CNN underwent some tumultuous months during the final stages and immediate aftermath of Chris Licht’s tenure. Anchor Anderson Cooper says things are on the rebound.
In a feature story with The Hollywood Reporter, Cooper claimed that there were dark days at the cable channel, but thinks it has started on an upward trajectory since Licht’s departure and subsequent replacement by Mark Thompson.
“Nobody likes the place they’re working at to be a place where stories are being leaked. It was depressing,” admitted Cooper. “I didn’t really read much about it, but just to see the morale and the layoffs, all of that was concerning. I’m not somebody who has a lot of meetings with management. I certainly had a couple of meetings with Chris. If he asked me something, I would give him an honest opinion.
“I also don’t think it’s responsible to go into details of what I said to somebody who’s no longer here. And look, I wish him and his family well. It’s sad the way the whole thing happened. But morale here has really bounced back, and we’re really focused. No one’s looking backward, no one’s wringing their hands, and we’re plunging ahead.”
Of Thompson, Anderson Cooper said “I was impressed by him then. So I’m thrilled and excited about his involvement. I talked to him while I was on vacation, and then met with him a couple of days after I returned.”
