 Cent called him out on it after they had a rap beef.
When did being a comedian become a shield for being asshole?
Andrew Dice Clay hit his prime way too early
Did you just combine Fat Joe and Big Pun?