CNN’s Don Lemon stood up for KTLA reporter Sam Rubin who mixed up Samuel L. Jackson with Laurence Fishburne and explained that people would often mistake him for former CNN anchor TJ Holmes — and he even almost had Holmes pretend to be him for the segment.
“People all the time say to me, you look just like Don Lemon, and I would go, I hear that all the time!” Lemon said on “Outfront with Erin Burnett” Tuesday evening, “And after a moment I would go, I am Don Lemon!”
Also read: Samuel L. Jackson Slams KTLA Reporter Sam Rubin, Who Mistook Him for Laurence Fishburne (Video)
“When someone is in our tribe, I think it’s particularly easier for us to tell them apart, because we’re used to their facial features,” Lemon explained, “Let’s be honest, I’m probably going to get in trouble here –people do look alike! There are features that African Americans have that are similar! There are features that white people have that are similar! Features that Hispanic people have that are similar!”
Also read: Samuel L. Jackson’s KTLA Rubin Flap: 5 of the Actor’s Awkward Media Moments (Video)
“It’s true! I have Asian friends and they know every single distinction,” Burnett added.
“It’s not about race,” Lemon said. “You go to Brooklyn, everybody’s got a beard and plaid shirt. They may be able to tell each other part but they all look alike to me.”
Burnett revealed that people all the time say she looks like Emily Deschanel.
Despite his thesis that people of similar races look alike, he thought it should have been obvious who Rubin was interviewing.
“Someone’s who’s made over 70 movies, you probably should know their name by now,” Lemon said.
“Yes you should!” Burnett agreed.
“Sam Rubin is a great reporter too,” Lemon added.
Watch Lemon’s interview with Burnett below: