Bill Maher and Dave Barry Reflect on Aging, Humor, and Staying Young at 700th Episode

Bill Maher’s Real Time just hit a major milestone with its 700th episode. That’s no small feat in television. To celebrate the occasion, Maher brought on someone who’s made a career out of making people laugh—Dave Barry. The two shared a relaxed, witty conversation that gave fans laughs, memories, and a few deep thoughts on aging.

Two Veterans, One Honest Conversation

Dave Barry came to the show to talk about his memoir Class Clown: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass: How I Went 77 Years Without Growing Up. The title says it all. Barry has built his life around humor and doesn’t take aging too seriously. “77 is the new 74,” he joked, admitting, “It is old.”

Maher didn’t shy away from the age topic either. He cracked, “I’m always about tomorrow,” keeping the tone light but thoughtful. They both agreed that getting older doesn’t mean giving up your voice—or your punchlines.

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Class Clown vs. Class Wit

Their chat included a fun back-and-forth on the difference between a class clown and a class wit. Barry recalled being told in school that he couldn’t joke his way through life. “That proved to be inaccurate,” he said, smiling. Maher appreciated the idea, and their discussion made it clear: humor ages well when it’s honest.

The jokes kept coming. Maher teased Barry’s hairstyle, calling it a “Dennis the Menace” look. Barry hit back, suggesting Maher try bangs. The whole thing felt like two old friends poking fun in the best way.

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A Life Full of Laughs and Music

Barry also mentioned his time in the Rock Bottom Remainders, a band made up of authors like Stephen King and Amy Tan. They raise money for charity, but Barry joked, “No charity ever asks us to come back.” That sense of self-deprecating humor shows just how comfortable Barry is with himself—even at 77.

Panel Discussion: Politics As Usual

The rest of the episode didn’t hit quite the same high note. Maher was joined by Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist, and Wesley Hunt, a Republican congressman. They touched on foreign policy and political violence, but the conversation didn’t offer many fresh takes. It felt like a debate we’ve heard before.

The topic shifted to the Supreme Court’s U.S. v. Skrmetti case. Rep. Hunt went off on trans athletes, which had little to do with the actual ruling. Begala tried to counter but ran out of time before his thoughts came full circle.

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Final Thoughts From Maher

The last segment of the episode focused on how pop culture portrays fathers. Maher voiced frustration about dads often being shown as fools. He also criticized the extreme ends of male role models, referencing people like Andrew Tate. Maher suggested boys are being forced to choose between “performative softness” or toxic masculinity. The truth, as always, likely lives somewhere in between.

Still, Maher’s challenge of harmful stereotypes was welcome. He admitted he never had kids, quipping, “I decided to have money instead.”

Standout One-Liners From the Episode

• On racism: “Trump once called himself the least racist person in the world. I must say, the runner-up guy must be a doozy.”
• On weird verdicts: “In the Venn diagram of orgasms and meditation, there’s no overlap. And if there is, you’re doing it wrong.”
• On fatherhood: “I don’t have any kids. I made a different decision in life and decided to have money.”

FAQs

What was the highlight of Real Time’s 700th episode?

The best part was Bill Maher’s one-on-one with Dave Barry. It was funny, warm, and real.

What did Dave Barry talk about?

Barry talked about his new memoir and joked about aging, class clown memories, and his musical side with the Rock Bottom Remainders.

Did the political panel bring anything new?

Not really. It was a typical back-and-forth with few surprises. The segment on U.S. v. Skrmetti veered off-topic.

What’s Maher’s take on male role models?

He thinks young men today are stuck between two extremes—too soft or too toxic. He’s hoping for more balanced examples in the future.

When does Real Time return?

The show is on summer break and will return August 1.

Maher and Barry reminded us that getting older doesn’t mean losing your spark. Sometimes, it just means you get better at telling the joke.