Bill Maher Reveals Shocking Reason for His Decision to Retire

Martin Holmes November 18, 2025, 9:44 am

What To Know

Bill Maher says he will not return to stand-up comedy due to fears of being targeted or shot by people from either side of the political divide in the U.S.
He also cites fatigue from travel and competition with younger comedians, as well as his regular TV presence, as reasons for stepping away from live shows.
Maher, known for his moderate views, has faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.

Bill Maher has revealed that the tense political divide in the United States is the reason he has decided to retire from stand-up comedy and live shows, noting that he fears he could be shot for his views.

Speaking with his guest, Patton Oswalt, on the most recent episode of Maher’s Club Random podcast, the 69-year-old Real Time host touched on his decision to retire from doing live comedy shows. “I feel like it was a great choice because I don’t want to be out there in this country in this political atmosphere,” he said, per The Hollywood Reporter.

He continued, “I could get shot by the left or the right. It’s a good time to not be out there.”

Maher also shared other reasons for his disinterest in live comedy, noting how he’s “tired of the travel” and “tired of being twice as funny as people who were selling twice as many tickets as me.”

The comedian claimed the reason for not selling as many tickets as his contemporaries is “partly because I’m on TV every week,” and therefore, people have less incentive to come and watch him live.

“Not that I didn’t sell a lot of tickets and do great theaters, but I didn’t sell arenas, and some people did who frankly are not that great,” he explained. “But, you know, when the audience is 35 to 45, they don’t want to see somebody 70. I want to see my generation, and it’s okay. I still have my show. I have this. I didn’t need it. I miss it, but that’s part of what it is.”

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Maher also spoke about his most recent HBO stand-up special, saying, “I feel like the last one was the best one, which is a good way to get off.”

The outspoken host is known for his “moderate” views and has drawn the ire of both Democrats and Republicans in recent months. Earlier this year, he was criticized by Democrats for meeting with Trump at the White House, after which he described the President as “gracious and measured.”

However, he has also been attacked by Republicans, most recently for speaking out against ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel back in September.

Maher’s latest comments come after the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in September. At the time, Maher told his viewers that “both sides” are guilty of spreading toxicity.