Maher bolsters convention coverage

By Frazier Moore

AP Television Writer

NEW YORK

When did Bill Maher hatch the idea for special “Real Time” broadcasts during the political conventions?

“Maybe when Donald Trump began talking about riots,” Maher replies with a puckish grin.

That was way back in March, when the now-presumptive GOP presidential nominee warned of riots at the convention if any efforts arose to snatch the nomination from him.

Such a thing now seems unlikely, but this week’s Republican convention in Cleveland, followed by next week’s Democratic shindig in Philadelphia, still promise to be “crazier and more outrageous and more interesting than ever,” says Maher, almost smacking his lips.

No wonder he’s supplementing his weekly “Real Time” hour (Fridays at 10 p.m. on HBO) with half-hour pop-ups tonight and Thursday as well as July 27 and 28 for a rapid response to each night’s goings-on.

Also available to non-HBO subscribers by live-streaming on the “Real Time” YouTube channel, each edition will include a monologue as well as Maher’s signature “New Rules” commentary and, in between, discourse led by Maher with his in-studio guests (on Wednesday, documentary filmmaker Michael Moore, political correspondent Joy Reid and advice columnist Dan Savage; on Thursday, economic equality advocate Heather McGhee, California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and economist Robert Reich).

Each program is scheduled to air live at 11 p.m. — that is, unless significant stuff is still happening: “You can’t interrupt a riot,” Maher cracks.

He isn’t the only observer who will cast a special comic eye on the proceedings.

Comedy Central’s Trevor Noah will originate “The Daily Show” from Cleveland’s Breen Center for the Performing Arts through Friday at 11 p.m. and next week from the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Pennsylvania.

CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m.) will broadcast live from its New York studio with teams at each convention.

NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m.) will go live this Thursday, following the presidential nominee’s acceptance speech.