Before the show in Cincinnati, Bill Maher predicts Trump will drop Vance

Bill Maher is a busy man.

In his fourth decade as a comedian, actor, writer and political commentator, Maher plans to take a year-long break from stand-up to decide what else he wants to add to his repertoire.

When The Enquirer asked him for 20 minutes of his time before his Sept. 29 show in Cincinnati, his press secretary said he could only spare 15 minutes between tapings of “Club Random,” the podcast he launched in 2022, and “Real Time with Bill Maher,” now in its 22nd season.^and Season.

Here's what he had to say (slightly condensed) in 15 minutes to a handful of our 15 questions — plus the extra 2:50 he added. Spoiler alert: He doesn't think you can get anything done with Ohio's JD Vance.

Do you have a favorite part of the current show that usually goes down pretty well?

They all land. I've been doing this for 42 years. If they don't land, I shouldn't be doing it at all. I don't think I come unannounced. I'm interested in what's happening in the country, what's happening in the world. I'm not the kind of comedian who deals with trivia.

But given the time of year, a lot of politics?

Of course, there's a lot of politics. I mean, it's just an incredible time. There have been so many twists and turns in the last month alone. First, the Democrats were on the verge of losing because they nominated a man so old that his evil child with a drug problem was 55. To make matters worse, his opponent was shot by an incel (short for “involuntary celibate”) who had nominated the only man in the country more obnoxious than himself for vice president.

Since you mentioned Vance, let's get to him. What do you think of JD Vance as Donald Trump's vice presidential candidate?

I think he'll drop him… because he knows he's losing now. So he needs an October surprise to change the parameters of the election. Trump will just say, “I don't like him. He's been very disloyal.” He just needs to say, “I'm Trump. I'm doing it. It's done.” (His corresponding prediction: Trump will run with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. instead.)

Let's give Tim Walz the same amount of time. What do you think about Kamala Harris' decision to select him?

The pundits thought she was leaning toward (Pennsylvania Gov.) Josh Shapiro. She needs Pennsylvania more than any other state. The fact that she couldn't pick him because he's Jewish and Democrats have this problem with the Israeli war, I find very troubling. I think they're very morally confused. (To Walz, Maher noted that the vice presidential candidate likes to say he talks like normal people. To which Maher says, “No, you don't. You talk like a politician and that's fine. Just don't lie about it.”)

I read that you might be quitting the stand-up part of your career. What do you think about that?

I don't want to do it for a year. I've done it for 42 years. I'm 68 years old. Is this something I've been doing for a long time because I'm addicted to it? Would I be happier if I didn't do it and filled the time with something else? I won't know until I actually do it.

What type of guests do you prefer?

They are neither cautious nor doctrinaire. My least favorite show is incumbent politicians. We book them because we are a show that talks about current events. But politicians are cautious and speak in talking points, and that is not really what I want to achieve with my show.

Do you want Trump or Harris on your podcast or show?

Naturally!

Did you invite her?

Of course! I understand why Trump doesn't want to be on the show. There hasn't been anyone meaner to him. The Democrats? They should do it. I support their side in principle.

Given the wide range of topics you deal with, are there any topics that simply don't interest you?

I could do that with one that everyone agrees on. Or it's just sad. Will I have a Klan member? No, I think we're all pretty much on the same page about what the Klan is and there's no reason to give it any space. But pretty much everything else.

Bill Maher brings his “WTF? Tour” to the Taft Theater on September 29th at 7:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: When is Bill Maher in Cincinnati?