Meet the new Susan Lucci: Will Emmy's biggest loser Bill Maher ever win?
Bill Maher is already Emmy's biggest loser with 19 nominations and zero wins (Susan Lucci won with nomination No. 19). Today he got a chance to add to that losing record with two more producing nods for "Real Time With Bill Maher" (making its fourth bid for outstanding variety, music or comedy series ) and "Bill Maher: The Decider" (up for outstanding variety, music or comedy special).
Bill Maher's Emmy snubs date back to a 1995 nod for "Politically Incorrect" as outstanding variety, music or comedy series. ("The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" won that year for the first and perhaps last time.) Maher's ABC show brought him 11 nominations in total -- producing (eight), writing (two) and hosting (one). His current HBO series had earned him seven nods before today -– producing (three), writing (three) and hosting (one). In addition, he has a producing nod for his 2006 HBO special "Bill Maher: I'm Swiss." (That one lost to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, no less.)
As Maher's losses are mostly for producing and writing, Angela Lansbury's record of 18 losses as a performer remains safe for some time. But more than likely, Maher will add to his losing ways this year. "Real Time" is up against "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" (won the last five races in a row) and "Late Show With David Letterman" (won the previous five in a row), as well as "Saturday Night Live" (last won in 1993) and two-time nominee "The Colbert Report."
Maher's special is competing against a hodgepodge, including sentimental favorite "George Carlin: It’s Bad For Ya!" The late comedian never won an Emmy despite five nominations. Also in the mix are never-nominated Don Rickles, who picked up performing and producing nods for "Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project," and Kathy Griffin, who celebrates the headlines she made for her Emmy win last year in "Kathy Griffin: Straight to Hell." Rounding out the mix are "The Kennedy Center Honors" (which last won this category in 1994) and "James Taylor: One Man Band (Great Performances)."
(HBO)
Bill is a very angry man, a pseudo-intellectual with a strong political bias and is undeserving of an Emmy. I suspect the country would be in complete collapse were we to actually follow the policies he advocates. Couple that an only marginally entertaining show... you can see why he continually loses.
Posted by: anon | July 18, 2008 at 10:33 AM
why any one should be reward, for a total like of class.
he hate women, himself and that transpire.
good comparaison LICCI!!!!!
Posted by: francois Lucet | July 18, 2008 at 08:34 AM
He's clever but he's too political for an emmy... I suppose if you are in sympathy with many of his philosophies and views then an emmy would seem appropriate.
The problem with people like bill maher and rush limbough for that matter is that they and their groupies think that they are the center of the universe. It is only with the hindsight of history that we come to realize what nobodies most poltical commentators are. And that the things we hold dear will be completely forgotten by suceeding generations.
Posted by: marc | July 18, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Even if the TV academy doesn't recognize his unique talents, viewers like me do. He's funny, incisive, intelligent, and isn't easily swayed by what's new or hot. Cheers to Bill.
Posted by: Jeff | July 18, 2008 at 05:53 AM
"He is just a left wing political hack who hate religion, it is surprising the hollywood crowd hasn't given him his due, with his anti God and hate of the average American attitude, he is a hollywood God."
Really?
I'll have to check this guy out!
Thanks cbk16...that's very christian of ya! :)
Posted by: mr gittes | July 18, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Who really cares if he wins. He is a homophobic jerk (check out his leno appearance with bruno tonioli). The question remains, why nominate if they have no intention to let him win.
Posted by: jeff | July 17, 2008 at 07:16 PM
He is just a left wing political hack who hate religion, it is surprising the hollywood crowd hasn't given him his due, with his anti God and hate of the average American attitude, he is a hollywood God.
Posted by: cbk16 | July 17, 2008 at 06:09 PM
Bill Maher will win an honorary Emmy in about 10 years.
As for his show, it would really take a special episode.
Don't count on him this year, but if he has a post-election debate show, expect that to be a strong tape for next year.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow | July 17, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Well, it truly is an honor to be nominated. It's been years since Jay Leno has received a nomination yet he is clearly the number 1 ratings winner in late night. Better to be nominated than not at all.
Posted by: james | July 17, 2008 at 08:05 AM