For the next month, CNN will be trying out a series of different programs each night in the 10pm hour.
Starting Monday, CNN anchor Don Lemon returns to primetime with “The Don Lemon Show.” The half-hour program will lead in to another new weekly show, “Making The Case” at 10:30pm.
Tuesdays at 10pm will be one-hour special reports; Wednesdays at 10 will see “Death Row Stories;” “Chicagoland” airs Thursdays at 10; and on Fridays its “CNN Spotlight” followed by “Unguarded with Rachel Nichols” at 10:30.
“AC360” will return to the 11pm hour Monday through Thursday, a re-air of the 8pm hour (live in the event of breaking news.) Friday’s at 11pm is reserved for “Death Row Stories.” This will be the schedule for at least the next five weeks.
Late last year, Lemon hosted the limited-run 11pm show “11th Hour” while Erin Burnett was on maternity leave.
Lemon has also been part of the story as of late, getting into a Twitter spat with Fox News’ Gregg Jarrett when the verdict in the Michael Dunn trial was announced.
CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker told TVNewser’s Alissa Krinsky last night at the premiere of “Chicagoland” he’s fine with his anchors showing emotion.
“I think that what you will find is that our anchors and hosts are still objective and presenting the news,” Zucker says. “Are there occasions where they show their passion, and show their emotion? Yes. And is that fine? Yes. And we’re okay with that.”