Three days after HBO host Bill Maher jokingly referred to himself as a “house n****r” on a June episode of “Real Time,” Senator Al Franken canceled his scheduled appearance on the following week’s program. But with two months distance — and no relevant developments — separating him from the controversy, the Minnesota Democrat announced on Wednesday he’s slated to join Maher on this Friday’s edition of the show.
In June, a spokesman for Franken explained his boss’ cancellation saying, “What Bill Maher said was inappropriate and offensive, which is why he made the decision not to appear on the next episode of ‘Real Time.'”
But if Franken believed Maher’s words made it inappropriate for him to appear on the show in June, why does he believe it’s appropriate for him to appear on the show now? What has changed? The senator actually announced his decision two days after Maher himself apologized for the joke — even then, Franken still canceled. Nothing has changed.
The reality is that his cancellation was a cynical, empty gesture meant to shield Franken from criticism at a time when Maher’s brand was toxic. The gentleman from Minnesota just counted on our collective memory being too short to catch him in the act of flip-flopping.
One of comedy’s great contributions to society is an ever-present supply of raw, unfiltered honesty. That’s how we know Al Franken is no longer a comedian.
Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
