Don Lemon failed to land another high-profile journalism post after leaving CNN with his tail between his legs, so he's moving on to a late-night talk show, a new report claimed.
“It’s always been Don’s dream to helm his own talk show. The opportunity almost materialized when CNN launched its short-lived streaming service, and now it’s finally happening,” an unnamed source told The National Enquirer.
“I’m not sure audiences are hungry for Don to dish out the latest on his friends from The Real Housewives and chat about Wendy Williams, but I know they’re eager for him to step away from politics,” it went on.
The controversial news anchor, 58, has attempted to reclaim his star status since being fired from CNN last year, but all of his efforts have failed. Don’s podcast allegedly struggled to acquire traction, and his deal with X fell through.
“It pushed him to explore fresh avenues in entertainment,” a television insider said to the entertainment news outlet.
Don's new concept, dubbed a Bravo-style chatfest, promises to combine celebrity interviews and audience involvement with cutting-edge pop culture criticism. “Don’s always got a lot going on — so I wouldn’t rule anything out!” his spokesperson divulged.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav allegedly brought ousted CNN journalist Don Lemon a $1,600 bottle of wine as a peace offering while they were dining at a steakhouse in Manhattan.
Don allegedly received a bottle of 2017 Opus One Cabernet blend while dining with husband Tim Malone at Porter House near Columbus Circle last month, according to Puck News.
Zaslav, CEO of CNN's corporate parent, was at the same restaurant on a double date with his wife, Pam Zaslav, as well as billionaire private equity entrepreneur David Rubenstein and his wife, Caryn Zucker, Puck News reported.
Don who reportedly paid $24.5 million in a departure agreement with CNN, was allegedly so moved by David’s gesture that he stood up and joined their table for a talk. The two guys had previously met at Barney Greengrass, a popular Upper West Side Jewish restaurant.
David and Don exchanged "bland pleasantries," according to Puck News. The broadcaster’s 17-year time at CNN came to an end last April, after he reportedly alienated coworkers and management with his antics and comments.
Don, a former primetime personality who was demoted to co-anchoring the weekday morning show alongside Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, was chastised by his co-hosts in December 2022 for claiming that women's soccer is less exciting than men's soccer.
The New York Post said in February of last year that Don became enraged and screamed at Kaitlan off-air and in front of a colleague for interrupting him on the show.
Kaitlan was so shaken by the encounter that she bolted from the studio, sources said.
Days after the event, Don provoked another uproar when he stated on air that Nikki Haley, the 51-year-old Republican presidential contender, was "not in her prime." The resulting outrage prompted the network to suspend Don.
Don also reportedly disobeyed producer guidelines during a tense April interview with Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who claimed that the National Rifle Association helped African Americans gain equal rights in the United States. He was fired days following his interview.
Don Lemon has yet to confirm his supposed plans to have his own late-night talk show. So, avid followers of the former CNN anchor should take all these speculations with a pinch of salt until everything is proven true and correct.
