Last Updated on August 19, 2021
MSNBC host Ari Melber is being widely mocked on social media this week after comparing COVID-19 and people who have not received the vaccine to rapper Notorious B.I.G.’s song “What’s Beef,” awkwardly reciting the lyrics “beef is when I see you, guaranteed to be in ICU.”
“COVID’s dangerous, it’s lethal,” Melber said. “It’s a bit like the beef Notorious B.I.G. used to rap about when he said, beef is when your moms ain’t safe up in the streets, beef is when I see you, guaranteed to be in ICU.” The comments drew widespread scorn on Twitter for their cringeworthiness this week.
“When covid sees you, you can end up in ICU. I am not making light of this. I’m trying to make sure people know – whether you’re watching this live on TV, or in a clip online – the new COVID can *land you* in the ICU.”@AriMelber cites iconic Biggie lyrics about the I.C.U. pic.twitter.com/negFQN3kzy
— The Beat with Ari Melber (@TheBeatWithAri) August 19, 2021
Melber has a history of trying to interject rap lyrics into his poorly received political monologues, so much so that he has even drawn the ire of left-wing HBO host John Oliver.
The bizarre behavior of MSNBC hosts has become something of a meme in recent months, as the network is seen by many Americans to move to the left of rival liberal news corporation CNN. In June, female host Nicole Wallace begged Democrat James Clyburn to “fill me up with wisdom” in a segment about the Republican Party:
MSNBC host Nicole Wallace raised eyebrows this week when she begged House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) to “fill” her “up with wisdom” during a fawning interview on Monday.
“Joining us now, Democrat Majority Whip, Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, Claire McCaskill still here, um, I’m gonna be really brief because I just need you to fill me up with wisdom here,” Wallace declared, adding, “but the Republicans, I spent time in that party, this is their whole game, this is a maniacal, urgent, front burner, back burner issue, and they won’t stop…”
Despite the network’s antics, it remains unable to bring in similar viewership numbers to neoconservative competitor Fox News.
