Nick Cannon Dropped By Viacom/CBS Over ‘Hateful Speech’ on Podcast

Nick Cannon has been fired by Viacom/CBS, which produced his VH1 improv series “Wild ‘N Out,” saying “failed to acknowledge or apologize” for spreading “anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.” 

“ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism,” said the company in a statement. “We have spoken with Nick Cannon about an episode of his podcast ‘Cannon’s Class’ on YouTube, which promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. While we support ongoing education and dialogue in the fight against bigotry, we are deeply troubled that Nick has failed to acknowledge or apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are terminating our relationship with him.”

Cannon came under fire for comments made during a 90-minute interview he conducted with former Public Enemy member Richard “Professor Griff” Griffin, who was fired from the group for making anti-Semitic remarks in a 1989 interview with the Washington Post. ViacomCBS’ action came as basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar condemned several sports and entertainment celebrities for anti-Semitic tweets and posts and what he called a “shocking lack of indignation.”

Cannon also hosts “The Masked Singer” on Fox and is scheduled to host a syndicated daytime talk show this fall from distributor Debmar-Mercury. There is no word if either company will also be talking action. In 2017, he exited his eight-year post as host of “America’s Got Talent” on NBC after a joke he made on a Showtime stand-up comedy special was deemed inappropriate by the network.