Disclosure: State of Alabama-based writer. This article is a work from cited sources for informational purposes and is used with permission. No affiliate links are included.
Alabama native and comedian Roy Wood Jr. opted for caution during his appearance on CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. Unlike his co-stars Michael Ian Black and Amber Ruffin, who took the tequila shot offered during the broadcast, Wood Jr. declined, making a humorous reference to the network’s history.
“Oh, no! I don’t,” Wood Jr. said. “The last Black man that drank on this network got fired. I’m going to keep it with water for right now. I need some stability.”
The comment seemed to reference former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who was known for hosting the network’s New Year’s Eve coverage and sharing candid, often festive moments on-air. Lemon and CNN parted ways in 2023 after 17 years together.
“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly. At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play,” Lemon said on live TV. He continued by saying, “With that said, I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run. They are the most talented journalists in the business, and I wish them all the best.”