Is Real Time with Bill Maher new tonight, February 28?

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

It was a long week of debates as February comes to an end. Debates over which Democrat is best positioned to defeat President Donald Trump, debates over how to address the coronavirus outbreak, and more. And nobody in late night television does debates like Real Time with Bill Maher.

Real Time fans certainly noticed Bill Maher’s absence last week. In fact, just about everyone in late night took the week off that started with Presidents’ Day. But since Monday, we’ve had a week of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and more.

So will Real Time with Bill Maher join the other late night programs and return tonight? Or is it another week off for the HBO show?

Things will be back on schedule tonight. There is a brand new episode of Real Time. Here’s a breakdown of tonight’s guest lineup.

Top-of-show interview

Bill Maher will start things off by addressing the coronavirus outbreak. He is set to interview Anne Rimoin, an infectious disease epidemiologist.

This comes just days after President Trump attempted to reassure Americans about the possibility of an outbreak. The press conference left few people convinced the administration had a handle on things, especially late night comedians like Seth Meyers.

Rimion will look to educate both Maher and his audience about the disease and the science behind epidemics. While others examine the political and economic consequences of coronoavirus, the interview between Maher and Rimion should focus more on public health. Still, Rimion could comment on how health agencies within the government should approach the issue.

Mid-show interview

For the mid-show interview, Maher welcomes back Nicholas Kristof. It will be the fourth Real Time appearance for the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist.

Kristof can be seen as a political commentator on CNN and his opinion column can be read in The New York Times. Last month he published Tightrope: Americans Reaching For Hope, a book he co-authored with Sheryl WuDunn on the social and economic conditions in rural America.

On Real Time, Kristof should share some stories from the book and explain the role rural America will play in the election. Kristof’s Twitter feed has also included commentary and links to stories on coronavirus so that topic could also be on the table for Maher’s interview.

The panel

Once again, the panel will bring together a diverse collection of voices to debate with Maher. It will feature two returning guests and one Real Time rookie.

E.J. Dionne is a journalist and columnist for The Washington Post. He has written several books on the relationship between religion and politics while criticizing both conservatives and President Trump. Dionne should have plenty to say on these topics.

Buck Sexton is the host of the conservative talk radio show “The Buck Sexton Show.” He has been critical of the Democratic field of candidates, most recently following the debate in South Carolina. Sexton has also pushed back against claims that Trump’s cuts to the Center for Disease Control could make a national health emergency worse. He should go head-to-head with Maher on this issue.

Making her Real Time debut is political activist Jane Kleeb. She is the founder of Bold Alliance, a progressive political advocacy group, and chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party. Last month her book Harvest the Vote: How Democrats Can Win Again in Rural America was published. Similar themes to Kristof’s interview should come from Kleeb as well as insight on the electability of the Democratic candidate.

Who are you looking forward to seeing on tonight’s show? What topics do you want to hear discussed and debated? Let us know in the comment section below. Real Time with Bill Maher airs tonight at 10:00 PM ET on HBO.