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Club Random with Bill Maher · February 16, 2026 · 1h 32m

Cary Elwes

Bill Maher, Cary Elwes

Bill Maher and actor Cary Elwes have a sprawling conversation that jumps from hair jokes to a masterclass in acting craft, including the advice Al Pacino gave Elwes about 'working the muscle.' They discuss Hollywood's obsession with guns, the Olivier vs. Brando debate, Stanley Kubrick's genius and excesses, whether 2001: A Space Odyssey is transcendent or a sedative, and why A Clockwork Orange still sparks controversy. Other topics include Braveheart, Scarface tattoos, Catholic guilt, cancel culture, John Wick, and a whimsical idea of Pacino as God in Purgatory.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

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Al Pacino's 'Work the Muscle' Advice
Cary Elwes shares the story of how Al Pacino changed his approach to acting with the simple advice to 'work the muscle.'
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Editorial

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Hollywood's Gun Obsession
Maher and Elwes discuss Hollywood's persistent fascination with firearms and how it pervades cinema.
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Olivier vs. Brando: Two Acting Traditions
The conversation contrasts the classical, disciplined acting style of Laurence Olivier with the raw, instinctive method of Marlon Brando.
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Kubrick's Genius and Excess
Maher and Elwes examine Stanley Kubrick's brilliance as a filmmaker alongside the notorious perfectionism that pushed production to extremes.
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Catholic Guilt and Cancel Hell
The conversation veers into religious upbringing, Catholic guilt, and a humorous spin on cancel culture as a kind of secular hell.
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Misc

✧Elwes recounts a transformative career moment when Al Pacino told him to 'work the muscle.'
✧A humorous tangent imagines Al Pacino as God, holding court in Purgatory.
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