Bill Maher apologizes for racial slur

Bill Maher still has a job at HBO, even though the network called a comment he made Friday “inexcusable and tasteless.”

On Saturday, Maher apologized for using the n-word on his show, “Real Time with Bill Maher.” The comedian has been known for pushing boundaries throughout his career. However, many feel that the comments, which happened during an exchange with Senator Ben Sasse, crossed a line.

The New York Times reported the exchange:

Maher: “Halloween used to be a kid thing.”

Sasse: “It’s not anymore?”

Maher: “Not out here. No. Adults dress up for Halloween. They don’t do that in Nebraska?”

Sasse: “It’s frowned upon. Yeah. We don’t do that quite as much.”

Maher: “I gotta get to Nebraska more.”

Sasse: “You’re welcome. We’d love to have you work in the fields with us.”

Maher: "Work in the fields? Senator, I'm a house n****r."

You can watch it here for more context:

Bill Maher just said the n word, @BenSasse didn't look horrified, and the audience applauded. http://pic.twitter.com/kFAs1S3dyM

— Yashar Ali (@yashar) June 3, 2017

Maher issued a brief statement through his publicist and admitted he should not have used the word “in the banter of a live moment.”

“The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry,” he said.

Others held Sasse just as culpable for not speaking out against Maher’s use of the word—and for seeming to let the misstep slide:

Racist Bill Maher must be fired and @BenSasse must be held accountable for his endorsement of the n-word

— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) June 3, 2017

Sasse responded to criticism in a series of tweets:

Am walking off a redeye from LAX.
3 reflections on @billmaher
1. I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines.

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017

2. But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn’t good enough.
(2of4?) https://t.co/e4Bw8s8tV2

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017

3. Here’s what I wish I’d been quick enough to say in the moment: “Hold up, why would you think it’s OK to use that word?...
(3of4?) https://t.co/mQL6wMEd7W

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017

(4of4)
"...The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don't use it.” https://t.co/kEZm5vPFHK

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017

Though Maher has plenty of support and many have forgiven him, HBO has received plenty of calls to fire the host, notably from Chance the Rapper:

Please @HBO Do Not Air Another Episode Of Real Time With Bill Maher.

— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) June 3, 2017

[RELATED: Keep your cool in a crisis with these tips.]

HBO has not commented on Maher’s future with the network.

The Chicago Tribune’s Heidi Stevens wrote that the comedian’s mistake provided a “teaching moment” for children:

It’s easy to get tripped up when someone makes an insensitive comment or joke to us or in our presence. It’s easier to call them on it if you’ve thought through such a scenario and discussed some responses.

Sasse had the benefit of a few hours and a very public platform (Twitter) to offer his reply. Most people, including our kids, don’t.

We owe it to them — and to this nation’s ability to evolve — to prepare them.

PR pros would do well to use this situation as a teaching moment as well, both for them and for those they train for media events and interviews. Learning how to respond to comments such as Maher’s can go far in terms of dodging criticism and keeping your image intact.

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