Real Time with Bill Maher: Overtime — Episode #714

Guests: Scott Galloway, Fareed Zakaria, Josh Barrow
Date: November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This Overtime segment features a lively discussion with Scott Galloway (marketing professor and author), Fareed Zakaria (CNN host and author), and Josh Barrow (NYT opinion writer and podcast host). Bill Maher leads the panel through a variety of audience questions, covering topics like the end of the penny, daylight savings time, sports gambling scandals, media accountability, and the psychology of happiness over a lifetime. The discussion is candid, humorous, and often self-deprecating, with each guest bringing their signature style to topics both quirky and consequential.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The End of the Penny and Outdated Systems

• [02:18] Bill Maher opens by asking about the U.S. Mint pressing its final pennies.
• Scott Galloway notes the irrationality of continuing the penny: “It costs them more to make a penny than a penny is worth.”
• Discussion moves to eliminating second decimal places in pricing and references to quirky policy hangovers—like World War II era mohair subsidies and how employer-based healthcare began.
• Fareed Zakaria illustrates inertia in policy: “Mohair subsidies… started in World War II… finally got repealed in 2010.” [03:32]

2. Should We Eliminate Daylight Savings Time?

• [05:59] Bill Maher says daylight savings is “another bullshit thing.”
• Scott Galloway:
  • Points out people are really upset about less daylight in winter, not the time change itself.
  • Explains how time changes maximize usable daylight and references the failed experiment under Nixon:
    “People were really angry because … their kid has to walk to school in the dark now.” [06:18]
  • Observes that complaints would persist no matter the system chosen.
• Fareed Zakaria:
  • Candidly admits: “I have no opinion on this.” [07:05]
• Bill Maher:
  • Personalizes the issue: “I’m pissed off because I don’t live on this schedule… closer to noon than dawn.” [07:22]

3. Sports Gambling Scandals—A Societal Issue?

• [07:34] Bill Maher asks if the sports gambling scandal (players embroiled in gambling) reflects bigger social problems.
• Scott Galloway contextualizes it:
  • “The most profitable companies in the world tap into a flaw in our instincts.”
  • Gambling addiction as "Vegas in people's pockets," leading to higher bankruptcies.
  • Emphasizes need for education: “To be clear, you’re not investing, you’re gambling… over the medium and long term, it’s impossible to win.” [08:14]
• Josh Barrow on legalizing gambling’s risks, especially with individualized bets:
  • “You can bet on every pitch… If you’re a pitcher… you can just flub one pitch.” [09:27]
  • Suggests stricter regulation on proposition bets.
• Fareed Zakaria wonders if bans are possible in a digital world:
  • “If you ban it in America, won’t they just set it up in the Cayman Islands?” [10:15]
• Scott Galloway:
  • Highlights how technology makes it easier to catch cheaters: “A lot of these pro athletes are not that bright… it’s easy [to catch them].” [10:29]
  • Fareed quips: “Unless you’re a congressman.” [10:50]

4. Media Accountability: BBC & Trump’s January 6th Comments

• [10:59] Bill Maher describes how the BBC edited Trump’s January 6th comments, calling it a clear misrepresentation.
• Fareed Zakaria:
  • “The tragedy is what he said was bad enough. Why did you have to doctor it?” [11:17]
• Bill Maher notes the real issue was Trump never conceding the election, not what was edited.
• Josh Barrow on double standards:
  • “Traditional media ... we hold to an entirely different standard. ... Fox News was a dumpster fire compared to the nuclear mushroom cloud that happens every three minutes on social media."
  • Argues that tech platforms face far less scrutiny:
    “Why are we not … holding algorithmically elevated content to any standard?” [12:20]

5. The Arc of Happiness Over Life

• [13:26] An audience question prompts discussion of happiness at different ages, a subject of Scott Galloway’s book.
• Bill Maher references the popular “happiness U-curve,” but confesses it’s backward for him: “I hated up until 25, then it got good.” [14:02]
• Scott Galloway:
  • Describes the arc:
    • “0 to 25 is prom, Star Wars, making out… generally pretty good.” [14:13]
    • 25-45: “Shit gets real… difficult economic strain, someone you love gets sick and dies.”
    • After 50: “You start finding joy in unusual places. I find bougainvillea fascinating now.” [14:56]
  • Message to young adults: “If you’re 30… struggling… that’s exactly where you should be. Keep on keeping on. Happiness waits for you.” [15:23]
• Fareed Zakaria ribs Maher: “Your next book is going to be how I broke all of Scott Galloway’s [rules].” [15:40]

6. Are Children Worth the Cost?

• [15:40] Maher claims raising kids is presented as “a total fucking nightmare,” citing modern “safetyist” over-parenting as a possible cause.
• Josh Barrow:
  • Notes research shows some people with kids are less happy, but:
    “One, my kids are getting less awful every day.” [17:13]
  • On the meaning of parenting: “There are moments where I think… maybe I’m here for a reason… I was never sated. The only time I ever feel sated is occasionally when I’m in the company of my kids and I feel like they’re safe.” [17:54]
  • Ends with: “As I’ve said before on the show, have kids. It’s the best thing you’ll ever do.” [17:55]
• Bill Maher (dry as always): “To ruin your life. Amen.” [18:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Scott Galloway:
  “It costs them more to make a penny than a penny is worth.” [02:43]
• Fareed Zakaria:
  “The tragedy is what he said was bad enough. Why did you have to doctor it?” [11:17]
• Josh Barrow:
  “Traditional media ... is held to an entirely different standard ... Why are we not ... making big tech ... accountable?” [12:20]
• Scott Galloway:
  “If you’re 30 years old and struggling ... that's exactly where you should be. Happiness waits for you.” [15:23]
• Bill Maher:
  “I have never had kids, so I can't speak first person. But unless there's a giant conspiracy in this country... every person who talks about it on talk shows presents it as a total fucking nightmare.” [16:55]
• Josh Barrow (on kids):
  “One, I find with my kids, they’re getting less awful every day… have kids. It’s the best thing you’ll ever do.” [17:55]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• End of Pennies and Inherited Systems: 02:18–04:30
• Daylight Savings Time Debate: 05:59–07:30
• Sports Gambling Scandal and Addiction: 07:34–10:10
• Media Standards and Social Media vs BBC: 10:59–12:20
• Happiness Arc and Life Advice: 13:26–15:40
• Parenting and Happiness: 15:40–18:06

Tone & Style

The conversation is provocative, sardonic, and often leavened with wry humor. Maher is irreverent and personal, Galloway analytical yet colorful, Barrow brisk and clear, and Zakaria playfully erudite. The group pokes fun at each other and the absurdities of modern American life, while offering both earnest advice and sharp critique.

Summary prepared for those who missed the episode, capturing both the intellectual engagement and comedic flavor that defines Real Time’s Overtime panel.