HBO has released a statement on Bill Maher’s use of a racial slur on last night’s episode of Real Time, calling the comedian’s comment “completely inexcusable and tasteless.” The network has stated that the comment—in which Maher referred to himself using a derogatory phrase referencing slavery during a conversation with Nebraska Republican senator Ben Sasse—would be edited out of future broadcasts of the episode.
Sasse also responded to the interview via Twitter, stating that he wishes he’d handled the moment differently: