Last week, Bill Maher came under fire for using the ?N-word? in a (supposedly) joking manner during his HBO show Real Time With Bill Maher. HBO has since released a statement about the exchange and Maher himself apologized. But that doesn?t mean the fallout is over. Senator Al Franken, who was scheduled to appear on the show, has released a statement canceling his appearance and expressing disappointment in his friend?s decision.