Alazzam 1 Alazzam 2 Othman Alazzam Prof. Matthew Sage CMTC 305 (WIP) 28, November 2018 Satire through “The Real Time with Bill Maher” A television case study Satire is a form of art that can point out deficiencies in daily life behaviours and social issues within a community, in a manner that is absurd and hilarious through entertainment forum but also to impact a social change in behaviour. To relay social and political issues affecting a country satire takes its form through critiques, irony, and implicitness to convey critical messages that are salient to the ordinary citizens to provoke change in the minds and action. History indicates that satire in literature has lived along with major unfolding political events and it is the job of professional satirists to illuminate these the unknown facts in the society (Reimann, 2016). Usually, the categories that benefit from satire include a political scenario with leaders who abuse power, societies that have social problems, flawed customs, and blundering citizens (LaMarre et al., 2009). The modern history of political satire can be traced back to ancient Greece where Aristophanes used satire to criticize the Athenian society for its social standard. Analysis of satire and its application in politics is seen in the “Real Time with Bill Maher”: a popular HBO TV program that uses comedy and humour while discussing politics. The satire genre has been useful in sending a political message to the public and the elected government because it uses comedy and humour that attract the attention of the audience. Satire in literature started when there was a need to have the audience listen. Humour eases tension and entices the audience to be more receptive to what is said. Satire is a genre dedicated to social-literature criticism that makes use of comedic elements (Reimann, 2016). The ancient origin of satire was in the 7th-century B.C.E where satirical works already had a profound effect on the audience. Archilochus “who is a Greek Poet” reportedly used satire to drive an entire family into suicide. Archilochus and Aristophanes “who is a comedy playwright” are noted to have assisted in building the foundation of Western comedy and use of satire in films. The duo produced literature in the form of poems that humorously critiqued the society. The term satire is a Latin word ‘Sature’. The term originated from Greeks, but Latin authors were the first to adopt the genre. Satire was extensively used by Roman poets in the first Century BCE and CE to depict Horatian or Juvenalian wordplay (Island n.d). The wordplay for Juvenal was considered as harsh with a high level of mockery and ridicule to the targeted society or person. Roman satirists passed this genre to Europeans. In the 14th century for example, satirical manuscripts occurring in the funny Canterbury Tales by Chaucer took effect towards the contemporary English Society. The Renaissance & Neoclassical writers used significant satire in their enter.

1. Alazzam 1
Alazzam 2
Othman Alazzam
Prof. Matthew Sage
CMTC 305 (WIP)
28, November 2018
Satire through “The Real Time with Bill Maher” A television
case study
Satire is a form of art that can point out deficiencies in daily
life behaviours and social issues within a community, in a
manner that is absurd and hilarious through entertainment forum
but also to impact a social change in behaviour. To relay social
and political issues affecting a country satire takes its form
through critiques, irony, and implicitness to convey critical
messages that are salient to the ordinary citizens to provoke
change in the minds and action. History indicates that satire in
literature has lived along with major unfolding political events
and it is the job of professional satirists to illuminate these the
unknown facts in the society (Reimann, 2016). Usually, the
categories that benefit from satire include a political scenario
with leaders who abuse power, societies that have social
problems, flawed customs, and blundering citizens (LaMarre et
al., 2009). The modern history of political satire can be traced
back to ancient Greece where Aristophanes used satire to
criticize the Athenian society for its social standard. Analysis of
satire and its application in politics is seen in the “Real Time
with Bill Maher”: a popular HBO TV program that uses comedy
and humour while discussing politics. The satire genre has been
useful in sending a political message to the public and the
elected government because it uses comedy and humour that
attract the attention of the audience.
Satire in literature started when there was a need to have the

2. audience listen. Humour eases tension and entices the audience
to be more receptive to what is said. Satire is a genre dedicated
to social-literature criticism that makes use of comedic elements
(Reimann, 2016). The ancient origin of satire was in the 7th-
century B.C.E where satirical works already had a profound
effect on the audience. Archilochus “who is a Greek Poet”
reportedly used satire to drive an entire family into suicide.
Archilochus and Aristophanes “who is a comedy playwright”
are noted to have assisted in building the foundation of Western
comedy and use of satire in films. The duo produced literature
in the form of poems that humorously critiqued the society.
The term satire is a Latin word ‘Sature’. The term originated
from Greeks, but Latin authors were the first to adopt the genre.
Satire was extensively used by Roman poets in the first Century
BCE and CE to depict Horatian or Juvenalian wordplay (Island
n.d). The wordplay for Juvenal was considered as harsh with a
high level of mockery and ridicule to the targeted society or
person. Roman satirists passed this genre to Europeans. In the
14th century for example, satirical manuscripts occurring in the
funny Canterbury Tales by Chaucer took effect towards the
contemporary English Society. The Renaissance & Neoclassical
writers used significant satire in their entertainment works.
Notably, John Donne (1572-1631) used the genre in his various
interests of literature including religion and spirituality. In the
17th and 18th B.C, the neoclassic society found satire a genre
for everyday political use. Artists of the neoclassical period
found roots. Comment by Leslie Hurtado: Page number
Comment by Leslie Hurtado: Author last name and page
number. And, make sure you cite at the end of the sentence.
Satire has a broad definition: In literature, satire is considered a
genre that uses performing arts, graphic, follies, vices,
shortcomings. Satire is used to ridicule people in power. Satire
in comedy intends to shame individuals, politicians,
governments and the society. The purpose of such ridicule is to
entice the society to improve their actions, governance of
leadership. Satire in comedy creates humour, but it also offers

3. an excellent purpose for constructive social criticism; hence
drawing attention to both specific and broader societal issues.
From this definition of satire, “The Real Time with Bill Maher”
television show perfectly fits this definition. Bill Maher is a
stand-up comedian who performs social commentary but uses
satire to drive the points of his messages to the audience.
Satire in literature was used as a tool to change people’s
behaviour. Satirical writers take the moralistic worldview as
compared to the absurd worldview that exudes certainty in a
political setting. Satire has been used as the humorous look of
the topic of discussion or debate with the following goals: First,
it demystified the character and made the audience comfortable
with the topic. Tricking the audience considers the use of
immutable characters that are considered best for the scene as
compared to the alternative. Second, satire aims at tricking the
audience into considering political certainty as issues that no
longer require imitation; hence providing room for addressing
severe public concerns. Satire and postmodernism have been
considered together, but the two are different on the basis that
Satire is considered a mindset that leads an individual to
appreciating the political uncertainties of the subject matter.
As Colletta notes satire is misunderstood in literature terms:
terms applied broadly in media. (AUTHOR, AND PAGE
NUMBER HERE) The term satire is considered more mocking
as compared to its function. Another mistake the majority of
fictional and literal writers make is replacing satire with irony
or using irony in the place of satire. Although, much of the
humour in popular culture is ironic, the traditional use of irony
is different from satire. Irony has been used to reveal the real
appearance of than what is exposed. The use of irony reveals
the real appearances that are different, but the function of the
subject remains unchanged. Comment by Leslie Hurtado:
Who?
On the other hand, satire embraces incoherence that reveals lack
of meaning. A reality constructed with the meaning of life is
understood and constructed differently. Such constructions

4. create awareness that replaces the appearance and show the
participation of differential results of the use of media platform.
To demonstrate the use of satire in films, this paper analysis
“Real Time with Bill Maher” presents comedy while discussing
politics. To develop the show, Bill Maher never lack ideas. His
focus on politics suggests that he bring fresh ideas in the
writing room. He does this by asking people in the street which
politicians are making headlines. In his show, Trump is a guest
all the time, not because he is president, for the reason that his
name is a conversation starter. Maher strives to invite specific
people to his show. His preference to invite liberal-minded and
a conservative-minded guests is for the reason that he invited
two political parties to inflict an argument between them
through the use of comedy. Liberal and conservatives are likely
to disagree on television, although the reasons for disagreeing
cannot be entirely disagreeable.
Jeffrey Jones believed that “The Real Time with Bill Maher”
was the new form of political/social satire. Maher had previous
experience from “The Politically Incorrect Show,” his current
show that airs in a different platform, allowed him to use blue
language that most prefer. Blue language resonates well with
comedy, which is the identification feature of this program. An
example of blue language laden with satire and political
incorrectness includes the phrase “Bad Presidents Happen to
Good People” (Jones, 84). With such statements, the audience
can also determine that Maher proclaimed himself as a liberal
advocate; hence. he would want the audience to be liberals. The
long-time interaction with politicians, in addition to the long-
term political show gives him a direct advantage to satirize and
ridicule the powerful people in society. Bill Maher said, “When
people are bloated with pomposity religiosity, arrogance, and
thirst for power, that’s the perfect time for comedy” (Jones, 86).
Comment by Leslie Hurtado: Who is he? Tell me who he
is. Comment by Leslie Hurtado: Did he say this?
In America, satire has taken on the center stage in ironically
criticizing political behaviours in television shows (Swayne,

5. 2018). The “Real Time with Bill Maher” raises eyebrows
because of the perceived divisive presentation of political
parties. For example, portraying a presidential candidate or
president-elect as the spawn of orangutans divides the audience
over such statements. Audiences feel that satire cannot enhance
their interests or change of opinion on politics (Ferré-Pavia,
Sintes & Gayà, 2016).
Nevertheless, political satire is a dominant form of art that is
gaining popularity and effectiveness in criticizing U.S. politics
(Swayne, 2018). For example, in “The Real Time with Bill
Maher,” the presenter uses a derivative meaning of a “wall” to
interject a speech of the president. The presenter satirically uses
the wall to imply barriers to national growth: unisex
relationships, marriage, and snow. Other barriers require a more
in-depth look at divisions from colour and people deprived of
living. On one angle, one may view the presenter to be
portraying the president as cynical in his speech.us fostering
inefficiency, alienation from norms of information and
cynicism.
News through satirical presentation is meant to provide raw
material to the citizens to form their own public opinions, and it
also alerts them of trending behaviours that are not palatable in
any democratic state for purposes of deciding on politics (Lee &
Chyi, 2014). To decide on presenting broadcasted news depends
on its considerable persuasive effect to the audiences to invoke
them accept to the call of the message of change (Ferré-Pavia,
Sintes & Gayà, 2016). In the May 18, 2018, the presentation of
“Real Time with Bill Maher” TV Show,” criticizes the
perception that the president is above the law, which would
imply that the president can trample on the nation’s legislature,
even when he should be protecting the citizens and their
properties. The presenter puts across a message for
consideration which is “Checks and balances” as the important
role of the president, state organizations, and the citizens must
endeavour while leading the way of success and not destruction.
The audiences, in this case, are subjected to rational thinking on

6. current issues as opposed to just listening to speeches because
most political information comes from politicians. Thus,
corresponding to the publication by Ferré-Pavia, Sintes & Gayà,
satire ties closer to real events than political figures speaking
on issues (PAVIA AND PAGE NUMBER). Satire informs the
audiences of happenings for their comprehension and
understanding: For example, in May 11, 2018, in “The Bill
Maher Show,” the presidents are projected audibly and are
surrounded with lawyers, and family members. Comment by
Leslie Hurtado: Explain better.
Satire in television depicts cartoons on Muhammad in the
Muslim states. The Muslim and Arabic countries have many
homegrown Satirists who poke fun reactionaries, autocrats, and
jihads. The writers in these states explain further where the line
for Satirists is drawn and hence, there is not much to laugh
about in the Middle East. There is mayhem, death, repression,
war, dictatorship, and terrorism, which have become everyday
experiences in the Middle East. The politics and democracies in
the Middle East are not comparable to the U.S., where was
watching comedy shows on politics is an everyday occurrence.
Saudi Arabia to Palestine, Iraqi and all the Islamic States
poking fun, stand-up comics grinning and putting up with a
corrupt government and Israel’s occupation is alive. In Syria,
the use of satire as a political weapon is dangerous as those who
practice it will choose their target at their own risk. For the
recent three years, there has been unrest in Syria: political
enemies became a fair game for cartoonists, television sketches
and the campaigns in the social media (Ahmed, 2013).
From Saudi Arabia to Palestine, Iraqi, and all Islamic States
poking fun, stand-up comics grinning and putting up with
Israel`s corrupt government is alive. In Syria, the use of satire
as a political weapon is dangerous, as those who practice it will
choose their target at their own risk. For three years, there has
been unrest in Syria: political enemies became a fair game for
cartoonists, television sketches and the campaigns in the social
media (Ahmed, 2013).

7. An internationally renowned cartoonist, Ali Farzat had once
poked fun at Bashar al-Assad: He drew an image of a Syrian
leader who was sweating while carrying a suitcase. Libyan
dictator Muammar Gaddafi who was ousted, did not find himself
lucky (Salamandra, 2011). He was ambushed into a vehicle and
severely beaten, and his hands were broken, and he was
reminded by those who attacked him. This has made the satirists
in Libya to restrict themselves from targets (Ahmed, 2013).
The Isis group which has taken control of a section of Syria’s
north and the south, which has been a target of satirical attacks
by the opposition of ruling parties. Using comic sketches and
drawing cartoons, television run by the state has attacked the
Isis group. Criticizing Islam has ever remained a no-go zone.
Jordan is no different, the use of satire and political comics on
television or even in social media is something that does not
often occur. In Jordan, citizens do not have the freedom to
speak. When in use, political satire in Jordan has been a way of
poking fun of the elected government authorities and their
failure to deliver on local issues. Unlike in regions like the
U.S., in Jordan satirists use an indirect reference to tackle
taboos and consider going against the restrictive laws that
inhibit freedom of speech. Jordanian satirists deliver their satire
through simple and indirect bitter criticism of their country’s
economy, politics, and social scenery. The indirect use of satire
and prohibited freedom of speech was evident when Roya TV
was established in 2011. Roya TV is a liberal television channel
where young Jordanian comedians speak on their opinions
regarding local and regional politics. Roya TV attempted to air
satirical shows such as 7aki Jarayed, which was was banned.
7aki Jarayed were constricted in asking Jordanian common
citizens on their opinion on various topics including poverty,
refugees, politics, reform, and Israel identity. Since the ban of
7aki Jarayed, comedy shows in Jordan will not compare to the
freedom comedy writers having in America.
Historically, satire has been used in different ways to send a
political message to the public and the government because

8. comedy and humor attract the audience. Satire informs citizens
of current issues in politics, social set up, and general human
behaviors. If satire is misused, comedic elements can cause
division on a political basis. Audience’s perception on satirical
messages depends on the way a presenter relays the messages
and the relevance of the issue presented. Satirical shows serve
as secondary sources of information for the society. With
reference to "The Real Time with Bill Maher," Bill continues to
air current events with a forum for witty political, social and
economic commentators. Sometimes, Maher’s show presents
satire that may conflict with the society’s social and political
standing, but this depends on the audience `s political views.
Political and social activities are changing, and the voiceless
are increasingly gaining exposure to the media. Maher was
criticized for making errors in his show, but over the years, he
has been presenting comedy sewn into real-time events.
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and promise. Routledge.
Balmas, M. (2014). When fake news becomes real: Combined
exposure to multiple news Comment by Leslie Hurtado: Is
this properly cited?
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9. cynicism. Communication Research, 41(3), 430-454.
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