The TV personality weighs in on the media and public quickly judging the singer after the latter's arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence in Sag Harbor.
- Jun 19, 2024
AceShowbiz - In a recent segment, Chris Cuomo made a plea for public empathy towards troubled celebrities, pointing out how the tendency to highlight "gotcha" moments often overshadows essential issues. After Justin Timberlake's arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence in Sag Harbor, the media and public were quick to judge and ridicule the pop star. Cuomo, referencing the incident, emphasized that "what you do most often is what you will do best." The host suggested that society's habit of trafficking in negativity is something we have become exceptionally good at, and it's high time this changed.
Cuomo's insightful commentary began with a reflection on Timberlake's arrest. While acknowledging the severe implications of drinking and driving, he expressed skepticism about Timberlake's actual guilt. "I don't even know that the guy did it," Cuomo remarked, referencing Timberlake's refusal to take a breathalyzer test despite exhibiting signs of alcohol impairment. Yet, rather than focusing on the singer's potential hazards, the narrative has been dominated by the pleasure of seeing a celebrity's downfall.
According to Cuomo, the media circus surrounding Timberlake's arrest illustrates a broader societal issue. "This is for the local papers, for the crime log and your local paper. It's the appetite for the gotcha that consumes us. To show Justin Timberlake, and now let's fit him in with all the other celebrities who have done this. Let's judge him, let's judge them because it makes us feel better about ourselves," Cuomo contended, reflecting on how such incidents are often blown out of proportion simply because they involve well-known personalities.
Throughout his segment, Cuomo lamented the media's focus on scandal over substance. "The public loves to see them come down, to feed this weird need to bring down others," he noted, in an apparent nod to his own past controversies involving allegations of sexual misconduct and his role in advising his brother Andrew Cuomo. The host pointed out the contrast between the current media environment and coverage priorities of the past, suggesting that national attention should pivot back to issues that can lead to positive change.
