Jiminy Glick’s Hilarious Takeover of ‘Real Time With Bill Maher’ Leaves Audience in Stitches
In a recent episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, viewers were treated to a comedic spectacle as Martin Short’s iconic character, Jiminy Glick, took over hosting duties to interview Bill Maher about his new book, What This Comedian Said Will Shock You. This unexpected twist quickly became a highlight, leaving Maher and the audience in fits of laughter.
Jiminy Glick, famous for his clumsy and often rude interviewing style, came out of retirement to stir things up on Maher’s show.
Bill Maher, who is usually the one asking the questions, found himself in the unusual role of being the one interviewed.
As Maher introduced Glick, he joked about the situation, saying, “I interview authors all the time, but now I am an author.” This prepared everyone for the comedy that was about to happen.
From the outset, Glick’s opening line, “This is going to be exciting!” hinted at the whirlwind that was to come.
He added that interviewing Maher was a departure from his usual celebrity encounters, humorously implying that Maher didn’t quite meet that standard. This playful jab was just the beginning of a relentless comedic assault, featuring rapid-fire questions and sharp insults.
His way of interviewing involved asking a question and then quickly interrupting Maher before he could respond. This made the segment lively and unpredictable.
For example, Glick joked, “I haven’t read it. No, I’ve read it cover and cover, but nothing inside. But word gets back that it’s delightful,” showing how he could turn serious topics into funny moments.
Maher, known for his quick wit, had a hard time keeping up with Glick’s fast-paced humor. Whenever he tried to give serious answers, Glick would do something funny, like pretending to fall asleep.
At one point, Glick woke up and joked, “It’s amazing to write a book, yes it is. Next, you’ll probably get a deal with Blockbuster Video,” showing how silly the interview was.
Even with all the craziness, Maher thoroughly enjoyed the humor and later told his guests, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, “I just couldn’t stop laughing.”
While the interview was filled with humor, it was centered around Maher’s new book, published in May 2024. The book revisits over a decade of his Real Time editorials, discussing topics such as free speech, race, religion, and cancel culture.
Described as a “hugely entertaining work of commentary about American culture,” it draws comparisons to the works of Mark Twain and Will Rogers. Maher’s attempt to discuss these themes was frequently derailed by Glick’s interruptions, which kept the focus squarely on comedy.