Imagine a show like “The Last Dance,” but about comedy instead of basketball. Katt Williams, a legendary comedian, did a super long interview with Shannon Sharpe on the Club Shay Shay podcast. He came to speak the truth and set things straight. It was a raw and honest chat about comedy and the real deal behind the scenes. Katt Williams Interview with Shannon Sharpe was a roll coaster.
During the interview, Williams drops some wild statements (like saying Harvey Weinstein was ready to offer sexual favors to him in front of his agency). He talked about grudges with a bunch of comedians, including Cedric the Entertainer (who supposedly stole his joke) and Michael Blackson (who he thinks doesn’t get booed enough). Katt Williams also gets into details about making Friday After Next; and brushes off gossip about his personal life. He might not always be believable, and some parts—like calling Kim Kardashian a “whore” or focusing a lot on male comedians wearing dresses—might surprise you. But overall, it’s a hold-on-tight-and-enjoy-the-show kind of situation.
Even before Katt Williams’s Interview with Shannon Sharpe wrapped up on YouTube, it rapidly gained traction on Twitter. It ignited a viral storm with memes, jokes, and fact-checking, stirring reactions from Williams’s mentioned subjects. This conversation sparked discussions about the limited exposure young Black comedians receive compared to their older counterparts. Watching the full podcast episode provides the complete impact, but here’s a glimpse of its standout moments, bold claims, and potential legal concerns.
On-Air Argument with Wanda Smith
Katt Williams, in a candid chat on “Club Shay Shay,” revisited the explosive 2018 clash with Wanda Smith, shedding light on what led to the showdown. Promised a celebration of his Emmy win, the interview took an unexpected turn, spiralling into a verbal spar that Williams described as a setup. Accusations flew as he recounted feeling embarrassed in front of a significant LGBTQ+ audience. Amidst the chaos, he alleged a terrifying incident involving a firearm, attributing it to the escalating tension. Sellers, Smith’s husband, refuted these claims, emphasizing his motive was protection. Williams, grappling with the aftermath, painted a harrowing picture of conflict that transcended comedy.
“I am not to offend Black women with short hair or those who are heavyset. Neither do I intend to upset fellow comedians or anyone else. I possess the ability to dissect and critique without resorting to offensive remarks. I understand that using terms like “gnarled fingers” might go over your head due to your limited education, rendering you unable to respond, and that’s not my goal”.
Katt Williams Interview with Shannon Sharpe
Katt Williams Interview with Shannon Sharpe On Kevin Hart
Regarding Kevin Hart, Williams claimed, “In 15 years in Hollywood, no one remembers a packed Kevin Hart show, a line for him, or a standing ovation at any comedy club. He arrived with deals in hand. Ever heard of a comedian landing in L.A., getting a network sitcom, and leading a film like Soul Plane within their first year? Unheard of then or since. Was he a ‘plant’? His documentary shows his comedy roots were on the East Coast. How was he here in L.A. doing the same? It didn’t happen.”
He also alleged,
“For five years, every movie Hart did came across my desk. I requested changes to remove offensive content but was disregarded. They then gave those roles to others and labeled me the problem for standing by my standards.”
Katt Williams
Williams criticized the idea of no gatekeepers, citing Hart’s role in promoting Tiffany Haddish. He claimed,
“There are gatekeepers, and I’ve seen them, with Kevin allegedly letting Tiffany in.” Hart responded on Twitter, promoting his Netflix film, advising Williams to address his apparent anger, adding, “It’s honestly sad.”
Katt Williams
On Cedric the Entertainer
Regarding Cedric the Entertainer, Williams remarked, “Cedric’s explaining why he’s not a movie star, looking like a walrus, arms stuck to his stomach. He’s called ‘the Entertainer’ but can’t sing, dance, or write jokes. His four comedy specials? So terrible, they’re not on Netflix or Tubi.”
In response, Cedric addressed Williams’s comments on Instagram, stating, “Revisionist History, regardless of whatever Katt’s opinion. My career can’t be reduced to one joke Katt Williams claims as his.”
On Kanye West
Regarding Kanye West, Williams expressed, “It’s questionable to label someone with mental illness and then hold them accountable as though they don’t have special needs. Shouldn’t we grade them differently? We’re the ones who elevated him to the level of calling himself Yeezus, praising a lyricist as a genius. He married someone seen as a ‘whore’ because that’s what he pursued for his family foundation. How else did she end up with Pete Davidson? If even Pete isn’t sufficient, what does that say about the product?”
Williams refrained from supporting or vilifying Kanye, stating, “I don’t comprehend our expectations of him. It’s like criticizing a basketball player for not scoring in hockey—he doesn’t play hockey!”
On Harvey Weinstein
About Harvey Weinstein, Williams mentioned,
“They ostracized me for discussing Harvey Weinstein even before the news broke. He made an indecent proposal in front of my agency colleagues. I was taken aback—thinking I was the only Black person involved, yet there were three others. I declined, but what about the rest?”
Katt Williams
On Steve Harvey
Regarding Steve Harvey, Williams commented, “Becoming a movie star as a country-bumpkin Black dude who struggles with speech isn’t a script Hollywood typically seeks from its 30,000 yearly offerings. Steve claimed he left stand-up for seven TV shows, but the truth is, he didn’t have those shows when he quit. The real reason was a comedy showdown in Detroit against Katt Williams, where I called out his wig, and he couldn’t handle it. He then spins tales blaming Bernie Mac and others for wanting movie stardom, yet he called Ocean’s Eleven to chase a role.”
Williams also pointed out discrepancies in Harvey’s storytelling, saying, “Steve Harvey fabricates tales, like claiming he was once homeless when that was my reality, not his. He wasn’t homeless; he was touring, making cash, and performing regularly with Mark Curry. His claims of crediting success to his wives keep changing, forgetting he credited the first wife before marrying someone who ‘thinks like a man.’ They’re rewriting history.”
On Rickey Smiley
Regarding Rickey Smiley’s claims about the movie “Friday After Next,” Williams countered, “I don’t understand why he’d fabricate a story after losing a child; it’s alarming. Smiley’s narrative clashes with his image as a Christian comedian who avoided cursing but was supposed to play a pimp? And why hasn’t he addressed playing more women than men in movies? If you can’t act, it’s evident in your work—just like Rickey Smiley’s inability to portray roles.”
He was so extreme that I specified in my contract not to work with Rickey Smiley unless he was dressed as a woman. And what did he do in his next movie? First Sunday—did he wear a dress? Absolutely. It’s in my contract; that’s where he fits as an actor. Both him and Tyler Perry can’t pull off a male role convincingly. They excel at portraying women, and I believe the best actor should get the best-suited role.
In response, on January 4, Smiley addressed Williams on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show. He brought on his former manager to confirm he auditioned for Money Mike’s role before Williams. However, he expressed gratitude that Williams got the part, making it funnier, saying, “There’s no way I could have nailed that role like he did.” Smiley chose not to make derogatory remarks in return, highlighting how Williams’s comments affected his kids and emphasized, “It’s all love from my side.”
On Chris Tucker
Regarding Chris Tucker, Williams mentioned, “The Chris Tucker we see now is Epstein Island Chris Tucker, not the Smokey we remember. He didn’t want to be known as the face of smoking weed; he’s not much of a weed smoker. He’s into the church scene and was close pals with Michael Jackson, who nicknamed him Christmas. Quite a unique moniker, don’t you think?”
On Diddy Williams
On Diddy, Williams stated, “I entered this industry with a commitment to revealing truths. When I addressed Michael Jackson and R. Kelly, they silenced me. It’s not about race; it’s about which side you’re on—God’s side versus the other. In 2024, all these prominent deceitful figures are facing consequences. It doesn’t matter if it’s Diddy or anyone else like T.D. Jakes. The truth will prevail, exposing all lies.”
On Faizon Love
When it comes to comedians I showcase, they’re always funnier than me. Anyone claiming otherwise is spreading falsehoods. In this industry, there’s no one quite like me. Faizon claimed that getting a Netflix special is a breeze. Well, I’ve got 12 specials, and guess how many Faizon has? Zero. It’s baffling why he’s entitled to weigh in on discussions about genuine stand-up talent. It’s like allowing those on performance-enhancing substances to talk about authentic athletes.
On Michael Blackson
Regarding Michael Blackson, Williams commented, “Many comedians need more booing in their career. Take Michael Blackson, a real African with a fake African accent.
If you claim to be the African King of Comedy, there are actual comedians in Africa doing the craft. If that’s your claim, you’ve got to put in the work, and establish something substantial. When I offer advice, some change their entire persona, then resent me for it.”
In response, Blackson tweeted on January 3, calling Williams a “very smart midget neega,” mentioning that Williams took shots at the top 10 comedians to prompt responses and regain relevance.
On Jonathan Majors
On Jonathan Majors, Williams remarked, “I steered clear of dating white women, not because I dislike them—they’re as wonderful as any other women. But I’ve got this fear, a legitimate one. You could be Kang the Conqueror, but they’d have you down in no time flat. They spent two years worldwide calling this guy good-looking. Since when? When did they start admiring a big nose or a broad jaw? That’s my old man’s look! When did they start liking that? If this not-so-handsome fellow is good-looking, then all of us are good-looking.”
On Meagan Good
Regarding Meagan Good and Majors, he said, “Thank you, Meagan Good, for coming in looking so stunning. If she hadn’t shown up, he’d have been in deep trouble. She walked in looking so beautiful, they had to tone it down for fairness.”
Katt Williams Interview with Shannon Sharpe On Joe Rogan
On Joe Rogan, Williams commented, “Joe doesn’t want me on his show. He’s got six unfunny comedians he’s backing.”
On Martin Lawrence
Regarding Martin Lawrence, Williams revealed, “Martin wanted me in his movie, promising it’d be a buddy-cop thing. But then he pulled out Big Momma’s House 2, asking me to wear a dress. It was a shocker.”
Katt Williams Interview with Shannon Sharpe On Taraji P. Henson
On Taraji P. Henson’s struggle for fair pay, Williams empathized, “It’s a shame to see someone at the top of their game still facing pay inequality. They wanted to pay her the same as a newcomer despite her stature. It’s unjust. It’s like not paying teachers and claiming kids are a priority—you can’t have it both ways. This era is about victims speaking out, saying they’ve suffered for too long.”
It seems like the conversations around these individuals have been quite heated! How do you feel about the way these remarks were made?
Watch the entire video here: