Comedian Roy Wood Jr. made a jab at former CNN host Don Lemon during the network’s annual New Year’s Eve show in Times Square. Wood refused to have a shot when offered by Andy Cohen, referencing Lemon’s firing from the network. Wood joked about Lemon’s firing at the 2023 White House Correspondent’s Dinner, saying he was kicked out because he couldn’t accurately report a story about himself.
During the 2023 New Year’s Eve show on CNN, Don Lemon was noticeably absent after being fired from the network. Lemon had made headlines for getting rowdy during previous New Year’s Eve shows, including getting his ear pierced live on air in 2016. The now 58-year-old declared himself a "grown-a** man" in 2021 and was surprised by his termination, criticizing the network for not informing him directly.
After being fired from CNN, Don Lemon launched his own show, "The Don Lemon Show," which is posted on social media. However, Lemon has faced backlash for his remarks, including an expletive-laden rant over the MAGA world flare-up about H1-B visas for specialty workers. Lemon called those who were upset about the issue "dumb f**king idiots" and criticized them for being uninformed.
Wood’s swipe at Lemon on the New Year’s Eve show was met with awkwardness from Cohen and Cooper, who changed the topic quickly. Lemon and Wood later made amends on "The Don Lemon Show." Lemon’s firing in 2023 came as a surprise to him, after 17 years at the network, he was informed by his agent rather than CNN management directly. Despite the firing, Lemon continues to host his show where he has made controversial comments.
Former CNN CEO Chris Licht implemented a ban on on-air talent getting drunk during shows following Lemon’s antics. Lemon’s firing and subsequent launch of his own show marked a new chapter in his career after nearly two decades at CNN. Wood’s jokes about Lemon’s firing highlight the comedian’s ability to find humor in serious situations. Lemon’s candid and sometimes controversial commentary has kept him in the public eye, despite facing criticism for his remarks.
