
A full week has not passed, but the new year is already off to a fast start.
In December, Katt Williams sat down with Club Shay Shay Host Shannon Sharpe for a wide-ranging interview. The multi-talented act made comments about Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges, Cedric “Cedric The Entertainer” Kyles, Kevin Hart, Sean “Diddy” Combs and a number of other celebrities. Generating discussion across social media platforms, the interview garnered more than 10 million views on YouTube within 48 hours.
While Williams was the topic of discussion in many circles, Sharpe’s name was also thrown around in several conversations. Some observers questioned the ESPN personalities’ interview style and ability to fact-check Williams’ comments.
“Imagine if there was an actual journalist on staff to help fact check the interviews on these podcasts. But y’all enjoy any show with your favorite celebrities interviewing other celebrities without checking them on accuracy,” Nicki Mayo of TV One tweeted.
“Now, I’m not a journalist but Shannon Sharpe is actually a horrible interviewer. There is no flow or follow-up questions. He’s just asking questions. Meaningless questions to just get Katt’s reactions,” another viewer added.
During a recent episode of Nightcap, Sharpe took the time to respond to those who criticized the interview.
“A lot of people have said, ‘Shannon left so much on the table…Shannon is not a journalist.’ I never said I was a journalist. If you listen to the intro of my show, I say, ‘The person who is coming by for conversation and a drink.’ I’m a conversationalist, not an interviewer. It’s a different space,” he explained.
“I’ve also said on numerous occasions that if you want 60 Minutes, Dateline [or] 48 Hours, I’m not the place for you. Go to those place and get those type of interviews. Go to Lester Holt [or] Norah O’Donnell. I’m not Mike Wallace. Rest his soul. I’m not Ed Bradley. Rest his soul.”