Bill Maher has carved out a unique space in liberal comedy circles.
Few of his peers hold Democrats accountable. Some actively cheery them on and help fill their coffers.
Not Maher.
He’s remained an independent voice, and it looks like he’s ready to skewer California Democrats for making the raging wildfires worse.
Much, much worse.
Bill Maher has a question for California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass — why does it take a massive disaster for the state to cut red tape?!? pic.twitter.com/ZQObI9NZ8w
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 16, 2025
Maher teased his “Real Time” return with TMZ this week, giving the platform a glimpse of his opening monologue regarding the California wildfires.
The comedian said it’s hypocritical for liberals to say we can’t politicize this tragedy when they attack conservatives for saying that after mass shootings.
Maher didn’t stop there.
Yes, global warming made things worse, Maher alleged. So did incompetent leaders, and they all hail from the Democratic Party. We’re already seeing movements to recall both LA Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Maher might vote “yes” on both accounts. Why? He says California’s uber progressive politics played a role in the rolling disaster.
“Did it impede [containment efforts] to some degree? Absolutely,” Maher said.
RELATED: BILL MAHER MOURNS LOSS OF HOWARD STERN FRIENDSHIP
Maher infamously battled California red tape while trying to build a shed on his property for solar panels. He shared that skirmish with the public, hoping to shame local officials into moving the matter along.
That’s a luxury most homeowners don’t have.
The experience taught him how entangled red tape can be in the Golden State, which doesn’t bode well for rebuilding the greater LA area. Both Adam Carolla and Andrew Schulz have shared similar concerns.
Mayor Karen Bass literally just read the words “URL” off her script during the press conference instead of the emergency website for the victims of the fire.
I think we have a new winner for most incompetent politician in America. pic.twitter.com/KIQfIVCWZB
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 9, 2025
Now, Mayor Bass is vowing to slice away said tape, but why did it take a disaster to make such a common sense decision?
“They’re all saying, ‘We’re gonna cut red tape,’ as if they’re doing us a favor. If you can do it now, why don’t you always do it? It’s not a favor to us … why do we live in this red tape nightmare the other times of the year when we’re not on fire?” Maher asked.
Now, compare Maher’s comments to what Bill Burr said on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” The Boston-bred comic defended Democrats and said the current blame game is 100 percent wrong.
Like Maher, Burr has carved out a cultural space where he’s left-of-center in general but willing to mock the Left when needed. Just watch “Paper Tiger” for all the evidence you need.
He’s a stand-up comic, not a late-night host. Still, Burr’s candor is appreciated.
Lately, he may be pivoting to the Left. His 2024 Netflix comedy “Old Dads” looked like a poke in the woke eye but ended with a progressive third act.
Now, he’s joining Jimmy Kimmel to bail California Democrats out of a jam of their own creation.
Kimmel directed his anger at President-Elect Donald Trump who had nothing to do with the raging fires. In fact, he’s been warning area officials to better prepare for such a nightmare scenario.
Burr took Kimmel’s baton, attacking those who say Democrats mismanaged the crisis.
“Mismanaged? Like some idiot on the internet knows how to manage the worst fire in LA? Sitting there in his underwear?”
These “idiots” did the research and read about the empty reservoirs and other galling actions that made a disaster exponentially worse.
Burr doubled down on ignorance.
“I love how all the chatter out there is about bans on illegal immigrants and homeless people lighting fires.”
Homeless people do light fires that spin out of control. That’s not unhinged rhetoric.
In 2023, City Journal reported on how the Los Angeles Fire Department spent approximately $427 million of its $854 million total on homeless-related fires; two years earlier, a Los Angeles Times analysis found more than half of all fires LAFD responded to were associated with homelessness.
An illegal immigrant is a suspect in an arson case tied to the current fires.
The best satirical comedy is based in truth. Maher’s comments are rooted in ideology and facts. Burr’s rant?
Not so much.
We may get more reality on “Real Time” this weekend. Maher will welcome former LA mayoral candidate Rick Caruso, who famously lost to Bass last year, to discuss the raging fires.
Let’s hope Burr goes on “Real Time” soon. It might make for a fascinating debate.
“Real Time with Bill Maher” returns at 11 am ET Jan. 17 on HBO.
The post Dueling Bills: Maher Slams Dems While Burr Blasts Conservatives appeared first on Hollywood in Toto.
0 Comments