Bill Maher: I’m Retiring from Stand-Up Comedy

Bill Maher started telling jokes in the 1980s, and he never stopped.

The 68-year-old created the perfect venue for his satirical barbs with “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher” and, later, HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.” His “Club Random” podcast offered a logical extension for his wit.

He never stopped touring through it all.

Now, Maher says his days as a stand-up comic are coming to an end. Maher shared the news with “Club Random” guest Jerry Seinfeld.

The two old chums talked comedy, culture and Seinfeld’s new film, “Unfrosted.” It’s a comic look at the creation of the Pop Tart, with plenty of creative license in play.

Maher broke the news to Seinfeld early in the conversation.

“After this year, I’m gonna stop doing [stand-up comedy],” Maher said to a stunned Seinfeld.

“I don’t wanna make it like a big announcement or anything,” Maher continued. “I’m doing a special at the end of the year. It’ll be my 13th for HBO, and that’s a lot.

“I put a lot of time and effort into it because as you know, stand-up is like playing the cello, You can’t just walk up there, you have to stay in practice, and I do and I’ve always loved [stand-up] and I’m always working on it,” he said. “But I have a show.”

“I don’t know how you kept it up during the show, or frankly why,” Seinfeld said of his friend’s “Real Time” gig.

“Because they fed each other, first of all. It was so great. And also because I love it … the show is great, but there’s constrictions there,” he said.

“But if I don’t have to practice the cello eight hours a day, I might wanna do some of these live,” Maher said, referring to podcast episodes. Maher has embraced podcasting in the last year-plus, interviewing some of his artistic heroes like John Fogerty and John Cleese.

“It’s not crazy…I think perhaps for you, whatever feels right for you feels right,” Seinfeld said, comforting his friend.

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Maher offered a caveat to the news, suggesting the loss of stand-up comedy in his life might be a mistake.

“After 40 years that’s why I don’t want to ‘make an announcement. This is my final…’ I might change my mind. It might be like cutting off a limb, and I have to go back to it,” Maher said.

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