Bill Maher just said the n word, @BenSasse didn’t look horrified, and the audience applauded. pic.twitter.com/kFAs1S3dyM — Yashar Ali (@yashar) June 3, 2017

Comedian Bill Maher has apologized for using the n-word during the Friday, June 2 segment of ‘Real Time with Bill Maher.” Immediate backlash erupted against him and the surprising support or lack of anger from scholar Michael Eric Dyson and rapper Killer Mike.

“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,” Maher said in a statement Saturday, June 3 after HBO deemed the incident “completely inexcusable and tasteless”. “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.”

During a segment on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Republican Sen. Ben Sasse joked that the comic should visit Nebraska and work in the fields.

“Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house n—–,” Maher, who in March joked about celebrating Black History Month by buying lobster with food stamps, responded.

The public came down on Maher for using the slur and HBO said it would not include the joke in subsequent airings, but two political Black figures weren’t fired up it.

Killer Mike reflected on the more important work he wanted to accomplish.

The word is Nigger and it's a powerful word for bad and it's offspring Nigga has been a power filled word used by those once oppressed https://t.co/nTtvRkXKkF — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) June 3, 2017

black have BIGGER things than NIGGER to concern our selves with: Black Banks, Gentrification, Economics & Trade Education. Love, My Nigga. https://t.co/nTtvRkXKkF — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) June 3, 2017

Many took issue with the rapper’s response.

Bill maher not doing any of those but you giving him a pass? — Teddy Tinder-Grass (@Knock_OutNEd) June 3, 2017

Smh. So Black people ONLY have to focus on the big shit and let the little shit slide?…okay then… — Paris Lay (@ParisLay) June 3, 2017



Mike responded to some of the reactions explaining why his outrage was absent.

No pass just ain't got time to care. I have Junteenth coming and I wanna get 100 mil moves to black banks! U bank black yet? https://t.co/vapoBzrdjx — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) June 3, 2017

I wud rather hear a white saying nigger so I know what I'm dealing with that using "urban" or other shit like the liberal use for us nigga https://t.co/yRsaIjIjRy — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) June 3, 2017

While Killer Mike’s take was less in support of Maher, Michael Eric Dyson found himself conflicted. He applauded Maher for amplifying Black voices and confidently noted that the talk show host will use the situation to “strengthen his role as an ally to Black people.”

Several disagreed with Dyson’s statement.

Stomaching Islamophobia, thinly-veiled misogyny & a self-issued #HoodPass have always been part of the price of admission to his platform. — 🇺🇸🇭🇹 Only4RM 🇭🇹🇺🇸 (@Only4RM) June 3, 2017

How do you feel about the fact that not only did ya boy use the N word but he decided to take the “House Nigga” side? That can’t sit well… — (ง’̀-‘́)ง (@KingMike33) June 3, 2017

Brotha I’m sick of Bill and we both know he gets off using the N-word. — IFUNANYA (@dia_2008) June 3, 2017

One Twitter user was especially outraged.

Michael Eric Dyson defending him, Killer Mike defending him. Who else has gone to the sunken place?! — Akilah (@craziforlife) June 3, 2017

Others also weighed in.

Please @HBO Do Not Air Another Episode Of Real Time With Bill Maher. — Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) June 3, 2017

Confused about Bill Maher saying house n***a on #RealTime ? Here's a chart to help you: pic.twitter.com/Oi8OtIaZcU — Sydney G. (@SydneyGavriel) June 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/robinthede/status/870947833683353600

The easiest way to get Bill Maher fired is to stop watching HBO and cancel your subscriptions. Money talks, not ethics. — Me (@almostsatire) June 4, 2017