Al Franken proves his decision to cancel on Bill Maher was an empty gesture

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.'”