Obituary: Bill Maher

1956 – gone too late

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Bill Maher. The comedian who spent 40 years explaining to women why feminism has gone too far, to Muslims why their religion was uniquely bad, and to progressives why they were the real problem, has finally died.

Well not really. He’s actually receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor this Sunday, so I’m writing this obituary for when the blessed day is finally upon us.

Maher is survived by his rotating panel of “both sides” guests who validated his “centrism”, his situationship with a woman 38 years his junior, and his marijuana company which he championed loudly while not giving a shit about the people imprisoned for it.

He was a fierce defender of free speech, which he defined as his right to say whatever he wanted without anyone responding to him.

“You give us so much. But I would love a little less. Just try less” — Wanda Sykes at the 2025 Golden Globes

“He was the most important voice of the left” — the right

“He made me think!” — no one

In 2017, Bill used a racial slur on live television when talking to African-American senator Ben Sasse. In true American fashion, he said the quiet part out loud, and the racist part even louder.

We bid farewell to a man has been cancelled and resurrected more times than Jesus Christ himself. Hopefully this time it will stick.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you watch a monologue from 2012.

Nour Hadidi is a writer and comedian based in Toronto. She writes here about politics, survival, and the general absurdity of being alive right now. If this resonated, forward it to someone who needs it or subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.