Maher joked about his new corporate ownership on Real Time while responding to President Donald Trump as Paramount Skydance prepared to close its $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.
Comedian Bill Maher addressed the recent merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery during Friday’s episode of Real Time with Bill Maher. He joked about how his show now falls under the new company which will be called Skydance. Maher said the deal was moving toward completion and joked that Paramount now owns Warner Discovery which in turn owns HBO and his show.
He told the new owners of HBO not to believe everything Donald Trump has said about him. Maher referenced a recent Truth Social post from Trump where he criticized the comedian’s ratings and said it was sad that Maher’s show continues according to TheWrap. The president also suggested Republicans should stop using Maher as a sounding board.
Maher responded by saying that Trump’s insults do not affect him. He told the president that he can say whatever he wants about him. The merger valued at $110 billion is moving toward completion after a judge approved a settlement between Paramount and 12 state attorneys general.
David Ellison confirmed that the combined company will be named Skydance. Paramount and Warner Bros. will keep their separate identities according to Ellison. Ellison explained that the name Skydance was chosen to give the combined company its own identity while preserving the histories of both studios.
He emphasized that the goal was to keep each studio’s distinct character and legacy intact.
The merger also brought leadership changes including the appointment of Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO alongside Ellison. CNN CEO Mark Thompson is expected to remain with the combined company. Warner Bros. film executives Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy have left their roles in the company.
Maher also brought up his alma mater Cornell University which is under scrutiny for how it handled an alleged gang rape at the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024.
The new company is expected to begin operating under the Skydance name after the merger closes. Paramount said the deal was nearing completion following the court-approved settlement.
IMAGE: Bill Maher at the PETA screening of I Am An Animal: The story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA.. Photo: David Shankbone / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0