California Politics and Election Integrity

All right, it is Tuesday, june ninth and I am here with the lovely the talented the very, very funny. Cheryl Lantonwood, welcome back But thank you for having me back. You know, when I was here last time, I knew the view was big, right But I didn't know that appearing on a view was going to change my life. There's no place. I was walking down Times Square right after we did it live People were walking up talking to me, when are you coming back? And I have to tell people, I just want to be able to, I want to be like a rotating guest host. You know, when somebody's working on another project or something, that's what I w to do. I want to be part of the family. Well, you're always welcome. and I have to say, people really responded to you when you were a guest hosting. We were going through a lot of different guest hosts Everyone brought different things, but I heard from a lot of fans that really loved you. I'm sure part of that is missing you from being on a talk for all that time because even though the shows were kind of comp competitors,, we were on you could watch both because we were on different times of days. And I think a lot of people did Is the view experience very different sitting at our table versus the talk experience? think I wouldn't say so different. It's more u It's a different type of fun. It's okay, so what's your favorite food? What do you love? I like Italian. Italian food. Okay. So would you eat Italian food every day if you could Okay, but then you eat different types of Italian. I a little variety. That's right. And one thing about the talk, I remember when I first got there, they said, Well, we don't do politics. Right. And as I kept listening to the topics that were selected, I say, you do politics, you just don't do it the way they do it. right And I think that being here, the fun of the difference is the camaraderie, the sisterhood, the friendship, the family atmosphere that even the guests enjoy, no matter who you're talking to, their guest in your home. So it changed my life and I want to thank everybody to put their fingers to a keyboard and all of the social media and all of the radio stations and TV stations that said, Hey, we're glad to see you back in daytime. How about that? It's so interesting. and I'm appreciative of it. and I hear that from other people. I was saying to you off camera For some reason, people notice when someone's on the view and they pop up in their mind a little bit more and in a It's nice that in twenty twenty six, when they're talking about how network television is not what it used to be and everything else, it still has this kind of impact And see what I want people to understand is you need network television, you need local TV, you need terrestrial radio, but you need satellite. And social media is great, but it's in addition to this comes into your home. It's the soundtrack of your li. When I turn on the TV and I'm watching whatever the lineup is and get to the view and then I get all the way down to General hospital. I've had a great day off So for me, I would want us to fight for that and fight for the ability to stay on the air on the public airwaves. But also I'd like for businesses to understand, you want to advertise here as well. And people say, well, why do you talk about advertisement? McDonald's advertise like they just open. Coca Cola advertised like they just made a batch We need the companies, we need the integration. We need the money and the revenue to come in so we can continue to make the content. Absolutely. It's funny, you're talking about on the talk how you know, you guys didn't do politics in a straightforward way. You didn't talk about candidates necessarily things like that. But you talked about things in society and culture that were political in some way or culture war kind of stuff and things like that. And it's funny because the view, I think wasn't always as political as it is now, but it's almost because the culture has changed so much that people It's hard to have conversations with anybody without politics getting into it these days. Don't you find that? Absolutely. But don't you think that I think the view had an impact on every other show. If you watch Abby Phillips showow, it's a version of the view. I think things are versions of the view. So when Barbara Watchers had her idea and then you were putting people together to see how they dovetail and they fit, know politician somebody's got to ask the question that the American viewer or even the international viewer goes, ask him this, As her this. you know, And I think I would hope that we never get to a point where somebody can't come on the show and be questioned you know, But then also they will want to come on the show. if you want to speak to your constituency That's the thing. And I think there's and you know this, there's no audience that's more loyal or intent than the daytime audience. Absolutely. They come there. they want to learn, they want to laugh, they want to understand things and they want to hear different points of view. And I know from watching our show, that when something big happens in the world,es, people tune in and it's because they want to hear what will be andjoy and Sunny and Sarah and a listen, An Th about it. Yeah, what are the ladies of the view going to say about this? I cannot wait. Yes. So you're watching your evening news and then you're wondering, what are the women of the view going to say? or what guest hosts are they going to have? Right? And then even the guests come in and they're excited about it. You know you have a great talk show when the guests go, it's over. My segment is over Why? Because they're happy to be here. No one wants to be attacked on live TV. Public speaking is the most nerve wracking thing to do Iong all of people that can do it the way you do it. now especially stand up might be. Absolutely, absolutely. But when you can do it with your friends and impart some wisdom or some type of w, think I think it brings people together hope You stay alone long after this. Godot willilling, I got kids and going to college. Aen. Speaking of the talk, the last time you were here, you talked a little bit about Sharon Osborne and your relationship and the idea that you were hopeful that something might leave some're hoping for you. He was going to ask. has anything happened there? Have you heard anything that Well you know, I've had a few people with the with the Netflix roast of Kevin Hart being so big I've had a few people talk to me about, you know, are you still interested in that? I would love to talk to Not just Sharon but the Osborne family because there's a part, this is a family thing. you know, when you're sitting with someone five days a week, even if you're recording something, but it's' essentially five to seven days a week I'd love to talk to her. I still believe you all with Howard Stern. I think that's a great cross promotion. I certainly like it. Yeah. because I think that Sharon First of all, she is a genuine soul. Let's just say that. And people say, well, why would you want to talk to her? If I can sit next to Tony Henschcliffe on a roast We're going to get into that. Okay. Yeah. because what we've got to learn is how to be a better humanitarian a better diplomat. So I am not against sitting down with Sharon and time plus distance equals clarity. So I think it would be great and it would be great television. And I think the country would love to see us talk to each other and get it out in the open. I think so too. And come back together. I think so too. evenven if it's a hard conversation, it'd have to good ending, I think. It be would it have to be. you guys would have to make that call. I don't know if I have current numbers or information. And I'm always afraid to leave a voicemail because one, you could be leaving it with the wrong person. Right. And two, it could be misinterpreted. I understand. I think you're right. All right, Well, let's dive back into this Kevin Hart thing for a second because this roast was I enjoyed it quite a bit. I enjoy roast. Wh part did you like the best? Oh I thought Pete Davidson was pretty great. Yeah. I thought you were fantastic. I saw what we said on the show, Nikki Chelsea. fantastic. And it's funny, female comics and Rasts, I feel like a long time Uh Rosebward the opportunity for female comics to get seen and get big. And it seemed like it was a rocket ship for a long time for a lot of female comics going back. I remember that's actually where I first heard about Nki Glazer like that. I know Amy Schumer did a few and things like that. That's right. And I think you came out of this as one of the stars and not changed my life again. That's fantastic. I'm so glad good things are happening. Tony Hinchcliff at this show told some jokes that many people found inappropriate. Yes. And I think their people's tolerance for what a roast is and what their expectation is varies from person to person. Let's start the joke you made about your husband's suicide. Well, they told me they were g shot. I was curious. So there was a Netflix is a joke brunch Yes at Ted Serando's house U Ted and his lovely wife It's just Avant They had a their home was beautiful, by the way. food was amazing. I would imagine. So they had a brunch. Everybody was there. Wandaidees, Jerry Seinfeld, There's pictures of me and Dave Chappelle and Eddie Murphy. So W Letterman was there. Absolutely. He was there. And a matter of fact, I got a chance to just say hi to him and John Stewart it's a place The great part is you got a chance to see comics. It was like a convention of comics. That's great. At a brunch, everyverybody laughing and talking. D everyone knowing each other and it was calm becausecause it wasn't like fans and. I had a chance to talk to John Mulaney. Yes. Yeah And we got a chance to hug and talk And what was great was you don't know how many people know you as your your colleagues. You know, so I'm a fan of theirs they're a fan of mine So Tony Hascos walks after me And He said, sureure, I'm telling him his 'causeuse I said, ye. And I said, how you coming? You know, because I had already heard some things. and he said, well, I'm going to talk about your husband's suicide And you being right Oh yeah. Yeahah. So we' So and I I think some people's expectation is anger. But I understand what a roast is right and how they roast nowadays. I was in the audience when they roasted Kat Williams, but it wasn't as hard poor as it was when the Tom Brady rose. And then you get the Kevin Hart' rose. So I said, Tony, he said, what do you think? I said if I said, you better be funny R get your ass. If you aint funny You know? And so he said, Well, what about your husband? Same thing She Giller. So Shane calls me And said I just want to talk to you about it. And I said, listen, it's got to be funny. If it's not funny, so let's start there I want the world to know had they did those jokes when my husband had just died I think I would be I'd be more sensitive about it. My husband's been dead for a while. A lot of people say you don't do jokes about the dead. I disagree. You don't do bad jokes about the dead. Now for people that are upset about the George Floyd joke Again, I think Pete Davidson represented the cookout coalition with the Charlie Kirk joke, which was a great joke about Tony Hincliff and I can't say it here but it very adult joke But it's but it's why I said what I say. speech is alive and wella You may not agree, but what did it do? It produced content teelevision talk shows, radio talk shows, time spent listening, viewers watching. Pople could see themselves reflected in that discussion. For the George Floyd joke whether it was funny or not Tony now has to deal with people report. That's right That's the issue. Can you take what happens when you walk outside of this roast and deal with people who love George Floyd or those of us in the community or if somebody going' throw hands, right? And for people that expected us to do something right in the moment, why is no one asking a question? Who cleared a George Floyd? Well my question for you is and I understand because I've spent a lot of time around comedians. You guys are built different. You just are and there's an understanding Now, if you had said to Tony or Shane That's not cool with me. Do you think the joke would have been told Um I think one thing I wanted to prove is that I had a thicker skin. Yeah, no, I understand it. And then when I asked Niki Glazer at the brunch, I said, how are they coming? They said, o, they coming for you. And I was like, me. But then I thought, show a reflection of I can take this joke. And you gave it back. That's right. And I'm gonna to give it back to you. I'm going let you know who I am and why I'm here. And I was praying, God, give me words at least a couple of things that are not on that prompter that I have to say, not just for the room because that's why I said this's in the form, you're going to respect us R, but also for the world. For the people that are watching going, come on Cheryl, come on, Cheryl, G them. They've been telling these jokes. Now, for people that said it was racist, of course for if you are not black and you are telling those jokes, of course, but it's to press a button. Everybody that didn't watch it live now got Netflix or watched it or kept watching clips of it But if I had said, don't tell the joke I'm not a comic that believes I should tell a comic what not to say. I know that. Yeah. I will say might you consider Or I was say when I when I did kill Tony, I went to Austin. I flew to Austin. I did Shane Gillis's podcast and I learned a lot about him about what he how he thinks and what he likes. and he's a really nice guy people do dwell in that kind of humor. Back in the day, Paul Mooney was walking white funny very funny. but walking white people out in the beginning of my career, I was telling jokes that were walking groups of people out of my show, but they were great jokes. But back to going to do Kill Tony And I was talking to him and I was wearing a Nat Turner t shirt And and there was a reason why I wanted to wear it. So I asked Tony. I said, wouldould you record something with me? And he was like, I'm not sure. But some people don't want to revisit something to reconsider You grow your audience by understanding, Yeahah, you can tell the joke, but there's a responsibility. And then there's an accountability I would like to tell the world, I think Tony Henschcliffe is one of the greatest villains in comedy now. a funny guy's a villain, donon't you think? Yeah, and you said that on the show and I hadn't thought about it until you did. Yeah. That's absolutely right. He is a villain. I mean, there are people that are just straight fans too.es. We saw that, but, you know, what he did at the Trump rally with the Perto Rico joke and things like that, one hundred percent, he's a villain and that seems to be a choice he's making, I think to. Absolutely And embracing it. I think for everybody that's upset. it's for you to be upset so that you push that algorithm You gott to be typing in your computer. You gott to keep watching it over and over again. But if you're upset, be upset about three hundred thousand black women who lost their job with an administration decide to fire people. Be upset when you lose your right to vote. Be upset when a farmer in Iowa who believed in this president voted for him and now you're about to lose your farm I hear say Absolutely. takeake that. donon't be mad, get motivated. Well one thing I really enjoyed about it is the fact that people came out of that who maybe hadn't seen you outside of the context of daytime television said Damn Cheryl's really funny. I mean and you are. They didn't even know a lot of people only knew me from the talk. That's the thing. They did. They didn't know I was a stand up comic from Deaf County Jam BT comic view. But what it also did, it allowed me, peopleople say, well, you got paid off by u Getting a special. That's not really what happened. I got invited to a meeting. I pitched an idea to Netflix. They said, Okaykay, we kind of like that idea. How about we start at Netflix as a joke and you doing a spot in the ice house in Pasadena a few hundred seats. M, Kyle Irby and BT. Kingsley, we did the show. Now most people think You're Cheryl Underwood from daytime television from this from that from that. You going to do a hundred seedater? Yes, if that helps me get in the door. with Netflix, then I get in. Areeing to do that And then them scheduling me for a small room in Pasadena On a weeknight, a Wednesday after Cenco D Mayo So then somebody called me and said, wouldould you consider doing the roast? I said, off course I would. Why? Beuse I'm thinking exposure Don't know what it pays, Don't know what it is. D't they won't even tell me who who's going to be on the day. Right. They won't tell me anything. We did not know what jokes other people were telling because they didn't want us. We were running the teleprompter to read through the things that we've agreed upon But I didn't know what people were going to say. But as a comic, if you're not quick enough to answer back and you don't have a good answer back, then you set us all back, especially as black, female comics, but just female comics in general. you have to go up there and bring your A gamame. So I'm saying all it is to say Getting a Netflix special and now being on the road and working out those jokes and I need a job tour This helps me being here on the view helps me pay my bills, develop content invest in things because I was on files after the talk got canceled That money's not coming in, but my bills didn't go. my financial responsibilities didn't go away. I think people think anytime someone's on television they're set for life and that's just not what the world is. Yeah. You have to come to work each every day. And you have to come to work, bring your a game and a good spirit Because it's people like you that produce. it's the lighting and the audio on everybody. This is not just my job. This is me keeping everybody else to be able to pay their mortgages. Absolutely. And you were talking about Netflix. I mean, there really is no more important place for a comic to be than in the door there and get a part of that and show them what you can do for them. That's right by hitting that algorithm hitting those points that they need And now you've done it. and I think that's what they saw. You know, I could tell them anything, but they saw that explosion live. Absolutely. But just like here, an explosion live. I'm telling you, I was in a grocery store. When are you going back to the view? When you go I said when they call me, whenever they call me, we call Yeah and anytime you need me, I'm willing to come I love coming. I love sitting in, but what I really do really want people to know how thankful God and our country for allowing me to do something I love with those that I love. And I was happy to be here with Alyssa, feellllow Republicans. Eact talking. and it was great to see her. And let's hope we can get this girl's trip together for Las Vegas to go see Jimmy Janit is that Vegas residency. That's awesome. No that was. Yeah, I love that All right, switching gears a little bit. Okay you live in Los Angeles and you referenced this before. The elections that have been happening there have been getting a lot of news. You're Republican. Yes. What did you make of the idea that Spencer Pratt? could be the next mayor of Los Angeles. I think the country is exhausted in some Republican because I'm considered a rhino to the Republican Party, but some Republican who used to be either a reality show person or whatever you are and now you want to come into politics. There's only what maybe fifteen, thirteen to eighteen percent of Republicans in Southern California and in Los Angeles. So he had a stiff hill to climb. And then you want to do your little AI stuff and you think that's going to bring the voters out See I don't know. I really was not supportive of his candidacy, but it is unfortunate. I think Karen Bass is a great leader for the city and I hope that she will understand what the city really needs now and we give her the chance. to be reelected to do what she needs to do. But if the other young lady it was Raman, Yes If she gets elected, I hope she doesn't go so far to the left, you know, because we got the Olympics coming and we got the result it's a big time for We're. we got everything coming in through California. I think somebody needs to talk to Caruso, the developer and see if we can develop downtown and and brings jobs. This is the other thing. I did not really feel confident that Spincer Pratt really bring the coalition together to bring jobs and production back to Southern California. is' too many people that are out of work. We don't mind flying somewhere to work, but sometimes we want to drive to work and we want to drive home and see our families and sleep in our beds. So whoever becomes the mayor There's a lot of work to be done, and I hope that we elect the right person to do it. We talked about this a little bit earlier in the week on the show. The fact that the elections take a little minute in California has made a lot of people jump to the idea that there's some sort of election fraud going on, the idea that it's only election fraud when you lose. that doesn't you notice that case's like Casablanca. with with Claude Reigns' gambling and then they bring him his money, right? Yeah. So But to me, here's the thing. I think the process of elections in the state of California, I think is a good process. whyy? You cannot vote without them verifying your identity. So every by time I voter ID, unnecessary, they already verify. You have to have that ballot postmarked by election day and they have little they look like post office box, but they're not. They're where you can put your ballot specifically. Yeah and you postage is free so everybody can participate can vote and every registered voter gets a ballot sent to them. So if you don't want to vote, it's because either there's a circumstance why you can't Or you just didn't want to vote, but they're trying to increase participation. And I don't think there's fraud why? because you still got to verify. That's why it's takaking longer. Our process works. and I think the president and anybody else alluding to the speaker of the House and anybody saying' fraud or it looks fishy or something, you're just saying that for clicks You're just saying that in front of the camera because we could say where you got elected in was fishy If you want us to. And doesn't the president vote by mail? He does. in Florida. He does, but he says that's different because he's the president. Okay. See, I think that's unfair. And I want people to know, California is not as liberal as people think. We're more moderate on things and there are a lot of It's a big state with a lot of different people. Absolutely. San Joquin Valley, where I went to high school more conservative And for people that's talkking about, oh, it doesn't work. Okaykay, Ronald Reagan was the governor and become the president. Okay. so for me I want people to really cheer us on so we pick the right representatives. And I think the governor race is really great. Steyer came in, he put an influx of his own money, but he also put an influx of discussion in there. I think Hilton might get a shot, but why is nobody talking about the fact that you meet a governor of California and come from somewhere else? I thought we were supposed to be stopping all that what does it come from some other country and come in and try to take over America. Okaykay?. And Swarzenegger. Yes, that's right. I was going to say it, but I' wait for you to sorry.. And then Javier I think I Yeah I think he I think he could make a good governor. and I would love to see that happen in our country And I think he's the right temperament to be the governor. While I'm not campaigning for anybody, I want what's best for our state. and I want somebody that's going to bring back jobs in the entertainment business, settle down these ice issues. This is not what we're about in America. And let's just get back to the business of being Americans. while we're celebrating two hundred fifty years. There we go. All right on that note. Listen, since we mentioned before, I do want to say, if you are struggling Help is available, callall the Suicide and Crisis hotline at nine hundred eighty eight. And thank you so much joining me today Cheryl a lot of. I love it. Please can see Cheryl all over the country on her I need a job tour. Doesn't sound like you're gonna need a job for long. Visit her website for tickets at Cheryl undernderwood dot com dot Tmorrow, Cheryl will be back on the show, which will be a lot of fun. Yes, very excitited. And I'll be back on the podcast with Melissa We'll see you then. Yay, Yay