Bill Maher was convinced he wouldn’t win the Golden Globe he was nominated for because he thinks Hollywood is too woke for his brand of truth-telling.
The comedian and political commentator made the argument during the newest episode of his podcast “Club Random,” which was released on Monday. In conversation with Joel Edgerton, which was taped before the Globes ceremony, it came up that both men were nominated: Edgerton for best actor in a drama film for “Train Dreams,” and Maher for best stand-up comedy for “Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This?”
When Edgerton mentioned that he keeps his expectations low at award shows, Maher said he’s used to getting snubbed.
“Sweetheart, I’ve been nominated for 33 Emmys, and they would never give it to me,” he said. “That’s not a gag number. That’s a real number. It’s crazy.”
Maher sold himself a bit short, actually getting 41 Emmy nods across his projects, and winning once for outstanding informational series or special for “Vice” in 2014 in his role as executive producer. This year’s Golden Globe nomination was his first.
The comedian went on to speculate that, “Obviously, it’s something I said. Well, it’s everything I said,” and “I speak freely, and this woke town fucking hates that. And that’s okay. I’ve made my peace with that. So I know how this goes. This is not something I would ever … I have good standing. If I win this by some miracle, to go what people always say, ‘I can’t believe it, I’m shocked.’ I really should be shocked.”
Maher didn’t have to be shocked, given that Ricky Gervais ended up winning the Golden Globe in the category with his latest special, “Mortality.”
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When introducing the nominees on Sunday, fellow comedian Wanda Sykes lightly roasted them. Maher looked annoyed as she said of him, “Bill Maher, you give us so much. But I would love a little less. Try less.”
Watch the segment below.
From Variety US