30 most controversial Bill Maher moments
By Jeremy Dick
25. Christopher Hitchens flips off Bill Maher’s audience
On Real Time, it’s par for the course for there to be verbal disagreements. Maher has gotten into quite a few spars on the show with a plethora of different guests. Often times, the guests he’s arguing with will remain calm and cool, maintaining a level of professionalism. But, other times, a guest might do something a little bit more belligerently.
The late Christopher Hitchens was another person who was no stranger to controversy. He was able to prove as much during a spar with Maher on Real Time. They are having a discussion about the Iranian Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Maher makes a comment comparing him to George W. Bush. But Maher makes sure to note that he isn’t “being facetious”.
The audience applauds Maher, which irritates Hitchens. He then mocks the crowd, saying that apparently Maher’s audience will just clap at anything. In order to prove this point, he flashes the bird at the crowd, plain as day for them to see. He verbally tells them what the gesture means, just in case they didn’t get the message. Those in the crowd seem pretty agitated at the middle finger and remarks, but that’s what you’re getting with Christopher Hitchens.