Ari Lennox Doubles Down on hating Martins Jokes to Pam & Brown skin women's treatment in the industry. + Dana White Scores $7billion UFC Deal

Summary

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The Breakfast Club – August 12, 2025

Ari Lennox Doubles Down on Hating Martin’s Jokes to Pam & Brown Skin Women's Treatment in the Industry. + Dana White Scores $7 Billion UFC Deal
Host: Lauren LaRosa (The Latest with Lauren LaRosa segment)

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Episode Overview

This episode tackles two hot-button topics in pop culture and entertainment: the seismic $7.7 billion UFC-Paramount deal orchestrated by Dana White, and singer Ari Lennox’s outspoken critique of the classic sitcom Martin—specifically its humor targeted at the character Pam, and its broader implications for the portrayal of dark-skinned women on television. Lauren LaRosa provides sharp industry analysis and personal commentary, setting the stage for ongoing debates about media power, representation, and cultural nostalgia.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The $7.7 Billion UFC Deal with Paramount

(02:47–08:27)

• Massive Media Merger: Dana White, UFC owner and major figure in televised combat sports, secured a deal with Paramount for $7.7 billion spanning seven years ($1.1 billion/year).
• Television Power Shift: Lauren connects the timing of this deal to the recent Trump-CBS-Skydance merger, discussing how the realignment of media and entertainment platforms is closely tied to the current political landscape.
  • “It seems like...Donald Trump is building what he wants to see in his own TV network, which a lot of people have been saying is what we will begin to see from the news stations.” (05:05 – Lauren LaRosa)
• Trump’s Media Influence: Highlights suspicions of favoritism and strategic placement, with Trump’s allies benefiting in the media sphere.
  • “You can’t...not call a spade a spade. The timing is pretty insane.” (04:58 – Lauren LaRosa)
• Change in UFC Model: The end to UFC’s pay-per-view wall—now accessible to Paramount+ subscribers—has strategic business advantages, broadening audience reach and ad revenue opportunities.
  • Dana White’s Statement:
    “For the first time ever, fans in the US will have access to all UFC content without a pay-per-view model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform.” (06:13 – quoted by Lauren LaRosa)
• Media Consolidation’s Impact: Lauren calls out a recurring theme—control over media equals cultural and political influence. Cites:
  “Malcolm X said, if you control the minds of the media, you can control the people. I don't know if you realize what's happening here.” (07:28 – Lauren LaRosa)

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2. Ari Lennox vs. Martin and Colorism in the Industry

(08:27–13:46)

• Ari Lennox’s Critique:
  Ari Lennox doubles down on her discomfort with Martin's sustained jokes targeting Pam, linking it to the way darker-skinned women are treated in Black entertainment.
  • “Thing that pissed me off about Martin was how, how much he would go on Pam... there are some things where I draw the line and it just bothers me. [Pam] so beautiful and so fine. And I just feel like growing up as a chocolate girl... I was being fed...always going on Pam...”
    (08:41 – Ari Lennox, replayed on air)
• Industry Context: Lauren LaRosa broadens the discussion, referencing the recurring dilemma of dark-skinned and plus-sized women being sidelined to secondary roles.
  • “There’s always been a conversation about dark skinned women being either the number two...not the lead in a show; you’re the lead’s friend, you play opposite the lead...”
    (09:36 – Lauren LaRosa)
• Debating Intent and Effect: Lauren challenges Ari’s reading, arguing the Pam character’s sharp comedic talents, not her skin tone, made her the regular butt (and comeback queen) of Martin’s humor.
  • “Even if Pam was as light skinned as Gina...I still think the jokes would have flew. I think that was the nature of the show...Pam—Tichina Arnold's character—was a lot stronger at comedy.” (10:40 – Lauren LaRosa)
• Ari Lennox’s Rebuttal:
  Ari stands by her comments despite backlash:
  “If I had ill intent, I would have came on here with a PowerPoint...But I will stand on business forever knowing them jokes was wild...I never was a fan of roasting, period...I am a very sensitive and I will for sure drag somebody to hell every time...”
  (12:04 – Ari Lennox, via Lauren LaRosa)
• Lauren’s Take on Ari’s Stance:
  Lauren admires Ari's willingness to voice an unpopular opinion, even if she disagrees:
  • “I’m always here for a person that can stand on whatever business that it is that they choose to stand on. Now, whether I think it’s true or not, no, I don’t. I think it’s absolutely insane.” (12:44 – Lauren LaRosa)
  • She also relates the generational/cultural disconnect, saying:
    “This is exactly why [old heads] don’t want us to touch nothing because we beat and made Martin so woke if we redid it...I’m cool being sleep about Martin is one of them.” (13:14 – Lauren LaRosa)
• Open Call for Listener Opinions: Lauren closes the topic by inviting audience views:
  “Let me know what y' all think. Is Ari Lennox up to something? Or do she need to go back to sleep. She too woke.” (13:48 – Lauren LaRosa)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the UFC Deal and Media Power:
  “If you control the minds of the media, you can control the people.”
  – Lauren LaRosa quoting Malcolm X (07:28)
• Ari Lennox’s Core Sentiment:
  “There are some things where I draw the line and it just [bothers] me… I just didn’t like that.”
  – Ari Lennox (08:41)
• Lauren on Nostalgia vs. “Wokeness”:
  “We beat and made Martin so woke if we redid it...I’m cool being sleep about Martin is one of them.”
  – Lauren LaRosa (13:14)

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Segment Timestamps

• 02:47 – Lauren LaRosa opens on UFC/Paramount/Trump media deal
• 05:05 – Trump’s influence on media consolidation, “what we will begin to see”
• 06:13 – Dana White’s statement on the new UFC distribution model
• 07:28 – Media power quote, “if you control the minds…”
• 08:27 – Transition to Ari Lennox and Martin
• 08:41 – Ari Lennox’s audio/social media critique (quote)
• 09:36 – Lauren on colorism and secondary roles in Hollywood
• 10:40 – Lauren’s case for character-comedy over colorism on Martin
• 12:04 – Ari Lennox defends her position (“stand on business”)
• 12:44 – Lauren’s response and reflections on remaking classics
• 13:48 – Lauren opens topic for listener feedback

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Tone & Takeaways

Lauren LaRosa balances bold opinion, cultural critique, and humor. Her style is frank, energetic, and unafraid to challenge both major shifts in the media industry and generational conversations about representation and respect in Black pop culture. The debate over Martin is framed not only as a discussion of individual sensitivities but as part of a larger discourse about the evolving expectations for inclusivity and the ongoing impact of classic shows.

For listeners who missed the episode:
Expect a lively breakdown of game-changing media deals and deep dives into Black TV history, with a mix of critique and nostalgia, inviting listeners to critically assess the past—and today’s changing world.

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Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and every Bond exclusive. You know, she don't lie about that, right?

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Lauren came in hot.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Hey, y', all, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is the latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room. Now let's get right on into the latest. Now, up first, this deal is a huge, huge deal, especially after President Trump, cbs, Skydance, that whole merger that we talked about. So Dana White, who was the owner of the ufc, huge name in television, huge name in the wrestling fighting world, has just announced that he has struck a deal for $7.7 billion with Paramount. Now, this deal makes it where a lot of the MMA content that you guys watch will be on Paramount. Plus. Well, first of all, let me break down the deal. So it's $7.7 billion is $1.1 billion per year over a seven year situation. Dana White also released a statement on this deal. We'll read the statement. But this is a crazy time for this deal, especially after Trump and the Skydance merger and all the things, the Late show being taken off of TV and there's been rumors and Donald Trump has commented on Gayle King potentially losing her job allegedly because she's in murky waters because of ratings and money that is being allegedly lost and all the things, Right? It's crazy to see Dana White, who is very much Friends out loud with Donald Trump, get this crazy deal. I mean, it makes sense. I mean, anybody that is in television, anybody that understands fighting and content, knows what Dana White has done for the sport. Literally taking UFC from something that people really didn't care to watch to making it something as interesting as, you know, the way that people watch a Floyd Mayweather on TV because he's grabbing up people who are entertaining, who are, who were stars, who know how to play to a crowd, who come with an audience, all of that, all of those things. But you can't listen, you can't not call a spade a spade. The timing is pretty insane. It seems like if I'm looking from the outside, looking in, Donald Trump is building what he wants to see in his own TV network, which a lot of people have been saying is what we will begin to see from the news stations. And, you know, the different media outlets that we'll see over there, where, you know, where CBS and Paramount and Skydance and all these things used to be untapped. But in this new Trump administration, predictions are exactly what we're seeing happen. Certain things being taken away that are very radical, that are expressive, the opposite of Donald Trump and people who are in favor, who are friends, who are, you know, rubbing elbows with Donald Trump, being put in position, and I'm like, look, I'm not mad at them. Do what you gotta do. To be honest with you, I think that if both sides of the coin, I think that if Democrats did the same thing, and a lot of times I think that people are just prone to look out for people who they believe have their best interest at heart. But I do think that if Democrats were straightforward and loud enough and honest enough about doing the same thing, I think more people would have faith in what the Democratic Party is supposed to be. And the fact that, you know, a lot of people would feel like this isn't such a takeover because that's honestly what we're watching in real time now. I told you guys that Dana White released a statement. I want to read the statement to you guys. He says, the historic deal with Paramount and CBS is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes. For the first time ever, fans in the US Will have access to all UFC content without a pay per view model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform. Now, this is also just smart business wise, because these UFC fights, these, these huge fighters and everything, you know how UFC has transformed thanks to Dana White and, you know, his team and everything that they've done over there, they build up such a huge fan base and huge ratings and people downloading and paying to watch via the pay per view wall. But now there is no pay per view wall. So you're able to bring over that audience, you're able to offer them this, this premium content that they've obviously, obviously they're interested in, right, because they've been paying for it, but now it's going to be a part of various subscriptions and other things that they have. So you got your numbers. That means you'll be able to place advertisers. The formula is actually gold. Like, it makes so much sense. You can run ads, you know, throughout that content, that market, whatever you want to market. If you're a Trump administration planning what this merger, and, you know, how media will be placed around this merger as well, I'm gonna be honest with y'. All like, you know, the quote goes, Malcolm X said, if you control the minds of the media, you can control the people. I don't know if you realize what's happening here, but we talked about it before here on the podcast. We talked about this on the latest and again, I just wish that we were smart enough to do it ourselves. I wish that we had the balls to do what we are watching Donald Trump do now. Again, y' all are probably like, lauren, this is just ufc. Yeah, I hear you. But if you have been paying attention to the close relationship that Dana White has with a Donald Trump, how he's been vocal in supporting him and supporting a lot of the things that he's backing and he's standing on, you won't miss what I'm saying here. So I'm going to leave y' all to do y' all googles and figure it out. We'll see you on the other end when we're all watching UFC via Paramount and cbs and then hopefully we'll all catch up at the same time and it won't go over your head too much. Now, speaking of television, our girl Ari Lennox, you guys know we have talked about her a bit because Ari Lennox has decided that Martin and the jokes that were told on Martin are just not for her. Sadly enough, Ari Lennox is not a Stan of Martin whatsoever.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Because.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Because she feels like the jokes that Martin used to throw at Pam. Basically, if Pam was not a dark skinned woman, the jokes would be a bit differently. Let's take a listen to Ari Lennox standing on business about some comments she made about Martin.

[Ari Lennox]

Thing that pissed me off about Martin was how, how much he would go on Pam. I'm not like too woke or something is what I'm trying to say. Like I'm, I'm honestly problematic. I'm pretty problematic, low key. But my point is, is that there are some things where I draw the line and it just bother me or so beautiful and so fine. And I just feel like growing up as a chocolate girl. I don't even know if I was able to understand the greatness of Pam because of the light that I feel like I was being fed of. Just like always going on Pam, always like that's all I remember. It just would piss me off. Like the, the joking on Pam, I just didn't like that.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Now here's the thing, right? To each his own. Do what you want to do. Say what you want to say. Ari Lennox has been very vocal forever about how she feels about certain things, why she feels that Way to each his own. She has her own opinion and her own platform to do so. She also said in this live as well too, at the end of it that she was going to come back and have a conversation with us about everything that went down between her and Dreamville. Now, the last time we heard from Ari Lennox on Dreamville, she was again online being very vocal and complaining about, you know, not being supported by her label and wanting out of her deal. Now here we are. I don't necessarily agree with Ari Lennox. Like, I understand the sentiment. I get what she's leaning into because I think there's always been a conversation about dark skinned women being either the number two. So you're not the lead in a show, in a movie, you are the lead's friend. You play opposite the lead. So maybe you're a counterpart that doesn't get along with the lead. Your dialogue, your conversation, your narrative is not that much. We all know what she's leaning into here and we all know, you know, that that has been a conversation. You also have the same conversation with women who are bigger. Like, with, with bigger, like plus size models or actors or, you know, there's that whole thing. Monique has talked about that as well. I feeling like because she was, you know, the, the comedian that was bigger, her roles were set differently. She did have the Monique show though. Right. I just feel like in this situation it's different. Like, I feel like even if Pam was as light skinned as Gina, anything biracial, whatever, we wanted to put, whatever we needed to put her as to make what Ari Lennox is saying not feel so, like this could potentially be true because she's the dark skinned woman on the set. I still think the jokes would have flew. I think that that was the nature of the show. And to be honest with you, I don't even think that it was a color thing. I just think that Pam Tichina Arnold's character was a lot stronger at comedy. She was sharper, she was wittier, she could come back at him faster. And they built that. And I think in structuring that and finding a person to fit that role, she just happened to be the best, the best person for that. I don't agree here with the sentiments, but I do understand what she's trying to lean into. And I thought, I mean, look, I thought it was ballsy of her to get online to say this, to explain, express it, to then see the outrage and the backlash and you know, all the, yo, that girl is crazy. She ain't got nothing going on. That's why she's sitting here having these conversations that came from this. And then stand on business again and say this.

[Oregon Home Care Jobs Advertiser]

If I had ill intent, I would have came on here with a PowerPoint presentation that backs my claims on the types of jokes Martin used on Pam being wildly offensive. That will never be my intent or motive. But I will stand on business forever knowing them jokes was wild. And I don't say any of this with any desire to rewrite history. Those actors and actresses are legends, and I meant no harm to them. I don't need any army of people defending me or agreeing with me. That has always been a rare occurrence for me. But I feel amazing in knowing that I will validate myself and my feelings before I look to you for yours. I never was a fan of roasting, period, as I am a very sensitive and I will for sure drag somebody to hell every time she letting y'.

[Lauren LaRosa]

All know she don't have a listen, she don't have nothing to lose in this ar. Lennox is saying, I am happy with my life. I'm happy with what I have going on. This is just how I feel. And so what? If you don't agree, log off. I'm always here for a person that can stand on whatever business that it is that they choose to stand on. Now, whether I think it's true or not, no, I don't. I think it's absolutely insane. I think this is one of those things where, like, you know how you always hear the old heads, like the uncs and everybody be like, back in my day or see, that's like, y' all don't know nothing. Y' all need to leave certain things alone or we don't want remakes and, you know, things of that nature. When I listen to this conversation and Ari Lennox's remarks, I'm like, yo, this is what the old his be talking about. This is exactly why they don't want us to touch nothing because we beat and made Martin so woke if we redid it. And to be honest with y', all, it's certain things. I'm cool being sleep about Martin is one of them. Y' all let me know how y' all feel. Take it outside in the streets and tweet. We outside, we outside, we outside. Okay.

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[Lauren LaRosa]

Ari Lennox said, let me double back real quick and say something, because y' all ain't scared me out of going or saying a damn thing. Let me know what y' all think. Is Ari Lennox up to something? Oh, do she need to go back to sleep. She too woke. It's the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. I tell you guys every single episode that at the end of the day there's always so much to talk about and y' all could be anywhere with anybody talking about it. But y' all choose to be right here with me. I appreciate you guys for that and I'll see you guys in my next episode.

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[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an iheart podcast.