TNT
Academy Award-nominated actor Timothee Chalamet and beloved sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson, despite their many differences, have one major thing in common: they’re both often referred to as dudes who would be “invited to the cookout.”
Being invited to the cookout is essentially the ultimate compliment the Black community can pay a White dude, as it basically says that they’re invited into said community, i.e. the cookout. It’s a sign of respect and acceptance.
And whatever it is about the personalities of Timothee Chalamet and Johnson, it’s got them invited to the cookout.
This isn’t just my opinion, either, but rather a long-running narrative on social media about both of them. Just look at all the tweets about Chalamet being the “white boy of the year” from recent months or Ernie being “the GOAT” from the last two decades.
she really brought timothee to the cookout and left the other one at home lmaoooo this is soooo pic.twitter.com/QsDjc1Ikii
— kristen (not crystal) yellowjackets shish-kabob 🍡 (@lordesbbqribs) June 5, 2023
They must’ve felt so targeted when this tweet made the rounds https://t.co/L9o6ri7x1A pic.twitter.com/Ju4nQaQNML
— josephine gordone levitte (@fetalgeniuss) May 28, 2025
Ernie Johnson is invited to the cookout pic.twitter.com/p8Mobg7bC2
— John (@iam_johnw) September 9, 2020
Ernie gone always get an invite to the cookout 🐐😂 https://t.co/3KzcdnjARR
— User Not Found 🚶🏾♂️ (@RHkyle_) November 28, 2023
Ahead of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night, which Chalamet’s beloved Knicks lost by a score of 130-121, putting them down 3-1 in the series, Chalamet and Johnson linked up for the first time, with the two-time Oscar nominee joking that he’s going to play EJ in his biopic.
Chalamet was referencing the fact that he name-dropped Ernie Johnson as a potential subject for his next biopic, which EJ thanked him for as it made him cool among his grandkids.
“I’m playing you in the biopic!” 😆@TurnerSportsEJ & @RealChalamet finally linked during Game 4 🤝 pic.twitter.com/7dtXBclLH5
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 28, 2025
Chalamet will be hoping the Knicks can keep their season alive when New York hosts the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight, Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m. EST.
A Knicks win would also extend the life of Inside the NBA on TNT, as this is the final year in which the show will be broadcast on the network before moving over to ESPN next fall.