Friday, April 17, 2009

Why CNN Got Rid of DL Hughley

Remember the short-lived show “DL Hughley Breaks the News”?  Well, it turns out that CNN ditched Hughley because thousands of Americans, black and white, found his humor to be offensive and pathetic.  Read some of the comments that appeared on the New York Times blog:

  • CNN please remove D.L. Hughleys’ new show! There is no space in this evolving society for such baffonery! Please seek to have ethnic diversity without embrassment! Why not a counter-part (African, Asian, Latino etc.) such as a Bill Maher. Let’s view someone and something where we can sit with our diverse friends and neighbors and not feel the need to flee ! Thank you, in advance for considering prompt action is removing this show.

    — Julie Everett

  • 2. October 25, 2008 10:35 pm Link

    I am absolutely appalled at the content of this show. Why must we continue to revisit old stereotypes for the sake of “comedy?” This is truly an insult and a slap in the face. Where is our dignity? Senator Barak Obama does not need this type of connection. D. L. Hughley is very talented and can be funny and continue to succeed without the derogations.

    — Judith Augustus

  • 3. October 25, 2008 10:47 pm Link

    CNN’s D.L. Hughley Show is a disgrace. D.L. Hughley is a Uncle Tom. We are trying to move this country in a new direction away from derrogatory comments and stereotypes. Hughley has made it possible for other cultures to look at African-Americans in a negative light. Just because Hughley is an African-American does not make it OK. CNN has masterfully accomplished what it has been itching to say but couldn’t because they don’t have any African-American anchors so they hired a Uncle Tom to do the lynching for them. There is nothing funny about calling Senator Obama a pimp. We have serious issues facing U.S. and if Senator Obama is elected President, we need ALL Americans to take him seriously.

    — Theresa

  • 4. October 25, 2008 11:13 pm Link

    would love to see D.L. interview someone that knows that bailing out the tax payers with 100K each would have done more to “boost” the economy more than all the tax payers money that was given to the businesses and the money spent to have hearings, and playing the blame game big business.

    And you know the “Black” people will go out and buy that Caddy, Big Screen TV, and move into the “White” neighborhood, etc. and “White” people will buy a new house on the other side of town in a gated community.

    The money will go back into the economy and Government can recoup it with the sales tax that will go up.

    Bottom Line…”IT’S OUR MONEY AND WE WANT TO USE IT NOW”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    — Christine Simpson

  • 5. October 25, 2008 11:19 pm Link

    He absolutely horrible..CNN get him off.

    — BlkMan

  • 6. October 25, 2008 11:22 pm Link

    Great show. I especially liked the Haydn Planetarium discussion and the Interviews with correspondants in Russia, China and India.

    — Chris

  • 7. October 25, 2008 11:23 pm Link

    I am a white, liberal woman who is championing Barack Obama. Tonight I watched “Breaking News” and I found the jokes were offensive to black people. D.L. Hughley is not an eloquent man. He’s hard to understand and his ghetto style of English does nothing to promote the views of black people in this country. He is doing a disservice to Barack Obama, in a time when many Americans, sadly, are basing their voting decisions on race. The show needs to be axed. Right away.

    — L Rose

  • 8. October 25, 2008 11:31 pm Link

    CNN is bias for John McCain. Shame on them and DL Hughley. I hated DL’s show and was humilated and angered by DL’s step and fetch it, poor, black sterotype humor. It might be easy out there for a black comedian, but a lot of African Americans are having a hard time getting a good job and keeping it. We know our black entertainment history, but what makes a black comedian think that just because their black they can joke in this way about other black Americans. DL, what you say or joke about yourself is your business, but you have no right to put us all in those sterotype categories in the national media. A non-African American can’t make demeaning jokes about black people, so why do you and other black comedians think you have an open pass (or right) to do so? Please, please stop feeding the social and political rhetoric out there about black (African American) people! One bad “N….” joke or comparison is one too many. Change for format , end the jokes, or shut it down, now before the image of Barack Obama and the proud accomplishments of many African Americans is hurt even more.

    — Louise

  • 9. October 26, 2008 10:45 am Link

    As a caucasian mother to bi-racial children and wife to an African-American, I was uncomfortable with this show. My husband and I enjoy DL in his other comedic appearances and he’s great on Bill Maher’s show. But, this was not the right format for CNN. This is the LAST thing we need right now as we embark upon the opportunity to have an eloquent President, who happens to have half African roots. Sure, DL was funny and sure the jokes were spot on for the most part. But, again, not for CNN! Put it on HBO or Comedy Central. Let’s try to at least pretend mainstream news has some modicum of impartiality and professionalism.

    — marianne

  • 10. October 26, 2008 5:37 pm Link

    This show is just plain awful!!! How in the world did CNN allow DL Hughley to even broadcast this show. Our world has enough stereotypes about African Americans we really don’t need anymore especially coming from one of our own. What in the world is CNN trying to accomplish by having this show on the air? This show needs to be taken off of the air ASAP!!! It should have never been able to be broadcasted in the first place!!! CNN has really lost respect and integrity for viewers like myself. I just can’t believe that this was allowed to be shown on television!!!! A very important election is heading our way, how dare someone try to ruin the chances of an African American being President!!!!

    — Tootie

  • 11. October 26, 2008 7:04 pm Link

    God Almighty Hughley where is your sense of pride and dignity. And CNN I can only wonder why you would air this type of “Amos N Andy” sterotopical depiction of Blacks just before the election of perhaps the first African American President. This is a time in history when American has the opportunity to put racist behavior and thought behind, here come Hughley trying to keep his retro comedy alive at the expense of America making an effort to put aside their differences and join together to tackle this country’s BIG issues like how do we regain our respect from our Global neighbor, solve the financial crisis and endure the damages of a Bush adminstration that operated on credit and left this country in shambles. Please CNN pull the Hughley show - it can only fuel more hate and reinforce the fears and anxieties around African Americans. Huglhey is young or too naive or little respect for Black history and freedom struggles. He’s obviousely forgotten the Noble men and women who were willing to die for freedom from the enslavement, lynchings and minstrel shows characterizing Blacks for the sake of cheap humor. I am crying my heart out and so are many others. Enough is Enough!

    — Beverly Hemmings

  • 12. October 26, 2008 7:14 pm Link

    DL’s show is TRASH!! Take it off the air immediately!! I have never been more offended in my life. His humor shows his ignorance and I will probably start watching Fox or CNBC from now on. You have lost a faithful viewer with alot of friends!!

    — Ann

  • 13. October 26, 2008 11:10 pm Link

    I am an african american woman who is disgraced by the show. DL you are really embarrasing us. There is a time and place for everything and CNN (especially around election time) is not the place for this. I really think your show is going to hurt Obama because blacks are being portrayed as pimps, pork chop eating, GED having individuals……who would want to vote for a black president after the way you have portrayed african americans on your show. After watching your show, I was really embarrased. Dont sell out. CNN take this show off the air. I am offended. There is a time and place for everything and CNN is not the place nor is this the time for us to be portrayed like this. We have come to far to have mainstream view us like that.

    — Kisha

  • 14. October 26, 2008 11:28 pm Link

    To DL & CNN
    You are not funny’.
    Your show is not invited back into my living room.

    GENE

    — Gene Powell

  • 15. October 27, 2008 12:15 am Link

    am so disappointed in D.L. Hughley’s new show. It is time to move away from the negative stereotypes. This kind of humor is not appropriate for CNN. As an African American I am offended that D.L. would showcase tasteless jokes during this time on this network. Why do we as black always have to be associated with pimps, gold teeth, and a poor diet. Come on D.L. you can do better. It would be different if it were on HBO. Barack Obama has the chance to be the first black president and this may ruin it. People who watch this program may not be familiar with blacks or black culture and be spooked by this program and think Obama will not be suitable for the White House. I know D.L. is a Barack supporter but this show does him a disservice. Just be funny without all of the stereotypical humor. I suggest that this show has a makeover with more intelligent material or be pulled from the air.
    Kenneth

    — Kenneth

  • 16. October 27, 2008 2:57 am Link

    This show is not timely a week before this historic election we are facing. This is not funny, pimps, mistrels and all of the jokes about black people. It comes off very negative and offensive.
    How do we get CNN to take this off the air? Too many died for us to be able to vote and we should be as serious as possible in the days leading up to this election. DL shame on you for accepting that show and making fun of black people.

    — Mrs Max

  • 17. October 27, 2008 8:13 am Link

    The D.L Hughley show was trash especially the Fredie Mack skit. The show should be take off the air.

    — Larry

  • 18. October 27, 2008 10:11 am Link

    D.L. I really feel sorry for you. I’m sure in your mind you feel it is just fine to present African-Americans in such a negative light. You can justify it as long as you are getting paid. Remember D.L. that all money isn’t good money. If you have to sell your soul for it, then it’s not worth it. CNN will be around long after your core audience has kicked your sorry behind to the curb. Your humor is tasteless and does not reflect the lives of all African-Americans. You need to check yourself, and do it quickly!

    — Anthony A. Nixon

  • 19. October 27, 2008 11:00 am Link

    This show is an outrage, Barack Obama’s race to the white house does not need an obstacle like this. No one is suggesting that you not make fun of Obama because he is black, but why does he have to be associated with such negative stereotypes. Most of the jokes were offensive and racist. If a white person made the same remarks D.L. himself would personally be offended. I am disappointed in D.L. I thought he was more intelligent than that. He is a disgrace to African Americans in this evolving society. The material seemed fifteen years old and stolen from an Def Comedy Jam. I am also disappointed in CNN for producing such a blasphemous show. Please take it off the air immediately.
    Joe

    — Joe

  • 20. October 27, 2008 11:11 am Link

    CNN, I am appalled that such a show exists on your airwaves. The D.L. show is horrific! I sat near tears as I watched the minstrel show unfold. I can not believe his staff, or any one with a vision for the future, thought this was a good idea. My best guess is that his staff consists of 1 self hating minority, and “other” folks who are more concerned with ratings than content. Furthermore, D.L. you should be ashamed! There are other ways to make money. Did your mother watch? What did she think? Draw a line of morality and dignity for yourselves and please don’t cross it again. That goes for you too CNN. Please remove this show or you will lose many faithful viewers. Don’t make us watch Fox News.

    — Stacy

  • 21. October 27, 2008 11:24 am Link

    I, like other Americans, black and white, are totally offended by the D.L Hughley’s despicable show. He should be ashamed of himself putting on such a stereotypical show when we are trying to elect the first African American President. Is this CNN’s way of scaring some white people who just might be voting for an African American Candidate. If Barack loses, it will be DL Hughley’s fault for putting this show out there like that. Does he not have any real humor that he has to pick on Barack Obama for laughs? He could n’t hold a candle to Barack. I am sure he is jealous of Barack. This show needs to be taken off the air immediately! Cnn’s timing should be suspect being that the election is one week away. How could D.L. Hugley sell out the black community like this? He is indeed an Uncle Tom. He is not funny, he is not an intellect as he tries to pass himself off as since he’s been on Bill Maher maybe once or twice. It is evident that he is not intelligent nor funny. He is a disgrace to the black community and to his children. What does he think his children will think of their father promoting this kind of negative images about black people.? DL go back under the gang bangin’ rock you crawled from under and take your lousy show with you and CNN take this trash off the air! You have lost one viewer who will tell one, and then another, and then that person will tell another and so on and so on.

    — Deborah Broadnax

  • 22. October 27, 2008 11:35 am Link

    I was shocked to see this show on CNN last night. It was humorous in parts, but mostly it appeared to be a DL Hughley sellout show, parading CNN’s racism and bias for John McCain by making a mockery of African American culture. Sure, it would have been funny on Comedy Central or HBO… when did CNN become a platform for so much silliness and editorializing???
    By the way, I am a caucasion female, married to a black man with biracial children, so I embrace both my culture and that of my husband openly. This only made it more apparent that this mockery was intended to make white folks weary of voting for a black man… just look at what you’re gonna get if you do!
    CNN is no longer the reliable source for non-biased journalism it once was long ago, they have sold out like the rest and should truly be ashamed.

    — Melissa

  • 23. October 27, 2008 2:10 pm Link

    I was floored when I seen this show, this was a disappointment. Hughley needed to be more responsible, he knows how important this election is, people tune in to CNN because they want to hear the latest on the economy, election,poles, war, not buffoonery especially on African Americans. I’m sure this makes the McCain camp quite happy, what better person to help strike more fear in our undecided voters than Hughley a prominent African American comedian. This show needs to canceled immediatley or moved to Comedy Central.

    — Sharon

  • 24. October 27, 2008 2:22 pm Link

    As a mature African- American middle-class female I was very disappointed in the new D.L. Hughley Breaks the News Show on CNN. My hopes were for high end political satire transcending race to reveal the truth. Instead I got the same old low-end smelly comedy club, limited black jokes. Ignorance is not funny. Why is it that this atrocious show was allowed to air 10 days before the election to remind the world how ignorant some people can be? STEP IT UP, D.L., You can still make this show work. The people who drink liquor from a brown paper bag is a minority audience and I’m sure your gutter brand of humor appealed to them. Give America your best and leave the trashy repertoire for the barbershop. Your representation of Black folks in your analogies of pimps and whores is not the image we want to see etched into the mind of Americans as the most important election day of our lives draws nigh. I am gravely offended by the show. Please fix it or remove it from the air.

    — Peaches Dubois

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