Review of "The New New Rules," by Bill Maher

Review of

The New New Rules, by Bill Maher ISBN 9780399158414


Five out of five stars

 Bill Maher is one of the funniest people in America and while he is liberal and hard on the conservatives, especially the last two Republican presidents, he does not spare his ideological brethren. His HBO show, “Real Time With Bill Maher” is the place where these “rules” first appeared, and Maher has his delivery honed to a fine edge. Many times, he his guests laugh along, sometimes hysterically. Even the conservatives chuckle at the jokes targeted at conservatives, although there is the occasional groan.

Political humor and satire is an essential component of a free and democratic society, there are many countries of the world where Maher would be jailed or even executed for what he says. Republicans and their mouthpieces often use the phrase “American exceptionalism.” The fact that Maher is allowed to openly say these great jokes is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that the phrase is true, even though those that utter it often criticize Maher for what he says.