“CBS Saturday Morning” Set for Transition as Hosts Depart
This weekend marks the final episode of “CBS Saturday Morning” featuring co-hosts Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson. However, there remains uncertainty regarding their replacements, which has left staff feeling anxious and concerned about potential additional layoffs, sources close to the situation revealed.
As previously reported, Miller, Jacobson, and executive producer Brian Applegate were let go from the long-running show last month amid significant staffing cuts initiated by CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and network president Tom Szybrozki.
Since then, management has been strangely quiet about who will take over hosting duties and what the future direction of the show might be, leading to growing unease among employees.
CBS officials acknowledged the confusion, saying it was “understandable,” with one sarcastically remarking, “This is a network without a plan.”
Although plans for the show do exist, they are expected to be disclosed later on.
CBS News has not provided any official comments regarding the situation.
According to sources, while Miller and Jacobson are set to depart the show this Saturday, Adriana Diaz—who previously co-hosted the now-defunct CBS Morning Plus—may step in on November 29th. It’s reported that Diaz has been offered a full-time position but seems hesitant to accept.
Currently, the show airs nationwide from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET on Saturdays, though it appears there will be some turnover in hosting duties going forward.
Insider discussions have circulated names like Diaz, Elaine Quijano, Errol Burnett, Kelly O’Grady, and Jerrica Duncan as potential replacements, although the show lacks a strong lineup of options.
The uncertainty continues amidst plans for further cuts by Weiss and Cybrowski, likely affecting lower-level staff, human resources (with some possibly retiring), and higher-ups as well.
The initial wave of layoffs resulted in around 100 job losses, part of a larger reduction by parent company Paramount Skydance, which let go of about 1,000 employees last month.
Aside from Miller and Jacobson, other notable departures include CBS Evening News anchor John Dickerson and correspondents Janet Shamlian, Nancy Chen, and Nikki Batiste, along with contributor Lisa Lin and foreign correspondent Deborah Pata.
Pata, who recently signed a new contract, is reportedly considering legal action against the network.
Additionally, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison mentioned in a recent earnings call that the company is expected to cut another 1,600 jobs as part of a strategic overhaul. It’s still uncertain when these layoffs will happen or how many will affect CBS News.
