Stephen Colbert gave Licht a farewell on Monday night. He was also the executive vice president for special programming at Paramount, and executive producer of “The Late Show.”
Colbert addressed Licht, standing just offstage, saying, “I didn’t know if I’d like him but six years later, I love you.” “I love you for the things you did for me, and that will never change. I love you as the man you are: the loving, thoughtful, and loving father to your family, and dear friend to me for the rest my life.
Licht returns to the news after being appointed executive producer on the “Late Show” back in 2016. Licht was previously the executive producer of “Late Show” in 2016, and also helped to develop “Morning Joe”, MSNBC’s morning show, with Joe Scarborough.
Licht stated in a memo that he is a journalist by heart. Although I enjoyed every moment of the “Late Show,” I joined CNN because I felt a strong pull to report on news at this critical time in history.
Zaslav stated that Jeff Zucker will be replaced by Licht in May as Discovery’s corporate takeover at Warner Media, CNN’s parent company is complete.
Zucker resigned earlier this month amid claims that he had failed to disclose a “consensual relation” with a colleague.
Zucker wrote in a memo that the relationship was discovered during the investigation of Chris Cuomo (former anchor), who was fired in Dec for helping Andrew Cuomoo, the former governor of New York, to defend himself during a scandal involving sexual harassment.
“I was asked about consensual relationships with my closest colleague, whom I have worked with over 20 years,” Zucker stated in the memo. “I have acknowledged that the relationship has changed over recent years. It was my duty to tell the truth when it started, but I didn’t. I was mistaken.
After Zucker’s resignation, Allison Gollust , CNN’s chief market officer, resigned. It was widely reported that she was in a relationship with Zucker.
WarnerMedia stated in a statement to CBS News, that Gollust, Zucker, and the former host of “Cuomo Prime Time”, Chris Cuomo, were found guilty by a third party investigation. This included violations of company policies including CNN’s News Standards and Practices. The company didn’t specify which policies were violated by the former employees.
Gollust stated that WarnerMedia had retaliated against her, saying that WarnerMedia’s statement regarding her resignation was an attempt “to change the media narrative in light of their disastrous handling over the past two weeks.”
In a statement to CBS News, she stated that “It is deeply disappointing that after nine years of defending and upholding CNN’s highest standards for journalistic integrity, it would be treated this way when I leave.” “But I do it with my head high knowing that I have given my heart and soul for the best journalists in the world.
