Note: This FAQ has become fairly outdated, but you can check out ABC's more up-to-date P.I. FAQ here. Go there for info on how to become a citizen panelist, how to write to the show, and whether or not videotapes of episodes are available.

What is the show about?

Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher is a half-hour show which features a panel of four diverse personalities who, along with host Bill Maher, discuss several topical issues of the time. Given the diversity of the guests, ranging from movie stars to politicians to musicians to writers, the debate sometimes gets heated and often turns intelligently funny.

What does it mean to be 'politically incorrect'?

In the standard definition, the term is supposed to mean "conservative," but based on interviews with Bill, the term simply means "honest."

How did the show get started?

In 1992, Bill participated as a correspondent with Al Franken for Comedy Central's Election '92 coverage. The network was so impressed with him that Bill began negotiations for a round-table discussion show that eventually became P.I. The very first show aired in July of 1993 and was taped in New York for the first 2 1/2 years. The first season included a 'Cleaning Out the Notebooks' comic segment at the very end of each show where Bill and a fellow comedian would test out each others' new stand-up material with the audience. In January '96, P.I. moved from New York to Los Angeles mainly due to the availability of more entertainment industry guests. But network television soon came calling, and once his HBO contract expired in November '96, Bill switched the show to the ABC television network where it has been entrenched in the timeslot after Nightline since January '97.

Where and when is the show taped?

The show is taped daily at CBS Television City studios in L.A. for broadcast later that night.

How do I get tickets for a show?

Call (323) 575-4321 for tickets. Sometimes the show travels to places like Washington, D.C. and New York for special screenings. The number for out-of-town shows is toll free: (888) 834-4444. The network move will not affect the location of the studio or these numbers. Leave your name and daytime and nighttime phone number and they're pretty faithful about getting back to you.

How can I contact the show / Bill Maher?

Bill doesn't have a known e-mail address or direct mail address, but you can write to the show at the following address:

Politically Incorrect
c/o CBS Television City
7800 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Where can I get old reruns of P.I. now that the show is no longer on Comedy Central?

Recently, Rhino Home Video released five separate tapes--each containing two episodes--showcasing some of the best shows of the past. You can either order them through the online catalog or stop by your local video store ($12.99 ea.). Panelists include Quentin Tarantino, Roseanne, Tom Arnold, Dick Clark, Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Quivers, Ed Rollins, and Curtis Sliwa--just to name a few! The best of the five is a special one-on-one with the neo-feminist, Camille Paglia. I highly-recommend these two very in- depth episodes for the hard-to-please P.I. fan. Have fun watching Bill try to get a word in edgewise with this 'babe'!

Why isn't P.I. a full-hour show instead of the viewer-frustrating half-hour?

The truth is that it's hard to fill an entire hour with just four guests. (You remember both week-long one-hour installments of P.I. covering the Democratic and Republican National Conventions--not to mention the two-hour Election Day show) It's a blessing if all four have good chemistry, but if they don't, at least Bill doesn't have to talk to himself for the next half hour. It's my guess that Bill doesn't want to have any sort of lull in the time he's got. Having the show a full hour long (considering the attention span of the average channel-surfer) could make him resort to distractions (i.e., "Strange Bedfellows" or correspondents). Simply put, it's a hot- button discussion show; sometimes nothing gets resolved, but that's the whole idea. Bill wants to make you think.

So is Bill liberal or conservative?

Depends on the situation. For the most part he is liberal (he's pro-animal rights, pro-drug legalization, and pro-choice) but can sometimes lean to the right (he eats meat, he's pro-death penalty and anti-porn on the internet). He'd like to be a Libertarian but the politics seem unrealistic to him. Basically, Bill lives his own life with a common sense approach.

When is Bill going to do a stand-up tour?

On occasional weekends, or when the show is on hiatus for a week, Bill likes to do various stand-up performances around the country. He has done several HBO specials, most recently his "Golden Goose Special" in 1997. This practice is likely to continue, so keep your eyes peeled for future show dates.

Is Bill married?

No, and he isn't planning to get hitched anytime soon. A big anti-overpopulation advocate, he probably doesn't plan to have kids either, but praises adoptive parenting.

When is Bill going to make another movie?

Bill's answer to this question lies in that there just isn't enough time in his hectic schedule to accomodate a three-month shoot. However, rumor has it that an HBO movie based on his first semi-autobiographical novel True Story is in the works (He'd like Ben Stiller to direct.). No one yet has been slated to write the screenplay adaptation and he himself just doesn't have the time.

What are the quotes that (used to) appear during the opening credits of P.I.?

• "Somebody's gotta say it"
• "Rumors are always true"
• "Fame is the worst drug of all"
• "Get over yourself"
• "People: The problem that won't go away"
• "America causes cancer"