Bill Maher

By ELIZABETH L. BLAND, Harriet Barovick, Melissa August, Sora Song, VICTORIA RAINERT

The host of ABC's Politically Incorrect drew fire after Sept. 11 for saying the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan was cowardly, and the suicide terrorists were not. He talked about it with TIME:

Q. Do you regret saying it?

A. No. For my audience, who wants the unvarnished skinny, it was not a problem. Only people who don't watch the show and heard about it second- and third-hand had a problem.

Q. How did it feel to come under attack?

A. What bothered me most is that on military matters I've always been very hawkish. So for people who never knew anything about me to suddenly paint me like "Hanoi Jane" bothered me.

Q. What's wrong with being politically correct?

A. In a sense, we are all victims of the most successful society ever. Society has become effete and soft as a result. Therefore, sensitivity--feelings, not wanting to experience any kind of pain--has become inflated. I have always defined political correctness as the elevation of sensitivity over truth.

Q. Who is the toughest guest you have ever had?

A. The ones who don't talk. Once in a while I get someone who seems to feel they just have a really good seat for the show, like floor seats at the Lakers game.

Q. Is the show still fun to do?

A. More fun than ever. And I feel more appreciated than ever. If my detractors only knew what a hero they made me, they probably never would have done it.