Desus and Mero: Why they split and why it’s so hurtful
It’s understandable given what The Kid Mero, Desus Nice and their beloved show — the first of its kind in late night — represent to many, launching a series that helped pave the way for others that have also shone a light on community and conversation, including Lebron James’ “The Shop: Uninterrupted” on HBO (which is owned by CNN’s parent company) and “Tha God’s Honest Truth with Charlamagne Tha God” on Comedy Central.
A source close to the co-hosts confirmed to CNN that Lopez was banned from the set by Showtime after multiple complaints of alleged bad behavior including bullying staff members.
The source, who requested anonymity citing concern for professional relationships, said Lopez’s alleged problematic behavior preceded the Showtime series, which ran for four seasons starting in 2019 and dates back to the pair’s time hosting their show on Viceland, which ran for two seasons beginning in 2016.
CNN has reached out to Lopez and reps for Desus, Mero and Showtime for comment about the allegations.
According to the source, Showtime received multiple complaints about Lopez by the end of last year and conducted an investigation into the allegations before instituting the ban – something Desus supported, but Mero did not.
‘Whatever you need me to do, I’m there’
There is history behind Mero’s seeming loyalty to Lopez that dates back to well before the show came to be.
Bronx native Mero described Lopez as a smart, “South side Jamaica, Queens [in New York City] kid” who graduated with honors from college and came across Mero’s comedy writing before he became famous.
According to Mero, Lopez was working for a small company that specialized in independent films and was looking to expand into management when he started advocating for Mero.
“He was just like ‘Yo, there’s this dude man. This Kid Mero dude, man he’s funny as f***,'” Mero recalled of those early years in the clip.
“‘I feel like White people don’t understand it, but they will though. Trust me,'” Mero quoted Lopez as saying.
Mero said Lopez was told by his then boss that if he wanted to stay employed at the company, he needed to distance himself from Mero.
“[Lopez] was like, ‘Well I guess I ain’t working here no more’ and he quit the job on the spot,” Mero said. “So since then I’ve been like, ‘Bruh, I’ll do whatever…Whatever you need me to do, you know what I’m…
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