OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
CNN host Don Lemon was demoted from his own primetime show to an ensemble cast and the only next step for him would be his exit from the network. CNN’s morning show, “CNN This Morning,” hosted by Lemon, Poppy Harlow, and Kaitlan Collins, just became the lowest-rated CNN morning show of any in its history.
Now, Lemon is facing more controversy after a Variety story suggested Lemon had been caught being a misogynist when he first came to the network. The report alleged that Lemon sent threatening text messages to a colleague from a burner phone and repeatedly exhibited misogynistic and “diva-like” behavior many years ago. CNN and Lemon issued responses denying the Variety report and its allegations.
Several CNN insiders are reportedly “baffled” why the network is standing by Lemon despite the constant negative attention he creates.
A longtime media industry executive who previously worked at CNN is baffled that the network continues to stand by him.
“Well before the Variety article appeared, it’s been one of the biggest mysteries in TV news why CNN keeps Don Lemon around. He rates poorly, he is a source of constant embarrassment and his new morning show is an unqualified disaster,” the media insider told Fox News.
“Now his long history of degrading women has been laid bare,” they continued. “What mysterious hold does he have over his bosses that explains his longevity?”
Another CNN insider told Fox News: “There are plenty of people just as talented and popular with viewers that are not such a heavy lift.”
Eric Schiffer, a crisis management specialist who has worked for many top figures in different sectors, offered his opinion on why CNN is standing with Lemon.
“It will be Don’s behavior that takes himself out or not moving forward. He needs to get a grip on his behavior, or he’ll be ‘Done’ Lemon,” Schiffer said, warning CNN “it’s likely” that more information could come to light from Lemon’s past following the Variety report.
CNN insiders baffled why network stands by Don Lemon as controversies mount: 'One of the biggest mysteries' https://t.co/WLLjDQ2sEJ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 10, 2023
And this news comes after it was reported that Lemon berated one of his cohosts off the air.
Lemon appears to have gone even further with his rage following an off-the-air incident with morning show co-host Kaitlin Collins.
According to a recent report from the New York Post, several sources said that Lemon “screamed” at Collins following an on-air incident on the set of “CNN This Morning,” with tensions continuing to rise as the show tanks and as Lemon, apparently, is unhappy sharing on-air duties with Collins and fellow co-host Poppy Harlow.
The Post noted: “According to two sources with knowledge of the situation, the 56-year-old Lemon approached 30-year-old Collins following the show’s Thursday, Dec. 8 broadcast — and unloaded on her in front of staffers as he accused her of interrupting him on air. News of the explosive incident made its way up to CNN CEO Chris Licht, who is said to have been appalled by Lemon’s behavior, according to a source. A second source said a producer talked to Lemon at the behest of Licht and told the anchor to take the next day off to ‘cool off.'”
“Don screamed at Kaitlan, who was visibly upset and ran out of the studio,” one source with knowledge of the incident told The Post.
The outlet reported as well that the night after the incident, Lemon, Harlow, and Collins were scheduled to get drinks and travel together to a White House Christmas party for media figures, the source noted. However, the gathering never took place and the three traveled to the party separately, said “an insider.” Following the party, Lemon and his agent, Jay Sures, had a late-night dinner, sources added.
Now, Radar Online is reporting on the fallout from The Post’s report last week after CNN reportedly included a link to it in one of its internal newsletters.
“Don lost his mind internally and went ballistic at staffers after the CNN newsletter highlighted a story about him screaming,” the “insider” told Radar Online for its Friday report.
“At this point, Kaitlan wants to be on set with Don as little as possible,” one source with knowledge of what’s going on told The Post. “It’s messy.”
Last week, another insider told The Wrap that the three co-hosts also appear to be frustrated with the show’s progression after CNN CEO Chris Licht hand-selected them for the gig.
“The show can’t decide strategically what exactly it is, so it’s trying to be everything that can create whiplash for a viewer when segments seem off-brand in tonality,” the insider said.
“The audience for morning news on network TV is different than the cable news audience, and since we’re not gaining new viewers, we definitely need to retain our legacy ones,” they said.
