See All Our Series Stories at As Seen on Streaming
INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.
Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, interviewed filmmaker Warren D. Robinson (image below).
Price and Robinson explore the controversy over the new Chappelle special.
Transgendered employees of Netflix and several of their creative allies are planning to walk out and protest the company in response to the streaming service’s continued support of comedian Dave Chappelle. Despite consistent criticisms from the LGBT community Netflix has not wavered in its support for Chappelle, something that is unusual
according to entertainment executive and producer Warren D. Robinson, “First, Chappelle being a minority and still receiving this level of support is unusual.” Says Robinson, “We’ve seen a different standard when it comes to white celebrities involved in scandal versus black celebrities. Then there is the fact that he ran afoul of the LGBTQ community a group Chappelle actually focused a lot of his special on discussing their power to “cancel” people. Lastly, in this day and age of cancel culture platforms are quick to distance themselves from anyone at the first hint of any kind of controversy; so the fact that Netflix has stood by him this long is surprising.” Robinson sees Netflix’s position as a positive and hopes it can set a standard for other entertainment companies going forward. “This could be a watershed moment against cancel culture. “ He says, “The question is: How does supporting Chappelle affect Netflix’s bottom line? My prediction is the ramifications will be tiny if there are any at all. Hopefully that will persuade other entertainment companies when they realize not as many people are as upset as social media would have you believe; however, I won’t hold my breath.”
According to a statement, “Entertainment executive and producer, Warren D. Robinson believes that when organizations are willing to have open and honest conversations about race and their own bias they can commit to meaningful change. We have seen this recently in the form of Hollywood award shows, particularly, the Grammys and the Academy Awards (Oscars). The Recording Academy and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have both taken concrete steps to diversify their ranks and address inherit biases in their voting processes. As a result we have the most diverse crop of award winners/nominees, respectively, we’ve ever seen. Contrast that with the scandal and production shutdown currently at CBS’s The Talk, which resulted because a co-host was unable to properly engage in a conversation about race, address her own bias and commit to doing better. ‘The key part to every conversation’ Warren says, ‘starts with listening. Listening and hearing are different and if you are unable to listen then you are unable to have a conversation.’
“Warren D. Robinson, is an avid and accomplished entertainment executive, motivational speaker, host, life coach and award winning producer who created the wildly popular series, Buried by the Bernards, which is currently streaming on Netflix.
“Warren has served as an entertainment consultant, manager and producer, facilitating, appearing and negotiating high powered deals on behalf of his clients in front of such companies as: Warner Brothers, BET, CNN, Freemantle, Best Buy, TV ONE, Netflix, Lifetime, Fox News, WE TV, E!, NBC Universal, Viacom and more. In addition, Warren’s entertainment prowess includes coordinating, partnering and/or producing events for: legendary actress Pam Grier, Taraji P Henson, Gabrielle Union, Vivica A Fox, Soul singer Eddie Levert (of the O’Jays), Comedian Mike Epps, Angie Stone, Flavor Flav, the Indianapolis Colts, Donna Joyner-Richardson, Stephanie Mills, Erykah Badu and Tom Joyner among others. Warren graduated from Indiana University (B.A.-Political Science) and Howard University School Of Law (J.D.).”
Learn more about Warren D. Robinson and his work here.
LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN ITS ENTIRETY HERE
