Latest news with #AnthonyWeiner
Fox News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Adam Friedland on why comedians should focus on being funny, not becoming 'modern-day philosophers'
Comedian and talk show host Adam Friedland has been turning heads online with his unique version of talk television on "The Adam Friedland Show." There, he turns the heat up on his guests in hilarious fashion, never shying away from the sometimes uncomfortable questions on everyone's minds. Friedland sat down with Fox News Digital and broke down why he believes comedians shouldn't be looked at as "modern-day philosophers" as they sometimes are, and why taking yourself too seriously as a comedian may not be the right move if your focus in life is to make people laugh. The 38-year-old comedian hosts a weekly talk show where he interviews a wide range of guests — from politicians like California Rep. Ro Khanna and disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner, to former NBA star Blake Griffin and the Nelk Boys' Aaron Steinberg. Regardless of who you are or what you do, one thing you can count on when you go on Friedland's show is that he will test your wit and ask you uncomfortable questions. For example, when interviewing Anthony Weiner, the comedian did not shy away from addressing the elephant in the room. "You haven't seen the documentary, right? About your run for, I mean, I imagine that would be like f-----g stressful as f--- for you to watch it," he asked, referencing the 2016 documentary "Weiner" that depicted the former congressman's disastrous 2013 bid for New York City mayor. Like his stint in Congress, his run was blown up by a sexting scandal that made him a national punchline. "I'll say this, as a person that just watched it, it's incredible," he told Weiner. Friedland's never-ending bits typically fly over the heads of the unsuspecting celebrities or politicians on the show, making for hilariously awkward interactions. Fox News Digital asked Friedland whether he believes guests like Weiner are aware that they are submitting to be put in uncomfortable positions like this before coming on his show. "Probably. Anthony Weiner is running for city council now so he's trying to relaunch a campaign. I think sometimes a lot of guests don't really know what to make of me, which is fun," he replied. "It makes a fun show." Since Friedland's interview with Fox, Weiner lost his city council bid. It is becoming more commonplace to see prominent politicians like President Donald Trump and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., making appearances on comedians' podcasts. The line between political media and comedy podcasts can sometimes seem blurry. While Friedland admits that he's always been interested in politics and occasionally hosts politicians on his show, he's upfront with the fact that his main objective is to "just do what's funny," and not take himself too seriously. "I guess comedy is having a good moment right now. I don't think it should be one or the other though. I think we should have the media. I do jokes on stage about Tinder and stuff. I don't think that makes me into Wolf Blitzer," he joked. The comedian noted that nowadays, comedians are sometimes "looked to as authorities in a way" in which they are not. "I try to kind of be mindful of that, I guess, when I'm doing my talk show." He joked, "Because I am kind of, effectively, I am an idiot." One of Friedland's favorite comics growing up, Norm Macdonald, had similar feelings about comedians being looked at as sage-like figures. "You know, Norm Macdonald had a quote once that said that people say comedians are like modern-day philosophers, and that's really insulting to modern-day philosophers. And I think I would probably agree with that," he concurred. Growing up, Friedland's favorite comedians were the type of people whose main objective was simply humor, and never aspired to be looked at as "modern-day philosophers." They also include comedy icons like Louis C.K., Kat Williams and Conan O'Brien, whom Friedland credits with inspiring the loose and "silly" atmosphere on his show.
The Hill
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Anthony Weiner loses political comeback bid
The controversial former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) has lost his second attempt at a political comeback, losing the Democratic nomination for a seat on the New York City Council, Decision Desk HQ projects. He was defeated by state Assembly member Harvey Epstein. Weiner and Epstein were part of a five-person race for the Democratic nomination for District 2, part of Manhattan. Weiner's loss doesn't come as a surprise given the controversies surrounding him for the past 15 years. He received about 10 percent of the votes, coming in fourth place, according to DDHQ. Weiner had represented New York's 9th Congressional District in the House for years when he was revealed to have sent sexually explicit photos of himself to multiple women while married. He resigned from office. He attempted a political comeback previously, running in the 2013 mayor's race, but he performed poorly in the Democratic primary as additional revelations of sexting came out while he was running. Additional disclosures came out in later years, and he pleaded guilty to a charge of sending obscene material to a minor after he was revealed to have sexted with an underage girl. He served more than a year in prison and registered as a sex offender.
Toronto Star
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Harvey Epstein wins NYC Council primary, defeating Anthony Weiner's comeback bid
NEW YORK (AP) — State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein has won the Democratic primary for a New York City Council seat in lower Manhattan, thwarting former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner's long-shot attempt to return to the political stage. Voting concluded June 24, but the winner wasn't established until Tuesday when ranked choice voting results were released. Epstein now moves to the city's general election in the fall.
Washington Post
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Harvey Epstein wins NYC Council primary, defeating Anthony Weiner's comeback bid
NEW YORK — State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein has won the Democratic primary for a New York City Council seat in lower Manhattan, thwarting former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner's long-shot attempt to return to the political stage. Voting concluded June 24 , but the winner wasn't established until Tuesday when ranked choice voting results were released. Epstein now moves to the city's general election in the fall.
Associated Press
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Harvey Epstein wins NYC Council primary, defeating Anthony Weiner's comeback bid
NEW YORK (AP) — State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein has won the Democratic primary for a New York City Council seat in lower Manhattan, thwarting former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner's long-shot attempt to return to the political stage. Voting concluded June 24, but the winner wasn't established until Tuesday when ranked choice voting results were released. Epstein now moves to the city's general election in the fall. Weiner had entered the race in the hopes of restarting his political career after it was derailed by sexting scandals. He was eventually sent to prison for sending sexually explicit messages to a 15-year-old girl. He finished far behind Epstein and some other candidates. While Weiner's candidacy brought a spotlight to the primary, Epstein also captured some unexpected attention. Late last year, a 'Saturday Night Live' sketch spoofed his name's similarity to sex offenders Harvey Weinstein and Jeffery Epstein, with comedian John Mulaney playing the part of a candidate struggling to make clear to voters that he was not, in fact, one of the notorious sex criminals. Harvey Epstein took the bit in stride, reposting it on his Instagram account. The former lawyer and tenant organizer has been in the state legislature since 2018. Weiner had been a strong Democratic voice in Congress before his political star plummeted in 2011 after he sent a lewd picture of himself to a college student on Twitter. He resigned from Congress, tried a comeback by running for New York City mayor, then got caught up in another sexting scandal. In 2017, prosecutors said he had engaged in illicit online contact with a high school student. Weiner pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor. During the campaign, Weiner did not shy away from his past scandal, but told The Associated Press he struggled with how best to address what he had done when talking to voters.
