The Carlos Watson Show: Difference between revisions

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””’The Carlos Watson Show””’ is an American talk show produced by [[Ozy Media]], and aired on [[YouTube]] and [[Amazon Prime Video]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2021-08-13 |title=”The Carlos Watson Show” To Premiere Season 3 On Prime Video |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/carlos-watson-show-premiere-season-223744884.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=”:4″>{{Cite web |title=Watch The Carlos Watson Show on Amazon Prime |website=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/The-Carlos-Watson-Show/dp/B09HY51TZ4}}</ref> It initially aired one-hundred and nineteen episodes between August 2, 2020 and February 18, 2021 as a self–made show on YouTube,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haring |first=Bruce |title=”The Carlos Watson Show” Brings Emmy-Winning OZY Cofounder To YouTube Talker |url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/the-carlos-watson-show-emmy-winning-ozy-cofounder-youtube-talk-show-1203001253/ |website=Deadline|date=July 31, 2020 }}</ref> and featured well-known guests like [[Bill Gates]], [[Neil deGrasse Tyson]], [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Anthony Fauci]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schoonover |first=Nika |title=Ozy Media founder Carlos Watson ordered to pay $96 million for fraud scheme |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/ozy-media-founder-carlos-watson-ordered-to-pay-96-million-for-fraud-scheme/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=www.courthousenews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=”:5″ /> It was shortly shut down, then came back for a third season of an additional forty-three episodes on Amazon Prime from May 22, 2021 to July 21, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Media |first=O. Z. Y. |title=OZY’s Record-Breaking YouTube Talk Show Renewed for a Third Season |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ozys-record-breaking-youtube-talk-show-renewed-for-a-third-season-301217454.html |access-date=2021-03-19 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |date=August 13, 2021 |title=”The Carlos Watson Show” To Premiere Season 3 On Prime Video |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/the-carlos-watson-show-premiere-season-3-prime-video-1234814732/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref name=”:4″ />

”’The Carlos Watson Show”’ is an American talk by [[ ]] and and .<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2021-08-13 |title=”The Carlos Watson Show” To Premiere Season 3 On Prime Video |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/carlos-watson-show-premiere-season-223744884.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch The Carlos Watson Show on Amazon Prime |website=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/The-Carlos-Watson-Show/dp/B09HY51TZ4}}</ref>

It , as – <ref>{{Cite web |last=Haring |first=Bruce |title=”The Carlos Watson Show” Brings Emmy-Winning OZY Cofounder To YouTube Talker |url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/the-carlos-watson-show-emmy-winning-ozy-cofounder-youtube-talk-show-1203001253/ |website=Deadline|date=July 31, 2020 }}</ref> guests [[Bill Gates]], [[Neil deGrasse Tyson]], [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Anthony Fauci]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schoonover |first=Nika |title=Ozy Media founder Carlos Watson ordered to pay $96 million for fraud scheme |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/ozy-media-founder-carlos-watson-ordered-to-pay-96-million-for-fraud-scheme/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=www.courthousenews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

, for a third season of episodes on Amazon Prime from May 22, 2021 to July 21, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |date=August 13, 2021 |title=”The Carlos Watson Show” To Premiere Season 3 On Prime Video |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/the-carlos-watson-show-premiere-season-3-prime-video-1234814732/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>

An accompanying podcast version of the show is also available, featuring longer, unedited versions of each conversation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Carlos Watson Show on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-carlos-watson-show/id1521902034 |access-date=2021-03-19 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-us}}</ref> The show ended when a large controversy surrounding [[Ozy Media#Allegations of fraud and closure|fraud]] and host and executive producer Carlos Watson and producer Samir Rao precluded any new episodes. Watson was sentenced to one-hundred and sixteen months (almost ten year) in prison.<ref name=”:5″>{{Cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Ben |last2=Robertson |first2=Katie |date=2021-10-01 |title=Ozy Media, Once a Darling of Investors, Shuts Down in a Swift Unraveling |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/01/business/media/ozy-media-carlos-watson.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=”:0″>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=2024-12-17 |title=Carlos Watson gets nearly 10 years in prison in case about failed startup Ozy Media |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/12/17/nx-s1-5232172/carlos-watson-prison-ozy-media |access-date=2025-03-03 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=richard |date=2024-12-16 |title=Carlos Watson Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years |url=https://www.journal-isms.com/carlos-watson-sentenced-to-nearly-10-years/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=journal-isms.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

An accompanying podcast version of the show is also available, featuring longer, unedited versions of each conversation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Carlos Watson Show on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-carlos-watson-show/id1521902034 |access-date=2021-03-19 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-us}}</ref> The show ended when a large controversy surrounding [[Ozy Media#Allegations of fraud and closure|fraud]] and host and executive producer Carlos Watson and producer Samir Rao precluded any new episodes. Watson was sentenced to one-hundred and sixteen months (almost ten year) in prison.<ref name=”:5″>{{Cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Ben |last2=Robertson |first2=Katie |date=2021-10-01 |title=Ozy Media, Once a Darling of Investors, Shuts Down in a Swift Unraveling |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/01/business/media/ozy-media-carlos-watson.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=”:0″>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=2024-12-17 |title=Carlos Watson gets nearly 10 years in prison in case about failed startup Ozy Media |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/12/17/nx-s1-5232172/carlos-watson-prison-ozy-media |access-date=2025-03-03 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=richard |date=2024-12-16 |title=Carlos Watson Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years |url=https://www.journal-isms.com/carlos-watson-sentenced-to-nearly-10-years/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=journal-isms.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

American talk show

The Carlos Watson Show
Logo

Official logo
Genre talk show
Presented by Carlos Watson
Country of origin United States
Original language English
No. of episodes 121
Camera setup Multiple
Running time 30 minutes
Production company Ozy Media
Network YouTube
Release August 2, 2020 (2020-08-02) –
February 18, 2021 (2021-02-18)
Network Amazon Prime
Release May 22 (2021-05-22) –
July 21, 2021 (2021-07-21)

The Carlos Watson Show is an American talk and interview series hosted by journalist and entrepreneur Carlos Watson. The program premiered in 2020 and features long-form conversations with political leaders, business innovators, authors, actors, musicians, athletes, and emerging cultural figures.[1][2]

It was produced by Ozy Media, where Watson served as co-founder and executive producer.[3] The show initially aired 119 episodes on YouTube from August 2, 2020, to February 18, 2021, featuring guests such as Bill Gates, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Hillary Clinton, and Anthony Fauci.[4]

After a brief shutdown, it returned for a third season of 43 episodes on Amazon Prime from May 22, 2021, to July 21, 2021.[5]

An accompanying podcast version of the show is also available, featuring longer, unedited versions of each conversation.[6] The show ended when a large controversy surrounding fraud and host and executive producer Carlos Watson and producer Samir Rao precluded any new episodes. Watson was sentenced to one-hundred and sixteen months (almost ten year) in prison.[7][8][9]

Format

Conversations between host Carlos Watson as host and the guest take place entirely over Zoom, on account of the show launching during the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] It was taped in Mountain View, California.[11] The interviews are longer and more personal than typical talk show appearances, with a single guest discussing their journey to success and their take on current affairs over the course of a single 15-to-30-minute episode. The show weaves in archive footage and small tape packages about the episode’s guests, acting as a deeper guest profile than the typical talk show appearance.[12] Each episode typically ends with a “Rapid Fire” segment. The show has also broadcast two live specials: one on the evening of January 6, 2021 after the storming of the U.S. Capitol,[13] and the second to mark the inauguration of President Joe Biden.[14]

Some exclusives The Carlos Watson Show reported on have been: learning H.E.R. used to be in a band with Kehlani and Zendaya,[15] David Oyelowo saying he became a born-again Christian at sixteen and how that choice affected who he later became engaged to, and Matt Damon commenting on Jennifer Lopez‘s relations with Ben Affleck, saying “Oh man, no one’s pulling harder than I am… They’re both great. I just want for their happiness. They seem pretty happy right now.”[16]

Development

Watson said he was make a show that “meets the current moment with a strong enough combination of insightful conversation, flavorful and diverse guests, plus a bit of levity and entertainment.”[12]

Marketing

The marketing campaign for The Carlos Watson Show included billboards and posters in Los Angeles New York with quotes with misleading attributions.[17][18] An executive producer said the marketing was aimed at potential investors and executives in television and advertising, rather than general viewers.[17]

The show did book several sponsors including Chevrolet, JPMorgan Chase, and Discover. GroupM signed a two-year preferred partnership to further the agency’s DEI efforts. Dentsu made a three-year deal as part of its investment in “meaningful media.”[19]

Reception

Audience viewership

The show has received over 50 million views, and the Carlos Watson Show YouTube channel has received over 70,000 subscribers as of March 2021.[20] However, during the controversy, The New York Times spoke to an expert who said the numbers may have been artificially boosted.[17]

Critical response

Essence described the show as featuring “energetic and informative conversations with some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment, and politics”.[21] People Now described the show as featuring “long-form, wide-ranging interviews with even wider-ranging celebrities”.[22] Good Morning America announced the show as “the fastest-growing talk show in YouTube history,” but the New York Times later called those claims dubious.[23]

The New York Times’s media critic has noted multiple examples of misleading or unverifiable marketing associated with Ozy Media, such as advertisements claiming that The Carlos Watson Show was the “first talk show” on Amazon Prime Video, a claim that Ozy withdrew after Amazon complained that it violated its promotion guidelines.[24]

Controversy

Mr. Watson and Ozy’s chief operating officer, Samir Rao, told the show’s staff and the guests that the show would appear in prime time on A&E, but the executive producer became suspicious when they had no contact with A&E executives during the making of the show. One of the other producers pointed out that A&E had already scheduled Hoarders for the time slot that was supposedly meant for The Carlos Watson Show. Executive Producer Brad Bessey was willing to “suspend my disbelief,” partly because of the difficulties of running a show under the restrictions related to the pandemic and partly because he “was so hopeful for that social justice conversation.”[17]

When Bessey got in touch with an A&E executive, he learned there was no plan to air the program on A&E, at which point Bessey resigned, saying “You are playing a dangerous game with the truth. The consequences of offering an A&E show to guests when we don’t have one to offer are catastrophic for Ozy and for me.” When Bessey told the staff he resigning, Watson told everyone on the call that The Carlos Watson Show would actually eventually air on A&E, and things were just in progress and until the time it would air on A&E Watson stated show would air as a YouTube Original. However, it was later revealed that Watson had not sold the show to YouTube Originals and instead would be uploading it as a normal YouTube video as anyone could do. Additionally, the show never aired on A&E.[17]

“Some of the videos on The Carlos Watson Show YouTube channel have received fewer than 100 views, while others have hundreds of thousands or more than a million views. Those figures, and the small number of comments on most videos, ‘may indicate paid boosting,’ according to an analysis by Tubular Labs, a company that tracks audiences for online videos.”[17]

Watson was eventually tried for fraud as more information came to light. Among other things, there was proof that an Ozy executive had posed as a YouTube executive, telling potential funders that The Carlos Watson show had an order from YouTube Originals, when they did not have a deal with YouTube). This impersonation was used to get more funding from Goldman Sachs, among others, under false pretenses.[19][8]

Episodes

Season one (August 2020 – November 2020)

Season one of The Carlos Watson Show premiered on July 5, 2016, uploaded to YouTube.[25][26]

Season two (November 2020 – February 2021)

Season two of The Carlos Watson Show premiered on July November 23, 2020, uploaded to YouTube.[26]

Season three (May 2021 – July 2021)

Season three of The Carlos Watson Show premiered on May 22, 2021 on and ran through July 21, 2021.[27]

References

  1. ^ Petski, Denise (August 13, 2021). “‘The Carlos Watson Show’ To Premiere Season 3 On Prime Video”. Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  2. ^ “Watch The Carlos Watson Show on Amazon Prime”. Amazon.
  3. ^ Haring, Bruce (July 31, 2020). “‘The Carlos Watson Show’ Brings Emmy-Winning OZY Cofounder To YouTube Talker”. Deadline.
  4. ^ Schoonover, Nika. “Ozy Media founder Carlos Watson ordered to pay $96 million for fraud scheme”. www.courthousenews.com. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  5. ^ Petski, Denise (August 13, 2021). “‘The Carlos Watson Show’ To Premiere Season 3 On Prime Video”. Deadline Hollywood.
  6. ^ “The Carlos Watson Show on Apple Podcasts”. Apple Podcasts. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  7. ^ Smith, Ben; Robertson, Katie (October 1, 2021). “Ozy Media, Once a Darling of Investors, Shuts Down in a Swift Unraveling”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  8. ^ a b “Carlos Watson gets nearly 10 years in prison in case about failed startup Ozy Media”. NPR. Associated Press. December 17, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  9. ^ richard (December 16, 2024). “Carlos Watson Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years”. journal-isms.com. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  10. ^ Inman, DeMicia (August 14, 2020). “‘The Carlos Watson Show’ aims to change the talk show game”. TheGrio. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  11. ^ Newswire. “Ozy Media’s The Carlos Watson Show Returns For Season Three This Monday, March 29”. www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Boone, Keyaira (November 4, 2020). “‘The Carlos Watson Show’ Is Coming To OZY And iHeartRadio”. Essence. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  13. ^ LIVE Protesters Storm the Capitol: Town Hall Conversation ft. Art Acevedo, Padma Lakshmi and YOU, retrieved March 19, 2021
  14. ^ LIVE: America United? Biden-Harris Inauguration Aftershow, Ft. Megyn Kelly, Christina Greer + YOU!, retrieved March 19, 2021
  15. ^ Mamo, Heran (May 17, 2021). “H.E.R. Was Almost in a Band With Kehlani & Zendaya”. Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  16. ^ Sager, Jessica. “Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Friendship Timeline”. People.com. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Smith, Ben (September 30, 2021). “Ozy Built a TV Show on a False Claim, Says Its Former Producer”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  18. ^ Lawler, Richard (October 1, 2021). “Ozy Media shuts down just one week after most of us found out it exists”. The Verge. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  19. ^ a b Merchant, Shaan (December 12, 2024). “Carlos Watson Just Found His Prison Sentence. I Watched What He Did to Get There in Real Time”. Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  20. ^ “The Carlos Watson Show – YouTube”. www.youtube.com. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  21. ^ “‘The Carlos Watson Show’ Is Coming To OZY And iHeartRadio”. Essence. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  22. ^ “Carlos Watson Reveals His Favorite Interview and Dream Guests for His Talk Show”. PEOPLE.com. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  23. ^ America, Good Morning, Carlos Watson reveals his dream guest, retrieved March 19, 2021
  24. ^ Smith, Ben (September 27, 2021). “Goldman Sachs, Ozy Media and a $40 Million Conference Call Gone Wrong”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  25. ^ “The Carlos Watson Show Season 1 – Watch Online – TV Listings Guide”. On TV Tonight. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  26. ^ a b “The Carlos Watson Show”. YouTube. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  27. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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