To say Bill Maher is politically incorrect is about as much of an understatement as is possible. In fact, the wry comedian was so politically incorrect regarding 9/11 that ABC canceled his show, "Politically Incorrect." (Maher disagreed with the popular sentiment that the suicide bombings were an act of cowardice.)

Since 2003, Maher has found friendlier territory on HBO with his show "Real Time with Bill Maher," which takes an irreverent look at the week's events.

But stand-up will always be his true love.

Q. What's wrong with the world today?

A. Probably nothing that the retirement of George Bush can't help.

Q. Will you miss Bush at all for the wealth of comic material he provides?

A. Yes. There's no doubt that stupidity is the greatest source of comic material. It's true — look at any sitcom. There's always at least one flat-out lunch-bucket stupid person, one character who you can count on. Very often there's two or three. ... Clinton was horny, which was funny, but it's not quite as funny as stupid. So we'll never have another one like George Bush, but of course I would gladly trade that for having someone competent running our country.

Q. You support Barack Obama. But would you be unhappy with Hillary?

A. I'd be a lot happier with Hillary than what we have, and I'd be happier with Hillary than John McCain. But you have to put these things in order — my first choice going back was John Edwards. When he dropped out then Barack became my first choice. If he loses to Hillary then she'll be my first choice. So we're always playing want-settle-get.

Q. Have you ever found yourself being controversial for controversy's sake?

A. No, I never was. I call it the way I see it. And very often that is controversial because, as I said, people just don't do that enough. ... This is a country where if something is the least bit offensive to anybody, they demand apologies. Look at on the campaign trail — every week it's "You said this, or you know somebody who said this!" You don't have to say it yourself even.