REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER September 30 Episode Lineup
REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER continues its landmark 20th season FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/7:00-8:00 p.m. PT). Allowing Maher to offer his unique perspective on contemporary issues, the show includes an opening monologue, roundtable discussions with panelists and interviews with guests.
The series airs on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.
This week features a one-on-one interview with journalist, activist and author of “The Wind in My Hair: My Fight for Freedom in Modern Iran,” Masih Alinejad. This week’s panel discussion will include CNN political commentator, CEO of REFORM Alliance, and podcast host, Van Jones; and staff writer at The Atlantic and author of “Girl Land,” Caitlin Flanagan.
Politico has hailed Maher as “a pugnacious debater and a healthy corrective to the claptrap of cable news,” while Variety noted, “There may not be a more eclectic guest list on all of television.”
Maher headlined his first special on the network in 1989 and has starred in 12 HBO solo specials to date. The series has been renewed through 2024.
The executive producers of REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER are Bill Maher, Sheila Griffiths, Marc Gurvitz, Dean Johnsen, Billy Martin; co-executive producer, Chris Kelly; producer, Matt Wood; director, Paul Casey.
HBO Sports Documentary SAY HEY, WILLIE MAYS! Debuts November 8
Documentary Will Have Its World Premiere At 2022 UrbanWorld Film Festival Film Festival On October 27
HBO Sports Documentaries in association with Company Name, UNINTERRUPTED & Major League Baseball presents SAY HEY, WILLIE MAYS!, a film exploring the life and career of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays, debuting WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and available to stream on HBO Max. Directed by Nelson George, the documentary includes exclusive interviews with Mays and his family. The film will have its world premiere at the 2022 UrbanWorld Film Festival on October 27.
Willie Mays quote: “Over the years, the fans have given me so much joy, and I am excited to express my thanks again through this wonderful documentary and its telling of the story of my career and life. I have worked hard and been fortunate to do many amazing things over the course of my life, and I am excited and proud that the people who see this film, including younger fans who never saw me play, will have the chance to relive this great journey with me and have a few laughs along the way. Watching this documentary brought a proud and grateful smile to my face, and I hope everyone else enjoys it too.”
Nelson George quote: “It’s been one of the highlights of my life to get to talk with and document the life of Willie Mays, perhaps baseball’s greatest player and certainly its most charismatic personality. Not only was he a staple on the Baseball Game of the Week, but crossed over into talk shows and night time entertainment when Black faces were rare. The film is very much a tale of mentorship. Willie was schooled in life and baseball by his father Cat and Negro League players. Later Willie looked out for scores of young Black players including his godson Barry Bonds. An epic American life.”
Synopsis: Willie Mays’ life is a beacon of the “American Dream,” intersecting with a transformative era of the Black American experience. From his formative years playing Negro League baseball in Birmingham, to landing on the country’s biggest stage in New York at the inception of televised games, and expanding with baseball to the west coast during the peak of the Civil Rights movement. Mays transfixed fans from coast to coast with his style, jubilant persona and contagious smile, and helped to erode racial barriers and move the sport of baseball, and the American dialog, forward. SAY HEY, WILLIE MAYS! follows Mays’ life both on and off the field over five decades as he navigated the American sports landscape and the country’s ever-evolving cultural backdrop, all while helping to define what it means to be one of America’s first Black sports superstars. He left an indelible mark in New York City and San Francisco, building a love affair with both cities’ fans.
Mays is undoubtedly one of the best all-around players in Major League history, displaying the rare combination of speed, power and defense whenever he took the field. He played in a record-tying 24 All-Star Games in his 22 years with the Giants (1951-1972) and the Mets (1972-1973). He signed with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League at 16 and then joined the Giants organization in 1950. After serving in the U.S. Army for most of the 1952 season and all of 1953, “The Say Hey Kid” returned to post an MVP season in 1954, leading the Giants to the World Series Championship. He earned NL MVP honors again in 1965 and won 12 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1957-1968. Mays finished his career with a .302 batting average, 660 home runs, 338 stolen bases, a .384 on-base percentage and a .557 slugging percentage. The Alabama native was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979 with 94.7% of all votes, the fourth-highest total ever at the time of his election. In 2017, Major League Baseball renamed the World Series Most Valuable Player in honor of Willie Mays.
Featured interviews: The film features new interviews with Mays, his godson Barry Bonds, and son Michael Mays. Additional interviews include Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Orlando Cepeda and Juan Marichal, alongside the late baseball legend Vin Scully, Hall of Fame Broadcasters Jon Miller and Bob Costas, and Mays’ biographer John Shea.
Credits: SAY HEY, WILLIE MAYS! is a Company Name production in association with UNINTERRUPTED, Zipper Bros Films, and Major League Baseball. The film is directed by Nelson George and produced by Colin Hanks, Sean Stuart and Glen Zipper; executive producers from UNINTERRUPTED are LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, Philip Byron and Major League Baseball’s Nick Trotta. For HBO, executive producers Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller and Bentley Weiner; coordinating producer, Abtin Motia.
Second Installment Of HBO Original THE WHITE LOTUS From Mike White Debuts October 30
HBO’s Emmy®-winning series, THE WHITE LOTUS, from Mike White, returns for a second installment of seven episodes debuting on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 (9:00-10:00pm ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
The first installment, set in Hawaii, received 20 Emmy® nominations across 13 categories and 10 wins, the most wins of any program this year, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.
Season 2 Logline: The social satire is set at an exclusive Sicilian resort and follows the exploits of various guests and employees over the span of a week.
Season 2 cast: F. Murray Abraham, Jennifer Coolidge, Adam DiMarco, Beatrice Grannò, Meghann Fahy, Jon Gries, Tom Hollander, Sabrina Impacciatore, Michael Imperioli, Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, Haley Lu Richardson, Will Sharpe, Simona Tabasco, and Leo Woodall.
Season 2 credits: Created, written and directed by Mike White; executive produced by White, David Bernad and Mark Kamine.
All-New Episode Of REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL Debuts September 27
HBO’s REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL returns for an all-new episode on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT). The series is available on HBO and to stream on HBO Max.
For updates on REAL SPORTS, follow the conversion on @RealSportsHBO, HBO.com/realsports or Facebook.com/RealSportsHBO.
September segments include:
WADA: “Real Sports” investigates allegations that the World Anti-Doping Agency, or WADA, is failing to adequately police international sport for the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Insiders claim that WADA’s mission is being compromised by conflicts of interest and outside meddling. Correspondent Jon Frankel reports. Producer: Max Gershberg.
DARREN WALLER: Battling drug addiction at the start of his NFL career, Darren Waller was suspended from the league and almost died from a drug overdose. After a fresh start with the Raiders, Waller miraculously turned his career around, becoming one of the league’s top tight ends. Now, he’s also putting in the work off the field, partnering with his drug sponsor to help save other addicts, by pulling them from the underground tunnels beneath the Las Vegas strip. Correspondent David Scott reports. Producer: Evan Burgos.
FRANCES TIAFOE (Update): “Real Sports” first profiled then-rising US tennis star Frances Tiafoe in 2017. The revealing segment showed how unlikely and remarkable his backstory was in a sport that typically has a high barrier to entry. Now, after beating all-time great Rafael Nadal on his way to becoming the first American in 16 years to make it to the semifinals at the US Open, Tiafoe is one of the most talked-about stars on the court today. Correspondent Mary Carillo reports. Producers: Beret Remak, Hannah Vicente-Kliot.
The executive producer of REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL is Joe Perskie.
HBO Original Documentary Series THE VOW, PART TWO Debuts October 17
Gives Exclusive Window Into NXIVM Trial And The Inner Workings Of The Organization And Its Co-Founders Keith Raniere and Nancy Salzman
The HBO Original six-part documentary series THE VOW, PART TWO, directed by Emmy®-winning and Academy Award® nominated Jehane Noujaim (HBO’s “The Vow”), debuts MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) with new episodes airing subsequent Mondays at the same time on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
Set against the backdrop of the federal trial of The United States against Keith Raniere, THE VOW, PART TWO offers a rare view into Raniere’s innermost circle, including NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman. It follows the legal and emotional journeys of the group’s founders, supporters, and defectors as new evidence and stunning revelations come to light, while federal prosecutors and defense attorneys engage in a trial in the national spotlight.
Five years after Keith Raniere’s arrest in Mexico, amid rumors of a secret sex sorority within his self-help company NXIVM, THE VOW, PART TWO reveals the manifold ways that Raniere and a trusted inner circle of acolytes conspired to induct women into a female only sect called DOS, a name derived from a Latin acronym meaning “Master of Obedient Women.” Including illuminating footage from within NXIVM and chilling testimony from the trial, THE VOW, PART TWO goes beyond the headlines to delve deeply into the nature of psychological manipulation. The series also hears from staunch defenders of the work that Raniere and Nancy Salzman spearheaded with their Executive Success Programs.
THE VOW, PART TWO features exclusive phone interviews with Keith Raniere from prison and extensive access to Nancy Salzman, who examines her role in the rise of NXIVM, her relationship with Raniere and ultimately wrestles with her involvement in growing an organization that was accused of fostering predatory behavior and criminal activity. Other participants include former members Mark Vicente, Bonnie Piesse, Sarah Edmondson, Vero Jaspeado, Karen Unterreiner; Raniere supporters Marc Elliot, Nicki Clyne, Michele Hatchette, Eduardo Asunsolo; New York Post trial reporter Emily Saul; defense attorney Marc Agnifilo; lead prosecutor Moira Penza; psychological manipulation expert Diane Benscoter.
Episodes include:
Episode 1: “Tests of Loyalty”
Debut date: MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Prosecutor Moira Penza and defense attorney Marc Agnifilo prepare for trial after the arrest of Keith Raniere, Nancy Salzman, Clare Bronfman, Allison Mack and Lauren Salzman. DOS members Nicki Clyne and Michele Hatchette offer a different perspective into NXIVM, DOS, and Raniere, while Nancy Salzman, under house arrest, sits down to speak with the filmmakers.
Episode 2: “Rapport”
Debut date: MONDAY, OCTOBER 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Nancy Salzman looks back at her professional and personal relationship with Keith Raniere and defends her intentions with the company: to help people achieve lasting, personal growth through Executive Success Programs. The first witnesses in the trial are called to the stand, including defector Mark Vicente and Raniere victim Sylvie.
Episode 3: “Stimulus and Response”
Debut date: MONDAY, OCTOBER 31 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Marc Agnifilo presents his case attesting to the good work of NXIVM; Marc Elliot remains loyal to Keith Raniere after he claims the symptoms of his Tourette’s syndrome were successfully reduced by Nancy Salzman. First-line DOS member and NXIVM leader, Lauren Salzman takes the stand… for the prosecution!
Episode 4: “The Breach”
Debut date: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Lauren Salzman testifies to decades of manipulation at the hands of Keith Raniere, a man she loved. Her loyalty and devotion eventually turned her into both a victim and victimizer of other women. NXIVM supporters are unconvinced by the evidence presented in court. Nancy Salzman grapples with learning the extent of Raniere’s sexual pursuit of both of her daughters.
Episode 5: “The Room”
Debut date: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
A witness for the prosecution gives heart-wrenching testimony about how Keith Raniere groomed her from a very young age and describes the coercive abuse she suffered at his hands, including being isolated in a room for two years. We learn the witness’s younger sister was preyed upon by Raniere; this shocking and overwhelming evidence finally convinced Nancy Salzman to plead guilty and disavow Raniere. The trial concludes and all await the verdict.
Episode 6: “Crime and Punishment” (Finale)
Debut date: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Keith Raniere is found guilty on all charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking, forced labor conspiracy, identity theft and production and possession of child pornography. Many survivors of his abuse come forward to deliver powerful victim impact statements and he is sentenced to 120 years. His supporters work to exonerate him, and he plans to appeal. Nancy Salzman comes to a painful reckoning; she is sentenced to 42 months in federal prison.
THE VOW premiered in August 2020, and episodes are currently available on HBO Max.
HBO Documentary Films presents THE VOW, PART TWO. Directed by Jehane Noujaim; series producer Rosadel Varela; produced by Mona Eldaief, Dan Hacker, Richard Hankin, John Miller-Monzon, and Claire Reade; co-produced by Marina Nieto Ritger and Hana Wuerker; executive produced by Karim Amer, Geralyn White Dreyfous, Nina Fialkow, Lyn Davis Lear, Mike Lerner, and Jehane Noujaim. For HBO: executive producers Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Sara Rodriguez.
HBO’S Emmy®-Winning Unscripted Series WE’RE HERE Returns For Its Third Season November 25
Shangela, Eureka and Bob the Drag Queen at a “Just Say Gay” rally in Brevard County, Florida, in protest of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
The Emmy® and GLAAD Award-winning unscripted series WE’RE HERE returns for a six-episode, third season FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT). Episodes will debut weekly on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
This series follows renowned drag queens Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara, and Shangela as they continue their journey across small-town America, spreading love and connection through the art of drag. This season, the queens recruit a diverse group of local residents from Granbury, TX; St. George, UT; Brevard County, FL; Jackson, MS; and Sussex, NJ to share their stories, increase awareness, and promote acceptance in their communities by participating in one-night-only drag shows. In each town, the queens inspire their “drag daughters” to express their genuine selves in front of their families, friends and communities, at times facing increased opposition and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation laws.
The critically acclaimed second season was lauded by Variety for uncovering “deeper truths about small-town America that are often presented through a reductive lens, while finding the nuances of life and diversity.” One of Esquire’s “10 best TV shows of 2021,” the season was praised for having “so much heart” by NPR, and Decider applauded it for being “the kind of show that can actually bring legitimate change to life.”
Season three of WE’RE HERE is created and executive produced by Stephen Warren and Johnnie Ingram; directed and executive produced by Peter LoGreco; executive produced by Eli Holzman & Aaron Saidman and Erin Gamble for The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC), a part of Sony Pictures Television. Caldwell Tidicue (Bob the Drag Queen), “Eureka” D. Huggard (Eureka O’Hara) and D.J. Pierce (Shangela) serve as series producers.
HBO In Production On Follow-Up Episode To Documentary Series THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED
Directed By Amy Berg, The Episode Will Feature Exclusive Access To Adnan Syed
HBO Documentary Films is in production on a follow-up episode to the critically acclaimed, four-part documentary series THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED, from Academy Award® nominated director Amy Berg. Featuring exclusive access to Adnan Syed leading up to and following his release from prison, the new episode, directed by Berg, will debut in 2023.
Berg has been filming the follow-up episode in Maryland since early 2021. Most recently, Berg was in the courthouse when Baltimore City Circuit Judge Melissa Phinn approved the motion to vacate Syed’s murder conviction. The investigation from the original series was referenced as evidence in the hearing.
Director Amy Berg quote: “We knew the end of THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED was not the end of this story, and we’ve been closely following every twist and turn in the case since the series premiered in March 2019. It’s gratifying to see many of the questions and issues probed in the original episodes come to bear on the events of this week.”
THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED explored the 1999 disappearance and murder of 18-year-old Baltimore County high school student Hae Min Lee, and the subsequent conviction of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, in a case brought to global attention by the hugely popular “Serial” podcast. The series premiered in March 2019 and is currently available on HBO Max.
Credits: THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED was produced by Working Title TV and Instinct Productions and was a production of HBO Documentary Films in association with Sky. Directed by Amy Berg. Executive producers: Henrietta Conrad, Jemima Khan, Rabia Chaudry.
HBO Original Documentary Short 38 AT THE GARDEN Debuts October 11
38 AT THE GARDEN, the HBO Original documentary short directed by Frank Chi, debuts TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 (9:00-9:40 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. The documentary is executive produced by journalist Lisa Ling and produced by Samir Hernandez and Academy Award®-winner Travon Free.
Synopsis: 38 AT THE GARDEN chronicles the extraordinary ascendance of point guard Jeremy Lin during his landmark 2012 season with the New York Knicks. Lin, an undrafted Harvard graduate, shocked fans, stunned his teammates and galvanized Asians around the world when he scored 38 points at Madison Square Garden against the Los Angeles Lakers, solidifying Lin’s hot streak and the “Linsanity” craze.
A decade later, Lin’s stature as a groundbreaking, cultural icon stands in stark relief to the recent hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. 38 AT THE GARDEN recognizes a pivotal moment in time for Lin and celebrates a phenomenon that was bigger than basketball for the world.
Featured interviews: 38 AT THE GARDEN features a candid, new interview with Lin. In addition, journalists Lisa Ling and Pablo Torre and comedians Ronny Chieng, Hasan Minhaj and Jenny Yang speak to the cultural impact of his success, while Knicks teammates, Tyson Chandler and Iman Shumpert, attest to his prowess on the court.
Credits: 38 AT THE GARDEN is a Mr. Fahrenheit and GTG Entertainment production. The film is directed by Frank Chi and produced by Travon Free and Samir Hernandez. Executive Producers Lisa Ling, Patricia Sun, Brandon Chu, Kai Huang, Mike Lee, Dave Lu, and Paul Sri. For HBO, executive producer, Bentley Weiner.
HBO Celebrates 50th Anniversary With “Fifty Years Of Firsts” Brand Campaign
In honor of HBO’s 50th anniversary on November 8, the brand today launched its “Fifty Years of Firsts” campaign. For 50 years, HBO has been the first to break new ground, changing and elevating the landscape of TV in film, documentary, drama, comedy, news, and sports. Through its award-winning storytelling, HBO has introduced the world to characters and storylines that have captured the zeitgeist and remain resonant to this day. “Fifty Years of Firsts” celebrates the first premium network’s culture-defining legacy and teases the best that’s yet to come.
“HBO’s legacy is one of telling groundbreaking stories. Fifty Years of Firsts celebrates the works of those who elevated the entertainment experience and gives a look ahead from those who will continue to do so in HBO’s future,” said Casey Bloys, Chief Content Officer, HBO and HBO Max. “We are excited to relive these moments with fans and honor our brilliant storytellers.”
For 50 days leading up to the anniversary, HBO will share sneak peeks—including first look trailers, cast and behind-the-scenes photos, unreleased footage, script excerpts, and more—from upcoming HBO Originals. The campaign kicks off today with an exclusive clip from the sixth episode of “House of the Dragon,” ahead of its September 25 debut. It will also feature exclusives from HBO’s new original series “The Last of Us,” the second season of “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,” the third season of “We’re Here,” the second season of “The White Lotus,” the third season of “The Righteous Gemstones,” the fourth season of “Succession,” and many more.
A bespoke page on HBOMax.com will visually highlight HBO’s past and future throughout the campaign, while HBO social channels will use #HBO50 to revisit some of the brand’s memorable shows, scenes and characters. Social efforts will culminate on November 8 with the HBOwards, a social-first award show that will highlight the best of HBO’s first 50 years.
HBO Max’s HBO Brand hub features a celebratory anniversary tray highlighting 50 iconic HBO series. On November 1, the hub will rebrand to an HBO50 page filled entirely with thematic trays that relate back to the anniversary, including selections of unforgettable pilots, hilarious stand-up specials, inclusive storytelling, acclaimed documentaries, films, limited series, and more.
And starting October 31, ten classic and new series will take over the primetime slot (Monday to Friday from 8pm-11pm ET/PT) on HBO2, giving fans the opportunity to revisit or discover the first three episodes of an essential HBO series per night during the two week window: “True Blood,” “Sex and the City,” “The Wire,” “The Sopranos,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “The Gilded Age,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Barry,” and “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.”
Video: “Hostages” – Official Trailer – HBO
444 days. Decades in the making. The new four-part docuseries premieres September 28.
[via press release from HBO]
Hostages | Official Trailer | HBO
On November 4, 1979, Iranian student activists stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking over 60 Americans hostage. What was planned as a 48-hour sit-in to protest American imperialism, ballooned into an international crisis and 24/7 media event that would last 444 days. With never-before-seen archival footage and revelatory new interviews with the American hostages and Iranian hostage-takers alike, the series is a gripping chronicle of one of the most dramatic international deadlocks in American history, a deep dive into the geo-political history that led to the crisis, and an exploration of the political fallout that reverberates today.
444 days. Decades in the making. The new HBO Original four-part docuseries, #HostagesHBO, premieres September 28 on @HBOMax.
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