*CNN viewers were furious after the network aired a two-hour documentary on late singer Luther Vandross instead of providing ongoing coverage of the New Year’s Day terrorist attack.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight on January 1, when a pickup truck driver plowed into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people and injuring 30 others. Critics argued the CNN’s decision to broadcast the film showed insensitivity, as the terrorist attack occurred hours earlier and left many seeking updates on the developing situation, the New York Post reports.
“So disrespectful to the victims & their families,” Tom Sileo, an author and former copy editor at CNN wrote on X, adding that he “can’t believe I used to work there, but when I did, at least we cared about news.”
“Biggest act of terrorism on US soil in almost a decade and @CNN in primetime is airing a 2 hour documentary on Luther Vandross,” Wall Street Journal editor-at-large Gerard Baker wrote on X.
Texas-based attorney Adam Loewy wrote on X: “CNN is currently running a 2 hour documentary on Luther Vandross. Guess there’s no news to cover today.”
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CNN’s “Luther: Never Too Much” documentary “chronicles the story of Vandross from his formative years in Harlem, appearing in the Apollo Theater house band and the first episodes of Sesame Street, through his ascendance to become the indisputable master of the love song,” per Deadline.
The documentary on the late singer, who died in 2005, is told through archival clips of Vandross’ voice, alongside interviews with Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, Valerie Simpson, and Roberta Flack.
“Using a wealth of rarely seen archives, Luther tells his own story with assistance from his closest friends and musical collaborators including Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, Valerie Simpson and Roberta Flack,” the trailer’s description states. “The film relives the many stunning moments of Luther’s musical career while exploring his personal life, health struggles, and a lifelong battle to earn the respect his music deserved.”
“Luther: Never Too Much” initially premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. It debuted on CNN on New Year’s Day at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
The FBI is investigating the New Orleans incident as a potential act of terrorism. The truck driver has been identified as U.S. Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar.
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: Luther Vandross Documentary ‘Never Too Much’ Will Debut on CNN New Year’s Day | WatchTrailer
