Bill Maher blames Emmy snubs on ‘woke’ Hollywood hating him for speaking ‘freely’

According to Bill Maher, the entertainment industry preferred conformity and punished anyone who refused to follow popular narratives
PUBLISHED 2 HOURS AGO
Bill Maher added that he had accepted his status as an outsider in the industry and no longer expected recognition from award bodies (Screengrab/Club Random Podcast/YouTube)
Bill Maher added that he had accepted his status as an outsider in the industry and no longer expected recognition from award bodies (Screengrab/Club Random Podcast/YouTube)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the recent episode of his ‘Club Random podcast,’ Bill Maher claimed that Hollywood’s "woke" culture is the reason he hasn't won an Emmy for his own shows. 

Meher told guest Joel Edgerton that he is being punished because the industry hates that he speaks his mind so openly.

Listen to their conversation from the 8:15 mark.

​Bill Maher laments losing thirty-three Emmys despite record nominations

While talking to actor Joel Edgerton, Maher looked back at his long history of being nominated for awards but never winning. 

Edgerton mentioned that just being nominated felt like a win to him; he stated, “To me — and maybe it’s because I’ve always set my ceiling quite low in life — like, being nominated to me is a win,” but Maher disagreed based on his own experience. 

Maher told him, "Sweetheart, I’ve been nominated for 33 Emmys, and they would never give it to me. That’s not a gag number. That’s a real number. It’s crazy." 

Even though he has been nominated 42 times since 1995, he has never won an award for his actual talk shows, 'Real Time' or 'Politically Incorrect.'

Actor Joel Edgerton joined Maher for Monday’s Club Random podcast (Screengrab/Club Random Podcast/YouTube)
Actor Joel Edgerton joined Bill Maher on 'Club Random' podcast (Screengrab/Club Random Podcast/YouTube)

Bill Maher blames Emmy losses on Hollywood’s woke culture

Maher believes the reason he keeps losing is that he refuses to follow "woke" trends and criticizes everything from religion to modern politics. 

When Edgerton asked if his words were the cause, Maher agreed and said it was "Because I speak freely. And this woke town f****g hates that." 

He told Edgerton that he has accepted his role as an outsider and does not expect the industry to change its mind about him, saying, "And that’s okay. I’ve made my peace with that." 

He added that he would be completely "shocked" if he ever actually won.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 02: Bill Maher attends a game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 02, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Bill Maher attends a game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 02, 2023 in Los Angeles, California (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Bill Maher visibly unhappy after Wanda Sykes' award roast at Golden Globes

The divide between Maher and the rest of Hollywood was very clear at the Golden Globes. 

During the show, comedian Wanda Sykes insulted Maher while he was sitting in the audience. 

She started by saying, "There’s some people pissed off that a queer Black woman is up here doing the job of two mediocre white guys. But first I want to give them some love." 

She then looked at Maher and told him, "Bill Maher—you give us so much. But I would love a little less. Just try less." 

Maher did not look happy with the jokes as the crowd watched the awkward moment.

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