ADDING INSIGHT TO INJURY

'Politically Incorrect' Host Wows At UOP

Stocktonians were doubled up in their seats with laughter at a debate
Saturday moderated by comedian Bill Maher that left no subject unscathed.

Maher covered everything from the president's privates, monogamy, ageism,
to the legalization of marijuana.

Nothing was sacred, and the nearly 720 people in the 850-capacity hall
loved it.

At an appearance in University of the Pacific's Faye Spanos Concert Hall,
Maher performed a 30-minute stand-up routine and followed it with a
45-minute version of his TV show, "Politically Incorrect."

The show, which airs at midnight weekdays on KXTV, covers an array of
topics with opinions from guest panelists. His guests are actors and
agnostics, musicians, religious figures and politicians, anyone with
something to say. And the subjects they cover are dished out with
unflinching humor.

He appeared to have a strong following among those who came to watch the
show's on-the-road version.

People who attended the event said they were attracted by the show's candor
and style.

Kenneth Crosby, 29, said he likes the fact that Maher "asks the questions
that our society dodges."

"You hear different points of view than you do on the news or other talk
shows, and it's funny to watch," said Sarah Zuckerman, 37, who said she
watches the show whenever she can. "You don't hear that kind of
conversation on regular television."

Because opinions are expressed in an honest and humorous way, viewers say,
it's easier to listen to Maher and his panelists examine all sides of an issue.

"He forces me to examine my opinions and my knee-jerk reactions," said Tom
Campora, 56.

Maher's comedy sketch before the panel shocked the audience with vulgarity,
cursing and statements like:

"Did you see the Republican convention? The last time they had that many
blacks on stage they were selling them."

On President Clinton lying during the Monica Lewinsky scandal: "People said
he's a liar. ... He's the best liar, and don't you forget it. Of course
he's a liar; that's why we voted for him."

In the panel that followed, Maher was joined by Dana Jacobson, a KXTV
Channel 10 weekend sports anchor, Tracy Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo,
retired UOP professor Larry Meredith and actor Jamie Kennedy.

During the banter between panelists and Maher, the opinions ranged from
absurd to shocking.

The group touched on the Lewinsky scandal and Clinton's phone conversation
with a senator while he received sexual favors.

Pombo said the conversation was about sending troops to Kosovo, to which
Maher replied, "How do you know?"

While Pombo was cheered when he said that the drinking age should be the
same as the voting age -- 18 -- he was booed when he told Maher he was
against legalizing marijuana.

When the panel discussed the topic of monogamy, Maher said he believed men
had difficulty with monogamy.

When Jacobson said there are a lot of women who have problems with it, too,
72-year-old Meredith said "Could you name those women?"

To reach reporter Leilani Nisperos, phone 546-8272 or e-mail
lnispero@recordnet.com