ES Home
Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher aired on May 5, 1999.
Eric is introduced as being in two upcoming movies, “Our Guys at Glenridge” and “The Passion of Ayn Rand” airing on Showtime on May 30th. ES is wearing a dark suit, light mauve shirt and striped tie. Looks very corporate, exactly as he did in Passion.
First topic of discussion introduced by BM is dealing with the media hype given to Jesse Jackson having negotiated the release of military personnel after the attack in Serbia. The question was “Is our military getting too soft?” The general consensus seemed to be that too big a deal was made of them being held captive for a month – what did they expect when they joined the army anyway? ES’ only comment was:
“They were probably scared to death. (Very expressive) I CAN’T imagine being held as a prisoner of war even in a huh …comfortable place. Hearing bombs going off…” Interrupted at this point.
Second topic – Bob Jones University in SC having government funding cut for not allowing inter-racial marriage or even dating on their campus.
A black woman who was the “Citizen Panelist” states that black men like white women because they are easier to deal with. Camera focuses on ES who laughs very loudly in surprise to this statement. BM says he has never heard of this and declares “and I go out with black girls!” (In fact he is famous for this.) He turns to ES, “Eric, did you ever get jungle fever?”
Eric looks quite taken aback, “Aahhh gees… I was afraid…” Looks down in agony.
At this point he is saved by the woman (Susan Carpenter McMillan, Conservative Commentator, fortyish, blonde, attractive) beside him who butts in with “What’s jungle fever?” ES has this very amusing look on his face of bewilderment and relief… can’t believe his luck but also very surprised this woman doesn’t know this term. Further along he says, “I have got to say that this whole conversation strikes me as slightly racist. And who you fall in love with – you fall in love with!” (Said with a tone of finality, illiciting applause from the audience.)
Later BM says he can’t believe that white women are that much easier to deal with and ES adds, "Or are less argumentative – let me correct that right now!!” Again the lady next to him starts to interrupt him and he says “You see, you see!” and she playfully pretends to be hitting him over the head and he puts his arms up to protect himself. I start to get the feeling she is on his case for some reason.
Topic 3 - A deaf father to-be suing a hospital for not providing a sign interpreter for their Lamaze class. The general consensus was that this was a bit much. ES commented:
“I think the judge was responding to more than the Lamaze class – that when she was giving birth, the hospital did not give him an interpreter and she was in a great deal of pain and he had no idea what was going on. And she was in too much pain to sign to him and tell him…”
Lady next to him again interrupts him with, “I don’t buy that for a minute! Let me tell you there is a universal language telling a husband … what she should have done is - she should have reached down and grabbed him somewhere and he would have known, let me tell you, that she was in pain!” At this point she is looking at ES, then glances (you know where) and he is looking amused and I am convinced that that's exactly what she would like to do to him (and not in a painful way! If you get my drift...).
The end. (Some editorial liberties were taken.)