CBS News insiders believe Leslie Stahl will continue as a correspondent on “60 Minutes” after she was seen filming for the upcoming season, despite a recent upheaval within the show, according to reports.
Stahl was actively engaged in a new segment after a recent high-profile firing that resulted in the departure of correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, executive producer Tanya Simon, and her deputy, Dragan Mihailovic, along with two senior producers, sources shared.
One insider mentioned, “Leslie was working on a segment for next season. She’s likely to stay with the network.”
It was noted that Stahl had been collaborating with senior producer Guy Campanile, who was let go as part of CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss’ revamp of the historic program. After finishing with Campanile, Stahl sought another producer to help with the story.
Neither CBS News nor Stahl have provided any official statements on the matter.
Another source added, “Leslie didn’t wait long before getting back to filming, even after the departures of Tanya Simon and Dragan Mihailovich.”
Sources indicated that Stahl was not part of a contentious meeting on Monday with new president Nick Bilton, where correspondent Scott Pelley challenged the rationale behind Campanile’s firing, claiming Weiss was harming the show.
The day after this heated discussion, correspondent Perry publicly criticized Bilton’s qualifications, leading to his dismissal from the network.
Executives, including Bari Weiss, are hoping to retain Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim as key figures on the series.
In the aftermath of Perry’s firing, there has been speculation about whether these remaining cast members would choose to stay. Some insiders have suggested that while CBS wants them to remain, it’s uncertain if they will.
Bilton communicated to staff in an email, stating, “Leslie, Bill, and John are at the heart of this show’s success,” though he didn’t confirm their continuing roles.
Despite her age, it seems likely that Stahl will stick around, based on a source’s comment after Perry’s exit, asserting that “60 Minutes is like oxygen to her.”
Stahl, Whitaker, and Wertheim reportedly met on Wednesday to discuss their futures at the network.
