Is Real Time with Bill Maher new tonight, August 23?

Should fans expect to see a brand new episode of Real Time with Bill Maher tonight?

It is Friday night and for late night television fans, that means it is time for Real Time with Bill Maher. But after a week of late night shows taking a vacation, will there be a new episode of Real Time?

If you tried to tune in to one of your favorite late night shows this week then chances are you were disappointed. Shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon all squeezed in one more summer vacation.

But fans also know that Bill Maher keeps his own schedule when it comes to Real Time. And after already taking an extended hiatus this summer, Maher isn’t going anywhere.

Yes, there will be a new episode of Real Time with Bill Maher this week. Keep reading for a breakdown of the night’s guests.

Top-of-show interview

Representative Katie Porter returns to Real Time tonight as the top-of-show interview. She was last seen on the show on June 7.

The quick turnaround between appearances is a good reflection of the impact Represenative Porter is making on Congress. Porter is a Democrat who serves on the Committee on Financial Services. She made headlines for questioning Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson that led to Carson’s viral “Oreo” moment.

Now Porter is leading a charge for more accountability and transparency in Washington. She is by no means a fan of President Donald Trump and will likely comment on the Democratic strategy in 2020 when interviewed by Bill Maher.

Mid-show interview

The mid-show interview will feature a first time guest on Real Time. Maher will be joined by former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp.

Heitkamp represented North Dakota in the Senate as a Democrat from 2013 to 2019. She was defeated by Republican Kevin Cramer in 2018.

She is now a contributor to CNBC and ABC News. Heitkamp is also running OneCountry, an initiative to improve opportunities in rural America. Expect her to discuss the role of rural American in determining the 2020 election.

The panel

The panel will feature one first-time guest and two returning guests. As always, expect Maher to lead a lively discussion.

Kevin Williamson is a political commentator and contributor to the National Review. Williamson is a conservative who recently published the book The Smallest Minority: Independent Thinking in the Age of Mob Politics.

Michael Smerconish is a television and radio host. He can be seen hosting Smerconish on CNN and heard hosting The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM Radio.

Smerconish identifies as a moderate after leaving the Republican Party via endorsing Barack Obama in the 2008 election. Recently he has been examining how, and if, an economic downturn would impact President Trump’s reelection bid.

Eric Klinenberg is a sociologist. This is his first time back on Real Time with Bill Maher since 2014.

His most recent publication is 2018’s Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life. Maher will likely look to Klinenberg to discuss social conditions and the influence of Trump’s policies on day to day life for average Americans.

Real Time with Bill Maher airs live tonight, Aug. 23, at 10:00 PM ET on HBO. You can follow along with the show on Twitter and submit a question for the panel to discuss.