‘I Regret the Word I Used’: Bill Maher Apologizes for Using N-Word
Last night, comedian Bill Maher drew intense outrage for using the N-word during a Real Time interview with Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE). In response to a Sasse asking the host if he could get him to work in the fields, Maher said he was a “house nigga.”
With calls for Maher to be fired growing louder and louder, HBO released a statement calling the comic’s remarks “inexcusable and tasteless.” The network also noted that repeat airings of the episode will have the comments edited out.
HBO says in a statement that @billmaher's remarks were "completely inexcusable and tasteless," and will be removed from subsequent airings. pic.twitter.com/i8NEnYQ328
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) June 3, 2017
Well, Maher has finally spoken out on the flap, providing an apology and blaming his use of the word on the “banter of a live moment.”
“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.”
A spokesperson for Maher said he would be unavailable for comment the rest of the day.
This morning, Sasse took to Twitter to offer up a mea culpa, stating that he wished he would have spoken out after Maher used the word and explained why it was inappropriate to use.
[image via screengrab]
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