Nick Cannon found himself embroiled in controversy this week after an interview with Professor Griff of Public Enemy fame went viral.
During their conversation, the television/radio personality made several comments perceived to be anti-Semitic and anti-White. Consequently, ViacomCBS severed its decades-long relationship with the now former Wild ‘N Out host. But it looks like his position with the FOX network is safe.
On Wednesday night (July 15), FOX announced Cannon, who hosts the wildly popular series The Masked Singer, will keep his job.
“When we were made aware of Nick Cannon’s interview with Richard Griffin on YouTube, we immediately began a dialogue with Nick,” the network tweeted. “He is clear and remorseful that his words were wrong and lacked both understanding and context, and inadvertently promoted hate. “This was important for us to observe. Nick has sincerely apologized, and quickly taken steps to educate himself and make amends.
“On that basis and given a belief that this moment calls for dialogue, we will move forward with Nick and help him advance this important conversation, broadly. FOX condemns all forms of hate directed toward any community and we will combat bigotry of any kind.”
This was important for us to observe. Nick has sincerely apologized, and quickly taken steps to educate himself and make amends.
— FOX (@FOXTV) July 16, 2020
On that basis and given a belief that this moment calls for dialogue, we will move forward with Nick and help him advance this important conversation, broadly. FOX condemns all forms of hate directed toward any community and we will combat bigotry of any kind.
— FOX (@FOXTV) July 16, 2020
FOX’s decision comes shortly after Cannon issued a second apology for his remarks and the original interview with Griff was scrubbed from his YouTube channel.
“First and foremost I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies to my Jewish sisters and brothers for the hurtful and divisive words that came out of my mouth during my interview with Richard Griffin,” he tweeted Wednesday night. “They reinforced the worst stereotypes of a proud and magnificent people and I feel ashamed of the uninformed and naïve place that these words came from. The video of this interview has since been removed.”
They reinforced the worst stereotypes of a proud and magnificent people and I feel ashamed of the uninformed and naïve place that these words came from. The video of this interview has since been removed.
— Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 16, 2020
Cannon went on to thank those from the Jewish community who attempted to explain why his comments were harmful.
“I want to express my gratitude to the Rabbis, community leaders and institutions who reached out to me to help enlighten me, instead of chastising,” he said. “I want to assure my Jewish friends, new and old, that this is only the beginning of my education — I am committed to deeper connections, more profound learning and strengthening the bond between our two cultures today and every day going forward.”
Nick Cannon Axed By ViacomCBS For Anti-Semitic Comments During Professor Griff Interview
FOX is being condemned on Twitter for its decision to keep Cannon on the show. Some feel a “racist” shouldn’t be allowed to keep his job, while others claim if Cannon was white, he would’ve been fired.
In the wake of ViacomCBS’ firing, Cannon has demanded ownership of Wild ‘N Out and Diddy has offered to air the show on his network REVOLT TV.