Staff ReportsCNN’s latest attempt at self-reflection—or what passes for it—unfolded in unintentionally hilarious fashion when one of their reporters decided it was a good idea to interview comedian Tim Dillon. For those unfamiliar, Dillon has made a name for himself by skewering the very kind of media bias and establishment groupthink that CNN embodies. The interview, which was likely meant to be a probing look at “new media,” quickly became a masterclass in missing the point.
The reporter’s earnest question about whether Dillon considered himself part of a new media establishment was so out of touch, it bordered on parody. It’s almost as if CNN genuinely believes a few comedians with podcasts could rival the institutional power and influence of legacy networks, Hollywood, or the political elite. Dillon, never one to miss an opportunity for a punchline, laughed off the idea, reminding viewers that having a loyal audience is a far cry from wielding the kind of power that can shape public policy or coordinate with government agencies behind closed doors.
This exchange perfectly encapsulates the disconnect between legacy media and the rest of America. While CNN and its peers scramble to maintain relevance and credibility, they seem unable to grasp why so many Americans have tuned them out in favor of independent voices. Instead of asking tough questions about their failures—like their role in spreading misinformation or cozying up to political power—they’d rather cast comedians and podcasters as the new villains.
But the reality is simple: a guy like Tim Dillon, armed with a microphone and a sense of humor, is hardly a threat to the entrenched interests that dominate the mainstream media. If anything, his popularity is a symptom of just how far the legacy press has fallen in the eyes of the public. Americans are hungry for honesty, humor, and a willingness to call out hypocrisy—qualities sorely lacking in the halls of CNN.
So, while CNN continues its search for scapegoats and distractions, perhaps the real lesson is that the joke is on them. Instead of learning from their critics, they double down on the same tired narratives and wonder why their ratings keep sinking. Maybe it’s time for CNN to take a cue from Tim Dillon and start laughing at themselves—because right now, the rest of the country certainly is.
