Chris Cuomo returned to TV nearly 11 months after being fired by CNN for using his position to influence several sexual misconduct claims against his older brother former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
According to The Guardian, Cuomo’s NewsNation show debuted Monday with guests including former Defense Secretary William Cohen, former National Security Adviser John Bolton, and comedian Bill Maher.
Cuomo reportedly quoted William Shakespeare’s Tempest, “the past is prologue,” he said. He expressed humility and gratitude for the second opportunity in cable news.
“I’ve been humbled by what happened and I’m also hungry to do better in a way that I’ve never done before.”
Cuomo was CNN’s top-rated host when he was fired in December 2021. His termination started a series of events that culminated with the exit of former CNN president Jeff Zucker and marketing executive Allison Gollust. Since that time, the network has undergone major personnel changes.
Cuomo filed a $125 million wrongful termination lawsuit against CNN. He reportedly took a pay cut to join NewsNation.
“It’s obvious to me that we need people in my position to do more, to not just play or even referee the game that is plaguing our politics and society,” he said. “That means exposing the game, show when it’s played, show how it’s being played, and also to be more transparent about where my head is on the issues that we cover.”
NewsNation is a network that is less than two years old with an average audience of about 46,000.
Cuomo finished the show with a phone call from his mother who said the show was “very good.”
“Thank you for being with us,” he said in his sign-off. “This is the best comeback I could have hoped for,” he added.
