CNN SWEEPS AWAY THE COBWEBS!
Stelter is latest victim of frantic network purge
SCANDAL-scarred CNN showing the door to nine-year veteran Brian Stelter, axing his show Reliable Sources and reportedly planning to “blow up” the morning news show New Day are sure signs the embattled network is cleaning house, insiders dish.
The media correspondent’s shocking departure follows the January resignation of news president Jeff Zucker. Sources snitch the exec was forced out over his affair with marketing chief Allison Gollust — who quit CNN a month after her bigshot beau!
Prime-time poster boy Chris Cuomo was finally sacked during the last weeks of Zucker’s CNN reign for helping his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, fend off sexual harassment claims. A tipster spills, “Brian was considered Jeff’s apologist, and battled with his replacement, Chris Licht, who was left to clean up Jeff’s messes.” Industry insiders squeal CNN struggling against FOX and MSNBC is also forcing Licht to make sweeping changes and, despite network denials, warn no one is safe — not even high-profile host Don Lemon! The Don Lemon Tonight star, who was recently cleared in his own sex abuse scandal, launched a notorious drunken tirade during the network’s New Year’s Eve coverage.
Now, a source blabs Licht wants “real newsmen to help bring back viewers, not embarrassments,” and adds, “Don’s definitely in the crosshairs.”