Emmys: Bill Maher expands his record losing streak

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Amid all of the post-Emmys chatter about big wins (‘Modern Family’) and shocking losses (Steve Carell), there was, curiously, little or no mention of one significant defeat: ‘Real Time With Bill Maher’ losing in the variety series category to ‘The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.’

There was good reason for Hollywood shrugging off that news. ‘Daily Show’ never loses, of course. It just romped through the race for a ninth time in a row. Furthermore, Bill Maher has never clutched an Emmy statuette as champ. However, the number of times he’s been skunked just climbed to a record high: 27, considering he was recently nominated as executive producer of his self-titled show.

Back in 2007, Maher surpassed Angela Lansbury’s old record of 19 losses to emerge as Emmy’s biggest loser -– the new Susan Lucci, so to speak -– and the snubbing continues every year.

What does he think of the relentless drubbing?

‘Honestly, my take is that you cannot speak the truth about as many things as I do without incurring the wrath of some people who vow every year not to vote for me,’ he told the L.A. Times last year. ‘I’m sure that happened after I said what I said about 9/11. I guarantee there have been those who pledge, ‘I’ll never vote for him because he’s an atheist and says all those things about God.’ Others probably declare, ‘I’ll never vote for him because he doesn’t think we should get a flu vaccination.’’

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-- Tom O’Neil