In an attempt to lure their African-American and Latino ratings back from MSNBC, CNN is rumored to be on the hunt for an African-American entertainer to host a prime-time show. According to the New York Post, Chris Rock and Aisha Tyler have already been approached for a 7 p.m. slot, a time currently occupied by John King USA.
Soledad O'Brien reportedly taped a pilot for the 7 p.m. slot, but network insiders told the New York Post that the pilot was deemed "unwatchable" by CNN Worldwide President Jim Walton. However, O'Brien, who has been producing diversity-themed programming for the network for years, is being given a second chance.
The network has several African-American anchors and commentators -- including Don Lemon, T.J. Holmes, Fredricka Whitfield and Roland Martin -- during the day, yet no anchors during prime time. The last time an African-American comedian held a prime-time spot was in 2008 with D.L. Hughley's show, D.L. Hughley Breaks the News. The show, which was almost universally panned, was canceled in less than a year.
Chris Rock might be good for CNN's ratings, but we're not sure how well the network will be able to tame his outrageous comments and opinions regarding white people. If Rock does get his show on CNN, it might prove his theory that white people have gotten "less crazy" after all.
Posted By: Siebra Muhammad
Friday, April 15th 2011 at 11:56AM
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