Bill Maher went on a rant Friday night that started with watching football, but boy … that turns out to be a metaphor for something way bigger!

This is one of the best editorials the “Real Time” host has delivered in a long time. B.M.’s pissed off at streamers who are carrying football games. It’s true … now, instead of simply hitting a button on the remote to go back and forth between games, now it’s a giant pain in the ass. Plus, we still have to watch commercials, so exactly what’s the advantage?

Bill says it’s an example of what he calls R.I. — Reverse Improvement. It’s like when you go to a restaurant and leave your car with the valet. It used to be so easy, hand him the ticket, pay cash and get your whip.  Now … well, you know.

Ashanti has broken her silence on the death of Irv Gotti … and her heartfelt message made it clear she cared for him deeply … but it certainly wasn’t always great between the duo.

In her IG message Friday night, Ashanti called the late cofounder of Murder Inc. a “musical genius” who had the “ability to push me to be my best.”

The music mega-producer — who worked with big acts like DMX, Ja Rule and Ashanti — died Wednesday in New York City. It’s currently unclear exactly how he died.

The singer wrote in part … “I can’t believe things ended like this….and it makes me so sad…We weren’t on the best terms the past few years but as I’ve always said, through our ups and downs I will forever be grateful for everything that you’ve done for me.”

Noting they “made history” and that will “remain infinite,” she added … “All the greatness and positive things that came, far outweigh the dark and negative times.”

Irv and Ashanti had a war of words a couple years ago, when he opened up — on a now legendary “Drink Champs” episode — about what he described as their “relationship.” She fired back, saying it was never that serious to her, and accused Gotti of being salty he no longer had control of her career.

The rise of Irv’s label was the subject of the 2022 BET documentary, “The Murder Inc Story” … and Ashanti felt that was also part of why they beefed, because she chose not to participate in the 3-part series.

News spreads fast in the Big Easy … ’cause Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce grabbed dinner together Friday night — and their way in was devoid of commotion … but their exit was insane!

The super-high profile couple was spotted walking into a New Orleans uptown restaurant … where a few people were clearly tipped off they would be there … and they made sure to tell TS how much they loved her.

Sure hope that meal was relaxing … ’cause the duo’s exit was anything but … as word clearly got out they were there — and a huge hoard showed up, screaming and snapping pics as they left.

The date is a big deal for a few reasons … the biggest being, this is the first time TS has been spotted since TMZ broke the news that her relationship with Blake Lively is pretty much toast after TS was dragged into the Justin Baldoni war.

Of course … it was also the first time Taylor and Travis had been spotted together in NOLA, where TK and his Chiefs hope to make history with a Super Bowl three-peat on Sunday.