During an interview with Senator Ben Sasse, Republican of Nebraska, on a live broadcast of his show on Friday night. HBO denounced the remark as “completely inexcusable and tasteless,” and said it would be edited out of future airings.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on Friday, Mr. Maher, the comedian and host of HBO’s “Real Time,” was talking to Mr. Sasse on his program about the boundaries between adolescence and maturity, and how adults in California still dress up for Halloween.

But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable. pic.twitter.com/K5XlEjekQ9

— deray mckesson (@deray) June 3, 2017

When Mr. Sasse said this did not happen in his state, Mr. Maher said, “I’ve got to get to Nebraska more.”

Mr. Sasse replied: “You’re welcome. We’d love to have you work in the fields with us.”

Mr. Maher said: “Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house nigger. No, it’s a joke.”

Some audience members were heard to groan while others clapped. Neither Mr. Maher nor Mr. Sasse addressed the comments further at the time, and the conversation moved to other subjects.

Mr. Maher said Saturday in a statement: “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.”

HBO issued its own statement on Saturday, saying, “Bill Maher’s comment last night was completely inexcusable and tasteless. We are removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show.”

Racist Bill Maher must be fired and @BenSasse must be held accountable for his endorsement of the n-word

— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) June 3, 2017

The episode comes at a highly charged political moment, and at a time when comedians are facing increasing scrutiny for the political content of their material.

My View on this Matter :

Coming From Seeing and Hearing others views on what he said and how he said it i am not surprised nor do i feel different from any other person in a movie who says the word. Sure we expect better and feel as if other races cant use the word in any term or sentence but how long will we let a word belittle us or make us feel a way when we came through decades of struggle to have great positions and be better off in life from a time when a word was used to down us. We all use words of discrimination on a daily weather its in our own home or in the comfort of joking with friends , seeing he said it in a matter that seemed harmless and rather much to my taste of “Racial Expressions” i find it that now a days people will find and take any measurement to seeing people happy.

I find it that we only feel away about things when it dont work to our liking but in the mist of things how many African Americans can say the word cracker and whitey and think they not hurting a persons feelings or be dealt with for they actions ? We as a society should stop being bullies on weather we find something offensive then just enjoying a blend of comical jokes used with slurs that isnt as offensive as they seem. Im not Pro Black nor Pro anything else but life. if it dont direct towards you why feel away or jump in discussions that does not pertain your 2 cents ? it bothers me to see people take little things and blow them out proportion for they own likes instead of seeing the joke or comment in the way it was intended. Surly we all have that one person we love or wouldnt mind saying racy things and yet we laugh but when someone of big importance does it ” Oh no , What did he just say ” meanwhile mins ago everything else he said was funny.

Bill Maher on the Subject of Iranians and the Muslim culture , when he stated terms and used words that offended millions of a race and religion where was we to see that maybe what he said could of offended a friend of yours or a co worker who we know that is working out here to support his family back home. If this gets to his Reps or Him just know Bill Your good in my eyes . Continue to make me laugh and have that raunchy attitude that others are afraid to have or say the things you would. For those who find my opinion dis tasteful feel free to comment and we can discus your thoughts.

Jonathan A –