Report: CNN’s Don Lemon Interview Shows He’s Frustrated With Cable News, Is Super Hot

by Alex Alvarez | 2:15 pm, December 23rd, 2011

» 18 comments

As his contract nears its end next year, CNN’s Don Lemon has evidently been taking some time out to reflect on the state of cable news. And he’s not exactly loving what he sees.

In an interview with the Atlanta edition of Creative Loafing that lovingly extols his physical attributes (“He has a full, masculine build and a commanding presence that puts one in mind of a politician. In person, his smooth, cream-in-coffee complexion looks as flawless at home as it does under layers of television makeup. His smile is striking. It is not an overstatement to say that his clear eyes literally glitter in the sunlight.”), Lemon is honest about his feelings for the industry that butters his bread:

In general, when I watch cable news during the day, it’s frustrating because it reminds me of a game show. If I want to watch The Price is Right, I’ll watch The Price is Right. I’m not consciously thinking that when I’m on the air, but that’s just my personality. To be like, “Are we really doing this?”

I think you can have fun on TV, but you should pick your moments. It should be natural. You shouldn’t build in “Oh, this is our cutesy moment of the day!”

Later on, Lemon muses on the cookie cutter roles laid out for certain anchors. “I think they want me to be the good-looking black guy,” he shares. “That’s what I think. I don’t know.”

But, the interview is quick to point out, Lemon is difficult to pigeonhole:

For what it’s worth, that statement seems to ring true for Lemon. It’s easy to assume that a gay black guy like Lemon is a diehard liberal, until the moment in his book when he gushes about Ronald Reagan or recalls his time involved with Young Republicans in college. He even has plenty of kind words to say about Bill O’Reilly. Maybe those things are something of a put-on; he certainly skews liberal at times. Ultimately, Lemon’s not interested in giving anyone the answers they want to hear, “I’m not concerned with what people think of me,” he says. “I mean, I’m a gay black guy. If I can’t ask questions without caring what people think of me, who can?”

Read the full interview and let us know where you see Lemon a few years from now. Is he poising himself to be the next bold name evening pundit? Is he better suited to making headlines instead of merely reporting on them? And would you agree that his eyes literally glitter in the sunlight? Or is it kind of more of a slight shimmer?

h/t Creative Loafing Atlanta via TVNewser

Cable News, CNN, Don Lemon

Anonymous

Got a crush on Don Lemon, Alex?
Anonymous

I don’t think he’s interested. Maybe you can introduce him to Tommy Christopher.
Anonymous

My heart very obviously belongs to Neil Cavuto.
http://www.madcharles.com/ MadCharles

He lies with a straight face.
Anonymous

lol……two very different people (Cavuto and Don Lemon).

Merry Christmas!
Anonymous

;) You too!
Anonymous

Cavuto is just so suave and dreamy!
Just Ed

Don, seems fair in when he interviews people. He is the only CNN host I like and have respect for!

If CNN does not sign him up again, am sure his talent will be appreciated somewhere else!

Best of luck Don!
Anonymous

And he vibrates!
masonjud

That Don Lemon perceives his looks to be of overriding importance to CNN (he’s probably right) confirms the media’s final descent into irrelevance. That viewers rate newscasters on a pleasant face, plummy voice, breezy manner, and perhaps a timid nod to diversity marks our complicity in its devaluation. We demand nothing, so we get nothing. Don Lemon is seen by CNN as a type with measurable segment-appeal rather than as a professional newsman. The execs must have leapt for joy when Mr. Lemon revealed his homosexuality and child abuse struggles. ‘What luck! He’s good-looking, black, gay and abused. Let’s see how it plays.’ Such appalling cynicism produces nothing but losers. Viewers lose because we focus on countenance rather than content. Mr. Lemon and other on-air talent lose because their real professional worth is subjugated to audience appeal. CNN and its competitors lose because they can’t focus on delivering news for watching every blip of the ratings meter and replacing human beings like spare parts that have worn out or worn thin. I’m glad Lemon takes a dim view of these proceedings. So do I. I wish him all the best
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_C7RM2CCQUO4VVC56BAXMWCYYKQ Samsohn

you lose becuase you posted a smart comment on mediaite
Anonymous

I think he’s a great guy and seems to personify the rare cable personality that is fair and also likeable. And so what if he is good looking. He is. I hope he achieves all he desires. He’s one of the few hosts on CNN that is tolerable. From a conservative that is a huge Don Lemon fan.
http://www.DryerBuzz.com DryerBuzz

thought to him it was just a job. news junkies have been frustrated with him and his failed attempts at news coverage. can’t control panels. bad followup questions. when did he get frustrated?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1283056652 Logic Error

eewwww!
Just some Blow Hard…

These look like bad stock photos.
Anonymous

Gee, in CNN’s eyes, to make him “perfect,” he’ll have to experience a tragic accident over the Christmas break to create and update his sympathy factor.
Anonymous

Yeah, and Cavuto sure solved all my Christmas shopping worries with his great last minute shoppoing tips.

I just hope my wife likes her new vacuum cleaner; it really sucks!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_23PMY72ZVXVJCMZW5HPRAQT6BE mike

honestly that couldnt have been said better masonjud. i totally agree