Bill Maher and Sage Steele
Vivian Killilia/Getty Images; Greg Doherty/Getty Images
HBO real time Host Bill Maher is launching a podcast network.
Club Random Studios Network (name comes from Maher's) club random (Podcast) is looking to host a podcast built on the idea of ”freedom of expression,” the late-night host said. hollywood reporter.
“I'm looking for someone who doesn't talk to the point. What I'm looking for is someone who doesn't say, 'What's the right answer here?' before speaking,” Maher added. .
The network's first podcast, backed by Maher along with co-creators Chris Case and Chuck Labella, will be hosted by former ESPN's Sage Steele. sports Center The anchor parted ways with the channel last year after settling a free speech lawsuit. Steele filed the lawsuit alleging retaliation after he made controversial comments about mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations on a podcast hosted by Jay Cutler.
“Like me, she pissed off Disney, so she's perfect as our first new host. There's a kind of poetic symmetry to that,” Marr said of Steele, which starts today. (Marr, of course, fought with Disney after ABC canceled the show) politically incorrect (2002).
Steele speaks THR She said she is planning the show around “conversations, not interviews” and will feature athletes, executives, actors, comedians, politicians and other guests. UFC chief Dana White, comedians Howie Mandel and Adam Carolla, and California Senate candidate Steve Garvey are among the first guests.
“What I've always strived to do in my career is dig into the 'why' behind people and get interesting human stories,” Steele says, adding that she shares her own personal She added that experience has informed her.
“By sharing your story, you know that others can benefit as well,” Steele adds. “I've gotten thousands of emails over the last few years since I started being controversial. I started getting cancelled. People were like, 'Oh my gosh, thank you for sharing,' 'Oh my gosh. It was like, “Well, I'm worried too,''' and then, “Oh my god, don't be quiet, you're speaking for me.'' So where did this come from? I've always had that kind of curiosity, but now I know firsthand what it's like for people to open up, be vulnerable, and share. ”
Maher told Steele and the other hosts that he and his co-founders would provide resources and allow them to pursue their own ideas.
“They're not new people. They're grown-up, mature, fun, fearless people,” Maher says. “So I'm not worried about them and I wouldn't dream of micromanaging them. I mean, they're their own people. And that's what we want. ”
“This isn't even about me or Bill. This is about the big picture and what I believe and Bill believes is missing in this country, and that's real conversation and listening.” Steele added. “So since my controversy began, actually long before that, people who know me have known that my number one priority is diversity of thought. Without it, we have nothing.”
“Bill, by saying you're going to be my first hire for my new podcast network, he's practicing that, he's practicing what he preaches. He thinks marriage is a joke and kids are a nuisance. And he's an atheist. I've been married for 20 years. I have 3. He has two children and is a devout Catholic,” Steele continued. “We couldn't be more different in many, many important ways. But the craziness at the border with immigration laws and vaccines, not vaccine mandates, but what happened with transgender sports. We think the same way about some of the core issues that are currently dividing this country, such as the issue. We're on the same page about that, and we talked about it on his podcast last fall. I was able to find out about it through this.”
Mr. Maher is club random Two years ago, the podcast took a more casual, long-form approach to interviews, with guests hanging out and chatting in a more casual setting than usual. real time.
“I get high when I do it all. It seemed like a good idea,” Maher quips about the podcast.
“I mean, my real job is HBO…that's different. I'm talking to senators and governors and I can't just get high and forget what I said and keep talking about sex all the time. ” Maher added. “But the podcast is me after hours, it's real time After sunset. “
He's now betting he can carry on that spirit and give other hosts the chance to build their own podcasts.
