Checking In With Bill Maher

I don't understand the media. On one hand, they ascribe all this power to me; on the other hand, they've completely stopped covering me. Still, the people are there for this show. I think they sense the honestly. That's what "Politically Incorrect means" -- it means I'm not bullshitting. ABC just did a focus group last year -- only fourteen percent of the people said they agree with me most of the time, yet they still like the show, because people respect honestly. I don't think we are in much danger of helping the republic fall, but it's an alternative where people can get a little more meat in their diet than they would by watching the competition. We're at least attempting something that is a little more erudite.

Who in current politics impresses you with their honesty?

I think Jesse Ventura is the most important politician in America right now, because he is the first one who is not a robot, not a suit, who doesn't wear a tie and doesn't watch his language. He's the anti-Al Gore. He's not some guy who's beaten down all the rough edges and all the things that might offend anybody until he's a big pile of bland mush. That's why I didn't like Monica Lewinsky on Barbara Walters. I felt she had become a politician. That was the irony -- this innocent little girl now was practiced in the art of spinning, as good as the master who taught her. l think people are ready for honesty -- they won't revolt if you're a human being. They proved that with Clinton: They're OK with sex. I think the next thing to fall is going to be drugs, then assisted suicide. Right down the line. We're France now.

Jerry Lewis will be thrilled. Do you harbor any political aspirations yourself?

No. I wouldn't want to be a politician, because they aren't allowed to change their mind. If they do, they're accused of being inconsistent. There's no such thing in politics as evolving, as learning, as growing, as keeping an open mind, because if you did, why, then you'd be a flip-flopper. You'd be someone who grew. How awful.

But I'm forty-three. In twenty years, I think the country could be in a real different place -- if they legalize drugs, if people are OK with a bachelor president. I'm saying Jesse Ventura is just the vanguard. I think the country is ready for a sea change from what I call old-lady politics. It seems like the whole country is based on what an old lady would think: "Oh, my God, the president fooled around." "Oh, that's a marijuana cigarette." But that's not who we really are. Nobody has the guts to challenge that. Somebody will, and it will fall like a house of cards. It will be the Berlin Wall.

So I take it you did inhale?

Yes.

Today?

No.

Is "Politically Incorrect" good for America?

Yeah. I think if America could get back to wit, it would be a better country. It may not always reach the heights of Masterpiece Theater...

Or "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place."

But at least it's really for adults. The fact that we've gotten a nice slice of that audience tells me there is some hunger out there for real adult conversation about adult things that isn't always about pandering to the lowest common denominator -- girls in their short skirts with their tits hanging out. We have supermodels on, like we had tonight, but we don't have them on for their tits. We want to hear what they have to say.