Soon after being fired almost simultaneously from their respective cable networks, Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon were the targets of many jokes at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Meeting. dinner.
While emceeing Saturday’s event at the Washington Hilton Hotel, comedian and “Daily Show” correspondent Roy Wood Jr. addressed the dual terminations of Carlson, formerly of Fox News, and Lemon, who worked for CNN. Both media personalities were fired from their employers on Monday.
Addressing Carlson’s firing first, Wood jokingly compared the situation at Fox News to the departure of “Daily Show” host Trevor Noah — who recently decided to leave the Comedy Central show after seven years.
“The untouchable Tucker Carlson is out of a job,” Wood said Saturday to cheers from the crowd.
“Some people celebrate. But to the Tucker staff, I want you to know that I know how you feel. I work at The Daily Show, so I too was blindsided by the sudden departure of the fake news anchor.”
Wood followed up the “Daily Show” tease with a series of references to some of the loudest and brightest shows on TV, including “Vanderpump Rules,” “BMF,” “Power” and “Succession.”
“Tucker got caught … like that dude from ‘Vanderpump Rules,'” Wood continued, referring to a cheating scandal on the reality show.
“I don’t know what Vanderpump Rules is about. … My friends told me it was like “BMF” but for white people – or “Inheritance”. No, “heritage” is “power” for white people. No, Tucker Carlson is “The Power” to white people. No, it’s white power. You know what, it doesn’t matter. … We need to get Tucker back on the air, Mr. President. Because right now there are millions of Americans who don’t even know why they hate you.
Before Carlson was convicted, former “Tucker Carlson Tonight” producer Abby Grossberg accused the conservative pundit and others at Fox News of promoting a sexist, misogynistic and abusive work environment in a lawsuit. The network called Grossberg’s allegations “baseless.”
“Tucker Carlson is the first host to be fired from Fox News for something that is only partly about how he treats women,” Wood quipped. “This is progress. He broke the ceiling.”
“Speaking of…” Wood added, “Don Lemon is out of a job.”
Less than two hours after Fox News announced it had “agreed to part ways” with its top-rated star, Lemon revealed via Twitter that he had been dropped by CNN.
When Lemon accused management in his tweet of not having the “decency” to inform him directly of his decision or give him “any indication” that he was on the chopping block, CNN responded by saying that Lemon “is was offered an opportunity to meet with management, but instead released declaration on Twitter.”
“My dog Don Lemon put out a statement saying he was fired from CNN, and CNN put out a statement saying they offered Don a date,” Wood said.
“They had to break up because Don Lemon can’t even accurately convey a Don Lemon story.”
Lemon got the ax on CNN shortly after he apologized for a sexist, ageist remark he made about politician Nikki Haley, who was past her “superior effect.” The “CNN This Morning” host was also recently accused in Variety of engaging in misogynistic behavior in the workplace, a report he dismissed as “15-year-old gossip.”
“Letting Don go was the wrong move,” Wood said.
“Don was fine when you let him drink. You shouldn’t have cut him off the alcohol,” he added, referring to CNN’s recent move to cut back on alcohol during its New Year’s coverage. “You don’t fire the host after the first few scandals. Scandals must accumulate. You need to get grades. Yes, Don Lemon was wild and said a few women were raggedy-faced — but that’s a promotion at Fox News!”
The president also had some Lemon material up his sleeve.
“They say I’m over the hill,” Biden said. “Don Lemon would say this is a man in his prime.”
Both Biden and Wood had plenty to say about the recent legal battle between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems. Earlier this month, Fox News agreed to settle Dominion’s defamation lawsuit against the network for a hefty $787.5 million.
“You all look good … it looks like everyone got a little bit of that money from Fox News,” Wood said. “And that’s all I have to say about that. Because I’m not going to wear Dominion on my ass. I love Dominion. As a matter of fact, let me say this right off the bat: my favorite voting machine is the Dominion voting machines. When I go to the polls I make sure I use a Dominion machine. If your choices need the truth, put Dominion in your booth.
Biden also got in on the fun.
“It’s great that the cable news networks are here tonight: MSNBC, owned by NBCUniversal, Fox News, owned by Dominion Voting Systems,” Biden said. “Last year, your favorite Fox News reporters were able to attend because they were fully vaccinated and boosted. This year, with this $787 million settlement, they’re here because they couldn’t say no to free food.”