*As the clock ticked towards the New Year, comedian Roy Wood Jr. took to the CNN airwaves with a poignant moment that captured both humor and underlying tension.
During the network’s New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31, Wood Jr. declined a shot of tequila offered by Andy Cohen.
“The last Black man that drank on this network got fired. I’m going to keep it with water for right now. I need some stability,” the comedian quipped.
This memorable moment unfolded during a segment of CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live” alongside co-hosts Cohen and Anderson Cooper, both of whom have become accustomed to toasting the new year with shots throughout the broadcast. Wood Jr.’s humorous yet pointed comment seemed to reference the controversial ousting of former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who was recently let go after 17 years with the network, having made headlines for various contentious remarks and interviews. Following his departure, Lemon and CNN reportedly reached a $24.5 million separation agreement, a significant end to a lengthy tenure that had drawn its share of scrutiny.
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The funnyman later took to social media platform X to share the moment, writing, “Not gone catch me slippin’ in the Deuce-Five,” reinforcing his desire to maintain a level of caution in light of CNN’s recent history.
While Cohen and Cooper have become known for their festive drinking on New Year’s, the network imposed a temporary ban on alcohol consumption following Cohen’s controversial comments during the 2021 broadcast. However, the ban was lifted in 2023, enabling the hosts to resume their spirited tradition—albeit with a more “responsible” approach to drinking.
Wood Jr.’s choice to abstain from alcohol resonated with many viewers and social media users, shedding light on the potentially precarious nature of public appearances for African American hosts in a world already rife with scrutiny. Despite the light-hearted environment, his comment served as a reminder of the significant challenges that can arise in the media landscape.
While CNN has yet to comment on Wood Jr.’s remarks, his connections to both the comedic realm and serious commentary on issues of race in media have solidified his role as both an entertainer and an observer of industry dynamics.
As the evening unfolded and revelers celebrated the dawn of a new year, Wood Jr.’s absence from the tequila toast encapsulated an awareness of the past—a thoughtful blend of humor and reality, illustrating the highs and lows that define relationships within the media industry.
Not gone catch me slippin in the Deuce-Five. https://t.co/hAGrx3hEJO
— Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) January 1, 2025
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