Club Random with Bill Maher

Bill Maher launched Club Random as a deliberately looser, more personal counterpart to his HBO show Real Time. The premise is simple: Maher invites someone over, they have drinks, and the conversation goes wherever it goes. He claims the show covers "everything but politics," though that boundary gets crossed fairly regularly. With 243 episodes and a 4.1-star rating from about 4,000 reviews, it has found a steady audience. The guest list is genuinely impressive. Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Burr, Quentin Tarantino, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Adam Carolla, Dana Carvey, David Spade, Marshawn Lynch, Tim Allen, and John Stamos have all appeared. Episodes run 90 minutes to two hours, released weekly. The conversations feel relaxed in a way Maher's TV appearances do not, probably because there is no studio audience reacting to every line. Maher is a polarizing figure, and the reviews reflect that. Supporters love his willingness to challenge guests regardless of their politics. Critics find him self-absorbed and occasionally out of touch. Both groups have a point. But at his best, Maher draws out genuine, unguarded responses from famous people who are usually very practiced at giving interviews. The freewheeling format means you never quite know what direction a conversation will take. For Rogan fans who appreciate a host with strong opinions and the willingness to push back on guests, Club Random scratches a similar itch.