On the October 3, 2025 episode of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, host Bill Maher did not mince words as he took aim at the co-hosts of ABC’s popular daytime show The View. The catalyst for Maher’s sharp critique was the panel’s notably slow response to the temporary suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, whose show was abruptly pulled off the air by ABC and its parent, the Walt Disney Company, on September 17. The suspension followed Kimmel’s controversial remarks about the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk—an incident that quickly became a flashpoint in media and political circles.
Maher’s comments, delivered with his trademark blend of sarcasm and candor, resonated across the entertainment and political spectrum. He accused the all-female panel—Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, and Alyssa Farah Griffin—of what he called a "deafening silence" in the days immediately following Kimmel’s suspension. "It wasn’t a good look for the woman party that all the guys were speaking out for Jimmy Kimmel when Trump went after him except on the woman show, where for five days the outspoken hosts were suddenly as quiet as a geisha," Maher said, as reported by Fox News Digital. "Then on the fifth day they rose and said, ‘No one silences us.’"
Maher’s jabs were not limited to the timing of the panel’s response. He joked, "No one had to—you silenced yourselves." He continued, "Did you all really think we weren’t going to talk about Jimmy Kimmel? Uh, no. I thought you would, but then you didn’t. Five days. Talk about needing extra time to get ready." The implication was clear: Maher found it odd that a show known for its outspoken commentary on headline news would wait nearly a week before addressing a controversy that had already become a national talking point.
The criticism came at a time when much of Hollywood, including high-profile personalities like Howard Stern, had already weighed in on Kimmel’s behalf. According to Fox News Digital, the immediate and vocal support from other media figures stood in stark contrast to the silence from The View—a contrast Maher was quick to highlight. The delay led to speculation that the panelists were pressured by ABC to avoid the topic, though this remains unconfirmed.
On September 22, five days after the suspension, Whoopi Goldberg finally addressed the controversy on air. She offered an explanation for the delay, saying, "When the news broke last week about Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, we took a breath to see if Jimmy was going to say anything about it first. We did the same thing with Stephen Colbert." Goldberg sought to reassure viewers of the show’s independence, adding, "Have you watched the show over the last 29 seasons? No one silences us." Her remarks, while intended to quell criticism, became fodder for Maher’s comedic critique.
Maher, for his part, was skeptical of Goldberg’s rationale. He noted that The View is typically quick to weigh in on breaking news, especially in its "Hot Topics" segment. "I’m friendly with the ladies on The View, but they didn’t say anything about this, this week. Nothing," Maher observed. "You know, because it’s never been their thing to weigh in on the issues. It’s just an upbeat party show. That’s why they hired people named Joy and Sunny and Whoopi," he quipped, as reported by both Fox News Digital and other entertainment outlets.
The timeline of events sheds light on the sequence that led to Maher’s critique. Kimmel’s suspension was announced on September 17, a Wednesday. That day’s episode of The View had already aired, and the panel did not mention the suspension on Thursday’s show. Friday’s episode was taped prior to the news breaking, leaving Monday, September 22, as the first live opportunity for the co-hosts to address the controversy. Still, critics—Maher among them—felt that the delay was conspicuous, especially given the show’s reputation for immediate and often passionate commentary on cultural flashpoints.
The incident also sparked broader debate about the relationship between media personalities and the networks that employ them. Some observers speculated that the co-hosts’ silence was a result of behind-the-scenes pressure from ABC or Disney, particularly since both companies have a vested interest in managing public relations crises. Representatives for The View declined to comment when contacted by Fox News Digital, leaving the reasons for the delay open to interpretation.
Maher’s remarks struck a chord with viewers and pundits alike, not least because The View has long positioned itself as a forum for robust debate and fearless commentary. The show’s "Hot Topics" segment is typically the first stop for major headlines, and the panelists—each with their own distinct perspective—rarely shy away from controversy. Yet, in this instance, their collective pause was seen by some as a departure from the norm.
Goldberg’s on-air defense, while earnest, did little to quell the criticism. She told viewers, "Now, look, did y’all really think we weren’t going to talk about Jimmy Kimmel? I mean, have you watched the show over the last 29 seasons? So you know no one silences us, and to all my friends who reached out, you have to know, it’s OK, we’re still here. We’re still broadcasting." She emphasized that the show took a measured approach, waiting to see if Kimmel or fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert would address their respective controversies first. "Then our show was on tape on Friday, but we are live here today, and we’re getting into it now," Goldberg concluded.
Maher’s critique also touched on the broader dynamics of gender and political commentary in media. He remarked, "It wasn’t a good look for the woman party that all the guys were speaking out for Jimmy Kimmel when Trump went after him except on the woman show, where for five days the outspoken hosts were suddenly as quiet as a geisha." The remark, while tongue-in-cheek, underscored a perception that The View—often seen as a bastion of outspoken women’s voices—had, in this instance, fallen short of its own standards.
The fallout from the Kimmel suspension and the subsequent media firestorm has reignited longstanding debates about free speech, network influence, and the responsibilities of public figures. While The View eventually addressed the controversy, the delay—intentional or not—became a story in its own right, amplified by Maher’s high-profile platform.
As the dust settles, the episode serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between editorial independence and corporate oversight in today’s media landscape. For Maher, the lesson was clear: in a world where news moves at lightning speed, even the most outspoken voices can sometimes be caught off guard.
