Bill Maher Discusses Ben Affleck’s Absence from ‘Real Time’ Since 2014

Bill Maher expressed that actor Ben Affleck has consistently declined yearly invitations to return to HBO’s Real Time since a heated 2014 discussion. During that exchange, Affleck criticized Maher and Sam Harris’ comments about Islam, labeling them as “gross” and “racist.” On his “Club Random” podcast, Maher mentioned that he invites Affleck back every year and still hopes for a private dialogue to resolve their differences.

Maher stated, “I love him, but we just are going to disagree on that one. I don’t know. Maybe if I talked to him privately, or it’s been, 12 years, maybe I think there’s a middle ground.” Affleck’s representative did not respond to requests regarding Maher’s account or the possibility of Affleck returning to the show. His last appearance on Real Time remains in October 2014.

In a 2017 interview, Affleck clarified his reaction, emphasizing his stance against racial or religious stereotyping, as reported by The Guardian. He stated, “I love a good debate, and I get very energized by it. On ‘Real Time,’ I think people could tell I had a genuine emotional response, because I strongly believe that no one should be stereotyped on the basis of their race or religion. It’s one of the most fundamental tenets of liberal thought.”

The original discussion on Real Time included Sam Harris and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof. Affleck challenged what he saw as generalized claims about Muslims when Harris suggested criticism of Islamic doctrine was often labeled as bigotry. Affleck argued against stereotypes by saying, “How about more than a billion people who aren’t fanatical, who don’t punch women, who just want to go to school, have some sandwiches, pray five times a day and don’t do any of the things you’re saying of all Muslims? It’s stereotyping.”

During the same exchange, Maher defended his position by referencing threats and violence associated with blasphemy and dissent, stating, “It’s the only religion that acts like the mafia that will kill you if you say the wrong thing, draw the wrong picture, or write the wrong book.” Affleck subsequently found these characterizations gross and racist. Harris, in his defense, explained that his critique of religious beliefs was not aimed at Muslims as individuals. Harris wrote a response distinguishing among jihadists, Islamists, conservatives, and other Muslims.

Harris, who appeared on Club Random in 2022, disclosed having reconciled privately with Affleck after the broadcast. Nevertheless, Maher stated he has yet to have a similar conversation with Affleck. Maher added that the attention surrounding the 2014 episode has exceeded its importance as an episode of television. “More people mention that episode to me than anything,” he remarked. “It wasn’t the best episode we ever had, but it got emotional with a movie star. That’s America.”

CJ Womack serves as an associate editor at Fox News, contributing to the understanding of journalism’s role in politics and culture. CJ has a degree in Political Science with a minor in Journalism from Long Beach State University, graduating in 2025. You can contact CJ with news tips at [email protected] or follow on Twitter.