During CNN's New Year's Eve broadcast, comedian Roy Wood Jr. made a pointed joke referencing former CNN host Don Lemon's departure from the network. As hosts Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen offered him a shot, Wood Jr. quipped, "Oh no. No, I don't. The last Black man to drink on this network got fired. I'm going to keep it with water for right now. I need some stability." This remark seemingly alluded to Lemon's past participation in CNN's New Year's Eve coverage, where he was known to imbibe on air.
Wood Jr.'s fellow Times Square guests, Michael Ian Black and Amber Ruffin, accepted the offered drinks. Wood Jr. currently co-hosts CNN's Saturday comedy quiz show, "Have I Got News for You," with Black and Ruffin.
Don Lemon's CNN tenure ended in 2023 after a series of controversies and the unsuccessful launch of the morning show "CNN This Morning." Initially moved from his primetime slot to co-host the revamped morning program, Lemon's time on the show was marked by difficulties, including a widely criticized comment about Nikki Haley's age and her remarks on President Biden. Lemon's firing followed just two months later, with then-CEO Chris Licht also departing the network shortly thereafter.
More recently, Lemon generated headlines for his strong criticism of Donald Trump supporters, particularly regarding their stance on H-1B visas. In a profanity-laced rant, he accused some Trump supporters of being in a "cult" and having "stupid MAGA brain." Lemon later defended his comments on his YouTube show, clarifying that he wasn't referring to all Trump supporters, but specifically those blindly defending Trump's actions. He also criticized Time Magazine's decision to name Trump Person of the Year.
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. (ABC)
Don Lemon and Donald Trump (Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Ex-CNN host Don Lemon during an appearance on MSNBC last year. (Screenshot/MSNBC)
