*On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the hosts of “The Real” talk about Jussie Smollett being indicted by a grand jury in Chicago. Co-hosts Loni Love and Tamera Mowry-Housley feel that the case is just a political statement.
Co-host Jeannie Mai thinks if Smollett is guilty, he needs to pay for the damage he’s done to the LGBTQ community. But co-host Amanda Seales has very strong feelings that no one was hurt in this situation, that black men are overly punished for small crimes all the time and that he should only receive a slap on the wrist.
The ladies also bring up coronavirus-related xenophobic behavior that has started to become prevalent. Jeannie mentions that she has seen it in her social media mentions and to combat the misinformation, she embraces some lucky audience members – and shares a kiss with Loni!
Then actor Joe Mantegna stops by to discuss the finale of Criminal Minds and discuss some of his famous friends and fans including Tony Bennett and Ringo Starr!
And in honor of The Real’s upcoming 1000th episode, the ladies take some time to reminisce about one of their most outrageous moments and view a Season Three clip where Tamera confesses to a strange habit!
Amanda On Jussie Smollett: “Even If It Was A Hoax… That’s Low-Key Noble.”
Loni Love: Chicago politics is ruthless, ok? And I’m telling you, this is more about Kim Foxx and that situation than Jussie. They’re just using Jussie as a scape – come on, y’all. It was no victims. They can’t really prove it.
Amanda Seales: Thank you.
Loni: Everything was jumbled.
Amanda: Even if it was a hoax, even if it was a hoax, this is really happening all the time. And even if it was a hoax for the sake of bringing attention to this, then I’m like, that’s low-key noble. Like, I’m just at my wits end about us centering situations like this and wanting to make people have to pay. Like, Emmett Till’s accuser was alive – I think she’s still alive.
Loni: Yeah, she is.
Amanda: And this young man died, and she announced that she was lying about it – they should have put the shackles on her that day! And she’s walking around!
[The Real audience applauds]
Amanda: So – no one was hurt in this situation, nobody – you know what they’re mad about? “Their time.” “Their resources being used.”
Jeannie Mai: And the money.
Amanda: “Taxpayers resources being” – Taxpayers resources are being used every day to imprison people who have done nothing but be an addict.
[The Real audience applauds]
Amanda: So I don’t want to hear about Jussie Smollett.
Adrienne Houghton: Ok, but what do we do about people that feel that, “Well, what if a hate crime really happens to me, and now because of what Jussie Smollett did, now they don’t believe me.”
Amanda: If this one instance is what makes them not believe you baby, that’s a lie that they’re telling ourselves. We have lived in a nation where they don’t believe hate crimes every day. Every single day.
[The Real audience applauds]
Jeannie: Sure, sure.
Adrienne: Can you give an answer?
Amanda: Jussie’s not stopping that.
Jeannie: But I just want to ask, because Jussie’s – it is huge nationwide news, because he is famous. So if it was a hoax, what do you think is the correct punishment, and do you think he should be punished?
Amanda: They put murderers on probation, Jeannie.
Jeannie: Sure, sure but I’m asking about Jussie Smollett, I’m asking about that because you said it was low-key noble, I just want to understand –
Adrienne: He should be applauded?
Amanda: There’s no – oh [slaps her wrist] Damn!
Adrienne: Oh.
Amanda: They got smack on the wrist for all these people and they can’t give a smack on the wrist for Jussie Smollett? Like, because they’re saying it’s a whole big thing? I’m just – I don’t believe it. We look at black men who are constantly getting the book thrown at them all the time. All the time. All the time.
[The Real audience applauds]
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About THE REAL
THE REAL is a live daily, one-hour, two-time NAACP Image Award-winning and Emmy-nominated talk show now in its sixth season on Fox Television Stations and in national syndication (check local listings), with a rebroadcast on cable network Bounce. The bold, diverse and outspoken Emmy Award-winning hosts, Adrienne Houghton, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai, Tamera Mowry-Housley and Amanda Seales, all frankly say what women are actually thinking. Their unique perspectives are brought to life through candid conversations about their personal lives, current events, beauty, fashion and relationships (nothing is off limits). Unlike other talk shows, THE REAL hosts are admittedly a “work in progress,” and fearlessly invite viewers to reflect on their own lives and opinions. Fresh points of view, youthful energy and passion have made THE REAL a platform for multicultural women. Produced by Telepictures Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, THE REAL is led by Executive Producer, Rachel Miskowiec (Good Morning America, Katie, The Tyra Banks Show, Judge Hatchett, The Ricki Lake Show) and shot in Los Angeles, California.
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