D.L. Hughley Breaks the News
Encyclopedia
D. L. Hughley Breaks the News was a comedy news show that aired on CNN
from October 25, 2008 to March 2009, hosted and head written
by comedian D. L. Hughley
. On March 9, 2009, CNN announced that Hughley would be ending the show due to a desire to work in Los Angeles and be closer to his family. He plans to continue his work with CNN as a Los Angeles-based contributor for the network.
On the show's finale, Hughley did a report about legalizing marijuana. He said that he had a back problem and took the show into his doctor's office to get his prescription refilled, but CNN censored some of the interview.
's attempts to gain popularity with the black community, Hughley expressed an opinion to RNC's Chairman Michael Steele and rapper Chuck D
, that some have called controversial. Hughley observed, in reference to the racial composition of the 2008 Republican National Convention
, "The tenets of the Republican Party are amazing and they seem warm and welcome. But when I watch it be applied — like you didn’t have to go much further than the Republican National Convention....It literally looked like Nazi Germany. It literally did. I make that point, not only are we not welcome — not only are we not welcome, but they don’t even care what we think. That seems to be the way I see..." Chairman Steele interrupted, "Well I'm here now, and you are right."
Hughley's comparison was criticized by conservative commentator Andrew C. McCarthy
, who called it a "slanderous claim". Steele also received criticism from conservatives for the same episode, both for expressing agreement with Hughley, and for a comment he made earlier on the show, dismissing radio host Rush Limbaugh
as "an entertainer", and calling his radio show "incendiary" and "ugly". Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin
wrote that Steele's comments "played right into the left's hands", while RNC member Ada Fisher
, citing his comments, called on Steele to resign.
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
from October 25, 2008 to March 2009, hosted and head written
Head writer
A head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera genre, as well as with sketch comedies and talk shows that feature monologues and comedy skits, but in prime time series this function is generally performed by an...
by comedian D. L. Hughley
D. L. Hughley
Darryl Lynn "D. L." Hughley is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is perhaps best known as the star of the ABC/UPN sitcom The Hughleys, and as one of the four comedians featured in the Spike Lee film The Original Kings of Comedy. Additionally, he has been the host of CNN's D. L...
. On March 9, 2009, CNN announced that Hughley would be ending the show due to a desire to work in Los Angeles and be closer to his family. He plans to continue his work with CNN as a Los Angeles-based contributor for the network.
On the show's finale, Hughley did a report about legalizing marijuana. He said that he had a back problem and took the show into his doctor's office to get his prescription refilled, but CNN censored some of the interview.
Criticism and controversy
On his February 28, 2009 show, while discussing the Republican National CommitteeRepublican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
's attempts to gain popularity with the black community, Hughley expressed an opinion to RNC's Chairman Michael Steele and rapper Chuck D
Chuck D
Carlton Douglas Ridenhour , better known by his stage name, Chuck D, is an American rapper, author, and producer. He helped create politically and socially conscious rap music in the mid-1980s as the leader of the rap group Public Enemy.- Early life :Ridenhour was born in Queens, New York...
, that some have called controversial. Hughley observed, in reference to the racial composition of the 2008 Republican National Convention
2008 Republican National Convention
The United States 2008 Republican National Convention took place at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from September 1, through September 4, 2008...
, "The tenets of the Republican Party are amazing and they seem warm and welcome. But when I watch it be applied — like you didn’t have to go much further than the Republican National Convention....It literally looked like Nazi Germany. It literally did. I make that point, not only are we not welcome — not only are we not welcome, but they don’t even care what we think. That seems to be the way I see..." Chairman Steele interrupted, "Well I'm here now, and you are right."
Hughley's comparison was criticized by conservative commentator Andrew C. McCarthy
Andrew C. McCarthy
Andrew C. McCarthy III is a former Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. A Republican, he is most notable for leading the 1995 terrorism prosecution against Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman and eleven others. The defendants were convicted of the 1993 World Trade Center...
, who called it a "slanderous claim". Steele also received criticism from conservatives for the same episode, both for expressing agreement with Hughley, and for a comment he made earlier on the show, dismissing radio host Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
as "an entertainer", and calling his radio show "incendiary" and "ugly". Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin is an American conservative blogger, political commentator, and author. Her weekly syndicated column appears in a number of newspapers and websites. She is a Fox News Channel contributor and has been a guest on MSNBC, C-SPAN, and national radio programs...
wrote that Steele's comments "played right into the left's hands", while RNC member Ada Fisher
Ada Fisher
Ada M. Fisher is a retired physician from Salisbury, North Carolina and a frequent Republican candidate for office. She challenged incumbent Mel Watt in North Carolina's 12th Congressional district in 2004 and 2006...
, citing his comments, called on Steele to resign.