CNN morning show co-host Kaitlin Collins is reportedly considering leaving her job due to an increasingly strained relationship with colleague Don Lemon. According to sources, Collins has had private conversations about leaving her job and returning to Washington, D.C. to distance herself from Lemon and Poppy Harlow.
This comes after a heated incident between Collins and Lemon in December, where Lemon accused Collins of interrupting him during their broadcast. Witnesses reported that Collins was visibly upset and shaken after the incident.
Since the incident, Collins has tried to limit her on-air work with Lemon as much as possible. She has even parted ways with her United Talent Agency agent, Jay Sures, who also represents Lemon. Sources have revealed that Lemon is unhappy sharing on-air duties with Collins and Harlow, and has screamed at Collins on several occasions.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Threatens to Return to Washington DC After Morning Show Explodeshttps://t.co/eg6PhKkKfg
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Lemon’s behavior has not gone unnoticed by CNN CEO Chris Licht, who is said to have been appalled by Lemon’s actions. According to a source, Licht told Lemon to take the next day off to cool off after a producer spoke to him about his behavior. Despite Licht’s intervention, the situation between Collins and Lemon has not improved, and Collins wants to be on set with Lemon as little as possible.
The situation has highlighted larger issues with the morning show’s programming, as the show is struggling to establish a consistent tone and identity. The audience for morning news on network TV is different than the cable news audience, and the show is trying to be everything to everyone, causing viewer whiplash.
Furthermore, Lemon was pulled from headlining a major network gig in February after making sexist remarks about GOP presidential contender Nikki Haley. He survived calls for his firing after undergoing formal training for sexism.
The situation between Collins and Lemon is just the latest example of how the culture at CNN is toxic and in need of reform. It is important for CNN to foster a culture in which people can learn and grow from their mistakes while also being held accountable for their actions. Otherwise, the network risks losing top talent like Collins and alienating its audience.
Sources: Conservativebrief, RadarOnline, New York Post, TheWrap, TMZ
