Twitter is still exploding over Bill Maher dropping the N-word during an interview with Republican Senator Ben Sasse Friday night on his HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher."
While discussing Halloween in Nebraska, the Senator told the HBO host, "We'd love to have you work in the fields with us."
A confused looking Maher responded, "Work in the fields? Senator, I'm a house n****r!"
Maher subsequently apologized for his remarks on Saturday.
"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," he said in a statement. "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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View StoryHBO denounced Maher's use of the word as "completely inexcusable and tasteless" and said they were "removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show."
Sasse appeared to nervously laugh at the comment, but later clarified on Twitter that he was actually "cringing" and wished he had spoke up in the moment.
The senator was on the show to promote his new book , “The Vanishing American Adult.”
Am walking off a redeye from LAX.
@BenSasse
3 reflections on @billmaher
1. I'm a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines.
2. But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn't good enough.
@BenSasse
(2of4?)
3. Here's what I wish I'd been quick enough to say in the moment: “Hold up, why would you think it's OK to use that word?...
@BenSasse
(3of4?)
(4of4)
@BenSasse
"...The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It's therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don't use it.”
The rest of the Internet wasn't having the comment either, as a few celebrities, media figures and angry fans condemned Maher on Twitter:
Unacceptable. And the audience applauds!?! So hurtful.
@thedanieb
Today is the day Bill Maher became president.
@michaelianblack
Bill Maher is a pervert racist! 👿 Met him at Playboy Mansion party & he said to me, "Too bad you're not a nigg*er bi*ch or I'd fu*k you." 🙄
@Robbin_Young
Maybe don't be the white guy that tries to explain why it was okay for Bill Maher to say the n-word.
@solomongeorgio
Damn..you tried to tell us @WayneBrady. RT @manicsocratic: Damn. 4 years ago Wayne Brady went in HARD on Bill Maher. pic.twitter.com/6D2wzhTDnz
@HITrumpetGuy
The one black person in the studio audience after Bill Maher said the N-Word on his show pic.twitter.com/W6zWjKAXTj
@MatthewACherry
Half the people telling you its OK for Bill Maher to say N***er spent the past week upset over a ladies only screening of Wonder Woman.
@eclecticbrotha
Lesson for Bill Maher: You can have black friends, black guests, even black dates, but that doesn't make you black. pic.twitter.com/DSFIchu5JB
@keithboykin
"Nobody can screw up a career better than me" Tiger Woods
@BushwackCA
"Hold my beer" Kathy Griffin
"No, both of you hold my latte" Bill Maher
Others also said HBO should fire him:
But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable.
@deray
Can you finally fire Bill Maher, @HBO? He's a morally bankrupt antiquated buffoon who, most importantly, has NEVER EVER been funny.
@illegitimix
. @billmaher is a racist and bigot. @HBO must fire him this is not acceptable https://t.co/nlmFcDoWAk
@bedier
Bill Maher must be fired immediately for his racism and belittling the struggle of millions of black Americans
@JackPosobiec
Hi @HBO! Bill Maher used N-word on show. Black comedian Nick Cannon was FIRED for doing same. Will you #FireBillMaher or be racists? pic.twitter.com/dp1Jg4b2mV
@Nik_Kirtane
I support Bill Maher being fired because they need to suffer a little under their own bullshit rules to save the old, principled ones.
@KurtSchlichter
Bill Maher said the "N" word on T.V. tonight and they say we're the racists. If a conservative had said that, he would be fired immediately. pic.twitter.com/JpR7DlCLRD
@Stevenwhirsch99
Bill Maher needs to be fired immediately there's no excuse in 2017 for a white man to use such an inflammatory racial epithet
@SENORWYATT
Why is Bill Maher using the N word& @BenSasse laughing at it & talking about working in the fields?
@Bill_Rhodes54
Mayer should be fired & Sasse replaced!
