For more than 25 years, Bill Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television. Never one to mince words, his political incorrectness is as polarizing as it is applauded.
On "Politically Incorrect" (1993-2002) and for the last 14 years on HBO's "Real Time," Maher's combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 41 Emmy nominations.
Maher started his career as a stand-up comedian in 1979, and still performs at least 50 dates a year in theaters across the country. One of those stops will be at the Tivoli on Saturday night, Oct. 5.
He won his first Emmy in 2014 as executive producer for the HBO series, "Vice." Maher's uproarious and unprecedented swipe at organized religion, "Religulous," has gone on to become the eighth-highest-grossing documentary ever.
If you go
› What: Bill Maher› Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.› When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5› Admission: $79.50, $99.50 and $124.50› For more information: 423-757-5580
In addition to his television program, Maher has written five bestsellers.
Following are examples of his zingers from liveabout.com.
* "Sarah Palin said perhaps the most irresponsible thing I've ever heard any politician say. She said, 'The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke.' You think she realizes that nuking Russia might not be good for someone who can see Russia from her house?"
* "March Madnesss ... the only place where you hear 'Kansas is advancing.'"
* "The problem is that the people with the most ridiculous ideas are always the people who are most certain of them."
* "New Rule: This Valentine's Day Americans must remember that politicians are like a box of chocolates. We bite into them to find out what's on the inside only to discover that Democrats are too often soft and gooey and Republicans are mostly nuts."