PEORIA -- Comedian Bill Maher received a standing ovation after his 90-minute comedy routine on Dec. 3 at the Peoria Civic Center Theater.
The audience loved Maher's biting satirical attacks on tea-baggers (racist rednecks), religion (pure fantasy), stupid politicians (especially those that don't believe in global warming), and even, at one point Obama. That drew the loudest cheers, when he called on Obama to stand up to Republican stupidity and hypocrisy.
Obama should grow Afro-style hair and get tough like a rapper or gangster, Maher said, acting out the routine with gusto.
Maher was alone on stage the entire time, wearing only a t-shirt and slacks. His routine was flawless, with a joke-a-minute on politics and religion, always with a serious point lurking in the background.
The audience got it. And loved it. The theater was almost full, but not quite a sellout.
Maher was definitely on his game in Peoria, more profane and political than on his HBO series Real Time. But always funny in a good-hearted way.
What a strange and depressing era we live in when only a comedian can speak the truth and say what people would like to hear from their leaders, who are afraid to speak honestly.
Maher plays Dec. 4 in the Chicago area.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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