Bill Maher doesn’t hesitate to join the nepo baby debate.
While Real time on Friday night, the comedian shared his thoughts on the much-discussed topic on social media, with stars like Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Hanks, Maude Apatow, Gwyneth Paltrow and O’Shea Jackson Jr. . previously considered.
“Enjoy the good life, nepos. Just don’t say you don’t have a big advantage, or that it doesn’t matter who your parents are, or that it got me in the door,” Maher said, showing a clip of the celebrities. “This is the damn show business, getting in the door is 80 percent of it.”
The presenter went on to list many industries “full of bad kids,” including Hollywood, politics, and modeling. But he insists the sports world is one of the few entertainment sectors that has not “fallen into nepotism”.
He said, “This is one reason why among the highest rated shows on television, sports last year accounted for 94 of the top 100 as it was the ultimate refuge for meritocracy in America.”
He explains that there are star athletes who are the children of former players, but that’s not why they play – it’s because of their skill and talent. “Laila Ali (former professional boxer) didn’t knock out 21 opponents by hitting them with her birth certificate,” he joked.
“Sport is the last place it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, it just matters what you do,” he continued, listing organizations, businesses and people he doesn’t trust, “But I believe the 450 players in the NBA are the best 450 players teams can find anywhere in the world.”
Maher questioned why America has “one another’s respect and love” in sports like nowhere else. He even tried his hand at higher education, claiming, “42 percent of private universities admit applicants almost entirely based on the fact that their parents are alumni. You’ll get in if you work hard, and your dad bought a building. This is called legacy enrollment.
