Nick Cannon managed to dodge a bullet with FOX after making anti-Semitic comments on a podcast. But there is some bad news for the daytime talk show that was set to premiere later this year. The series has been pushed to 2021.
Producers are standing by Nick, but will postpone his talk show until 2021
The show’s producer, Lionsgate-owned Debmar-Mercury, confirmed the news in a statement, saying that it is “standing by” Nick given that his “public comments don’t reflect his true feelings.” At least the show was not cancelled altogether.
“The ‘Nick Cannon’ talk show will not debut this year,” the Debmar-Mercury statement read. “After conversations with Nick, we do believe that his public comments don’t reflect his true feelings and his apology is heartfelt and sincere. We want to continue the healing process as he meets with leaders of the Jewish community and engages in a dialogue with our distribution partners to hear their views. We are standing by Nick in our hope that by fall 2021 he will be able to use his extraordinary talent and platform to entertain, enlighten and unite his audience on the ‘Nick Cannon’ talk show.”
“Lionsgate and Debmar-Mercury condemn anti-Semitism, racism and hate speech,” the statement continued. “It runs counter to everything we stand for.”
Nick’s talk show cleared in over 90% of the country and was ready to go
Nick’s talk show had already been picked up in crucial markets by Fox Television Stations late last year and was cleared in over 90% of the country, which virtually guaranteed it to launch this fall.
However, because of comments he made, amplifying anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and heaping praise on known anti-semite Louis Farrakhan, CBSViacom cut ties with the comedian/producer all together. FOX reached out to Nick right after his comments surfaced. Once Nick offered a full throated apology, FOX decided to keep him on as host of massively popular celebrity singing competition, The Masked Singer.
The controversial comments were made during a June 30 episode of his podcast “Cannon’s Class,” which featured former Public Enemy member Professor Griff. At one point in the episode, Nick said black people are the “true Hebrews” and amplified anti-Semitic conspiracy theories involving the Rothschild family, One World Government, Bloodlines and the 13 families. He also claimed that a lack of melanin drove white people to become “savages.”
After Viacom CBS cut Nick loose, he offered a full throated apology, saving his Masked Singer gig
After ViacomCBS cut him loose, Nick was defiant initially, demanding apologies from ViacomCBS and ownership of his long running Wild ‘N Out franchise. But when it became clear that more partners, such as FOX would bail on him, Nick walked him comments back, claiming that Jewish rabbis were educating him on the issues.
“I just had the blessed opportunity to converse with Rabbi Abraham Cooper director of global social action @SimonWiesenthal My first words to my brother was, I apologize for the hurt I caused the Jewish Community….,” Nick wrote on Twitter, adding, “On my podcast I used words & referenced literature I assumed to be factual to uplift my community instead turned out to be hateful propaganda and stereotypical rhetoric that pained another community For this I am deeply sorry but now together we can write a new chapter of healing.”
Nick is taking a break from his radio show, Jewish Rabbis have reached out
Currently Nick is taking a break from his Los Angeles based radio show as well to spend even “more time” educating himself on the issues.
“I will use this time to establish an action plan towards real, impactful change and advocacy aimed at bringing people together,” Nick said on 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.”
Some members of the black community are upset that Nick apologized
However, Thursday night, Nick complained on Twitter that some fans had turned on him. “I hurt an entire community and it pained me to my core,” Nick wrote on Twitter. “I thought it couldn’t get any worse. Then I watched my own community turn on me and call me a sell-out for apologizing. Goodnight. Enjoy Earth.” He then added, “Y’all can have this planet. I’m out!”
