The opening sequence begins with a spoken phrase from the (now defunct) Los Angeles speaking clock, featuring an (uncredited) Joanne Daniels as the time lady saying "Good Afternoon". The theme song is composed by Christopher "Kid" Reid and his voice is heard saying "Start the clock", "Real Time" and "Bill Maher". A montage of historical events from the beginning of time to election night on November 4, 2008, accompanies the music along with a crawl at the bottom listing the guests for that night's show. According to HBO the show received an average of 4million viewers per week in 2014 and 2015. 2019 ratings posted below were more in the 1.5 million viewer range.