CNN’s John Berman Wants His Mug, and He Wants It Right Now

By Mark Joyella 

CNN anchor John Berman knows his stuff–he very nearly out-nerded Jake Tapper to win CNN’s recent “Quiz Show,” after all–and he knows all about the rules of TV news. One of those rules? Every show gets a coffee mug.

Mugs and cable news shows usually arrive simultaneously, like newborn babies and those striped hospital blankets. CNN’s “New Day” has bright red mugs, and on Sunday, “Reliable Sources” anchor Brian Stelter bragged about his new mug:

Spiffy new coffee mugs on the set today!

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A photo posted by Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) on

That Instagram post seemed to have been the final straw for Berman, who has been drinking his brew out of standard-issue paper cups from the CNN break room. Berman, who accused Stelter of being unwilling to address the “Early Start” mug scandal, has now taken to branding those paper cups with the show’s name, and the hashtag “#MugsNow.”

TVNewser has asked CNN for a response. In the meantime, perhaps cable news hosts who support Berman’s cause could refuse to use their branded mugs on camera until all anchors, in all dayparts, are treated with mug equality?

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