Abc Decides ‘Politically Incorrect’ Correct For Next Year

The Bill Maher late-night series “Politically Incorrect” has been renewed for another season by ABC, the network and Maher confirmed this week.

ABC’s renewal of the topical talk show will keep Maher on the series through January 2001. The pickup followed on the heels of some unconfirmed speculation that ABC might not be interested in the series.

“I’m happy,” Maher said. “I certainly would have been bummed if those silly rumors were true.”

“Politically Incorrect” finished the recently concluded broadcast season with a total-viewer tally statistically flat compared to the previous year though up in some demographic breakouts. And in a year when virtually everything in the late-night arena tumbled, the “P.I.” stats are definitely positive.

Maher has been hosting the series since it launched on Comedy Central in 1993. The show moved in 1997 to ABC, where it airs following “Nightline.”

The host doesn’t expect any major changes in the program. He’s still caught up in its ongoing “Citizen Panelist” stunt, which each week turns over a panelist’s chair to a nonceleb or nonexpert.

Meanwhile, in a separate deal, Maher also has signed on to topline a one-hour stand-up special for HBO next year. It’ll be his first special on the cable outlet since 1996.

“It’s an election year, and I feel that would be the best,” Maher said of the comedy special.

“I’ve been getting it together. I have the itch again to give birth to another hour of something.”