HBO is still planning to air the upcoming Def Comedy Jam reboot titled, All Def Comedy, despite the sexual assault allegations against Russel Simmons.
Simmons was recently accused by Keri Claussen Khalighi of sexually assaulting her in 1991 and says Brett Ratner watched and didn’t intervene. Simmons and Ratner have denied that the encounter was non-consensual.
The network said in a statement: “We do plan to air (‘All Def Comedy’) beginning next week. The show is a platform for promising new artists, and we want them to have the opportunity to showcase their talent to a national audience.”
The show will be hosted by Tony Rock and feature stand-up performances in a variety of styles, spotlighting up-and-coming comics discovered at All Def Digital’s live weekly comedy showcase and special, and its online video platform to discover the best emerging comics, as well as “Def Comedy” veterans.
Def Comedy Jam helped launch the careers of Bernie Mac, Dave Chappelle, Chris Tucker, Martin Lawrence, Steve Harvey, Kevin Hart, Cedric the Entertainer, Katt Williams, J.B. Smoove, Bill Bellamy and many more.
Source: Shadow & Act
