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Ron DeSantis set to join Bill Maher in first Real Time episode since the strike

By Matt Moore

MIDLAND, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to members of the media and site workers at the Permian Deep Rock Oil Company site during a campaign event on September 20, 2023 in Midland, Texas. Gov. DeSantis unveiled future plans on energy policy, climate change ideology and gas production if he is elected president in 2024. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
MIDLAND, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to members of the media and site workers at the Permian Deep Rock Oil Company site during a campaign event on September 20, 2023 in Midland, Texas. Gov. DeSantis unveiled future plans on energy policy, climate change ideology and gas production if he is elected president in 2024. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) /
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Ron DeSantis is ready for late-night TV. The Republican presidential hopeful will be a guest on Real Time with Bill Maher as the show returns from hiatus.

Real Time with Bill Maher found itself at the center of the Writers Guild of America strike during its final days. Host Bill Maher announced plans for the show’s return before the WGA reached a new deal, arguing that too many people were affected for the show to wait for writers to return. His decision faced intense backlash, and he eventually reversed course.

Now that the WGA has accepted an offer from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, Real Time with Bill Maher and the rest of late-night TV can return with the full support of its writers.

And Maher already appears that he’ll be back in the spotlight thanks to his first guest. Maher will go one-on-one with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday, September 29.

What to expect from Ron DeSantis on Real Time with Bill Maher

Real Time with Bill Maher is the only late-night TV show that had a realistic shot of having Ron DeSantis as a guest. Other programs, like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert or Late Night with Seth Meyers, would either outright refuse to give DeSantis a platform or be denied access by DeSantis’ campaign considering their politics.

But Bill Maher’s ability to annoy both sides of the aisle and the more “serious” approach to his late-night show makes it an easier pill to swallow for DeSantis. It also doesn’t hurt that the two men likely share some common ground.

Both Maher and DeSantis have repeatedly attacked “woke” culture, albeit to different degrees. Both have also pushed back on COVID-19 restrictions and how the government responded to the pandemic.

On the other hand, Maher has been blunt in his assessment of Ron DeSantis. Maher once told CNN that DeSantis was a performance artist who knew how to rile up the MAGA base. The Real Time host also isn’t on board with some of DeSantis’ comments questioning the outcome of the 2020 election.

DeSantis will also have a hard time winning over the crowd. Typically, the Real Time audience isn’t completely welcoming to conservatives. And given DeSantis’ very conservative views on issues such as abortion, gun control, and LGTBQ rights, he could hear a lot more “boos” than applause.

Real Time with Bill Maher airs Friday on HBO at 10:00 p.m. ET.

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