It’s not clear what CNN host Chris Cuomo’s problem is, but I haven’t seen one Italian — other than Cuomo himself — come out and publicly say that Cuomo equating calling an Italian “Fredo” is akin to calling a black person the “n-word.” You know why? Because it’s legit not a thing.
Now, someone who was actually in “The Godfather” has come out and said that he “couldn’t understand” why Cuomo would make that asinine comparison.
Actor Gianni Rossi, who played “Carlo” in both “The Godfather” and “The Godfather: Part II,” was interviewed by TMZ on Saturday and, of course, was asked about the confrontation Cuomo had with a “heckler” who called him “Fredo,” the weakest of the Corleone brothers in “The Godfather” films.
“I can’t believe that he would say that,” Rossi said about Cuomo’s “Fredo” comparison. “First of all, I know the whole family. His father [the late former governor of New York, Mario Cuomo] would smack him.”
When asked whether Mario Cuomo would be “ashamed” of his son for making the comparison, Rossi answered like it would’ve been a foregone conclusion.
“Of course!” Rossi replied.
“I couldn’t understand, ‘cause he’s such an intelligent kid — educated and everything else,” Rossi said before giving his further assessment of Chris Cuomo. “He’s hurt his career.”
Then, Rossi said something that essentially amounted to a basic condemnation of today’s media climate.
“All these news guys are getting so opinionated,” Rossi said. “They’re supposed to report news. It’s not about what you think.”
It’s pretty much the consensus at this point, but not very many people — if any — could make the mental leap of comparing “Fredo” with the n-word. It’s a ridiculous and irresponsible connection.
That’s CNN for ya, I guess.
For the full clip of Rossi’s comments, watch below:
H/T: Washington Examiner