OOPS! CNN Misses Midnight In Botched New Year's Eve Broadcast
CNN’s much-discussed on-air booze ban didn’t prevent at least one major flub on New Year’s Eve as the network missed the countdown in the Central time zone.
The network showed Don Lemon and revelers in New Orleans dancing to Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up” as midnight approached and 2022 ended without a countdown or a mention.
Lemon may have noticed seconds too late. As he threw beads into the dancing crowd, he could be heard saying something about a countdown just after midnight. The song continued a bit longer, leading to an awkward split-screen image of fireworks and hugs in Nashville, also in the Central time zone, while 2023 slips in unnoticed in New Orleans:
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
Some on social media noted that the broadcast seemed to have some technical issues that prevented Lemon from hearing his producers throughout the evening.
Whatever the reason, viewers definitely noticed the missed midnight:
Drunk Don Lemon never missed the New Year's Eve countdown on New Orleans remotes. Just saying. #CNNNYE
— Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) January 1, 2023
Don Lemon is holding two microphones on the CNN New Orleans confused New Year’s Eve special, minutes after they missed the countdown to midnight because they were playing “Back That Azz Up” pic.twitter.com/DTkDLFFXdf
— T H E VV O R S T (@MilfParade) January 1, 2023
Don Lemon completely missed the countdown on CNN. Happy New Year, Central Time Zone! pic.twitter.com/ZEuVN9PhmV
— Elizabeth Gautreaux (@elizabeth_byrd) January 1, 2023
We got to see exactly what happens when a reporter’s IFB (audio connection to producer) goes out.@donlemon complained about it since at least 11:30, but nothing was done.
Then he missed the countdown to midnight from producers in his ear.#NewYear2023#BringBackDrunkDonhttps://t.co/DzkvhGfSxv— C.J. LeMaster (@CJLeMaster) January 1, 2023
Don Lemon had us joyfully shaking ass to Juvenile and accidentally missed the countdown in New Orleans 💀 #CNNNYE
— Brianna Tucker (@BriannaATucker) January 1, 2023
The most Don Lemon thing ever is to miss the entire countdown in order to play “Back That Ass Up”. 😂😂#HappyNewYear#CNNhttps://t.co/SwM8aFWuWO
— Gerren Peterson (@GerrenPeterson) January 1, 2023
Don Lemon missed the countdown in true me fashion
— Victor Guzman KION (@VGuzman_TV) January 1, 2023
Cannot think of anything more on brand for our wonderful city. https://t.co/tbAKlEb6tm
— Steve Uhlmann (@SteveUhlmann) January 1, 2023