Sober Steve-O claims Bill Maher refused to stop smoking weed around him for podcast appearance
Steve-O claimed that Bill Maher once refused to do a podcast with him after the “Jackass” star asked him not to smoke weed around him.
On a recent episode of Steve-O’s “Wild Ride!” podcast, he claimed that the actor asked him to go on his “Club Random” podcast but rescinded his offer when the MTV alum asked to be in a smoke-free environment.
“For me, I’m a clean and sober guy. It’s very important that I maintain my sobriety,” Steve-O, 49, explained to guest Patrick Bet-David, who also appeared on Maher’s podcast in February.
“I’m about to be sweet 16 [years sober], coming up on it. Really, there’s nothing I value more than my sobriety. There’s nothing more that I protect than my recovery.”
Steve-O went on to say that he “found it kind of upsetting” that his sobriety was a “dealbreaker” for Maher, 68.
“His thing is he smokes pot the whole time while he interviews people and I said, ‘Hey, I’d happily go on there but could he — while I’m on, out of respect for my sobriety — could he refrain from smoking pot?’ And he said, ‘No that’s a dealbreaker.'”
The former “Wildboyz” star pointed out that he has appeared on other podcasts — such as Mike Tyson’s “Hotboxin'” show — in which marijuana is a main point of the program but they accommodated his sobreity.
“Be real, like all of these prolific potheads, I’ve been on their shows and it wasn’t so important to them to blow marijuana smoke in my face — but for Bill Maher, it was a dealbreaker,” he continued.
Since then, Steve-O said he has looked at the “Real Time” host in a different — and less positive — light.
The stunt comedian has been a big advocate for sober living after battling drug addiction throughout his early career. It wasn’t until 2008 that he stopped using after being placed in a psychiatric ward.
Reps for Maher did not immediately get back to Page Six’s request for comment.
For more Page Six you love…
Although the podcast episode came out last month, Steve-O’s retelling of the alleged incident went viral on Twitter Tuesday, causing a divide amongst social media users.
While some said the incident was a clear indicator of Maher’s “character,” others argued that sobriety is a personal choice.
However, some people called to attention the fact that Maher seemingly made the exception while interviewing Sheryl Crow last month.
During Crow’s appearance on “Club Random,” Maher told her, “That’s when I need a joint … but I’d never light one up in front of you.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 800-662-4357.
