c-title pmc-u-font-size-20 pmc-u-font-size-38@tablet pmc-u-font-size-46@desktop-xl u-text-align-center@mobile-max u-letter-spacing-0025 pmc-u-line-height-normal u-line-height-45@tablet pmc-u-padding-t-1 pmc-u-padding-t-050@mobile-max”>Bill Maher Debuts New ‘Real Time’ Theme Song From Green Day To Kick Off Show’s 21st Season

By Tom Tapp

Tom Tapp

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January 20, 2023 7:47pm

Screengrab from the new ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ intro
HBO via Twitter

The 21st season of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher began with a new, slightly more rock ‘n’ roll theme song.

“How about our new theme song from Green Day?” Maher asked the audience as he bounded onstage.

Regular listeners will recognize the theme’s usual thumping beat is now accompanied by a pulsing guitar. Gone is the guitar solo that used to wind in and out of the beat. It’s actually a much simpler tune.

Appropriate to the Tik-Tok era, the new intro is less than half as long as its predecessor, clocking in an a slim 10 seconds vs. 23 seconds for the 2017 version.

The graphic style is a fairly consistent with that of its predecessor, using negative images and splashes of color mixed with illustrations of some of Maher’s touchstones: The planet, cell phones, social media symbols, handcuffs and a skull with x’s for eyes.

#StartTheClock: The season premiere of Real Time with @BillMaher feat. former AG William Barr, @RepNancyMace and @sullydish is now on @HBO and @HBOMax!

Watch the conversation continue after the show on #RTOvertime @ https://t.co/Rv3gmkt1zA pic.twitter.com/eRUqu6cl8Q

— Real Time with Bill Maher (@RealTimers) January 21, 2023

The previous intro by Los Angeles–based ad agency Stun Creative was designed to portray “contrasting history” via what Communication Arts called “the neat trick of circular split-screen motifs to juxtapose historical struggles and taboos with modern realities.” You can watch it below.

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