HBO slams Bill Maher's racial slur as 'inexcusable and tasteless'
Maher takes pride in his politically incorrect language. But on Friday night, he may have crossed the line.
The slur was not bleeped out during the episode's rebroadcast at midnight, according to New York Times media reporter Dave Itzkoff. But HBO said in a strongly-worded statement they would remove it from future broadcasts.
"Bill Maher's comment last night was completely inexcusable and tasteless," HBO said in a statement to Philly.com. "We are removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show."
"Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I'm up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn't have said on my live show," Maher said in a statement released Saturday afternoon. "Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry."
Maher is scheduled to perform at The Borgata in Atlantic City on Aug. 19.
Last month, Maher riled up critics after making an incest joke to New York magazine reporter Gabriel Sherman involving President Donald Trump and his daughter, Ivanka.