Whitney Cummings Roasts CNN’s New Year’s Broadcast
Stand-up comedian Whitney Cummings did not hold back during her appearance on CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.” The comic took a jab at the cable news channel’s low viewership numbers, comparing them to the audience size of her live shows.
During the broadcast, just hours before the ball dropped in New York City’s Times Square, Cummings humorously remarked, “I’m now playing 3,000-person shows, which is about the viewership of CNN these days.” Despite the dig, she made sure to acknowledge the special she was on, emphasizing, “Not this show, though. All eyes are on this show.”
Cooper and Cohen, the hosts of the program, seemed to take Cummings’ roast in good spirits. Cooper responded with a simple “Nice, nice,” followed by a chuckle, while Cohen playfully commented, “You’re all fiery today.” Cooper even chimed in, mentioning a tour he and Cohen did with audiences of similar sizes to Cummings’ shows.
The comedian’s jest hit close to home for CNN, which has been struggling with dwindling viewership numbers, especially following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. In the aftermath of the 2024 election, the network experienced significant drops in ratings across various key metrics, losing a substantial portion of its audience during primetime.
### Cummings’ Critique and Ratings Plunge
In the weeks following Trump’s win, CNN saw a double-digit percentage decrease in total viewers, demo viewership, and primetime audience. The network lost 33% of total viewers compared to 2024 averages, 39% in the demo, and 36% of its already modest primetime audience.
By early December, CNN’s primetime lineup struggled to attract viewers, averaging only 367,000 total viewers from 8-11 p.m. In stark contrast, Fox News Channel garnered an average of 2.5 million total primetime viewers during the same period, placing CNN at a disappointing No. 17 among cable stations’ primetime offerings that week.
### Cummings’ Take on Entertainment Industry
During her time on CNN, Cummings didn’t shy away from criticizing the entertainment industry for what she perceived as excessive lecturing of Americans. When discussing her new hosting role for the “Friends”-themed trivia show “Fast Friends” on the streaming service Max, she expressed her love for the iconic 90s sitcom and her appreciation for pure entertainment without political undertones.
“It’s just a fun show, no creeps. It’s just warm, wholesome,” Cummings added, highlighting her preference for entertainment that focuses on entertainment itself. The comedian’s candid remarks provided a glimpse into her perspective on the current landscape of Hollywood.
As Whitney Cummings injected humor and sharp commentary into CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast, her playful jabs and candid opinions added a refreshing and insightful touch to the evening’s festivities. Through her comedic lens, she shed light on the challenges and dynamics of the media landscape, captivating audiences with her wit and unfiltered humor.
