The former CNN boss, Chris Licht, found himself in an uncomfortable situation at Mediaite’s 15th anniversary party. Sources have revealed that Licht narrowly missed his ex-anchor, Don Lemon, at the event. This encounter comes after Licht made the controversial decision to let Lemon go last year, just before facing his own ousting during the Warner Bros. Discovery shake-up. Despite running into other CNN staffers at the party and engaging in some conversations, it was evident that some of CNN’s on-air talent were less than thrilled to see Licht and actively avoided him.
Despite the underlying tensions, Mediaite’s anniversary party was described as a ‘media love-in’ by attendees. The event was presided over by Mediaite founder Dan Abrams and editor-in-chief Aidan McLaughlin, who managed to create an atmosphere of cross-network comity. Surprisingly, there was an unexpected truce between MSNBC and Fox News, with Joe Scarborough and Steve Doocy exchanging pleasantries. Scarborough even took the initiative to pull Doocy over for a photo, displaying a temporary moment of camaraderie between the rival networks. Additionally, there were interactions between Megyn Kelly and former Fox colleague Julie Banderas, as well as Bill O’Reilly engaging with CNN’s anchors.
The party was not short of notable media personalities mingling and socializing. Geraldo Rivera was seen hanging out with Sunny Hostin and Jim Acosta, showcasing a mix of different networks coming together in a social setting. The atmosphere was filled with conversations and photo opportunities, with Ben Sherwood, Pat Kiernan, Ari Melber, Abby Phillip, Andrew Ross Sorkin, John Berman, and Elie Honig all engaging in networking and interactions with fellow attendees. The party served as a rare opportunity for industry professionals to set aside their differences and come together in a celebration of Mediaite’s milestone.
The drama and awkward encounters at Mediaite’s 15th-anniversary party highlighted the complexities and dynamics of the media industry. Despite past disagreements and professional differences, the event showcased moments of unity and collaboration among media personalities from various networks. It served as a reminder that, beyond the competitive landscape of the media industry, there are opportunities for civility and camaraderie when individuals come together to celebrate shared achievements.