President Donald Trump's takeover of The Kennedy Center had one distinct benefit.
It likely delayed Jimmy Kimmel winning the Mark Twain Prize for Humor by a good four years. That's inevitable, given the current state of the culture wars, no?
For now, we have to settle for Bill Maher getting the honor come June 28, someone actually deserving of the honor. The "Real Time with Bill Maher" host has been making us laugh and think for a very long time. He's come a long way since 1989's "Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death."
He'll accept the honor with some starry company, including Woody Harrelson, Whitney Cummings, Louis C.K., Stephen Smith and John Mellencamp. The gala will be broadcast on Netflix July 21.
And why not Maher? He's been a part of the political comedy culture for decades. His "Politically Incorrect" ABC series showcased the best, and worst, in celebrity commentary. He toured relentlessly over the years, starring in a series of HBO stand-up specials.
His "Real Time with Bill Maher" series often makes news. More importantly, it allows him to shake up the late-night TV format, shattering the usual far-Left propaganda spewedy by the Colberts, Kimmels and Stewarts of the landscape.
Yes, Maher leans to the Left, and his stubborn embrace of the Russian collusion hoax is a stain on his legacy. He's still an essential voice for two crucial reasons.
He isn't predictable and he's willing to talk to folks from the other side of the aisle. Once upon a time, both would be considered faint praise.
Today? they're darn near medal worthy.
Few comedians have been as tough on Democrats as Maher, even if he likely votes for them every single time. He's skewered the woke mind virus, trashed progressives for not speaking out against antisemitism and demanded we treat President Donald Trump like a president, not Hitler 2.0.
He infamously broke bread with President Trump last year, praised his social skills and then went back to criticizing him on his show.
That's healthy, normal and rare.
Kimmel's nightly monologues are thinly disguised DNC promotions. Tired. Desperate. Angry. Factually challenged. "The Daily Show" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers" aren't much better.
Maher, who to his benefit airs just once a week, puts far more into his monologues. He's provocative and smart, and he often connects cultural dots others avoid or deny.
He's even better on "Club Random," his weekly podcast. Maher gets a great lineup of guests, including the obvious superstars (Jerry Seinfeld) as well as lesser-known talents. Credit booze or pot inhalation, but the conversations are often wild and wooly, revealing far more than most talk shows allow.
He's also eager to chat with folks like Dave Rubin, Kid Rock and Spencer Pratt, right-leaning souls who have something to say. And Maher is eager to hear them.
Pratt would be a killer guest for any late-night show, but those hosts fear his ability to change hearts and minds about the dumpster fire that is modern-day L.A. Maher happily had him on and came close to actively endorsing his sane views on the city's future.
Maher isn't perfect, but he isn't trying to be. He's eager to speak his mind and he refuses to become a partisan tool. By 2026 standards, that's darn near Twain-esque.
