Soledad O’Brien: CNN ‘Talking About My Role’ At The Channel

By Alex Weprin 

CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien appeared on “The Wendy Williams Show,” and appeared to dismiss a New York Post report earlier this week that she was heading out the door of the cable channel. Rather, O’Brien insinuated that while she is likely to leave the mornings, she is still hoping to stay with the channel.

“You know, we’re talking about my role,” O’Brien said in response to a question asked by Williams. “As you know, it’s been reported that the morning show is going a different direction, so we’re talking about what ways I can contribute to CNN. Doing stuff like I like to do which is hard-hitting journalism.”

O’Brien was then asked if what she would “like to do” involved an evening show.

Advertisement

“That would be a schedule I would like, actually,” O’Brien said. “But I like doing documentaries, I like doing hard-hitting–grilling people–it is sort of my thing.”

Reading between the lines, it is apparent what O’Brien’s situation is.

Contrary to the Post, a source familiar with the situation insists that O’Brien wants to stay with CNN, and CNN wants to keep her. With a new morning show in the works (likely hosted by Chris Cuomo and Erin Burnett) O’Brien and CNN are forced to come to terms on a new contract. If O’Brien doesn’t get a deal that she likes, she will almost certainly be able to leave.

Given her comments on Williams’ show, however, it sounds like that while she wants a primetime show, it may not be the only option that keeps her in the CNN family.

Advertisement