LOS ANGELES — Corporate media giants always want what’s cool and edgy until what’s cool and edgy threatens the status quo that keeps the billions flooding in.
The comedian Bill Maher was the textbook case for the bygone era of the 100-channel universe, after ABC bought his hit show, “Politically Incorrect,” away from Comedy Central.
Just after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Mr. Maher said that it was wrong to refer to the hijackers as cowards, and that the United States was more cowardly for its strategy of going after enemies with cruise missiles from afar.