CNN – The Comic's Comic

Catching Up on United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell

by Sean L. McCarthyJuly 19, 2020July 19, 2020

The fifth season of W. Kamau Bell’s award-winning CNN series, United Shades, premiered Sunday night. I wrote a little bit about Bell and his program …

Review: Colin Quinn, “Red State Blue State” on CNN

by Sean L. McCarthyJune 1, 2019June 1, 2019

CNN wanted Colin Quinn’s new comedy special to air because of how he splits America down the middle (even suggesting the country follow suit) in …

Colin Quinn’s “Red State Blue State” special will premiere Memorial Day on CNN

by Sean L. McCarthyMay 9, 2019May 9, 2019

Colin Quinn has done Broadway, HBO and Netflix. For his next trick, his new comedy special is premiering on CNN. Red State Blue State debuts …

W. Kamau Bell, Samantha Bee and James Corden take home Creative Arts Emmy Awards

by Sean L. McCarthySeptember 11, 2017September 11, 20172

Saturday Night Live was the biggest show winner last weekend during the “creative arts” portion of the 2017 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Guest Actor …

CNN announces eight-part series, “The History of Comedy,” plus limited stand-up showcases across America

by Sean L. McCarthyJanuary 4, 2017January 11, 20172

The History of Comedy, an eight-part CNN original documentary series, will premiere at 9 p.m. Eastern/Pacific on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017. CNN announced the premiere …

This Week in Kamau: W. Kamau Bell’s CNN series (“United Shades of America”) and Showtime stand-up special (“Semi-Prominent Negro”) both debut

by Sean L. McCarthyApril 29, 2016

W. Kamau Bell‘s second chance to make a big first impression on American audiences is off to a hot start. Literally, figuratively, metaphorically. His CNN …