"Real Time" host Bill Maher is reportedly off the hook for using a racial slur during his show last week.
HBO announced Maher will return on air Friday and will keep his job with the network, ABC News reported.
"Bill Maher's show will air as regularly scheduled Friday night," the cable network said in a statement Monday, adding he would also address his use of the racial slur at that time.
The comedian used the N-word during a conversation with Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., during which he invited Maher to "work in the fields with us."
"Work in the fields? Senator, I'm a house n–––," Maher replied.
Though Maher brushed it off as a joke during the telecast, the slur hit an immediate nerve, and the comedian apologized a day later.
"The word was offensive, and I regret saying it and am very sorry," he said.
Sasse also apologized for failing to condemn the remark immediately on-air, the New York Daily News reported.
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., canceled his scheduled appearance on this Friday's episode of "Real Time" in response to last week's incident, the HuffPost reported.
"Senator Franken believes that what Bill Maher said was inappropriate and offensive, which is why he made the decision not to appear on the next episode of 'Real Time,'" a spokesman for the politician told the outlet. "He was glad to see Bill, who the Senator considers to be a good friend, apologize and express sincere regret for his comment."
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