Unlike the previous show, guests are usually better versed in the subject matter; more experts such as journalists, professors, and politicians participate in the panel, and fewer actors and celebrities are included.

[5] The opening sequence contains a theme song composed by Scott "Shavoni" Parker, Christopher "Kid" Reid and Louis Brown.

Midway through the panel session, Maher performs a comedic bit that typically satirizes a notable current event.

The final segment of each episode is entitled "New Rules" and contains an array of editorials related to popular culture and American politics.

[9] Since the show airs on HBO, Maher and his guests are allowed to use profane language, a significant departure from the broadcast standards that existed on Politically Incorrect.

[citation needed] Starting with episode 67, audio-only versions of the show were made available as free podcasts via the iTunes Store[11] and as raw RSS feeds.

[12] The podcasts may also feature bonus material taped during studio rehearsal, such as additional "New Rules" that were not included in the final broadcast.

During Season 4, Maher began hosting a live chat (now called "Overtime") with his guests immediately following each broadcast.

[citation needed] Maher has used Real Time to bring voters attention to current political races.

The objective was for Real Time's audience to directly affect the outcome of an upcoming congressional race where Maher felt the incumbent candidate had voted or behaved badly.

Hot-button political issues such as health care, corporate influence in government, illegal immigration, the environment, entitlement programs, and human service regulations are frequently discussed on the show.

[citation needed] On September 17, 2010, Maher aired a clip of Delaware Republican Senatorial candidate Christine O'Donnell from the October 29, 1999, episode of his prior TV series Politically Incorrect,[20] where she discussed that she had "dabbled in witchcraft".

As a result of the writers' strike, in Season 6, the opening skit, the "New Rules" segment, and the closing monologue were eliminated for five episodes at the beginning of the year.

The ice breaker used in the middle of the show (normally a fake products sketch tying into a current event) was also eliminated due to the strike.

Additionally, during the strike, Maher aired pre-recorded interviews by himself with everyday people about the election and other issues after the opening monologue.

The opening sequence was also slightly changed to include then President-elect Barack Obama and his family waving to a crowd of supporters on election night in November 2008.

A new addition to the format is that of a fourth or "mid-guest", who comes in at approximately the halfway point of the show, bringing their own issue to the table and discussing it with the entire panel.

The new theme song continues in the path of its predecessor by showcasing important political events including the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States.

The biggest change in terms of set design has been that the main table where Bill Maher and two or three guests discuss current political events is moved closer to the audience after the top of the show interview is completed.

In addition to this, some mid-show guests including Leah Remini, Jake Tapper, Ralph Reed and Barbra Streisand have been interviewed on a separate side table.

[32] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Real Time moved from Studio 33 to being taped from Maher's home in Beverly Hills with guests appearing remotely from the April 3, 2020, episode to August 23, 2020.

On August 28, 2020, Bill Maher returned to the studio, but with no audience and guests appearing remotely over a video screen.

November 6, 2020, featured the first show with a limited audience, mainly the staff writers, and all guests appearing in the studio.

He’s a jerk of the old school, full of unexamined anxiety and arrogance, with a habit of using sexual stereotypes from half a century ago both to put down and to compliment people.

[41] Maher was a regular guest on Larry King Live as well as co-host at various times, and co-emcee of the final show, along with Ryan Seacrest.

[42][43] Common Sense Media's website says, "Comedian Bill Maher is very funny, very well-informed, and very insightful, but he's also very crass."

[44] Ruthless Reviews was also positive, saying, "Maher's show is as good as ever, which means that the sacred and the profane continue to be discussed with intelligence, humor, and the occasional silliness" and that it "works so well because he selects provocative guests and I can't remember the panel ever having a dull conversation.