Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner brought together Ke Huy Quan, Gayle King, Winnie Harlow, Justin Hartley, and Brittney Griner in a massive dining hall. However, host Roy Wood Jr. had his sights set on two media figures who were absent from one of D.C.’s biggest nights: Don Lemon and Tucker Carlson.
The comedian, who portrays a reporter on “The Daily Show,” reminded reporters, legislators, and celebrities of their commonalities.
“This evening, we are all united by one thing, and that is scandal,” Wood joked. “This year, reputations have been ravaged by scandals. Tucker Carlson, who was invincible, has been fired.”
Fox News and Carlson, the most popular cable news host, announced on Monday that they were “parting ways.”
The previous Friday was the last time “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” his prime-time conservative opinion program, had aired. He was denied the opportunity to address viewers by Fox.
Wood, who was recently a guest presenter on “The Daily Show,” wanted Carlson’s colleagues to know that he understands how they must be feeling.
“I work at ‘The Daily Show’ so I, too, have been blindsided by the sudden departure of the host of a fake news program,” Wood joked, referencing Trevor Noah’s departure from Comedy Central late last year after a seven-year stint as host.
The comedian remarked that Carlson needs to get back on the air because “right now there’s millions of Americans that don’t even know why they hate you (Biden).”
Wood did want to give credit where credit was due, though, and applauded Fox News for being progressive.
“Tucker Carlson is the first host to get fired from Fox News for something that’s only partially about how he treats women. That’s progress,” Wood joked before digging into Don Lemon, who shared on Twitter that he had been fired from CNN, the same day Carlson was let go.
“I was informed this morning by my agent that CNN has terminated me. I am stunned,” Lemon wrote.
CNN contradicted Lemon’s characterization of his dismissal. CNN tweeted that Don Lemon’s characterization of this morning’s events was inaccurate. “He was offered the opportunity to confer with management, but instead he issued a statement on Twitter.”
Wood made allusion to the back-and-forth with the “CNN This Morning” anchor, joking that the cable news network “had to part ways with Don Lemon because he can’t even accurately report a story about Don Lemon.”
He added that CNN prematurely released Lemon “After a couple of scandals, you do not dismiss your host. The scandals have accumulated “for the rankings.
“Yes, Don Lemon was a narcissist, and he said a few women had raggedy faces, but that’s a promotion at Fox News,” joked Wood Jr.
Following allegations of misogyny in an extensive Variety report, Lemon’s dismissal was announced.