Patriot Act was a hysterical show. It is probably one of the last shows that would consistently make me belly laugh. We can debate whether his creative license was manipulative or artistically valid, but I mean he shouldn’t lose a show that the world used to think he deserves. He is honestly extraordinarily talented in my humble opinion.
EDIT: I believe this despite being a massive Bill Maher fan. You can search my post history: I am very active on the r/Maher subreddit.
I don’t have anything against the guy but I just don’t find him that funny. There aren’t many comedians without some form of controversy so that doesn’t really bother me. And many times it’s people confusing the goal of comedy, which is to bring light to sensitive subjects in a funny way, with the comedian actually believing what they’re saying. Just like South Park or Family Guy, they push the envelope. Only difference is nobody is cancelling Seth McFarlane or any of the writers on his show for their comedy. Because it’s established that comedy in those shows doesn’t reflect the people who write or produce it.
I tend to prefer Sarah Silverman, though she is controversial because of what I said above. Her comedy isn’t forced, similar to Jim Carrey or Dave Chappelle. It just comes naturally to her.