CNN host Don Lemon missed the countdown to midnight for the Central Time zone to end 2022, leading to frustration across social media over the miscue.
The viewers of the countdown program were quick to condemn the poor planning and actions on the behalf of the network and Lemon's activities.
CNN New Year's Eve spectators take to social media when network misses midnight https://t.co/4z4o13LQgm
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 2, 2023
"At the stroke of midnight Don Lemon and revelers in New Orleans were dancing to Juvenile's 'Back That Azz Up' on CNN rather than celebrating the start of 2023 with toasts and kisses," Fox News reported.
"Spectators of the network's New Year's Eve took to social media after the countdown in the Central time zone was missed," it added.
CNN has redeemed itself by ringing in the new year in New Orleans with "Back That Azz Up" and not acknowledging the stroke of midnight in any way pic.twitter.com/tieCeHc4sA
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 1, 2023
The flub adds to problems at CNN during the previous year's New Year's Eve broadcast that included host Andy Cohen later admitting he had a bit too much to drink while on the program.
In addition to Lemon's mixup, CNN's Anderson Cooper and his security team were captured on video barging through a live shot on Newsmax, pushing people out of the way.
WATCH: Anderson Cooper and his CNN security team barged through the Newsmax live shot on New Year's Eve, pushing people out of the way pic.twitter.com/Xkjku0RyxI
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) January 2, 2023
The combination of issues did not make for a strong end to 2022 for the network that changed leadership months ago after sinking ratings and revenue.
The network has already axed many of its hosts in an attempt to turn the tide, but apparently not enough to stop its New Year's Eve blunders.
It will be interesting to see how CNN deals with the new year and who may go next as it seeks course corrections.
Source: Fox News
