CNN putting comic in primetime could be ‘cringe-worthy,’ but network has nothing to lose: Experts, insiders
Fox News
Some feel CNN bringing on a comic to fill the gaping hole in its primetime lineup could be a “cringe-inducing” mess, while others feel the network has noting to lose.
Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Trevor Noah and Arsenio Hall are among the comedians who have been considered by CNN executives, according to a report this week from Semafor. However, Mediaite has since reported that Hall is not an option for primetime and Maher was mentioned because of interest in his HBO segments airing on CNN, not for the 9 p.m. slot.
Nonetheless, Licht is open to finding a comedian to take over Cuomo’s old slot if he can find the right candidate. Don Lemon, CNN's longtime mainstay at 10 p.m., is also now out of primetime, having been tapped for the new AM show "CNN This Morning" late last year.