Bill Maher Tests Positive For COVID-19, HBO Cancels Taping

Bill Maher, host of Real Time with Bill Maher, has tested positive for COVID-19. Maher, who is fully vaccinated, was tested according to routine staff protocols, done in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The HBO production said that they take “every precaution” necessary.

HBO released a statement on Thursday that said, “No other staff or crew members have tested positive at this time.” They also reassured viewers that Bill Maher is “asymptomatic and feels fine.” In a tweet yesterday, he said, “Thanks to all wishing me get well – hard to do since I feel perfectly fine, but I appreciate it! Most upset about ending my streak going back to 1993 of never missing a Politically Incorrect or Real Time episode. Oh well, even Cal Ripken had to sit one out at some point.”

This is not the first time that a show’s production has been halted by a positive COVID-19 test. Filming has slowly returned after the pandemic-forced shutdowns, but even strict safety precautions have not prevented positive virus tests. Real Time with Bill Maher has returned to a limited studio audience after the host filmed from his home during the early months of the pandemic.

The rescheduled episode will feature astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson and podcast host Dan Carlin.