https://youtube.com/watch?v=0BDDr6j7V2U
CNN anchor Don Lemon and rapper Talib Kweli spent much of an interview today arguing about interview courtesy and their (lack of) interaction before they went on air. It got so heated that Kweli threatened to walk out multiple times.
Kweli, who has taken part in the demonstrations in Ferguson, Mo., following the death of Michael Brown, started off explaining that he came to the city to help shape the media’s “horrible” coverage of the protests. Lemon argued that CNN has been an exception, but Kweli took particular issue with a recent article on the network’s website about unrest from the night before.
The interview soon descended into a yelling match between the two over who interrupted who and who should be talking. Kweli repeatedly threatened he would walk off the set.
Above all, Kweli appeared most offended that Lemon didn’t respectfully introduce himself before they went on the air.
“I would listen to you if you had the decency to greet me,” Kweli said. “You came up, you didn’t even say nothing to me — you were on your phone the whole time, you asked how to pronounce my name, you have no respect for who I am.”
Lemon explained that he’s very busy and had been prepping for his broadcast and meant no disrespect.
The two continued to bicker, even as Lemon made it clear that his producers wanted to cut to commercial. They eventually made up with a handshake.