Club Random with Bill Maher – Michael Rapaport
Episode Air Date: November 3, 2025
Guests: Bill Maher (host), Michael Rapaport (guest)
Theme: Unfiltered discussions on comedy, pop culture, the evolution of television, politics, and personal stories—delivered with both humor and candor, in the classic Club Random “anything but politics” spirit.
Overview
In this animated episode, Bill Maher sits down with actor and comedian Michael Rapaport for an energetic and wide-ranging conversation that flows from the glory days of stand-up comedy, to the state of late-night TV; from cancel culture and modern “wokeness,” to intensely personal takes on crime in New York City and the effect of politics on daily life. Both share unvarnished opinions, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and plenty of sharp humor, with a particular focus on how culture and society have changed over the years.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Comedy & “Stickman” Hall of Fame
[02:15–05:20]
- Bill and Michael reminisce about the old days at the Improv and discuss legacy comedy “dynasties.”
- Bill playfully dubs Michael "the Pauly Shore of the Improv,” adding, “But did better... You’ve had a very estimable movie career.”
- There’s a comedic deep-dive into the enduring appeal of the “dumb guy buddy” comedies of the ’90s and early 2000s, referencing Pauly Shore, Bill & Ted, and Dumb and Dumber.
“America could not get enough of pairs of dumbass guys.”
— Bill Maher [04:04]
2. R-Rated Comedy, Cancel Culture, and Shifting Tastes
[04:30–06:50]
- Michael laments how “R-rated comedies went out with cancel culture,” longing for the era of Judd Apatow and the Farrelly Brothers.
- Bill and Michael dissect how “woke” culture has impacted mainstream comedy.
- They discuss Peter Farrelly’s Green Book: “Woke shit on it... five, ten years ago they would have come all over it because it’s about racism... but it was directed by a white guy, so it had to be bad.” — Bill Maher [05:28]
3. TV and the Purpose of Late Night
[07:55–10:05]
- Michael observes how late-night TV has become too politicized and stimulating, arguing it should return to its old purpose: “lull me to sleep, jokes, light jokes, skits and goofy shit.”
- Bill describes the business mechanics of network late night and how audiences simply “go to sleep”—half dropping off each half-hour after 11pm [09:00–10:22].
4. The Jimmy Kimmel-Charlie Kirk Controversy
[10:27–14:38]
- Bill gives a candid breakdown of supporting Kimmel amidst controversy: “I was adamant that he has the right to be wrong.” [10:47]
- Emphasizes much political violence “isn’t about politics... they’re nihilists.”
- Both agree: finger-pointing days after tragedies is wrong, and that Kimmel wasn’t attacking Kirk directly.
“He wasn’t making fun of Charlie Kirk. He was making jokes at MAGA’s expense. That’s very different... abhorrent but not illegal.”
— Bill Maher [13:59]
5. The NYC Mayoral Race and Urban Crime
[14:38–16:09, 59:23–60:23]
- Michael goes on a passionate rant (and gets personal) about how safety and crime in NYC are real, apolitical concerns—“My wife... has been groped in Times Square, had a fucking shoe thrown at her, been called the N word, and got proposed to on the train by a homeless person all between 11am and 3pm...”
- Bill acknowledges: “What you’re expressing is something that transcends party, I think, and politics.” [63:09]
- Michael decries leniency for repeat offenders, especially when it hits “home.”
6. Policing, Justice, and Liberal Guilt
[69:51–72:30]
- Bill delivers a nuanced take: “You do need the cops. Civilization is a mile wide and an inch thick. If you don’t keep the shit to shoe level, it goes sideways real fast.” [69:51]
- Both grapple with balancing justice and compassion with the harsh realities faced in big cities.
7. Assimilation, Immigration, and “Melting Pot” Values
[73:04–76:57]
- The conversation turns to the difference between immigrants seeking assimilation and those attempting to change host culture values, focusing on shifts in Britain and the U.S.
- “Government was invented as a trade off for security... If they can’t do job one, making you feel safe, then they’re useless.” — Bill Maher [71:44]
8. Personal Anecdotes on Dating, Fame, and Social Change
[36:47–46:26]
- Bill and Michael swap stories of Hollywood dating, discuss how social media killed the “player” lifestyle, and marvel at NBA athletes maintaining affairs in the age of constant surveillance.
- Michael: “Athletes have some sort of underground railroad... I don’t know how they do it.” [42:42]
- Michael tells stories about one-upmanship when dating women who also dated Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
9. The “Stickman” and Hollywood’s Offbeat Legends
[51:26–55:47]
- Extended riff on the legendary womanizers (“stickmen”, “coxmen”) of entertainment: Milton Berle, George Clooney, even Burgess Meredith!
- Michael, quoting Stallone: “Burgess Meredith was an incredible coxman.” [52:10]
10. The Godfather Trilogy—and the Art of Acting
[77:17–88:10]
- Detailed, affectionate breakdown of The Godfather movies; why Part III was superfluous but entertaining.
- Bill: “The cycle of Michael Corleone is completed at the end of two... This is just a money grab.” [77:58–79:14]
- Who’s the “Dr. J and Jordan” of acting? Michael draws comparisons between Brando/Newman/Dean and De Niro.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Cancel Culture:
“People would be forced to apologize... and then the apology itself was not good enough. It was so Soviet.” — Bill Maher [27:52] - On Social Media & Privacy:
“Now that would be almost impossible... there’s detectives on the Internet. They figure out everything.” — Michael Rapaport [40:20] - On Crime in NYC:
“My wife in the last two, three years, has been groped in Times Square, had a fucking shoe thrown at her, been called the N word, and got proposed to on the train by a homeless person all between 11am and 3pm...” — Michael Rapaport [59:27] - On Assimilation:
“It used to be, we’re here and we’re going to help. We're here to be like you. That’s not always the attitude of today’s immigrants.” — Bill Maher [75:04] - On Police & Civilization:
“Civilization is a mile wide and an inch thick. If you don’t keep the shit to shoe level, it goes sideways real fast.” — Bill Maher [69:51] - On The Godfather III:
“Not a necessary movie, just an entertaining one.” — Bill Maher [77:27] - On Asses and J.Lo:
“She brought the fat ass... She changed the game.” — Michael Rapaport [82:31] - On Respect for Acting:
“He took what Marlon Brando was doing, Paul Newman, James Dean... and took it to another level, what De Niro was doing.” — Michael Rapaport [83:58]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:15: Improv legacy and “dumb guy” comedy
- 04:30: R-rated comedy and cancel culture
- 07:55: Late night TV’s changing purpose
- 10:27: Breakdown of Kimmel-Charlie Kirk controversy
- 14:38: NYC politics and crime
- 36:47: Dating, fame, social media
- 51:26: Stickman/Coxman legends
- 59:27: Michael’s rant on NYC safety and “wife story”
- 69:51: The necessity and frailty of policing
- 73:04: Immigration, assimilation, and Britain
- 77:17: Godfather trilogy deep dive
- 82:31–83:14: J.Lo and culture change
- 87:02: Inside the acting process
Final Thoughts
This episode of Club Random exemplifies Bill Maher’s signature blend of irreverent humor, pop-culture nostalgia, and social critique—anchored by Michael Rapaport’s equally raw, personal energy. The meandering yet pointed conversation is as much a celebration of old-school comedy and film as it is a critique of the uneasy, hyperconnected, and “woke” present.
If you want fast takes, legendary stories, and real talk on everything “but politics”—while still getting some politics—this episode delivers.