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Late-night host Bill Maher admitted Monday that he stopped performing stand-up because of growing safety concerns, saying today’s deep divisions make him nervous about performing live, especially in the wake of recent acts of political violence.
“I feel like it was a great choice because I don’t want to be in this country in this political atmosphere. I could get shot by the left or the right,” Maher said on his “Club Random” podcast.
“It’s a good time not to be there,” he added.
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Bill Maher sits down with fellow comedian Patton Oswalt on his podcast “Club Random,” where he revealed he stopped touring partly out of fear of getting “shot from the left or the right.” (Screenshot/Podcast “Club Random”)
Maher is known for his outspokenness and willingness to criticize both political parties, with his jokes often revolving around deeply polarizing topics. The comedian was speaking on his podcast with guest Patton Oswalt.
His comments come two months after political activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in front of a crowd at Utah Valley University on September 10. Kirk, who left behind a wife and two children, was widely known for the open debates he hosted on college campuses.
Maher added that safety wasn’t the only reason he was semi-retired from touring, noting that he was “tired of the travel” and frustrated that other comedians were outselling him.
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Bill Maher speaks with Jimmy Fallon during an interview on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on May 21, 2024. (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)
“I was tired of being twice as funny as people who were selling twice as many tickets as me,” he admitted.
“And it’s not that I haven’t sold a lot of tickets or done good theater, but I haven’t sold out arenas, and some people have, who, frankly, aren’t that great,” he said.
Maher suggested the difference in sales came from his constant presence on HBO’s “Real Time,” which made his comedy less novel. He also said the generation gap could play a role.
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Bill Maher on “Real Time” September 26, 2025. (Screenshot/HBO)
“When the audience is 35 to 45, they don’t want to see someone 70,” he said.
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“I want to see my generation, and that’s okay. I still have my show. I have that. I didn’t need it. I miss it, but that’s part of what it is.”
