CNN's Kyra Phillips Jokes About Making "Reverse Oreo" With Black Cohost Don Lemon

This afternoon, CNN "Open House" host Gerri Willis came by CNN Newsroom to discuss the economy. Willis joked with anchor Kyra Phillips that if she could predict the stock market, she and Phillips could run off to an island, prompting Phillips' co-anchor, Don Lemon, to ask not to be left out of the girls' getaway. This resulted in the following exchange:

Gerri: Alright Don, you come too.
Kyra: We could bring him along with the girls.
Gerri: Come on!
Kyra: He's paying! Thanks, Gerri.
Don: A little sandwich!
Kyra: Ooh!
Gerri: Whoa, I have to go now!
Kyra: Yeah, good time. You don't want to talk about the reverse oreo!

Willis was visibly embarrassed by Phillips' joke, though Lemon seemed to enjoy it, laughing out loud and announcing, "Oh, she said it! I'm glad she said it."

Watch:

Kyra Phillips and Gerri Willis transformed a segment on the economy into a racially tinged, awkward moment by joking about making a "reverse oreo" with black co-host Don Lemon. Watch! http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1396519189http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=1178199204

From CNN, 1/30

Previously: Kyra Phillips' microphone remains on, streaming her bathroom conversation (about her brother and sister-in-law) over a Bush speech.

Comments

[mkjohn1]

Ha, that was funny.

[guajiro]

The word Oreo reminds me of a cookie. For Don to use it in terms of describing himself and two white people is insecure and juvenile on his part. Don, IMHO, is usually prankish in his remarks and this one may have gotten away from him. He's young and I'm sure he'll grow out of these type of remarks simply because they're not worth the speculation they come with. What he needs is some real, serious, field reporting, preferably from some location where he can see people his own age behaving more appropriately.

[ndolomar]

cnn isn't liberal by any stretch. sorry, it's just not. not many mainstream media outlets are, actually. if you're looking for balanced news, you'd be best to consult as many networks as you can and then split the difference.

[DDike88]

A manipulated photo and a misleading headline to create a non-story. But hey, any story that has a smidgen of race makes for high page views & comments for this site. Losing faith in HuffingtonPost, one crappy blog entry at a time.

[Burnsey]

sexual humor has no place in the news program. If I wanted to see that kind of 'humor' I wouldn't have been watching the afternoon news but Jerry Springer. What ever happened to professional ethics and behaviors. These are the same talking heads who decry the "entertainment" news they are made to read on air, and are always asking "where is the decency in t.v.?" They looked like fools...and if you watched it, Gerri did not look like she was enjoying the moment. She looked shocked and suprised when she heard it.

[karmax]

Calling Al Sharpton, calling Al Sharpton...where is he now???? Racial police!!!! Hey, Imus had to go, why not this bunch!!!

Imus leaving was ridiculous, but hey folks let's be consistent. Call Al now!!!

[MoeSart]

I enjoy it when HP posts stuff like this.

It shows us who the hysterical, thin skinned types are around here. Also, the ones without any sense of humor whatsoever.

BTW, CNN is neither lib nor con. It's typical sensationalist, tabloid type media. People that say CNN is right wing are just making a fool out of themselves.

[Ginzaman]

What's a man of color to do in a situation like this?

[Ginzaman]

Is this CNN's clumsy way to finally start "The Great Race Debate in America" again?

[ajax2]

Or if they do it with Bush they could break the 100 IQ barrier.

[UncleJimbo]

Calm down I swear! Honestly and this goes back to the 60's,I'm 56,sometimes the word was used as a joke when a white guy was standing between two black guys and a "reverse" Oreo a black guy standing between two white guys! No Big Deal! Lighten up folks! It's was really I believe a harmless comment as to what they looked like on camera!

[ConcernedAmerican]

I'd like to be the white meat in that white bread sandwhich. Yummy!!!

[hannitizer]

Hey all you Kyra apologists, it was ridiculous. Seriously, is CNN now an entertainment channel? This is not Comedy Central. If I want childish, sophomoric double entendres I can watch the Man Show. I despise what has happened to CNN. It is nearly as bad as FOX. People who like this kind of dumbing-down of the news are just that... dumbed-down.

[TimN]

Oh, come on people lighten up. That slut WAS funny.

[Rockwell]

It seemed to me funny, genuine and kinda cute. But if that exchange took place in my office, there would be very serious disciplinary action. Kinda sad.