The controversial return of “Real Time” sparks criticism as the Hollywood writers’ strike continues.

Bill Maher has announced the return of his HBO show “Real Time” amid the ongoing writers’ strike in Hollywood, and the move is generating significant criticism.

On September 13, Maher, the 67-year-old comedian and satirist, made the announcement on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. He revealed that “Real Time” would be back, albeit without writers or written segments. Maher argued that the strike, which he acknowledged as important, had gone on for too long, negatively affecting his provocative current events show and its staff.

“I love my writers, I am one of them, but I’m not prepared to lose an entire year and see so many below-the-line people suffer so much,” Maher stated. He pledged to honor the spirit of the strike by refraining from using writers, including for his monologues.

Maher admitted that “Real Time with Bill Maher,” filmed in front of a Los Angeles studio audience with a diverse panel of guests, would not be as good without his full writing team. However, he assured viewers that it “will not disappoint.”

Maher is the first late-night host to resume broadcasting during the Writers Guild of America strike, which began on May 2. Actress Drew Barrymore had previously announced the return of her talk show last week, prompting protests from striking writers outside “The Drew Barrymore Show” lot.

Maher had already faced criticism for his comments about the writers’ strike earlier this month on his “Club Random” podcast. He referred to some of the writers’ demands as “kooky” but clarified that he wasn’t discounting their valid points.

Criticism of Maher’s decision to return to the airwaves amid the strike has come from various quarters. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) issued a statement on X, expressing disappointment and announcing plans to picket the show in protest.

Political commentator Keith Olbermann took to X, labeling the returning show “the new weekly SCAB edition” and criticizing Maher as “selfish and unfunny,” among other criticisms.

Noted horror novelist Stephen King shared Maher’s social media announcement and commented, “This is exactly how strikes are broken.”