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‘Drunk Don Lemon was the only reason we tuned in’: Internet protests as CNN cuts on-air drinking during NYE

CNN's chairman and CEO told employees he feels drinking on camera reflected badly on the credibility and 'respectability' of reporters

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: CNN reporters will no longer be allowed to drink during the New Year’s Eve coverage and Don Lemon will possibly not be downing shots on camera, to fans' disappointment.

The Warner Bros Discovery-backed news outlet is set to change its ways as 2022 goes out, Variety reported. CNN's coverage of New Year’s Eve prompted a lot of viral conversations online. However, during a townhall discussion held on Tuesday, November 15, with CNN staffers, Chris Licht, the company’s chairman and CEO, said he feels drinking on camera reflected badly on the credibility and "respectability" of CNN reporters. The site of Lemon and co-hosts like Brooke Baldwin, however, had gained a lot of traction in the past. 

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When Anderson Cooper and his co-host Andy Cohen became slightly tipsy, Lemon had led CNN’s coverage of the holiday after 12.30 am, would lean in. He even got his ear pierced on live TV one year. He told his viewers in last year's show he was a “grown-a** man” who was “able to share my point of view on television and it freaks people out and you know what,” he said. You can kiss my behind, I do not care. I don’t care.”

Lemon has always said he is in complete control of himself on camera. “The idea is to have fun. What can I do that’s interesting and engaging for the audience?” he told Variety in 2018. “I do realize if I’m going to get a tattoo, I am making that decision.”

Fans are unhappy with the new development, with one user writing on Twitter, "Let’s be honest, Drunk Don Lemon was the only reason we tuned in." "What's NYE without a drunk Don Lemon and a giggling Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen with no filter. CNN you working my last nerve," another user wrote. One user commented, "That sucks. I watched this live. It was a delight. Don Lemon apparently becomes super adorable when drunk". 

"Who asked CNN for this?! We told y’all we loved drunk Don Lemon…we watched y’all over ABC and this is how you do us?" one user said, while another wrote, "the only reason i watched last year was bc don lemon and anderson cooper was drunk off their as*** why are they taking this away from me". One user said, "Someone needs to tell the new and very out of touch owner that them getting a little liquored up is exactly why we watch their NYE coverage."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.