INDIANAPOLIS -- Comedian and TV show host Bill Maher, in the middle of another controversy over his words, performed in Indianapolis Sunday night.
During a live broadcast Friday of his show, "Real Time with Bill Maher," Maher used the N-word in a conversation with Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb.
“I gotta get to Nebraska more,” Maher said.
“You’re welcome; we’d love to have you work in the fields with us,” Sasse joked.
“Work in the fields?” Maher said. “Senator, I’m a house n-----.”
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Sunday evening, Maher performed at the Murat Theatre at Old National Center in Indianapolis.
We caught up with a few people attending his show, to see what they thought of the controversy.
Chris:
"I think it's overblown. I think everyone is a little too sensitive and I think the context of what he said is being ignored overall. ... I think that even the joke that he did was in possibly poor taste. I think it was off-the-cuff and I think even thought 'Maybe I shouldn't have done that.' Right after he said it. ... It doesn't diminish what he does as a comedian. I harken back to a George Carlin bit where [Carlin] runs off with an entire litany of racial slurs and words people find offensive but then comes back to, again, context."
Sam:
"I think he probably said it more in a joking manner but it's probably not a word we should use on the daily, I have to agree with that. ... I don't have second thoughts because of his most recent comment but Bill Maher is not stupid. He's made a lot of good points since he's been around. I don't think he's made the greatest point recently, but I can't downplay him just because of one comment.
Kim:
"I still like him. Everyone says things they regret. It doesn't change my opinion of him at all. I still think he's really funny. I think he speaks the truth. It doesn't change my opinion at all. I didn't think they were taken out of context, but I think he just spoke and kind of regretted what he said. He probably shouldn't be using the N-word, so I think he realized what he did."
Maher apologized on Saturday, saying, in part,
"Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I'm up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn't have said on my live show. Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive, and I regret saying it and am very sorry."
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