WEEKEND REVIEWS : Comedy : Maher’s Act Is Anything but Routine

Comedian Bill Maher’s show on Comedy Central isn’t called “Politically Incorrect” without reason. His stand-up routine Friday at the Coach House had something to offend virtually any hypersensitive human or special-interest group, hilariously so.

Singling out gays in the audience, insulting various religions, glorifying drugs, bashing beloved celebrities and political icons, Maher was delightfully remorseless in his skewering of all that is held dear to someone, somewhere.

Discovering a loud and proud veteran member of Alcoholics Anonymous among the throng, Maher exhorted: “C’mon! Have a drink! Just one! Don’t be a [wimp]!”

He compared Ted Kennedy to Fredo Corleone, the dimwitted sibling among tough Mafiosi brothers in “The Godfather.” Then for good measure, he contrasted the PT-109 sinking, in which John F. Kennedy was injured in battle, to Chappaquiddick.

Maher didn’t spare President Clinton either. “ ‘I didn’t inhale and I didn’t like it’? “ he said of Clinton’s infamous marijuana-use explanation. “Of course you didn’t like it! You didn’t inhale!”

Maher flaunted a knack for spontaneity and improvisation, going off on tangents about seemingly any subject a fan threw his way.

He’s quick, sharp and exudes a personal charm that is rare in any performer, but particularly valuable in one who goes so far out of his way to bash so many sacred cows.

On top of all this, Maher is remarkably accessible. At the end of his show, he obliged and surprised fans by talking with them at the bar and signing autographs, while appearing to genuinely enjoy doing so.

With all due respect to “Politically Incorrect,” stand-up is truly Maher’s forte. His brilliant routine, undeniable personal appeal and lightning-fast wit put him in comedy’s big league.