W. Kamau Bell Talks Comedy During Tragedy, White Supremacy, & More with Karen Hunter On SiriusXM
*Stand-up comedian, W. Kamau Bell was a guest on SiriusXM Urban View’s “The Karen Hunter Show” and spoke with host, Karen Hunter and co-host Drew McCaskill about learning to laugh through pain, how comedy has given him room to explore tough topics.
He says: “The history of black folks in this country, we had to be funny as a survival mechanism. If you took all this stuff too seriously, if you dealt with all the pain every day, we wouldn’t have survived, so I feel like that’s natural to us..being funny in situations of pain.”
Bell also responds to Karen’s question about a cure for “white supremacy” and talks about America’s Direction. “Do we have the appetite to dismantle the entire system, from stem to stern, and start over? You know how you window shop for like a new tv? I’m window shopping for a new country.”
Source: EURWEB, SiriusXM, UrbanView
The Just For Laughs Comedy Festival Officially Moves To Virtual Festivities
Montreal (July 21, 2020) – With theatres closed, and stages silenced, the stand-up comedy sector has been one of the most profoundly disrupted industries as a result of COVID-19. With no clear indication when theatres will reopen fully and large crowds can gather, the Just For Laughs Group has made the decision to move ahead with Montreal’s annual world-renowned Just For Laughs Festival and its well-established French sister festival, Juste pour rire, in collaboration with Loto-Québec – however, always the trailblazer, for the first time in its 38 year history, the festivals will be virtual this Fall.
The current demand for quality comedy content inspired the Just For Laughs Group decision to keep their postponed plans and take their festivals online this Fall, looking at it as an opportunity to rethink how comedy festivals can operate in a virtual space.
Just For Laughs will be 100% virtual, and Juste pour rire will be a hybrid of in-person, pre-recorded and virtual performances. Both festivals will be hosted on a new virtual online portal where users can choose among numerous free offerings, which will emulate the regular festival experience Montreal is notorious for offering its dedicated festival goers and industry friends.
“More than ever, we want to maintain our position as an industry leader by creating innovative comedy events that allow our artists to work and to make the highest-quality comedy available to the public,” says Charles Décarie, President and CEO of the Just For Laughs Group. “Despite all the changes our industry has been going through, the most important thing for us is to satisfy our festival-goers. We’re sparing no effort to present the best festival possible, while respecting the health measures that are in force.”
JOIN JUST FOR LAUGHS ONLINE
FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED TWO-DAY COMEDY FESTIVAL
Just For Laughs is currently working on the programming details that will be 100% virtual and consist of free, funny, interactive online gatherings, conversations, panels, performances, and events which will take place over two consecutive days, October 9 and October 10, 2020.
JFL Montreal’s ComedyPRO, Toronto’s JFL42 and ComedyCon will join the party online, with their unique brand of comedy programming that caters to both comedy fans and industry experts.
“With no precise indication of when borders will reopen, and faced with soaring demand for high-quality digital comedy content, we’ve made the decision to move our festival online, while always maintaining our focus on the excellence of our offerings – an excellence that is recognized and appreciated throughout the world,” says Bruce Hills, President for Just For Laughs.
The Ethnic Show, The Nasty Show and the Bill Burr concert show will reschedule to 2021.
Programming details for the virtual festival will be announced in the weeks ahead.
JUSTE POUR RIRE
A HYBRID FORMAT, ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE
Juste pour rire will take place from September 29 to October 10, and will host a number of innovative, free and paid online and onstage performances that audiences have never seen before! In addition to this collection of online offerings, if Quebec health guidelines permit, there will be live and pre-recorded theatre shows. All of your favourite comics are coming together to participate in this one-of-a-kind festival for the first time in Juste pour rire history.
“After presenting the HAHAHA digital festival back in May, we really listened to all the feedback we received from our fans, and we are confident we will present a hybrid festival that will go even further toward pleasing the public and satisfying expectations,” says Patrick Rozon, Vice President of Juste pour rire.
“Assuming the new health measures are maintained, we’re thrilled to be able to offer a part of our festival before a live Montreal audience. Above all, it was very important to us to continue to present a portion of the festival that was free of charge, as we’ve been doing for 38 years!” notes Charles Décarie, President and CEO of the Just for Laughs Group. “We are so pleased to be giving comedy lovers around the world free access to the online portion of both of our festivals. We believe that in doing so, we’re making sure that the best comedy from Quebec and around the world remains accessible to everyone, and continues to widen its popular appeal.”
Judge Allows Mo’Nique’s Suit Alleging Netflix’s Comedy Special Offers Were Discriminatory
Is it unlawful for a producer to throw out an opening low-ball offer and then not budge when the talent demands more? It might be, according to a novel decision on Thursday from a California federal judge.
The case concerns Mo’Nique, who felt insulted by Netflix’s offer for a comedy special. Her reps pleaded with Netflix to reconsider a “racially and gender biased offer” and asked, “What makes Mo’Nique, who has been labeled a living legend based on her awards from around the world worth $12,500,000 less than Amy Schumer to [Netflix]?”
That didn’t persuade Netflix, which soon felt the wrath of a lawsuit.
Now, rejecting a motion to dismiss and Netflix’s arguments that retaliation could be premised on a comedy special offer that never actually went away, U.S. District Court Judge Andre Birotte Jr. rules, “Mo’Nique plausibly alleges that, after she spoke out and called her initial offer discriminatory, Netflix retaliated against her by shutting down its standard practice of negotiating in good faith that typically results in increased monetary compensation beyond the ‘opening offer’ and denying her increased compensation as a result. Accordingly, Plaintiff has sufficiently alleged that Netflix’s alleged failure to negotiate and increase her ‘opening offer’ by straying from its standard practice are employment actions that are ‘reasonably likely to adversely and materially affect an employee’s… opportunity for advancement in… her career.’”
The decision points to the allegation that Schumer, a White comedian, was able to get her own offer increased by $13 million after she pointed to significantly higher compensation being paid to Dave Chapelle and Chris Rock. No such luck for Mo’Nique.
“The Court notes that Mo’Nique raises a novel theory here, namely that an employer’s failure to negotiate an ‘opening offer’ in good faith, consistent with its alleged customary practice which typically leads to increased compensation, constitutes an ‘adverse employment action’ for purposes of a retaliation claim,” states the decision. “While Netflix argues that the novelty of Mo’Nique’s claim and the absence of on-point legal authority for it should bar her retaliation claims outright, the Court disagrees.”
Mo’Nique’s lawyer David deRubertis was pleased with the ruling. “Today’s ruling is an important victory for Hollywood talent who, just like all other workers, need protections against retaliation if they raise concerns about pay discrimination during the hiring process,” he says. “Employers in the entertainment industry need to take pay discrimination concerns seriously, fix them if the concerns have merit, and never retaliate against those who have the courage to speak up about equal pay.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Nick Cannon “Taking Time Away” From Syndicated Radio Show
Nick Cannon has announced that he will be “taking time away” from his radio show, after he issued an apology online for anti-Semitic comments he made on a podcast.
In a series of tweets, Cannon said that he made the decision in order to “commit (himself) to deeper, more thorough reflection and education.” Cannon said in his apology, posted Wednesday evening, that he is speaking with “Rabbis, community leaders and institutions” within the Jewish community.
I will use this time to establish an action plan towards real, impactful change and advocacy aimed at bringing people together,” added Cannon via Twitter. “I continue to express my gratitude to the Rabbis, community leaders and institutions who have reached out to me to help enlighten me. “Their input and friendship will help me as I further commit myself to more profound learning and towards strengthening the bond between the Black and Jewish cultures every day going forward.”
The companies who work with Cannon have had differing responses to his comments. ViacomCBS, with which Cannon has had a long-term relationship, terminated its work with the star, including his long-running sketch comedy series “Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘n Out.” Whereas Fox decided to keep Cannon as the host of “The Masked Singer,” with a spokesperson for the company saying that “this moment calls for dialogue.”
The controversy stems from the June 30 episode of Cannon’s podcast “Cannon’s Class,” which featured former Public Enemy member Professor Griff. At one point in the episode, Cannon said Black people are the “true Hebrews” and talked about anti-Semitic conspiracy theories involving the Rothschild family.
Just For Laughs Virtual Comedy Festival To Broadcast Exclusively On SiriusXM
NEW YORK, July 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — SiriusXM announced today the Just For Laughs Virtual Comedy Festival. The special programming will air across numerous SiriusXM comedy channels from July 20-25, the dates during which the world-renowned annual festival was originally scheduled to take place in Montreal. As previously announced, the postponed dates for the in-person festival will now take place this Fall.
Throughout each day, the excitement of attending the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival will be re-created virtually, delivered directly to SiriusXM subscribers in their cars, at home, on-the-go, or wherever they choose to listen with their connected devices. Two one-hour specials will air every day on five SiriusXM comedy channels, hosted with fresh commentary from stars including Kevin Hart, Howie Mandel, Ronny Chieng, Caroline Rhea, Jim Norton, Alonzo Bodden, and many more.
In addition, the best stand up tracks from previous Just For Laughs shows throughout its 37 year history will highlight some of the most iconic comedy sets, including segment’s from Andy Kindler’s biting “State Of The Industry” speeches as part of ComedyPRO. Pandora will also feature a suite of Just For Laughs comedy playlists reflecting the festival’s diverse and hilarious programming.
More special coverage includes SiriusXM’s Just For Laughs Canada (channel 168) airing a 24/7 curated themed series that will highlight the festival’s revered Homegrown, New Faces, LGBTQ Gala, All Female Gala shows and more, using original recordings from the Canadian artists and record labels.
“We were thrilled when SiriusXM approached us with this idea. Now, on what would have been this year’s festival dates, we will carry on the tradition by sharing some of the greatest performances from our 37 years of festivals which includes some amazing homegrown Canadian content” says Bruce Hills, President of Just For Laughs.
“Just For Laughs is the world’s premier comedy festival that we look forward to being a part of every year,” said Jack Vaughn, SiriusXM’s Senior Vice President of Comedy Programming. “So while we can’t be in Montreal this summer, going to shows, eating poutine way too late, and dodging giant political street puppets, SiriusXM is thrilled to team up with the festival to create the next best thing.”
From July 20-25, the two one-hour shows will air each day on SiriusXM’s comedy channels: Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Radio Channel 96: 2pm & 6pm ET
Raw Dog Comedy Channel 99: 12pm & 9pm ET
Laugh USA Channel 98: 1pm & 7pm ET
Jeff & Larry’s Comedy Roundup Channel 97: 3pm & 8pm ET
Comedy Greats Channel 94: 4pm & 5pm ET
Just For Laughs Canada Channel 168: 24 hours a day
The NAACP To Partner With CBS To Create New Content
Days after CBS committed to expanding development from BIPOC, the company is teaming with the NAACP for a wide-ranging content partnership.
As part of a new, multiple-year agreement, CBS TV Studios and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will team to develop and produce scripted, unscripted and documentary content for linear and streaming platforms.
Under the deal, creative leaders from CBS TV Studios will work with the civil rights group to establish a dedicated team of executives and an infrastructure to acquire, develop and produce programming. The goal will be to produce premium content while also expanding the number of diverse voices telling inclusive stories that increase the visibility and impact of Black artists.
Included in the deal is a commitment to not only develop for CBS-owned platforms but also to third-party platforms, meaning CBS/NAACP would own content that would be supplied to other buyers like Netflix and Amazon.
“An important way to diversify and grow our storytelling is to expand our horizons beyond the traditional studio-producer system,” said CBS Entertainment Group CEO George Cheeks. “There is no better partner than the NAACP — the preeminent civil rights organization in our country — to help us find, develop and tell these inclusive stories. At the same time, this is a strategic opportunity for CBS to build upon as well as re-imagine our pipeline for existing and emerging creative talent.”
The CBS/NAACP deal arrives shortly after Cheeks unveiled a larger plan to spend a quarter of its 2021-22 broadcast season development budget on projects created or co-created by writers who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color. The media titan also hopes to have all of its writers room be comprised of at least 40 percent BIPOC representation, with that figure growing to 50 percent for the following season.
“In this moment of national awakening, the time has never been better to further tell stories of the African American experience,” said NAACP CO Derrick Johnson. “Programming and content have the power to shape perspectives and drive conversations around critical issues. This partnership with CBS allows us to bring compelling and important content to a broad audience.”
The push comes as the industry is at a reckoning amid increased calls to improve representation in all areas amid the Black Lives Matter movement. CBS famously made headlines just four years ago after a seeming lack of diversity and female-driven projects for the 2016-17 season. Of CBS’ eight new series for that season, only one was female-driven (Doubt) and only one featured a black lead (Training Day with newcomer Justin Cornwell having starred opposite Bill Paxton). CBS has made strides in the years since and its current scripted lineup features such inclusive programming as All Rise, Evil, Bob Hearts Abishola and Magnum P.I., among others.
Cheeks, who is biracial and gay, was named chairman and CEO of CBS Entertainment in January, replacing Joe Ianniello. Cheeks had been a rising star at NBCUniversal, where he most recently worked alongside industry titan Bonnie Hammer in overseeing the company’s combined studio. Before that, he was co-president of NBC Entertainment. He started at CBS in March and, if this week’s announcements are any indication of his priorities, he has made diversity and inclusion his top priority.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Tyra Banks To Become The New Host Of ‘Dancing With The Stars’
Two days after Tom Bergeron revealed that he was not invited to return to host Dancing With the Stars for its upcoming 29th season, ABC announced that the TV personality’s longtime gig is being filled by Tyra Banks.
Banks’ new Dancing With the Stars post came late Tuesday night. No stranger to TV production, the supermodel and industry veteran also joins the series as executive producer.
“I’ve been a fan of DWTS since its beginning,” said Banks in a statement released time to the news. “The fun mixed with raw emotion, seeing celebrities push past their comfort zones, the sizzling dance performances… it’s always transported me to my days of turning it up 10 notches on the catwalk. Tom has set a powerful stage, and I’m excited to continue the legacy and put on my executive producer and hosting hats.”
Bergeron’s exit after 15 years, as well the dismissal of co-host Erin Andrews after six years, are clear bids to liven up the once vital primetime brand. Dancing With the Stars currently pulls 9.1 million viewers after 35 days of delayed viewing, half of what it once averaged. And while the series also used to air multiple cycles in a broadcast season, with episodes on two nights a week, it switched to an annual Monday-only run in 2018.
“Tom has been an integral part of the ABC family for nearly two decades, from hosting AFV to Dancing with the Stars,” said ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke. “We are grateful for all he and Erin have done to make Dancing a success. As we gear up for the show’s 29th season, we can’t wait to welcome Tyra Banks to our Dancing stage. Tyra is an award-winning multihyphenate whose fierce female prowess and influence across many industries have made an indelible mark. Her fresh take on America’s favorite dancing competition will surely bring more than a ‘Smize’ to fans everywhere.”
Banks’ TV credits are lengthy. She hosted and executive produced America’s Next Top Model and The Tyra Banks Show and also enjoyed a stint hosting America’s Got Talent. As for producing, she will work with Dancing showrunner Andrew Llinares to the “creative refresh” planned for the 29th cycle — one that’s scheduled to air in the fall but seems just as likely to be delayed as the spread of COVID-19 slows Hollywood’s reopening plans.
“Tyra Banks is an icon whose powerful presence, trademark confidence, and industry-leading achievements inspire us,” said BBC Studios’ LA Productions GM Valerie Bruce, which makes the show for ABC. “We are proud to partner with ABC to welcome her as the new host of Dancing with the Stars. This represents a landmark moment in our 28 seasons producing Dancing with the Stars as we take this iconic show in a new creative direction. We offer our sincere thanks to Tom and Erin, whom we will always consider part of the Dancing with the Stars family.”
Source; The Hollywood Reporter
WATCH: New Trailer For New Jamie Foxx Netflix Film Titled ‘Project Power’
What would you risk for five minutes of pure power?
On the streets of New Orleans, word begins to spread about a mysterious new pill that unlocks superpowers unique to each user. The catch: You don’t know what will happen until you take it. While some develop bulletproof skin, invisibility, and super strength, others exhibit a deadlier reaction. But when the pill escalates crime within the city to dangerous levels, a local cop (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) teams with a teenage dealer (Dominique Fishback) and a former soldier fueled by a secret vendetta (Jamie Foxx) to fight power with power and risk taking the pill in order to track down and stop the group responsible for creating it.
Nick Cannon Says Viacom “Swindled” Away ‘Wild ‘N Out’, Demands Ownership And Apology
UPDATE, with ViacomCBS response Nick Cannon, the actor and TV host fired by ViacomCBS on Tuesday for making anti-Semitic comments on a podcast, is demanding ownership of his MTV and VH1 series Wild ‘N Out, alleging, in part, that the company “swindled” the show away from him.
In a nearly 1,500-word Facebook message posted this morning, Cannon writes, “I created a billion-dollar brand that expanded across a multitiered empire that is still Viacom’s biggest digital brand, touring business, talent discovery and incubation system and successful restaurant franchise. Based on trust and empty promises, my ownership was swindled away from me. For Viacom to be so deceptive is no surprise; they have been mistreating and robbing our community for years, underpaying talent on their biggest brands like Love & Hip Hop, all of BET programming and of course, Wild ‘N Out.”
Cannon’s firing followed his comments on a recent episode of his Cannon’s Class podcast during which he discussed race and racism with former Public Enemy member Richard “Professor Griff” Griffin. Referencing the ideas of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, Cannon said that people who have “the lack of pigment” are “a little less” than those who do, and have “a lack of compassion.”
Cannon also espoused anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about “the bloodlines that control everything, even outside of America.” He said that Black people are the “true Hebrews.”
ViacomCBS responded by severing ties with Cannon, issuing a statement that read, in part, that Cannon’s YouTube podcast “promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. While we support ongoing education and dialogue in the fight against bigotry, we are deeply troubled that Nick has failed to acknowledge or apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are terminating our relationship with him.”
In his Facebook post today, titled “Truth and Reconciliation” — read the entire post below — Cannon writes that he has received an “outpouring of love and support from the Jewish community,” and adds, “I must apologize to my Jewish Brothers and Sisters for putting them in such a painful position, which was never my intention, but I know this whole situation has hurt many people and together we will make it right.”
Elsewhere in the post, The Masked Singer host writes, “If I have furthered the hate speech, I wholeheartedly apologize. But now I am the one making demands. I demand full ownership of my billion dollar ‘Wild ‘N Out’ brand that I created, and they will continue to misuse and destroy without my leadership! I demand that the hate and back door bullying cease and while we are at it, now that the truth is out, I demand the Apology!”
“They can try to kick me while I’m down or force me to kiss the master’s feet in public for shame and ridicule,” Cannon writes, “but instead I stand firm on my square with my fist in the air repeating my mantra, ‘You can’t fire a Boss!’.’
Cannon also says that since the firing he has received “death threats, hate messages calling me an ungrateful [n*****] and beyond.”
ViacomCBS, Cannon charges, refused to run ads supporting George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and that he “went as far to reach out to Ms. Shari Redstone, the owner of Viacom, to have a conversation of reconciliation and actually apologize if I said anything that pained or hurt her or her community. Dead Silence!”
That claim was flatly denied by a ViacomCBS spokesperson, who provided a statement to Deadline reading, “It is absolutely untrue that Nick Cannon reached out to the Chair of ViacomCBS.” The spokesperson said Cannon’s claim regarding the ads apparently stems from a July 12 Wall St. Journal story in which a company spokesperson was quoted saying, “Due to the comedic nature of the show we believe is in question ‘Revenge Prank,’ we didn’t want to be insensitive by placing ads for it next to important and serious topics, such as Black Lives Matter. This is standard practice we use with our media agency to ensure that our ads don’t come across as tone-deaf or disrespectful.”
Cannon’s post in its entirety:
Truth and Reconciliation.
I am deeply saddened in a moment so close to reconciliation that the powers that be, misused an important moment for us to all grow closer together and learn more about one another. Instead the moment was stolen and highjacked to make an example of an outspoken black man. I will not be bullied, silenced, or continuously oppressed by any organization, group, or corporation. I am disappointed that Viacom does not understand or respect the power of the black community.
I was a member of the Viacom “Family” for over Twenty years. Since I was a minor, we worked together to make great positive entertainment and I was handed many opportunities that I am grateful for. At17 years old, I was deemed the youngest staff writer in TV history on their various Nickelodeon series. In 2009 the wonderful and amazing Cyma Zarghami blessed me with the opportunity to become the youngest television Chairman in history, placing the teen division of Viacom solely in my hands as an executive. She along with the strong and brilliant Marva Smalls guided me through the corporate infrastructure that at times felt overwhelming due to many doubting my abilities as a black man. I am forever grateful to them for their love and kindness as leaders and their matriarch like care for me over the years. With their support, I rose to the occasion at Viacom creating philanthropic opportunities and award programing such as the HALO Awards which awarded youth grants for their nonprofit organizations to change the world and end everything from bigotry, homophobia, racism, and even attempting to find a cure for AIDS and Cancer. These young people had big ideas, big hearts and more importantly big optimism, just like myself. We successfully brought the world closer together for over 9 years with every big-name celebrity and major corporation you could think of, truly one of my proudest accomplishments in entertainment. Not because of ratings or numbers, but because I was able to empower the next generation. My time at Viacom also birthed one of my other greatest creative accomplishments; their longest running comedy series and the most successful Hip Hop programming in Television History “Wild ‘N Out”. An idea in which I self-financed out my own pocket and presented to MTV. I created a billion-dollar brand that expanded across a multitiered empire that is still Viacom’s biggest digital brand, touring business, talent discovery and incubation system and successful restaurant franchise. Based on trust and empty promises, my ownership was swindled away from me. For Viacom to be so deceptive is no surprise; they have been mistreating and robbing our community for years, underpaying talent on their biggest brands like Love & Hip Hop, all of BET programming and of course, Wild ‘N Out.
I don’t have to defend myself here, the proof is in the history. I believed that the corporation was becoming more progressive and willing to create helpful spaces and dialogue in these difficult and uncertain times of 2020. Instead they chose to recently ban all advertisement that supported George Floyd and Breonna Taylor who we are all still seeking justice for. I also went as far to reach out to Ms. Shari Redstone, the owner of Viacom, to have a conversation of reconciliation and actually apologize if I said anything that pained or hurt her or her community. Dead Silence! So that’s when I realized they don’t want a conversation or growth, they wanted to put the young negro in his place. They wanted to show me who is boss, hang me out to dry and make an example of anyone who says something they don’t agree with. But like the great Shirley Chisholm, “I am unbossed and unbought and unbothered”. I respectfully stepped away from oppressive corporations in the past. NBC threatened and mistreated me for years, but I was the bigger person and abandoned an 8-figure salary on their number one hit show “Americas Got Talent” and currently stand by my friend and Queen Gabrielle Union in her fight against oppression.
I took my talents and executive creativity to my open minded and willing partners at the Fox Television network to create the current #1 hit show on television “The Masked Singer” in which I host and executive produce. We are also gearing up to launch a daily talk show based in the historic community of Harlem, where the ultimate goal is to bring people closer together during these difficult times. Right now is the time for strong voices and compassionate thinkers to step up and create a dialogue of healing. Dr. King said, “We must learn to grow together as brothers, or we will parish together as fools”. Ironically at that time our government called him “the most dangerous Negro in the country” and labeled him a Terrorist. As we all know Hollywood and the media is a dirty business. Still, I honestly can’t believe that Viacom has such poor council that would allow them to make such a divisive decision in the midst of protests and civil uprising within our current pandemic. Truly an unwise decision. For them to take it one step further and flat out lie in their official press release, saying that I didn’t attempt to reconcile the situation when on two separate occasions I specifically acknowledged and openly requested a forum to be corrected. Malcolm X said it best, “The media is the most powerful entity on earth, it will have you hating the people being oppressed and loving the people doing the oppressing; making the innocent guilty and the guilty innocent.”
My hope and original goal was to use this moment to show healing and acceptance and prayed that Viacom would use their powers for good. Instead I am now receiving death threats, hate messages calling me an ungrateful Nigger and beyond. Viacom’s goal to keep me from providing for my family and lineage will be foiled. They can try to kick me while I’m down or force me to kiss the master’s feet in public for shame and ridicule, but instead I stand firm on my square with my fist in the air repeating my mantra, “You can’t fire a Boss!”.
In a pleasant turn of events and the best blessing in all of this hurtful attack is the outpouring of love and support from the Jewish community. It has been amazing. I have spoken with many Rabbis, clergy, Professors and coworkers who offer their sincere help. I must apologize to my Jewish Brothers and Sisters for putting them in such a painful position, which was never my intention, but I know this whole situation has hurt many people and together we will make it right. I have dedicated my daily efforts to continuing conversations to bring the Jewish Community and the African American community closer together, embracing our differences and sharing our commonalities. Through the guidance of my multicultural team which embodies several people from the Jewish Community, specifically Michael Goldman my business partner for 3 decades who discovered me at the Hollywood Improv when I was doing Stand Up as a kid. Through thick and thin he has been by my side. Yelling at me when I talk too much and laughing with me as we’ve always overcome adversity together. I love you my brother, thank you for helping me become the man that I am today. And as we embark on this next “Ncredible” journey together we will bring our two persecuted communities together like we always planned. He and so many gracious people from the Jewish Community are showering me with love and helping to guide me to the Promise land, literally l am excited to announce that I have been invited to Israel which is a lifelong dream where I will receive teachings, lessons and truth about the Jewish history. As someone who is in pursuit for my PHD in Theology and Divinity and just received a degree in Criminal Justice from the Great Howard University, this will be an enriching, enlightening and overall exciting trip!
As for Viacom, who is now on the wrong side of history, I will continue to pray for you. I don’t blame any individual, I blame the oppressive and racist infrastructure. Systemic racism is what this world was built on and was the subject in which I was attempting to highlight in the recent clips that have been circulating from my podcast. If I have furthered the hate speech, I wholeheartedly apologize.
But now I am the one making demands. I demand full ownership of my billion dollar “Wild ‘N Out” brand that I created, and they will continue to misuse and destroy without my leadership! I demand that the hate and back door bullying cease and while we are at it, now that the truth is out, I demand the Apology!
Source: Deadline
New Michael Che Sketch Show Lands At HBO Max
Michael Che is branching out from Saturday Night Live.
The “Weekend Update” anchor will star in and executive produce a sketch comedy series at HBO Max. The WarnerMedia-owned streaming service has ordered six episodes of the untitled show, which will tackle subjects including police brutality, unemployment and falling in love from a Black vantage point.
“I’m really excited to be working on this show with HBO Max,” said Che. “It’s a project I’ve been thinking about for a while and we have a lot of sketches we want to shoot, so please wear your masks so that we can go into production.”
Each episode of the show will tackle a theme or incident, using sketches or vignettes to illustrate what it feels like to experience that event as a Black person. It’s less about being “right” and more about being honest, even at the risk of being controversial.
“Michael brings a distinct comedic perspective as he illustrates the uncomfortable truths across multiple topics,” said Suzanna Makkos, executive vp original comedy and animation for HBO Max. “We look forward to sharing his unique vision and necessary point of view with our audiences.”
The series comes from SNL mastermind Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video and Universal Television. Che, Michaels and Erin Doyle are the executive producers.
“Che is an amazing talent and comic voice and, of course, another opportunity to collaborate with Broadway Video and my friend Lorne is an added benefit,” said Kevin Reilly, chief content officer at HBO Max and president TNT, TBS and TruTV.
The Che series is HBO Max’s first foray into sketch comedy. The streamer, which launched May 27, has stand-up comedy specials planned from Chelsea Handler, Tracy Morgan, John Early, Rose Matafeo and Ahir Shah. Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco will also produce five specials.
