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10/15: CNN goes for comedy with D.L. Hughley
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Comedian and actor D.L. Hughley is going to do a Saturday night comedy show skewering the news of the week on CNN. This sounds like an echo of what he did on the failed NBC scripted show “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.”
It also sounds like CNN is trying to jump on the bandwagon (however belatedly) built up by “Daily Show With Jon Stewart” and “Saturday Night Live.” The show starts October 25 at 10 p.m. right before the election. Like Stewart and his companion show on Comedy Central “The Colbert Report,” Hughley will also do interviews with newsmakers but Hughley said the show will be more in the “Leno/Letterman” mode.
Hughley, who had his own sitcom a few years back and was part of the “Kings of Comedy” tour, in his standup comedy addresses current events and politics on regular basis so this is not a stretch for him.
“D.L. is a very thoughtful, well-informed guy with unpredictable views, and I’ve always admired his comedy,” said CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein to Variety., which broke the story. “The basic premise of the show is, what if a guy like him was let loose in the CNN building for a weekend after the lights went off?”
Hughley said he was drawn to CNN by its deep resources (as well as his deep respect for Wolf Blitzer, who caught his eye during the first Gulf War.)
He admits to leaning left, having come from the tough streets of Compton, but is cynical of all politicians.
Hughley said he knows half the country will be ecstatic November 5, half devastated. He’d love to get George W. Bush as a guest, especially if Barack Obama wins. “I’d love to say to him, ‘You’ve been a horrible president. Your legacy is you were so bad, people said, ‘We’ll going to try the black guy next!’ “
Though Hughley won’t get a band or sidekick, he will have a live audience. “Maybe one of the people in the audience will have an iPod we can use,” Hughley cracked.
CNN Headline News, for a few months, has had a comedy show, which recycles old clips and gets comics and others to say witty things called “Not Just Another Cable News Show.”
Fox News tried a satire show (“The 1/2 Hour News Hour”) last year but it didn’t last.
Hughley will be taping the show out of New York, not Atlanta. He is scheduled to do live comedy at Uptown Comedy Corner November 17 and 18. (It’s a favor to the owner Gary Abdo, since Hughley could easily sell out the much larger Tabernacle.) “He’s a consummate professional,” Abdo said. “He’s very easy to work with. He’s as sharpwitted as he comes across on TV.”
I just spoke with Jon Klein. He said Hughley caught his eye when he saw him do Glenn Beck’s CNN Headline News show a year ago. “He defied easy labeling. Yet he is very well informed and his opinions based on deep knowledge of the news and the world. I think he’s funny no matter your political leanings or race.”
After Klein saw him again in CNN’s recent special “Black in America,” he courted Hughley and found out several networks were chasing him. He wishes CNN had gotten the deal done a bit earlier but thinks the world’s problems will keep Hughley busy for quite some time.
- Were Project 9-6-1’s Giant Brian and Shaffee suspended last week or was it a pre-planned vacation, as their boss Clay Hunnicutt said? Curiously, Giant Brian and Shaffee have not returned my messages. I even tried to reach out to Shaffee for comments about getting his Thrashers in-game announcing job and he didn’t respond. The substance of why they were (perhaps) suspended are not clear either though people inside the building said it may have to do with an advertising client. What made this curious is the fact morning shows do not normally take pre-planned vacations during the spring and fall because those are considered crucial measurement times for advertisers. And with a new measurement system in place (people meters), management would want its team in place. So you can draw your own conclusions.
-And how about the Regular Guys? Gary Lewis, their boss, said they were off today because Larry Wachs is sick. Eric Von Haessler picked some choice best of bits to fill the gap. Sadly, the “Asian Invasion” stripper visit had to be nixed. Larry must really be sick for that to happen.
-If you’re bored at work, this blogger compiled his 21 favorite Japanese TV ads featuring American celebrities.. Before YouTube, these were quick paydays for big celebs who didn’t want to be seen stooping to such idiocy in the United States. Now we can see them, too! Think “Lost In Translation” and you’ve got it. Among the celebs include Nicolas Cage, John Travolta and Natalie Portman.
Comments
By gary
October 15, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
As if CNN is not liberal enough thry are going to put this guy on. He hates conservatives and is very public about it on other shows. What happened to objective Journalism. CNN has lost any credibility it once had as an independent world news network. It may as well be an office for the liberal movement. Sad.
By bigeasy830
October 15, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Can’t wait for the show. DL is a great comedian with a “thinking outside the box” point of view that I love. I wish him much success on the new show.
By DJSG
October 15, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
ONE would have thought that cnn is already overstaffed with liberal comedians reading their slant on the nightly news. the viewers will have a difficult time figuring out if it is a comedy spoof or the real news.
By JennyT
October 15, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Yeah, finally! Someone who is going to ask the questions that are stirring in my mind and never seemed to be captured by other reporters. Go get em DL!
By Tyre
October 15, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
So CNN has hired a host who hates conservatives? Say it ain’t so!
By What?
October 15, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
ONE would have thought that cnn is already overstaffed with liberal comedians reading their slant on the nightly news.
And just who would that be?
You watch too much Faux apparently.
BTW, D.L. is one of the unfunniest comedians out there.
By D_Right_One
October 15, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Finally! DL is right on when it comes to lambasting the Repugs at their own game. DL’s more ammo to shoot at these guys who’ve made a mockery of the U.S. in the last eight years. Stick it to em DL!!!!
By Deke
October 15, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
I was going to make a comment, but it might be drowned out by the whining conservatives. Oh, boo hoo, how dare the media question Emperor Bush and the Hockey Mama! We’re being oppressed!!!
Grow up, children.
Anyhoo, CNN is little more than infotainment now, anyway. Once Time Warner took over, they really began to circle the drain.
By Gearhaus
October 15, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
OK .. just a few pts.: To Gary: go watch FOX and get your REPUBLICAN glaze on… and for WHAT?: you should ask yourself WHAT happened to many forms of comedy… you may think DL isn’t funny…but, you have thousands that beg to differ… Maybe remove the stick out ya azz..it might help…. and for DL…keep flowing baby!… (I watched you back in Jersey ..East Orange peppermint lounge with Bill Bellamy) Peace.
By aeiger from Atlanta GA.
October 15, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Now it’s going to be comedy on CNN. The line between real news and comedy is blurred forever. If this is what Time-Warner thinks of CNN and its news dept. Maybe it all is a joke after all with Obama with very limited experience running for President and Palin with just a smidegen less experience running for VP maybe “they” realize this whole election is a joke. Only it’s on us.
By getyourmindright
October 15, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
liberal this liberal that
If conservatism is so great why is it that no conservative can name another country where it works It amazing that we must utilize socialism to bail the failure that is fiscal conservatism
Can any conservative name at least one liberal who is responsible for past 30 years while we had a conservative republican in office for majority of those years regan,bush, and bush. Please help me since I am a independent.
By Vince
October 15, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Just another reason I never watch CNN. Go ahead and hire another mouth to spout out your Socialist views. We Conservatives will continue to do what we have to do. I give him 6 months, at best. Funny how they are starting this just a week before the election…..
By Douchenozzle
October 15, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Relax, folks. It’s a COMEDY show. It’s not meant to be a hard news show.
By Shawn
October 15, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
I think this is a great move for DL. I listen to him every Thursday on the Tom Joyner Morning Show. At first I was a little afraid that he would come off as not knowing mucy (sorry DL) but I was wrong because he is a critical thinker. I definitely look forward to the CNN show.
By a1andonly
October 15, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
When was fox news created..huh..? 99’. One year before the election….Funny right?!?!?
By bigdawg88
October 15, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
So Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and FoxNews are objective? You must be crazy! I watched Fox the other night and the screen was leaning so far right I thought I was watching one of the villians on the Batman TV reruns. I had to stop watching, it was hurting my neck having to lean so far out of center.
CNN is a little to the left, but they don’t TRY to do it like Fox does. Since the right-leaning crowd runs the military and a large part of the government, you need the so-called liberal press to balance things out a bit.
By gretta
October 15, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Good for CNN and great for DL. I wish DL lots of love and I know he will do a great job.
By Hawss
October 15, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Them damn Librals! Theyre all a bunch of Commie wussies…any good Pay-treeit knows anyone who says anything bad about good ol’ “W” is a Commie atheist f*, who probly wares his mommies Dresses! Will be a really free country when we can shoot all them damn librals and everybody thinks just like Bush the greatest Presdent who ever lived. Damn librals!
By Kemmet from Philly
October 15, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Wow, all these right wing inbred yokels have the nerve to say CNN offers a slant on news. So what does Fox News do???? Fox News is not even a News channel; they should change the name to the FOX Opinion channel, because that’s exactly what it is. If you want news thats is from an obvious conservative point of view, with a misrepresentation of facts, then watch FOX News, if you want the closet you will get to actual reporting one a major news network, then watch CNN, But if you want actual journalism in its true definition watch Free Speech TV or PBS. LMAO, these inbred rednecks have the nerve to act like CNN is the one that puts a slant on things, OMG, what is FOX News??? All it is 24/7 of right wing talking points
By Steve
October 15, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
During the last debate, CNN viewers said that they felt Obama won at a 53 to 36 percent margin. On Fox, they said McCain won 82 to 16! Who the hell is more slanted! Get real and go D.L.!
By bren
October 15, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
You can’t be serious about this. DL Hughley is not funny and is not a good actor. I heard a commentary on a radio show and felt a little embarrased for him. He was awful. I could never take someone like him serious.
By Kemmet from Philly
October 15, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Wow, all these right wing inbred yokels have the nerve to say CNN offers a slant on news. So what does Fox News do???? Fox News is not even a News channel; they should change the name to the FOX Opinion channel, because that’s exactly what it is. If you want news thats is from an obvious conservative point of view, with a misrepresentation of facts, then watch FOX News, if you want the closest you will get to actual reporting on a major news network, then watch CNN, But if you want actual journalism in its true definition watch Free Speech TV or PBS. LMAO, these inbred rednecks have the nerve to act like CNN is the one that puts a slant on things, OMG, what is FOX News??? All it is 24/7 of right wing talking points
By Kemmet from Philly
October 15, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Wow, all these right wing inbred yokels have the nerve to say CNN offers a slant on news. So what does Fox News do???? Fox News is not even a News channel; they should change the name to the FOX Opinion channel, because that’s exactly what it is. If you want news thats is from an obvious conservative point of view, with a misrepresentation of facts, then watch FOX News, if you want the closest you will get to actual reporting on a major news network, then watch CNN, But if you want actual journalism in its true definition watch Free Speech TV or PBS. LMAO, these inbred rednecks have the nerve to act like CNN is the one that puts a slant on things, OMG, what is FOX News??? All it is 24/7 of right wing talking points
By Kemmet from Philly
October 15, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Wow, all these right wing inbred yokels have the nerve to say CNN offers a slant on news. So what does Fox News do???? Fox News is not even a News channel; they should change the name to the FOX Opinion channel, because that’s exactly what it is. If you want news thats is from an obvious conservative point of view, with a misrepresentation of facts, then watch FOX News, if you want the closest you will get to actual reporting on a major news network, then watch CNN, But if you want actual journalism in its true definition watch Free Speech TV or PBS. LMAO, these inbred rednecks have the nerve to act like CNN is the one that puts a slant on things, OMG, what is FOX News??? All it is 24/7 of right wing talking points
By Kemmet from Philly
October 15, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Wow, all these right wing inbred yokels have the nerve to say CNN offers a slant on news. So what does Fox News do???? Fox News is not even a News channel; they should change the name to the FOX Opinion channel, because that’s exactly what it is. If you want news thats is from an obvious conservative point of view, with a misrepresentation of facts, then watch FOX News, if you want the closest you will get to actual reporting on a major news network, then watch CNN, But if you want actual journalism in its true definition watch Free Speech TV or PBS. LMAO, these inbred rednecks have the nerve to act like CNN is the one that puts a slant on things, OMG, what is FOX News??? All it is 24/7 of right wing talking points
By Kemmet from Philly
October 15, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
@BigDawg88 That was hilarious!!!! And I agree with you 110%, the myth about a liberal media, is just that- a myth. The media is far from liberal, CNN included. It amazes me how out of touch with reality these inbred right wing yokels are, day in day out it just affirms that they really are living in a dream world. The actual definition of journalism is to just report the news, the journalist is not supposed to espouse his or her personal opinions to try and sway the viewer and or reader. Just report the news and let the masses decide for themselves. Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilley do anything but that, and that quack job O’Reilley has the nerve to call his show the “no spin zone” !!! Thats even more hilarious!!!!!
By Kemmet from Philly
October 15, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
@BigDawg88 That was hilarious!!!! And I agree with you 110%, the myth about a liberal media, is just that- a myth. The media is far from liberal, CNN included. It amazes me how out of touch with reality these inbred right wing yokels are, day in day out it just affirms that they really are living in a dream world. The actual definition of journalism is to just report the news, the journalist is not supposed to espouse his or her personal opinions to try and sway the viewer and or reader. Just report the news and let the masses decide for themselves. Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilley do anything but that, and that quack job O’Reilley has the nerve to call his show the “no spin zone” !!! Thats even more hilarious!!!!!
By Kemmet from Philly
October 15, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
@BigDawg88 That was hilarious!!!! And I agree with you 110%, the myth about a liberal media, is just that- a myth. The media is far from liberal, CNN included. It amazes me how out of touch with reality these inbred right wing yokels are, day in day out it just affirms that they really are living in a dream world. The actual definition of journalism is to just report the news, the journalist is not supposed to espouse his or her personal opinions to try and sway the viewer and or reader. Just report the news and let the masses decide for themselves. Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilley do anything but that, and that quack job O’Reilley has the nerve to call his show the “no spin zone” !!! Thats even more hilarious!!!!!
By Phantom
October 15, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Hey Kemmet, how about just posting once?
Liberal or conservative media is in the eye of the beholder. The bigger concern is the total lack of objectivity of ANY news outlet….The polarization of America continues.
By TG
October 16, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
The last time DL said anything remotely humorous was when a guest star on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” sometime around ‘93. How the “Hughleys” stayed on for as long as it did is a mystery (then again maybe not since our folks are keeping “House of Payne” around), but I am sure this venture will not be in existence nearly as long.