Bill Maher

I don't generally agree with anyone 100%.  I think if you do, you've probably stopped thinking for yourself.  I've found, however, that I do tend to agree with Bill Maher on most things.  I also appreciate the boldness and fearlessness with which he states his positions.  No couching an opinion in sugar-coated terms so as not to offend.  Say it straight up. 

Bill was recently on Larry King and he covered, however briefly, many of the topics of the day.  It's worth a listen even if the 'interviewer' is Larry King.

This calls for side comment.  Larry King has to be the worst interviewer in the history of American media.  He basically just takes a topic from the newspaper and says, "what do you think about X?"  A trained monkey could do that.  Furthermore, he asks no insightful follow up questions, nor does he challenge any assertions of his guests.  Maybe that's why people like to be guests on his show: he does nothing but lob softballs to them.  

Compare his style with that of Terry Gross on NPR.  She may be the best interviewer I've ever heard.  She has a rare talent for drawing interesting material out of even the most recalcitrant or mundane guest.  She asks insightful questions, and although she isn't exactly confrontational, she isn't shy about challenging an assertion.  She also seems quite knowledgeable about a wide variety of topics.

Anyway, back to Bill.  Have seen him do some standup.  Very good.  Always liked his shows Politically Incorrect and Real Time too, though I don't get HBO, so I haven't seen either in a long time (PI is no longer on the air).  Keep up the good work Bill.