Don Lemon and Poppy Harlow may still need some time to smooth things over.
Body language expert Judi James exclusively told Page Six that “there are several signs from Poppy that hint at underlying tension” during Lemon’s first day back on “CNN This Morning” after his sexist remarks last week.
James noticed that Harlow “finger-fiddled, suggesting tension, while Don calmly meshed and re-meshed his fingers as she spoke.
“At one point, she listened with one finger up the side of her face in what can look like an evaluation gesture, while her raised foot tapped,” she added. “This is a metronomic gesture that can suggest impatience or possible irritation.”
James also claimed that when Harlow, 40, sat at her desk on Wednesday morning, she adopted a “barriered pose with her arms folded as Don talked.”
“Later she sat at the desk with one arm around her waist in a partial barrier, while the other raised her pen to her mouth so she can chew the end of it,” she continued. “This is often a self-comfort ritual that can again hint at inner tension.”
James did add that eventually, the mood on set seemed to thaw.
“We get a complete change of mood later when the pair were seen laughing and smiling together, using eye contact and friendly smiles — and Poppy even leaned to place a hand on Don’s arm in what seemed to be intended as a bonding ritual,” she explained.
The Emmy-winner journalist, 56, found himself in hot water last week when he confidently blathered on about women and their “prime” years.
“A woman is considered to be in their prime in [their] ’20s and ’30s and maybe ’40s,” he mansplained, while discussing Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s call for mental competency tests for politicians over the age of 75.
A shocked-looking Harlow immediately called out her co-host: “What are you talking about, wait … Prime for what?”
The intense backlash resulted in Lemon being off the air for three days — part of which he spent sunning himself in Miami — and issuing an apology to his co-workers during an internal call.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to hurt anyone,” he said, according to a transcript obtained by The Post.
“I did not mean to offend anyone,” the journalist added. “What I said came out wrong, and I wish I hadn’t said it. I believe women of any age can do anything they set their minds to.”
Lemon did not address the media maelstrom during the show but did acknowledge it on social media shortly before his appearance.
“I appreciate the opportunity to be back on @CNNThisMorning today,” he tweeted Wednesday morning. “To my network, my colleagues and our incredible audience — I’m sorry.
“I’ve heard you, I’m learning from you, and I’m committed to doing better,” he added. “See you soon.”