{
  "id": 2040975,
  "title": "Bill Maher Reveals Why Ben Affleck Hasn’t Returned to His Show in 12 Years",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/bill-maher-reveals-why-ben-affleck-hasnt-returned-to-his-show-in-12",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-19T23:32:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TheWrap",
    "slug": "thewrap",
    "url": "https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/bill-maher-explains-why-ben-affleck-has-not-returned-to-real-time/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bill Maher disclosed that a disagreement with Ben Affleck is the reason he hasn't returned to his show, \"Real Time\" or appeared on his podcast, in the past twelve years. The incident occurred 12 years ago when Maher and podcaster Sam Harris made comments about Islam that Affleck deemed \"gross\" and \"racist.\" Maher frequently discusses this episode on \"Club Random,\" his most-asked-about segment. During the argument, Affleck visibly struggled, visibly distressed, with his face in his hands. Maher acknowledged that the two have since made amends, but they remain at odds over this issue. Maher expressed that he's tried reaching out to Affleck, even jokingly mentioning the purchase of his home, but the actor has not returned for an appearance on his show. Maher highlighted that while that episode wasn't the best by his standards, it was significant for the emotional reaction it elicited.",
  "summary": "\"More people have mentioned that episode to me than anything,\" the comedian says of his tense face-off with the Oscar winner The post Bill Maher Reveals Why Ben Affleck Hasn’t Returned to His Show in 12 Years appeared first on TheWrap .",
  "key_points": [
    "Bill Maher blames Ben Affleck for their 12-year silence.",
    "Affleck found Maher's comments about Islam \"gross\" and \"racist\".",
    "Maher has tried contacting Affleck but hasn't received a response."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}