Bill Maher returned to host HBO’s Real Time after facing recent controversy during the writers’ strike. Although he did not directly address the criticism, he did express gratitude towards his writers, team, and the Writers Guild of America. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Maher’s comments were made around 20 minutes into Friday’s episode of his political talk show, just before he began a panel discussion with Sam Harris, the host of the Making Sense podcast, and Mary Katharine Ham, an author and co-host of the Getting Hammered podcast. 

Bill Maher expressed regret for having to work without the writers or their writing. He said he understands the gravity of the issues the writers face and hopes that they will be resolved satisfactorily.

However, Maher also acknowledges that the crew members are experiencing their own issues, problems, and concerns. He believes it’s time to get everyone back to work and that an entire year should not pass by while many crew members suffer greatly.

“First of all, I want to express my gratitude to all those who played a crucial role in making this return possible,” Maher stated. “I’m referring to my exceptional staff, both the writers and non-writers, who worked tirelessly to get us back on air within two days. I also want to thank the union members who streamlined the paperwork, allowing us to return so swiftly. So, a heartfelt thank you to all.”

Real Time is currently airing its 21st season, which began in January but took a hiatus when the Writers Guild of America strike began in May. Normally, the show broadcasts 35 weekly episodes and runs until the end of November.

The writer’s strike ended last week. 

After the second 2024 Republican Presidential debate Wednesday, many questioned the inclusion of Univision’s Ilia Calderón as a moderator. Greg Gutfeld of Fox News — who produced the debate — is in that camp. 

“My problem with the debate wasn’t really the candidates at all, because the outcomes you get are created by the design. And Fox joining Univision, perhaps, was the worst partnership I’ve ever seen since Bud Light hired Dylan Mulvaney,” Gutfeld joked during The Five Thursday.

“I mean, you have a host unload a litany of clichés, whose premise is, we challenge successfully every day, and yet they were treated as approved truths. She had no follow-up to each one, which was weird, so it was like a deliberate list prepared by the DNC to tweak the candidates and to tweak the audience. It didn’t feel like a journalism debate to me. It felt like The View without pastries.”

Gutfeld’s comments came after he commended Fox News anchor Dana Perino for her performance during the debate.

“I did not envy you,” Gutfeld said. “I was watching it. You were pretty much shouldering the load for two hours, and you didn’t break a sweat. It was amazing.”

NBC News Daily will have a new executive producer as Erika Josephson takes over the position. Josephson comes from within the NBCUniversal umbrella, working as a senior producer on the program from MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports. 

On Thursday afternoon, Janelle Rodriguez, the executive in charge of NBC News Now, shared a behind-the-scenes update. 

Before taking on the executive producer role on the show hosted by Kate Snow and Zinhle Essamuah, Josephson also served as a line and segment producer at MSNBC and spent seven years at CBS News, producing news and feature pieces.

Furthermore, Josephson started on the assignment desk at NBC News and later became a producer for Weekend Today and Today.

There’s been plenty of movement at NBC News, as the network is reportedly teaming up with Salem Media Group to host a 2024 Republican presidential debate later this year.