Bill Maher Plans to 'Meddle' With a House Race

Viewers will get to pick a race that he'll try to swing in 2014
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 31, 2014 1:26 PM CST
Bill Maher Plans to 'Meddle' With a House Race
In this photo provided by HBO, Bill Maher hosts the season premiere of "Real Time with Bill Maher" on Jan. 18, 2013.   (AP Photo/HBO, Janet Van Ham)

Making fun of politicians is basically what Bill Maher does for a living, but this fall, he's going on a mission of mockery. On tonight's episode of his HBO talk show Real Time, Maher will ask viewers to help pick the worst House representative in America. Maher will then make a concerted effort to oust the lawmaker, both on air and in stand-up acts performed in their district, the New York Times reports. Maher wants a target in a competitive race, and will try to ensure their opponent actually wants the help.

"We are going to be entering into the exciting world of outright meddling with the political process," the host explained. While the target could theoretically come from either party, "with our viewers, I imagine it is much more likely we'll pick a Republican," the show's executive producer said. And yes, this is all legal, a campaign finance lawyer tells Philip Bump at the Wire, though HBO may need to report part of Real Time's budget to the FEC. But Bump doubts it will work; there are only a few GOP incumbents in toss-up districts, and not all are funny. (More Bill Maher stories.)

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