Politics as usual

 

By Anthony Quinonez
Daily Bruin Contributor

Television’s wildest talk show host is coming to UCLA.

Bill Maher brings his critically acclaimed late night talk show
“Politically Incorrect” to Royce Hall Saturday. The
special presentation will not be televised, but Maher feels that
this is an advantage.

“There’s something about doing “˜Politically
Incorrect’ without the restrictions I have on
television,” Maher said in a phone interview.
“There’s no language restrictions, I don’t have
to break for commercials, I don’t have to be nice to
everybody. It’s very freeform and it’s usually a
laugh-riot.”

Guests will include Dr. Drew Pinsky of “Loveline,”
Rev. Cecil L. Murray, Pastor of The First A.M.E. Church, Adeline
Yen Mah, author of “Falling Leaves,” and Chuck Booms,
nationally syndicated sports talk-show host.

The event is co-presented by the Performing Arts Student
Committee and UCLA Performing Arts. Both groups were responsible in
selecting the panelists for the evening.

“Our goal was to select a diverse and well rounded
panel,” said Devin Giannoni, internal development director
for the Performing Arts Student Committee. “I am really
pleased with the guests and think each panelist will contribute a
unique perspective to the show.”

“Politically Incorrect” offers a diverse group of
guests every weeknight at midnight on KABC. On any given show,
panelists from a variety of backgrounds come together to give their
opinions on the news and issues of the day.

Dr. Drew, a regular on the show, recently took time out from an
interview at the Westwood One radio station in Culver City to
describe working with Maher.

“I think Bill is a genius at what he does in that role.
He’s got it down perfectly. I consider Bill a friend,”
Dr. Drew said. “The only thing he and I part ways on very
fiercely is on his propensity to date (younger) women.”

While Dr. Drew said he adopts a more conservative point of view
on the show, he maintains that his view on politics is similar to
Maher’s.

Maher, however, said that their political views aren’t
that similar.

“I don’t now what he’s talking about. He is a
conservative,” Maher said. “The first time he was on,
he was saying something about how inappropriate it is to have a
girl 20-something go out with a guy 40-something.

“I think the liberal view is “˜Hey love is where you
find it,'” Maher continued. “In most other
countries of the world they find that to be the norm.”

Maher feels that Dr. Drew is conservative on a number of other
issues, including the war on drugs.

“I don’t think we have to encourage him,”
Maher added. “One reason I love him as a guest is because
there are natural arguing points for he and I.”

No stranger to differing opinions, Dr. Drew believes that
“Politically Incorrect” is one of the best programs
around.

“I love the format,” Dr. Drew said. “I believe
good media is intelligent people sitting down and being honest. I
think there should be 10 other permutations of “˜Politically
Incorrect’ on television.”

In fact it is one of these permutations that keeps Dr. Drew busy
these days. He can be seen every day as a panelist on the daytime
talk show “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” on
NBC.

“I have a passion for reaching young people, but
I’ve always wanted to reach women,” Dr. Drew said.
“I think women 25-50 get a lot of crappy information and
products and my instinct is to go in and change it.”

Dr. Drew’s passion for helping others was evident at a
recent “Politically Incorrect” show when Dr. Drew met
up with Stone Temple Pilots’ lead singer Scott Weiland.

“The last time I had seen him he was a patient of mine in
my chemical dependency ward and I told him he was gonna die, and I
really believed he was gonna die,” Dr. Drew said. “His
being arrested absolutely saved his life. It was delightful to see
him do well.”

Unscripted and unrehearsed, the dynamic viewpoints on
“Politically Incorrect” make for good television. It
will also make for a good performance Saturday when Bill Maher, Dr.
Drew and the rest of the panel go at it with the gloves off.

“People always love the live panels,” Maher said.
“It always makes for an incredible show.”

EVENT: A special performance of
“Politically Incorrect” will be held at Royce Hall
Saturday evening at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $25 and can be
purchased at the Central Ticket Office. For more information call
(310) 825-2101.