Overview
- During his opening monologue on Real Time on Friday, Bill Maher compared Ariana Grande to a “stick-like” alien and added, “Maybe that joke will make her eat something,” a follow-up that prompted audible groans from the studio audience.
- Maher defended the line on air by saying, “I’m saying, maybe it will help,” before moving on to another topic.
- Social media and entertainment outlets showed a split reaction with some viewers praising Maher’s blunt style and others calling the remark insensitive given public concerns about Grande’s body and eating-disorder rumors.
- Grande’s team announced on August 2 that she will take a step back from visibility after finishing the Eternal Sunshine tour, and there has been no new public response from her or her representatives about Maher’s comments.
- Reporters noted the joke was built off newly released White House UFO files and raised wider questions about how late-night shows use topical news to make personal jabs and how that practice can affect the people targeted and public discussion about health and body image.