"D.L. Hughley Breaks The News": CNN To Launch Comedy News Show

NEW YORK — The latest entrant into the TV comedy business is ... CNN?

The news network announced Wednesday that it's starting a show with comedian D.L. Hughley. Tentatively titled "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News," it will air live at 10 p.m. Saturdays and replay 24 hours later.

The show will debut Oct. 25.

Hughley describes it as a news-oriented talk show _ more like David Letterman's and Jay Leno's program than Jon Stewart's. It will air before a live audience from CNN's New York studio.

Jon Klein, CNN U.S. president, said he took note of Hughley when the comic made an appearance on Glenn Beck's CNN Headline News show last year. Hughley, one of the four "Original Kings of Comedy," had a four-year run as the star of his own ABC sitcom and his own late-night show for Comedy Central.

Hughley was shopping his prospective one-hour show to two other networks when Klein called his agent to express interest.

"My agent called to say, `What do you think about CNN?' and I said I'm not a newscaster," Hughley said.

But the more he thought about it, the more it seemed to make sense.

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Comedy on news networks _ planned comedy, that is _ is unusual but not unprecedented. Fox News Channel aired the "Half Hour News Hour," but production stopped in 2007. CNN International, seen outside of the United States, airs reruns of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

"The audience that gets so much of its news from comedians these days clearly has no problem with that," Klein said.

Klein said CNN drew a record high audience for cable television among the youthful 18-to-49-year-old audience during the second presidential debate, so the network wants to keep those young viewers engaged. News viewership tends to skew old, an audience less valuable to advertisers.

As for setting limits on Hughley, Klein said, "Anything goes."

"It's as if we're shutting off the lights at the end of the day and letting him run amok," he said.

TV veteran Mitch Semel is the executive producer. Semel was the first head of programming at Comedy Central, started "Politically Incorrect" with Bill Maher and was a CBS late-night programming executive.

Hughley already has a road trip planned, to interview participants at a Sarah Palin rally in North Carolina.

"It's a black guy and a Jewish producer, so we will stand out like `Mississippi Burning,'" he said.

Comments

[LuvLee1]

Although I didn't like the premire episode I continued to watch. I must admit this show is funny. The guests are more relaxed than on other shows. This show is a mix of Saturday Night Live, Late Night Talk Show and Informative news. CNN does have a large african american audiance and I think this show is really funny.

[loveeydoveey]

(continued last)
Look at Michelle Obama, even she had to contend with the stereotypical view of the "angry black women". I won"t apologize for our strength as "black women" and how it may come across as being angry at time. Look at what we have overcome, look at how we stood in the face of adversity, look at how we stood by and support, raised, prayed for, and loved our black males.
I am proud to be a "black woman and know many black women dating back to my great grandmother, and the many black women in my life could not be classified as angry, mad or even frustrated with white women for dating black men.
D.L, you are human and entitled to mistakes. I just hope that for the millions of black women who already have several barriers to overcome can depend on you not create or encourage a new barrier.
, please help me stay a huge fan,
Phebe Harrison
Greensboro, NC

[loveeydoveey]

(continued 3)
One thing I have found is a small amount of black men discriminate against black women saying that we have attitudes and even down our non- European features. I have heard this from several guys I went to college with and that is very disappointing. Why would a black man discriminate against his own race? Does he not think about his mother, his grandmother, his aunts, sisters, and daughters when he makes this statement? I must add that this is a small minority of black men who do this. I will not characterize all black men for a few fools.
I can admit to you that I only have a problem with another woman when I want the same man and the issues would be for any women, of any race, even my own. I have many
biracial family members and friends and I receive them with no reservations as I do their parent of a different race.

[loveeydoveey]

(continued)
D.L, how do you feel when you hear the outrageous stereotypes about black men on a regular basis. How does that make you feel when people classify your son in this manner? I know; it hurts! That"s what your statement did for millions, millions, millions of black women. It hurt! Especially because it came from someone we have watched, cheered for, supported, and respected. Especially because it was lumped with the President Elect many "black women", such as Oprah, have campaigned for and supported for over 21 months. I and the large majority of black women in this country have no problem with the union of black males with other races, especially the union of our President Elect, Senator Obama.

[loveeydoveey]

D.L Hughley
I am a huge fan of your and am proud of the accomplishment of your show on CNN. I must admit that I watched your sitcom faithfully and even got to see you live at UNCP in North Carolina. I highly respected you until I heard the comment you made recently on your show and on Larry king concerning the way "black women" feel about the union of white women and black males. I have to inform you that this is not true, and maybe only relevant with a very, very, very small amount of black women. It is unfair to classify all black women with this small minority which is what you achieved when you made your statement to millions using the airways. I, and the many "black women" that I have talked to about this manner, have no problem with the union you described. Take a minute D.L and take a short survey from the "black women" around you and in your life. I bet you find the same results.

[sadonea]

I am very disappointed with CNN's decision to add a comedy show to their schedule hosted by DL Hughley.

DL Hughley does not represent the African American's view, humor or expression on any topic and CNN should have made a statement before airing the show reflecting that.

This is not a show that is beneficial to the public on any level. I will not watch it and I feel that this comedy show was aired for political reasons. I fear that this comedy show was not a very wise investment for DL Hughley .

[Bond007]

The DL show is doing a lot of damage to Obama voters, white voters. CNN baited a foolish black guy and they got DL. I bet you when the show serves it purpose, CNN will promptly cancel it a day after the elections. Foolish is as foolish does.

[MizVon]

When I saw the ads that D.L. Hughley was going to have a feature show on CNN, my first thought was "mmh, D.L. is advancing his career from comedy to prime time news--Bravo!! What an accomplishment. Eagerly I awaited its premiere. My God, what a let down--instead of cheering D. L. on, I found myself screaming at the TV screen. What the h. . ll was CNN and D.L. trying to accomplish? How dare you air this type of trash on prime time TV. Both CNN and D. L share the criticism that I and others are espousing!! I was shocked, embarrassed, hurt , and angered by the stereotypical propaganda that this minstrial show portrayed. I believe that this denegrating portrayal of the Black community was by design--on the part of CNN--the "Real Pimp" and D. L. Hughley the "Real Bitch". Never in a million years would I have thought that "I" would be writing this type of commentary to an international news organization. However, I am so "MAD" at this transparent attempt to devalue the historical significance and achievements of Senator Barack Obama who exemplifies the very essence of the American Dream by shifting to the stereotypical urban depictions of the Black community. Shame on you CNN! Double shame on you D.L. -- you have lost the respect of the Black community! I hope that the money you were paid was worth it!

[teeski02]

What can we do to get this show removed.DL Hughley CNN Show it is terrible. a pure waste of time for CNN.I am so disappointed. I have always depended on CNN for news not MESS.

[blakchek]

Here is the link to complain directly to CNN about the show, please write!!!!
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?107

http://www.blakchek.com
For your safety, never participate in your white friends activities without first checking BlakChek first

[bkii]

This show was straight foolishness. CNN needs to shut this show down now. DL Hughley is NOT funny. CNN is not comedy central, comedy. What a jerk - he has never been funny, he is obnoxious, not very good at speaking and funny looking. Ali was funnier than he was. Who's idea was this ? I hope they kept the receipt because they need to do a return - NOW

[Janels40]

Total Disgrace.....this is the very thing that we as Black Americans are trying to overcome..... CNN, please drop this show NOW......

Why would you do this at a time when a Black man is running for President.....??? Obama is doing everything he can to knock down these stereotypes........

Shame on you DL

[Mahogany30]

I am very UPSET!!!....CNN you can do better than this.....I did not appreciate watching this show just b/c of how this SOB thinks....all black people are not like how he portrays us to be...we try so hard to break away from stero types....he's a stand-up comic let him stay that way...CNN is shown world wide people should not think that the ENTIRE black race is receptive to his comments and act the way he makes us out to be....I beg you to take this OFF of the air b/c there is NOT how our race should be portrayed....

[hagen44]

I like CNN, good news stuff, I must put D L Hughley, with Nancy Grace and Glenn Beck.
The worst shows on TV. Come on CNN you could do better.

[kansascityguy]

This has got to be one of CNN's WORST decisions. I am watching the rebroadcast right now and it is NOT funny at all. Why D.L. Hughley? He seems so bland and so does his humor. Email CNN and tell them what you think. They need to pull this crap immediately!

[blakchek]

Black Man here... This show is a utter and complete disgrace. I can not beleive that CNN does not have any type of quality control/review group or something that can do a sanity check on the content that they release. I want to write so much more, but I think most of the other members comments have done adequate justice. I'm speechless, sad, mad, and will not watch CNN until this show is canceled.

Here is the link to complain directly to CNN about the show, please write!!!!
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?107

http://www.blakchek.com
For your safety, never participate in your white friends activities without first checking BlakChek first

[kansascityguy]

Yeah, I'm with you, I'm going to stop watching CNN until they pull this how. MSNBC has been increasing it;s ratings steadily, I'll try them.

[nyniela]

I completely agree. I emailed CNN expressing my extreme displeasure. I can't even fathom how this was allowed to air.

DL Hughley needs to sit down somewhere and shut the hell up!

[abellaspectra]

Hey Blakchek I completely agree Dl Hughley's breaks the news is a disgrace, we are on the verge of electing a black president we do not need to see this garbage.

PS. I check out your blog pretty funny (I'm black, Jamaican to be exact, and I went to a 98% white school it was quite an eye opening experience). Perhaps you should ask CNN for Dl's job

I'm on wordpress too feel free to check out my blog http://godspaceblog.wordpress.com/
(and that goes for everyone else)
God bless

[blakchek]

I mean this is tough, because on one hand I recognize there is a lack of black shows on television and would like to see more. However, not show's like this, why must our shows depict us in the worst way...

Still upset at D.L. but moreso at CNN for releasing this show. Unbelievable.
http://www.blakchek.com