During CNN's New Year’s Eve celebration, Roy Wood Jr. joked about Don Lemon's unexpected firing, quipping that the last Black man to sip on the network was promptly shown the door—’sticking with water for stability’ instead.

Wood's lighthearted jab highlights not only Lemon's abrupt exit from CNN amid a whirlwind of controversies, including ageist remarks about Nikki Haley, but also underscores the network's recent struggles with on-air behavior and controversies, prompting Wood to opt for the safer choice of hydration over potential career-ending cocktails.

As headlines printed Lemon's controversial comments, the media landscape buzzed with chatter. In one fell swoop, his remarks suggesting that Haley wasn't 'in her prime' seemed to ignite a firestorm that he might have preferred to extinguish with a nice tall glass of something stronger than water. However, reports show that, not only did he lose his job, but Lemon also learned about his termination in a manner that could be considered less than dignified: via his agent. It’s a reminder that sometimes your career can take an unfortunate turn, much like your average New Year’s Eve party—filled with promise but ultimately ending in regret.

Don Lemon’s controversy didn't stop with his firing. Following his exit, his comments regarding Trump supporters went viral in ways that would make even popcorn jealous. While it’s debatable whether Lemon measured the weight of those statements or if he simply tossed them off, the aftermath was undeniably significant. Roasted, tossed salad style by critics and supporters alike, he found himself at the center of continuous media speculation, practically daring reporters to pop their heads out of their proverbial holes to see what he would say next.

Wood, a keen observer of the absurd, recalled a previous episode that truly solidifies Lemon’s rocky relationship with drinking on the network. Apparently, when Lemon decided to indulge his tipsy side on air once too often, it led to a not-so-popular drinking ban at CNN. This ban might be seen less as a corporate decision and more like a ‘please don’t throw that bottle at us’ ultimatum. Perhaps an attempt to distance themselves from the idea that alcohol is the secret ingredient responsible for bad choices—either in broadcasting or when addressing political figures.

Despite these public gaffes, one can’t entirely keep Lemon down. His media presence defies gravity, continuing to ignite headlines even in absence of CNN studio lights. Each public engagement appears as a strategic art of distraction, bolting him to the forefront as audiences ponder his next potential faux pas. It could almost wind up being a masterclass for what not to do in broadcasting, or perhaps a new way to redefine the term 'breakout star.'

Meanwhile, Roy Wood Jr. continues to make waves as a satirist, often employing his stunningly unique perspective. By choosing water over tequila at a festive event, what he pensively indicated was not about abstaining from revelry but resisting unpredictability. In the world of news, where lemons seem to keep popping up like spring daisies, a little stability feels like a wise course of action. In a delightful twist, Wood sheds light on how the atmosphere of comedy can often reflect the absurdities of contemporary news with razor-sharp wit, underlining just how laughable and serious the stakes can be in this randomized circus known as journalism.

As for the public reaction? Well, fans of Wood surely raised their glasses—of water, mind you—in a toast to their comedy hero’s timely humor. Wood made a joke about Don Lemon's firing during CNN's New Year’s Eve celebration, stating, 'The last Black man to drink on this network got fired.' He remarked that he would 'stick with water for now' as he needs 'stability.' And as the story continues to swirl, with each twist and turn, it remains clear: while some sink, others stand up to deliver the punchline—complete with all the right downing expressions.

In the end, Don Lemon's departure is a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of live television. Yet, it’s also a moment that opens up a space for others to deliver their brand of irreverent comedy. In light of everything, one has to wonder—when the network that once banished drinking comes back around to remind everyone of the peril of taking things too lightly, perhaps it’s only fair to ask: How many more can take the same risk and still raise a glass, even if that glass contains naught but water?