Bill Maher and Ben Affleck got into a heated debate about Islam 12 years ago, and it doesn’t sound like the two are making up anytime soon.

Maher addressed the tense exchange during a conversation with comedian Max Amini on Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, released Monday.

Affleck appeared on Maher’s HBO show, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” alongside author Sam Harris, journalist Nicholas Kristof and politician Michael Steele, back in 2014.

While the actor was making the press rounds for his new film, “Gone Girl,” things got intense when the subject turned to Islam.

At the time, Maher said that radical Islam is “the only religion that acts like the mafia, that will fucking kill you if you say the wrong thing, draw the wrong picture or write the wrong book.”

While Harris and Maher were on the same side of the argument, Affleck called the two’s points “gross,” “racist” and “so nuts.”

In Maher’s new interview on “Club Random,” he said of Affleck, “I love him, but we just are gonna disagree on that one,” adding that the actor “hasn’t come to the show since.”

“You know, if I talked to him privately, it’s been 12 years. Maybe ― I think there’s a middle ground,” Maher mused

“It got exaggerated,” Maher said before laughing. “For some reason, it got emotional. And that’s what people love.”

Despite the friction, the impact of the two’s debate has had lasting effects.

“More people mentioned that episode to me than anything,” Maher added. “It wasn’t the best episode we ever had, but it got emotional with a movie star. That’s America.”

“You should bring him back to the show,” Amini said, while Maher quickly responded, “Oh, I ask him every year.”

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.