HBO RENEWS HIT SERIES REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER, FOR THIRD SEASON, WITH NEW SHOWS TO DEBUT BEGINNING FEB. 18

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2005 - HBO has renewed REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER for a third season, it was announced today by Carolyn Strauss, president, HBO Entertainment. The 23-episode season kicks off FRIDAY, FEB. 18 (11:00 p.m.-midnight ET/PT); the series will go on hiatus in May after the first 12 episodes, with the remaining 11 shows to debut beginning Aug. 19, wrapping the season Nov. 4.

"Throughout the recent presidential campaign, REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER showed once again why Maher is regarded one of the most provocative and insightful voices on the comedy scene," observed Strauss. "We look forward to another season of his distinctive, fearless commentary."

Allowing Maher to offer his unique perspective on contemporary issues, REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER includes an opening monologue, roundtable discussions with panelists, and interviews with in-studio and satellite guests. The series' 23-episode second season wrapped last November.

Maher was the creator and host of "Politically Incorrect," which was produced by HBO Downtown Productions and debuted on Comedy Central in 1993. The series moved to ABC in 1997, where Brad Grey Television joined HBO Downtown Productions as producers, and ended its run in 2002.

Maher's other HBO credits include four hour-long specials - "Victory Begins at Home," "Be More Cynical," "The Golden Goose Special" and "Stuff That Struck Me Funny" -- plus "30 Seconds Over Washington," two half-hour stand-up specials, and "Comic Relief VI(tm)." He is the author of the books "When You Ride Alone You Ride with Bin Laden: What the Government Should Be Telling Us to Help Fight the War on Terrorism," "Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect's Greatest Hits" and "True Story."

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER is produced by HBO in association with Brad Grey Television. The executive producers are Bill Maher, Scott Carter, Brad Grey, Marc Gurvitz and Sheila Griffiths.