Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder It was an interesting time and sort of not what I expected. My wife was called Wednesday and was asked if she could guarantee we'd be there Friday by 5:15 p.m. It's aired from CBS Television City on Fairfax Ave in Los Angeles. Dancing With The Stars and American Idol are also done there. Maher's show is done from Stage 33, which is the most historic one they have there. Here's a summary of it lifted from Bob Barker's site: "...one of the most historic sites in the history of television, Stage 33 at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, was re-dedicated as the Bob Barker Studio in ceremonies following the taping of the 5,000th episode of THE PRICE IS RIGHT in March of 1998. Barker is the first performer to whom CBS has ever dedicated a stage. Stage 33, opened in November 1952, has been the home of such legendary television series as "The Jack Benny Show" "The Red Skelton Show" and "The Carol Burnett Show," as well as some of the network's most memorable entertainment specials starring such performers as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. "The Gary Moore Show," based in New York, used it during its annual trip to the West Coast, and "The Ed Sullivan Show," used it for all of its West Coast inserts. It was from Stage 33, in fact, that Elvis Presley made his historic first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." The Price Is Right is still done there. We were early, 4:15 p.m. early, traffic being good coming up from Long Beach. We parked on the lot but were then instructed to go back outside on Fairfax and wait in line on the street sidewalk. At 5:15 we were led to another holding area inside the lot where we could finally sit and/or freshen up, if you will. We were then told to form two lines based upon whether we got tickets over the web or from a phone call. We were checked in, and people who had cell phones or cameras were told to bring them back to their cars or have them kept by security for retrieval after the show. We went through a metal detector, all bags and purses were thoroughly searched, security confiscating some cameras and phones anyway along with crossword books and the like that for some reason were forbidden. We were then led to yet another holding area just outside Stage 33 where we waited until 6:15 p.m. to be ushered into the studio. While we waited, we were given our first pep talk of the evening and a survey to fill out about what we'd like Maher to do in the future. Once inside, of course you see the Real Time set but what struck me is how small the space is. The stage itself can extend far back (think Burnett show) but they've partitioned it off and everyone on stage is very close to the audience at all times. Normal conversation level close. Once everyone was seated, a somewhat unorganized process, the warm up was done by Head Writer Billy Martin. Martin has chosen to do these warm ups like he's trying to get people all excited for a sitcom or something, stand up comedy style. An odd choice and odd juxtaposition when you consider what we're going to see. Mixed in with his routine are show instructions, such as no matter what a panelist says that you don't like, don't hiss or boo. It's okay to clap or laugh in approval, but no hissing, booing, moaning or groaning. The moaning or groaning happened once or twice anyway. Additionally, although since our wait time extended so long we could figure it out anyway, Martin kept stressing what we were about to see was going to be a live broadcast, and it was important we followed the rules. If we didn't, they would just cut the audience mikes anyway and the offender(s) would be quickly removed. Martin announced the guests, whom I already knew. Bill Binney, an NSA whistleblower, David Avella, President of GOPAC, Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, a Telemundo pundit, John Heilemann, who wrote Game Change and the new book Double Down, and lst but not least, former Rep. Anthony Weiner, who came out midshow. Binney was the opening guest. Once the show, that's when the little anomalies came into play. You don't hear any voice overs at all, and as long as the crowd is clapping and cheering, you don't hear Maher's opening lines, either. He was into his second joke by the time people sat down and stopped clapping. Then you discover the sound is rather low in the studio and you have to strain to hear. I imagine this is due to feedback issues, but the only sound the audience hears is what comes out of the TV monitors hanging overhead. No amplified speaking sound at all, just regular TV sound like in your living room, except in a 300 seat studio. It made following the entire show somewhat difficult at times, especially this one because Soto and Avella were so soft spoken. Their sound mix was turned up for the broadcast. This is already way too long, so I won't go into the topics too much, save for when they brought out Weiner. Given his past, I was all set to disregard him as was much of the audience. However, once Maher got past the incredibly awkward attempt to re-establish Weiner's standing (Weiner in person was incredibly nervous, fidgeting like crazy when not on camera) and got to Obamacare, Weiner really made a good showing for himself. He sliced up Avella one side and down the other and in Overtime was as biting as could be. Once the show was over, he got a standing ovation. I doubt Soto and Heilemann will be back. Heilemann only made points that gave him time to tout his book and at one point Maher tossed the book at him in disgust and told him show it himself. Off camera, Maher shook his head at the executive producer and rolled his eyes. Soto just brought nothing to the table. They were talking about Chris Christie and without explaining why, despite being asked, just kept repeating Christie would never do well in Texas while the rest of them agreed Christie does have national appeal. As for Maher himself, there was no personal connection made nor any kind of audience interaction at all. Strictly professional, almost robotic. It was the show's 300th episode, but other than Martin saying that, no other mention was made. Maher didn't seem to make any attempt to relate to the people in the room. He was on, and after the show and taping a few more New Rules and a Happy Birthday to Larry King, he was off and gone. One other thing- If you watched the show, you will never have known Binney was in a wheelchair. For the opening segment, they wheeled him out and he stood up and walked a few steps to the chair and sat down. For the Overtime segment, he was wheeled up to the desk. He was an interesting guest, however. He confirmed that there is absolutely nothing the government can't find out abut you once they have you in their sights. Nothing.
Originally Posted By ecdc Very interesting. I'll have to watch the broadcast when it's up on HBO GO. Weiner's problem all along has been that he's on the right side of the issues, but he's clearly a very broken human being in some ways, and that just does not mix with politics. I remember reading about him saying, after the election, that he's an empty, soulless human being. Wow. Heilemann was on Maher when the first book came out and he was pretty good. It's a shame he's so bad this time around. When I saw a couple of Letterman tapings, Dave was the same way—no connection to the audience, just very much doing his shtick. I have to remind myself just how much of a performance all television and media is—reality, news, talk shows, etc. It's all a carefully controlled, carefully orchestrated performance meant to convey specific emotions.
Originally Posted By Tikiduck So, was the whole thing worth the hassle? Wouldn't it be nice if a show like this took one random member of the audience to participate in the discussions?
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "So, was the whole thing worth the hassle?" I guess it was, but only on like a 60/40 scale. It satisfied my curiosity. I'd do it one more time because shows like last week's, with Rob Reiner, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Neil de Grasse Tyson and Rob Lowe were interesting and worth watching. I'd go again hoping to see something like that. We did meet people who are regulars, though. "Wouldn't it be nice if a show like this took one random member of the audience to participate in the discussions?" Some of them couldn't do any worse than Soto did. It's funny you should say this, though. On the survey they passed out, they ask where would we like to see Maher do his show after asking us if we'd like to see it from Harvard, a high school, etc. I wrote I'd like to see it from a bar, where Maher would have to deal with whomever he came across as opposed to vetted guests, and see what regular people say.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I saw Maher's old show ("Politically Incorrect") taped in that same studio in the 90's. The only guest I can remember is Billie Dee Williams. Because how can you forget Billie Dee Williams? Watched the Maher show last night and was likewise surprised that Weiner did pretty well for himself, for the first time in a long time. SPP - check your email (I wrote you at the only address I have for you).
Originally Posted By Rsey103 >>It was from Stage 33, in fact, that Elvis Presley made his historic first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show."<< I didn't know that. I always assumed it was at the theater in New York where David Letterman tapes his shows....
Originally Posted By Tikiduck I like the bar idea. If he ever does it we will know who to give credit to. Hopefully he would pick real bars in working class towns, and not some Beverly Hills thing. Imagine him in some obscure bar in the deep south. I don't think he has that much chutzpah.
Originally Posted By velo I saw Bill Maher in 2008 here in the Bay Area for his 1-man show. I was really looking forward to it - it was 2 weeks before the election and Sarah Palin was everywhere - what more could you ask? It couldn't not be good, right? But...it really wasn't all that funny. There were a few chuckles here and there but he really seemed a bit ill-at-ease on the stage behind a standing mic. I remember thinking that he was a lot better when he was in conversation with others (i.e. Politically Incorrect - one of my favorite shows). True stand-up doesn't seem to be his thing, imho.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "Wouldn't it be nice if a show like this took one random member of the audience to participate in the discussions?" I don't know. It's easy to criticize people on camera, but I think it's much harder than it looks. I know I would be awful in that situation. Maybe if they had a way to quickly screen the audience for people who could be engaging, it could work. "On the survey they passed out, they ask where would we like to see Maher do his show after asking us if we'd like to see it from Harvard, a high school, etc. I wrote I'd like to see it from a bar, where Maher would have to deal with whomever he came across as opposed to vetted guests, and see what regular people say." This sounds like a good idea. But think about the random person you come across in a bar. Not that there isn't entertainment value in engaging with buzzed/drunk people, but isn't Maher looking for a bit more substance? I like the idea of hosting a show in a bar, but I'm not sure it's a good idea for Maher. Now Dave Atell...
Originally Posted By ecdc >>True stand-up doesn't seem to be his thing, imho.<< I can't help but wonder if you saw him on an off-night. Maher got his start as a stand-up and he always calls it his true love. He still tours regularly (doing at least a few dozen shows a year) and films specials for HBO. Those are always excellent and well-polished.
Originally Posted By Tikiduck Even Richard Pryor had bad nights, but I agree that Maher just does not have that certain something that makes a great comedian.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "SPP - check your email (I wrote you at the only address I have for you)." I can't get into that one anymore. Try bipspaz@the same one as the other.com
Originally Posted By TomSawyer One of my favorite podcasts is The Nerdist hosted by Chris Hardwick. He has long interviews or conversations with actors, writers, musicians, comedians, etc. It's a chance to really see what the person is like over the course of an hour or 90 minutes. It's almost always entertaining. The podcast with Bill Maher was odd, though. It was exactly what SPP described - he just seemed cold, distant, a touch arrogant. I don't know if it is just his natural way of speaking but he seemed really full of himself. (Seriously, though - if there is an actor or artist that you like odds are he or she has sat down with Hardwick. Worth checking out.)
Originally Posted By schnebs I'm a fan of Bill show, and I went to one of his tapings and a concert he did a few years ago. Totally agree about Bill being more professional than friendly to the audience - even when he does concerts, he just leaves at the end of the bit, no encore, no interaction. How good the show is tends to depend on the guests, and you can never really tell how someone's gonna do until they get on there. There are some people who thrive in a scripted, controlled environment who don't click in this format - Rachel Maddow's appearance on the show most readily comes to mind.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< There are some people who thrive in a scripted, controlled environment who don't click in this format >>> I always find Jerry Seinfeld's appearances on talk shows to be like that. It's almost as if he's dazed and not completely "there." I don't know if that's his way of being nervous, or if it's just not the right format for him.
