CNN is adding an array of humor specialists to its broad gallery of journalistic experts.
Amber Ruffin and Michael Ian Black have been named to serve as captains on the Warner Bros.
Discovery-backed outlet’s new Saturday-night series “Have I Got News For You.” The ten-episode run of the series, best known in its original incarnation on the BBC, launches Saturday, September 14, at 9 p.m. Roy Wood Jr. is the host.
“It is an honor to get to work with comedy favorites Michael Ian Black and Roy Wood Jr,” said Ruffin, in a statement. “It is our hope that this show will take people from saying, “This is CNN.” to “THIS is CNN!?!?””
“I’m thrilled to be joining Roy Wood Jr. and Amber Ruffin as ‘Have I Got News For You’s” DEI hire,” said Black, in a statement. “I’m looking forward to spreading as much disinformation as possible on America’s most trusted news network – my main focus has been, and will continue to be, pleasing my handlers in the Kremlin.”
“Have I Got News For You” has been made available by the BBC since 1990, and typically showcases two teams talking about various news stories on the week. The U.K. show has been so scrutinized that it has been brought to court for utterances of various panelists about news subjects.
The series joins rebroadcasts of Bill Maher’s HBO roundtable program, “Real Time.” CNN has hopes of branching out into news-driven comedy, according to Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president of talent and content, who told Variety of such plans in a May interview. Weekend viewers might like a break from the intensity of the news week with programs about lifestyle or “have a laugh about something and maybe be able to connect to a personality who wouldn’t necessarily be anchoring a show on CNN or even an original series,” she said. “We will be exploring that going forward.”
Ruffin first came to notice as a writer and contributor to NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers” — the first Black woman to write for a U.S. late-night broadcast talk program. She hosted her own program on NBC’s Peacock streaming hub and, more recently, penned the revised book for Broadway’s current revival of “The Wiz.”
Black is an actor, writer, and comedian who began his career with the sketch comedy troupe The State. He co-created several television shows, including “Viva Variety,” “Stella,” and “Michael & Michael Have Issues.” He has starred in series including “Ed” and “The Jim Gaffigan Show ” and appeared in films including “This Is 40.” He has also hosted game shows and led podcasts.
