reCAP :: Bill Maher :: 2016.07.09
The Capitol Theatre is well known for presenting impressive musical acts, particularly in the jam arena, but it also books other varied offerings including top notch comedians. On July 9th, 2016 the iconic venue shared a sold-out evening of endless laughs delivered by controversial political comic Bill Maher.
Maher, who started as a stand up comedian in 1979, has been prolific as a television host, political commentator, satirist, author and actor. Born in New York City and raised locally in New Jersey, he shared bountiful one-liners and thoughtful anecdotes about a variety of hot topics in his patented confident and informed manner complete with his signature sarcastic condescension. Maher, best known for his current HBO TV smash, Real Time with Bill Maher, and formerly for the successful run of Politically Incorrect, is impressively ranked #38 on Comedy Central’s greatest comedians of all-time. He gained further notoriety with the release of his 2008 documentary film Religulous. He has been nominated for 22 Emmy Awards. Maher performs over fifty dates a year in Las Vegas, and in sold-out theaters across the country. Two of his eight stand-up specials for HBO have been nominated for Emmy awards.
His political satire on this night covered a myriad of subjects including his ardent support of marijuana legalization, same-sex marriage, masturbation, prostitutes, hunting, gun lovers who he calls “ammosexuals”, the Pope, Bill Cosby, Bernie Sanders, Sarah Palin, Ted Cruz, the confederate flag, Michael Jackson, 9/11, Caitlyn Jenner, Hillary Clinton’s laugh that he described as “sounds like she just tricked Snow White into eating an apple” and the origin of the “teabagger.” But his most prolific skewering came on the extended rant lampooning the presumptive Republican nominee for President, Donald Trump. The two have a contentious history and Maher clearly relished in the opportunity to make fun of him. When explaining why Trump is so adamant against using a teleprompter he stated, “he doesn’t want to alienate his base by reading!” He called Trump a “dou**bag” and even compared him to Hitler. Maher quickly threw relentless barbs throughout with his sardonic wit and sarcastic tone. After 1 hour and 15 minutes of laughs, he left on a high note and with the sold-out crowd left satiated and smiling.