By Lindsey Hawkins and Mike Naughton

Blackman Auditorium was filled with students and outsiders alike waiting to see the much-anticipated performance of comedian, author and political speaker, Bill Maher. Maher is known for his starring role on HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher” and as former host of HBO’s “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher.” He is also the author of “Does Anybody Have a Problem with That?” as well as his more recent book, “When You Ride Alone, You Ride with bin Laden.”

Maher graduated from Cornell University with a degree in English and media critics have called him “one of the most politically astute humorists in America today,”

Maher characteristically broke the ice Saturday night by asking the audience, “Are you guys here with your parents because this is going to be a very embarrassing show because I’m [expletive] dirty.”

Students who attended the show were welcoming and admirable of Maher’s extreme viewpoints.

“Maher was hilarious. I agree with a lot of his views. His jokes are extreme to get the point across, but they are always fair,” said Mona Johany, a junior journalism major.

Maher’s demeanor was comfortable and relaxed as he began to speak vehemently and unabashedly about his political views. He paced around the stage in a purple shirt and black pants, drinking from a cup containing a dark liquid. At times he confronted the American Sign Language interpreters to the left of him on the stage. The two interpreters stood unobtrusively on the corner of the stage and translated Maher’s words into American Sign Language.

Maher playfully enticed them to make the sign for a vagina and periodically looked skeptically at them. Some of the well-known victims of Maher’s criticisms were John Ashcroft, Rush Limbaugh, and, of course, President George W. Bush. He focused on what he sees as the terrorism debacle and the laziness and apathy of American culture.

He also touched on issues such as stem cell research and the corrupt diamond trade business.

“Stem cells are microscopic pieces of goo that [Bush thinks] might one day be Republicans,” said Maher.

Maher was merciless in expressing his adocation for marijuana, his pro-choice views and his disgust with organized religion.

“Religion is just a neurological disorder. What else can stop people from thinking as much as religion?” said Maher.

He poked fun at the 2000 campaign in which Bush’s sexual relations with his wife became a campaign tactic and grounds for competition against Gore and his wife.

The consensus among students was one of approval and graciousness for the up-front performance.

“Maher was hysterical. I like how he doesn’t care or watch what he says. You can tell two thirds of the crowd were hissing the stage, which shows he gets his point across,” said Steven Stites, a middler criminal justice major.

As the audience filed outside after the show, the air was filled with reiterations and continuing laughter.