Would Bill Maher be more popular if he wasn't such a big meanie?

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Definitely, because that's the #1 thing people complain most about him.  Being a fellow Jersey boy, I adore the sarcastic/mean streak, but it obviously tends to tick people off.

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

"big meanie"? Did someone say this?

Either way probably not. Maybe if he weren't an atheist fundamentalist he would.

[Maxwell]

but isn't that his whole thing? like, if he weren't a big jackass, what would the point be?

I can't stand Bill Maher, but I think the reason he has any audience is because of the way he is. If he were just some normal comedian with liberal politics, who cares?

[Mordecai]

Probably not, it would make him a much more bland and unremarkable comedian because the controversy is part of his style. Those that don't like him already would still dislike him for being liberal.

And it's not really being mean, it's more acting snide/sarcastic in response to stupidity.

[Goldwater]

You know what's weird? In a way, I kind of like Bill Maher. And yet, if he wasn't "such a big meanie", I would probably hate him.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

"big meanie"? Did someone say this?

Either way probably not. Maybe if he weren't an atheist fundamentalist he would.

He says it himself in his stand-up specials to mock those who criticize his positions.  He'll say something like, "Now I know the Christian Right is going to say 'Oh Bill, you big meanie'!". 

[DemPGH]

You know, though, in matters of politics and culture, he seems to mainly pick on and mock the extremes and nutcases, which surely plays into his comedy background. I certainly don't mind him. If he didn't do that or wasn't a meanie, he'd probably just be another commentator.

Maybe if he weren't an atheist fundamentalist he would.

I take exception to that term. I'm for separating myth from real history that can be known and verified, and no one calls me a "fundamentalist historian." 

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

You know, though, in matters of politics and culture, he seems to mainly pick on and mock the extremes and nutcases, which surely plays into his comedy background. I certainly don't mind him. If he didn't do that or wasn't a meanie, he'd probably just be another commentator.

Maybe if he weren't an atheist fundamentalist he would.

I take exception to that term. I'm for separating myth from real history that can be known and verified, and no one calls me a "fundamentalist historian." 

Atheist fundamentalist is a perfectly fair term.  There are some atheists who are simply elitist a**holes who are mainly just atheists because it gives them an excuse to pretend they are intellectually superior to most of the world's population.  Bill Maher is a prime example of such an individual and I'm not really sure what one would call his religious views if not fundamentalist atheism. 

[DemPGH]

You know, though, in matters of politics and culture, he seems to mainly pick on and mock the extremes and nutcases, which surely plays into his comedy background. I certainly don't mind him. If he didn't do that or wasn't a meanie, he'd probably just be another commentator.

Maybe if he weren't an atheist fundamentalist he would.

I take exception to that term. I'm for separating myth from real history that can be known and verified, and no one calls me a "fundamentalist historian." 

Atheist fundamentalist is a perfectly fair term.  There are some atheists who are simply elitist a**holes who are mainly just atheists because it gives them an excuse to pretend they are intellectually superior to most of the world's population.  Bill Maher is a prime example of such an individual and I'm not really sure what one would call his religious views if not fundamentalist atheism. 

Then as far as you are concerned, he is an outspoken jerk, and that's fine. Maher would certainly be reviled on this forum. But he's not a fundamentalist because there is no dogma, deity, or ritual that's the basis of what he thinks or doesn't think. Religions further are not built around negatives.

The mothman should not be considered a part of biology. So am I a "fundamentalist biologist"? That's by implication an issue that has to be addressed.

[MaxQue]

You know, though, in matters of politics and culture, he seems to mainly pick on and mock the extremes and nutcases, which surely plays into his comedy background. I certainly don't mind him. If he didn't do that or wasn't a meanie, he'd probably just be another commentator.

Maybe if he weren't an atheist fundamentalist he would.

I take exception to that term. I'm for separating myth from real history that can be known and verified, and no one calls me a "fundamentalist historian." 

Atheist fundamentalist is a perfectly fair term.  There are some atheists who are simply elitist a**holes who are mainly just atheists because it gives them an excuse to pretend they are intellectually superior to most of the world's population.  Bill Maher is a prime example of such an individual and I'm not really sure what one would call his religious views if not fundamentalist atheism. 

Then as far as you are concerned, he is an outspoken jerk, and that's fine. Maher would certainly be reviled on this forum. But he's not a fundamentalist because there is no dogma, deity, or ritual that's the basis of what he thinks or doesn't think. Religions further are not built around negatives.

He can't accept ideas different than his own opinion. He is a fundamentalist.

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

One of the "tennats" of atheist fundamentalism is that religion and all religious people are stupid, evil, and/or both. Bill Maher believes these things.

[King]

Bill Maher would be a nobody if he wasn't a big meanie. That's his shtick.

[eric3446]

As somebody who is a very brash left-winger, I enjoy Bill Maher most of the time. That being said, he does get a bit silly at times, and I think his attitude probably turns people away who would otherwise agree with him.

[AkSaber]

He speaks his mind, which is a trait I like.

And besides, I like it when someone pisses all over political correctness.