Bill Maher Says Woke Hollywood Cost Him Golden Globe Win

Bill Maher told his podcast guest he never expected to win a Golden Globe nomination because Hollywood dislikes his habit of speaking his mind freely. The comedian and host of HBO's Real Time got his first nod in the Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television category for his special Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This? at the 83rd Golden Globes on January 11, 2026. He lost to Ricky Gervais's Mortality, and during the show Wanda Sykes made a joke at his expense.

Background

Maher has built a long career in comedy and political commentary. He started with Politically Incorrect in the 1990s, then launched Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO in 2003. Over the years, he has earned dozens of award nods but few wins. Records show he received 41 Primetime Emmy nominations for his shows, specials, and work on the series Vice. He won one Emmy in 2014 for Vice in the Outstanding Informational Series or Special category. No Emmys came for his hosting or stand-up work.

This year's Golden Globe marked his entry into that awards space for stand-up. The ceremony took place at a major venue in Los Angeles, drawing stars from TV, film, and comedy. Maher attended, sitting in the audience as nominees like Brett Goldstein, Kevin Hart, Kumail Nanjiani, Ricky Gervais, and Sarah Silverman competed in his category. Gervais, based in England, skipped the event, citing the long flight and his preference for staying home with his cat and girlfriend.

Maher has often clashed with what he calls overly progressive views in entertainment. He criticizes cancel culture, identity politics, and what he sees as limits on free speech. These topics fill his TV monologues and podcast episodes. His nomination came amid a busy year of specials and shows where he tackled hot-button issues like politics, culture wars, and celebrity behavior.

Key Details

Maher shared his thoughts on the Monday, January 12, 2026, episode of his podcast Club Random. Guest Joel Edgerton, an actor nominated at the Globes for Train Dreams, asked how Maher felt heading into the event. Edgerton said being nominated felt like a win to him.

Maher replied that he had been nominated for 33 Emmys without a win in his main categories. He corrected it to the full count of 41 across his career. He joked that his outspokenness kept awards away.

"Because I speak freely. And this woke town f****** hates that," Maher said. "And that's okay. I've made my peace with that."

Edgerton noted the nomination showed some recognition, but Maher doubled down. He called himself shocked if he won. The podcast recorded before the ceremony, so Maher spoke from past experience.

At the Globes, Sykes presented the stand-up category. She praised the nominees but turned to Maher in the crowd. The camera caught his reaction as she delivered her line. Maher first looked puzzled, then pursed his lips.

The Award Ceremony Moment

Sykes accepted for Gervais since he was absent. Her remark drew laughs from the audience. Maher sat through it without response on stage. His special covered similar ground to his usual routines, mixing humor with commentary on current events. Gervais's winning special focused on themes of death and life, delivered in his sharp style.

On the podcast, Maher expanded on Hollywood's culture. He said the town sits at the center of what he views as misguided woke ideas. He pointed to cultural appropriation debates. In the past, he noted, people celebrated cultural mixing, like in music. Elvis Presley grew up in the South and sang in a style shaped by Black influences. Maher argued it's pointless to hate him for that natural blend.

He contrasted old attitudes with today's, where sharing cultures sometimes gets labeled as theft. Maher sees this shift as part of broader intolerance in the industry.

What This Means

Maher's comments highlight ongoing tensions in Hollywood over speech and politics. Comedians like him face pressure to align with certain views, or risk backlash. His nomination shows some accept his work, but the loss and Sykes's joke point to divides. Gervais winning reinforces that audiences still reward bold comedy, even from absentees.

The podcast episode drew quick attention after the Globes. Listeners tuned in for Maher's take on the night. It fits his pattern of using platforms to call out what he sees as hypocrisy. Hollywood awards often reflect industry tastes, which Maher says favor conformity over dissent.

For stand-up, the category grows with streaming specials. Nominees span styles, from Hart's crowd-pleasing sets to Silverman's personal stories. Maher's entry stood out for its political edge. His loss keeps his winless streak alive in major comedy awards.

Sykes, a regular in late-night and stand-up, used the moment for humor. Her line echoed complaints some level at Maher for talking too much on hot topics. It landed as playful ribbing amid the glamour.

Maher shows no sign of changing. He plans more Real Time episodes and specials. His peace with the awards gap suggests focus on his audience over trophies. The exchange at the Globes and podcast adds fuel to debates about comedy's boundaries in a polarized time.

This story shows how personal rivalries and cultural fights play out at big events. Maher's voice remains loud, win or lose. The industry watches as figures like him push back against norms.