Bill Maher's new stand-up special receives negative reviews from liberal outlets: 'AVOID IT'

Bill Maher's new HBO stand-up special was criticized by liberal media outlets, who encouraged viewers to "SKIP IT."

The comedian's special "Is Anyone Else Seeing This?" was criticized by reviewers at MSNBC.com, Decider, Salon, and Cracked as "lazy" and rehashed. Additionally, they took issue with the comedian's jokes that targeted far-left ideology.

Sean McCarthy of Decider wrote in his Monday review that there is nothing new or unique about this content, as it is similar to what the individual is already sharing on most weekends in Real Time, so it should be skipped.

Maher's commentary has consistently focused on the extremes of both the right and left, with his criticism ranging from MAGA to "woke" culture. He also made several jabs at President-elect Donald Trump, including suggesting that he could potentially cause global destruction on his first day in office and making a lighthearted comment about him getting his ear pierced in the previous assassination attempt.

The comedian was criticized by McCarthy for not having memorable or edgy material that challenged his audience.

"Maher stated that he has discovered a comfortable niche by positioning himself as a centrist liberal who has appeared to shift right-wing due to the liberal movement becoming "too woke." He added that this is not a platform for comedians but rather for Americans who have already established comfortable lifestyles and do not want to be disrupted by anything outside of their bubble."

"Maher's comedy is trapped in his own bubble, as he is unable or unwilling to listen or learn, just like many people who have been radicalized by their social media feeds. He caters to an audience that still uses Facebook, forwards email chains, and watches his show."

In a review titled "Bill Maher's new special is a disappointing repeat," MSNBC.com columnist Jacques Berlinerblau described the program as a "dull and uninspired performance."

The reviewer stated that Maher's well-known positions on issues made his punchlines unsurprising, and he appeared reluctant to put in the effort to make his stand-up material edgy or thought-provoking.

Berlinerblau stated that Maher lacks self-awareness in his own special to criticize his transformation into an old, conservative White man who is angry at Gen Z, new gender categories, EpiPens, and anything that did not exist in 1964.

Matt Solomon of Cracked.com criticized Maher's special by likening it to the comedy of an entertainer he seemed to despise.

The veteran comic consistently uses the same lazy arguments as Rob Schneider when given a microphone and a chair on a podcast, claiming that the Left is attempting to suppress his free speech, while everyone else is insane.

Solomon added, "Despite his hatred of victims, he fails to recognize the irony in his own words as he complains about those who would suppress his free speech. Another irony: No one has tried to silence Bill Maher."

In May, Maher informed Jerry Seinfeld that the HBO special could be his final stand-up performance. Given the success of his TV show and podcasts, it might be time for him to move on. "After this year, I'm going to stop doing stand-up," he declared. After viewing Is Anyone Else Seeing This, I have one question: Bill, can we get that in writing?

Bill Maher, in an interview with Jake Tapper of CNN, revealed that he plans to retire from his stand-up career but will continue hosting "Real Time with Bill Maher" on HBO.

Melanie McFarland, Salon.com's senior critic, characterized the special as "lazy comedy," stating that it contained material that "even better jesters had composted years ago."

Maher was mocked by McFarland, who said, "Breaking news: Maher hates cancel culture, which doesn't exist, and 'woke-ism,' the right-wing specter that no one can define. Maher announces his support of the trans community in the same way every other hack comic does, by saying the obligatory words to make the audience comfortable with the uninspired observations that follow."

In the special, Maher stated that he considers Republicans, Trump, and the political far-right to be the greater threat to the country due to their unwillingness to accept the 2020 election defeat. However, he emphasized that he does not censor himself for anyone.

"Maher stated, "I won't let you label me based on my political leanings. I won't conform to your expectations. If you do something foolish, I'll expose you. I speak to a diverse group of people who are not bound by ideological affiliations. Democrats, independents, and non-extreme Republicans make up my audience.""

In the one-hour special, Maher discussed transgender ideology, free speech, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, his previous suggestions for President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race, and other topics.