Bill Maher's 'Real Time' returns amid writers' strike, drawing WGA, Keith Olbermann criticism

Bill Maher is bringing back his HBO show "Real Time" amid the ongoing Hollywood writers' strike, and the controversial move is drawing criticism.

"Real Time is coming back, unfortunately, sans writers or writing. It has been five months, and it is time to bring people back to work," Maher wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, in a tweet on Sept. 13.

The comedian and satirist, 67, argued that the "important" strike has gone on for too long to the detriment of his provocative current event show and its staff.

"I love my writers, I am one of them, but I’m not prepared to lose an entire year and see so many below-the-line people suffer so much," wrote Maher, who said he would "honor" the spirit of the strike by not using writers, or written segments such as a monologue.

"Real Time with Bill Maher" filmed in front of a Los Angeles studio audience with a varying panel of guests, will not be as good as shows with his full writing team. But, he promised, "it will not disappoint."

Maher is the first late-night host to return to air during the Writers Guild of America strike that began May 2. Drew Barrymore announced the return of her namesake talk show last week, telling fans in a lengthy statement on Instagram "I own this choice." Writers picketed at "The Drew Barrymore Show" lot to protest the show's return. 

Writers' strike:Drew Barrymore's talk show to return amid strike; WGA plans to picket outside studio

Maher has already drawn ire for his writers' strike comments earlier this month on his "Club Random" podcast.

"They're asking for a lot of things that are, like, kooky," Maher said, adding, "I'm not saying they don't have points."

Stephen King, Keith Olbermann slam Bill Maher over show return

Criticism over Maher's decision to return thundered from multiple corners. The WGA called the decision "disappointing" in a statement posted on X, promising to picket the show.

Political commentator Keith Olbermann called the returning show "the new weekly SCAB edition" on his X account, and called Maher "selfish and unfunny" (among other terms).

Horror novelist Stephen King posted Maher's social media announcement and added, "This is exactly how strikes are broken."