D.L. Hughley: Canceled!

Cityfile ^ | 03/05/09 | Uncredited

[Big_Monkey]

Comedian D.L. Hughley was pummeled by critics when his weekend talk show debuted on CNN last fall. "What the hell was CNN thinking?" a columnist for AdAge asked after watching the first episode. It remains unclear what was running through the minds of CNN execs when they signed him up for the spectacularly unfunny program featuring painfully awkward interviews. But the network may have come to its senses or at least decided to cut its losses. A source tells us that CNN has decided to cancel the show due to "budgetary constraints." We haven't heard back yet from reps at CNN, although the move wouldn't be surprising given CNN's troubles as of late and the fact that HLN (the network you used to know as Headline News) is now "beating its older sibling CNN in the target 25-54 demo," according to Broadcasting & Cable. We'll let you know as soon as we hear more. Update: It's confirmed: Hughley is out. An official statement from CNN and more detail on his departure below.

Here's an official statement from a rep from CNN, who tells us that it was Hughley's decision to end the show and not specifically related to budget issues:

"D.L. approached CNN about being permanently based in Los Angeles, where his family lives. To accommodate this, we agreed upon a new role where he will be a contributor for the network based in Los Angeles. We are eager to continue our relationship with D.L. who is a tremendous talent and a valued colleague."

[Jabba the Nutt]

The conspiracy theorists are going to have a field day with this. The week after DL Hughley got Michael Steele to call Rush Limbaugh's show "incendiary and ugly" and compare the GOP convention to a Nazi meeting. And then he gets fired. The rightwing behind the scenes powerbrokers reach into to CNN and get Hughley fired, who embarassed their Uncle Tom front man, Conservatism with Human Face. The rightwing string pullers are pulling strings.

Wait for Kos, HuffPo or Democrat Underground to push this insanity soon.

[chris_bdba]

Well after hearing some of the idiotic thigns he’s said on hs very short run it is no wonder they cancled his show!You would think that someone with his own show would know a little history instead of making himself look totally clueless?

[DustyMoment]

DL Hughley . . . . . . . . is he the new Rosie O’Fats??

[iowamark]

Don’t worry, Michael Steele will give him a new job.

[techno]

Hughley already fulfilled his mission.

By the way, is Bill Bennett’s program still on Saturday or was it cancelled as well?

[techno]

But Hughley’s mission may have backfired. Rush Limbaugh is more popular than ever.

[timestax]

And CNN had better pay their Taxes too! !