Bill Maher makes two jokes about Ariana Grande’s weight during the opening monologue of Friday’s episode of *Real Time with Bill Maher*. According to outlets covering the segment, the audience response is mixed, with viewers groaning more than laughing.
Both reports describe Maher tying the jokes to his broader weekly commentary as he recaps negative news, then shifts to the Ariana Grande subject. While the jokes land with some viewers, others react negatively, and at least one outlet characterizes the reception as more groans than laughs. The coverage highlights that the comments spark disagreement among viewers about whether the material is timely or appropriate, but neither source indicates any official backlash beyond the in-studio reaction.
The differing emphasis across the outlets centers on audience reaction and tone: one report focuses on whether the material is “too soon” or “too tasteless,” while the other summarizes the moment as a punchline that draws more negative reactions than positive ones.
