Bill Maher Comes Musically Correct
By David Codr

You'd think a guy who has hosted a popular late-night TV show, toured the comedy circuit, written two books, and appeared in five HBO specials during the last nine years wouldn't have time for much else.

But for Bill Maher, music is a must. "I buy music like Elton John buys clothes — I get it in bulk," Maher said, laughing. "My music collection is organized by decade — there is no other way to do it. I just have too much." The first record he bought was, of course, by The Beatles. His most recent purchase? Eminem's The Eminem Show.

"I've really been looking forward to that one," he said.

Maher's knowledge of music is impressive, whether It's a release from last week or from the last decade, Maher has probably heard or bought it.

"I went to my first concert with my sister and some friends when I was 13," he said. "It was at Shea stadium and it went all day long. There were so many bands that played at that show. I remember Creedence Clearwater Revival played a really good set. I was hooked on music before then, but that was an experience."

Maher studied piano and guitar growing up in New Jersey, but comedy was to be his bridge into show business.

"I remember I got booked to open up for a band at a concert in 1981," Maher said.

"They paid me $175, and that was a ton of money at the time. I said 'Sure, I'll go out there and get booed for 30 minutes." I don't think they heard a single word I said, but I was happy anyway because I knew I was getting paid."

The early years of his late-night talk show, Politically Incorrect, reflected Maher's love of music.

"Musicians make great guests but they can also make terrible guests. Occasionally we'll get a musician who won't open his or her mouth the entire time we are taping. Hello, we are a talk show. But musicians were by far our biggest contributors (to the show) when we first started on Comedy Central in '93."

Maher was hard pressed to single out the most memorable of his musician guests.

"There have been so many, Suge Knight was very interesting. I met Suge at a club in L.A. awhile back. Just like he was on the show, he was very engaging — not at all what you'd expect from his reputation.

"Dave Matthews is always a great guest. Oh, and Gene Simmons. I remember once I left a girlfriend of mine alone for a minute when he was around and Gene was all over her. You have to keep your eye on him when you go out."

And going out is something Maher knows a thing or two about.

He is frequently seen at the Playboy Mansion and some of LA's hottest nightspots.Many celebrities have difficulty venturing out into public, but not Maher.

"My level of fame is perfect — all the benefits and none of the headaches," he said. "So I do go out and see quite a few shows."

But music isnt the only topic Maher holds an interest in. Over the year's he has tackled some of the today's most hotly debated issues on his show.

One of the topic's Maher frequently discusses is marijuana. "I'm Pro Pot. But I don't think it will be legalized during my lifetime," he said. "Now, I don't eat McDonalds, so my lifespan is probably greater than that of most Americans. In my opinion that is the real poison — the food Americans stuff their faces with, not a little pot which has never killed anyone by the way."

"Have you seen those new anti drug ads, the ones that state that anyone who's used illegal drugs directly funds terrorists? They make me sick. It's just another example of politicians promoting their pre 9-11 agenda. Weren't we supposed to change our priorities after 9-11?"

Maher continued, "Maybe (marijuana) will be decriminalized in my lifetime, but there is a big difference between decriminalization and legalization. Several states have passed the medical marijuana referendums, so who knows?"

When asked if he thought political correctness would ever die, Maher said, "I don't see it going away, not in my lifetime.

"I did think that after September 11th we, as a country, would push it aside to deal with the bigger, more important issues. In fact my (September 17th) monologue addressed that same topic, but unfortunately nothing has really changed."

Maher has a wealth of new comedic material that addresses post-9-11 America.

"It's about all the things that have happened since Sept 11th and I have to say, It's the best stuff I have ever done," he said. "It's the first time I have received repeated standing ovations."

No doubt the ovations for Bill Maher will continue for years to come.

For more information on Bill Maher log onto his website at www.BillMaher.com