APOLOGY IN REAL TIME

Acerbic comic Maher bows to public outrage

HBO late-night comic Bill Maher is apologizing for his cringeworthy use of the N-word that unleashed a wave of criticism and was condemned by both the network and his guest, a U.S. senator who regrets laughing instead of labeling the host’s comment “an attack on universal human dignity.”

The outspoken comedian was chatting with Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse about his recent book, “The Vanishing American Adult,” when the senator jokingly invited Maher to come to his state, saying, “We’d love to have you work in the fields with us.”

Maher responded: “Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house (expletive).”

The shocking comment was met with a laugh from the studio audience and prompted Sasse to recoil with a chuckle. Shortly after making the statement, Maher waved it off as just a joke — perhaps an early acknowledgement that he had crossed the line.

Despite the assurance that it was all in jest, the blowback against Maher was swift.

The Rev. Al Sharpton called for an immediate meeting between HBO and his National Action Network focused on “normalizing the use of the Nword.”

“I know and love Bill Maher,” Sharpton said, “but this is unacceptable.”

In a statement issued after the show, Sasse said that sitting there and cringing “wasn’t good enough.”

“I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines,” the senator said on Twitter. “But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word.”

He added: “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? The history of the nword is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don’t use it.”

In a statement yesterday, HBO said Maher’s comment was “completely inexcusable and tasteless” and stressed it would be edited out of any re-airings of the episode.

Maher apologized for the comment, saying the joke kept him up Friday night.

“Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I’m up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn’t have said on my live show,” Maher said in a statement. “Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry.”