Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) on Monday canceled his scheduled appearance on Real Time With Bill Maher, after the comedian used a racial slur last Friday during an interview with Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE).
“Senator Franken believes that what Bill Maher said was inappropriate and offensive, which is why he made the decision not to appear on the next episode of ‘Real Time,’” a Franken spokesperson told the Huffington Post. “He was glad to see Bill, who the Senator considers to be a good friend, apologize and express sincere regret for his comment.”
Sasse was speaking with Maher on the comedian’s HBO show when he appeared to make light of slavery.
“We’d love to have you work in the fields with us,” Sasse told Maher.
“Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house n****r!” Maher replied, later assuring his audience “it’s a joke.”
In a series of tweets Saturday, Sasse apologized for not confrongint Maher after he used the slur.
Maher also apologized for the remark, insisting he’s “very sorry” for using such and “offensive” word:
"Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I’m up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn’t have said on my live show. Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry."
In a statement, HBO said they would edit out the word from future airings, but did not indicate that Maher’s job was in jeopardy.
“Bill Maher’s comment last night was completely inexcusable and tasteless,” Quentin Schaffer, EVP of corporate communications, said in a statement. “We are removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show.”
The same cannot be said of fellow comedian Kathy Griffin, who lost her job hosting CNN’s New Year’s Eve special after she posted a photo of herself holding a bloodied replica of Donald Trump's head.
" CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year's Eve program," spokesman Shimrit Sheetrit said in a statement last week.
Franken was set to appear with Griffin on July 7 at a book event in Beverly Hills. Franken originally indicated he would keep that scheduled appearance, but on Friday he reversed course, uninviting Griffin from the program.
“I believe what Kathy Griffin did was inappropriate and not something that should be anywhere in our national discourse. I consider her a friend and I’m glad she realized she crossed the line and apologized,” the senator said.
“After hearing from many Minnesotans who were rightfully offended, I’ve come to the conclusion that it would be best for her not to participate in the event we had previously scheduled. I understand why Minnesotans were upset by this, and I take that very seriously,” Franken added.
