Changes Are Coming for “60 Minutes”
It seems like time is running out for “60 Minutes” to attract top talent.
Bari Weiss, the Editor-in-Chief at CBS News, is advocating for significant changes to the long-standing news program. This shake-up could lead to the departure of several well-known anchors, according to reports.
David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, which owns CBS, has indicated that Weiss was chosen earlier this month to bring “balance” back to the network’s news division. There are whispers that she feels “60 Minutes” has shifted too far to the left.
Sources close to the situation reveal that some of Weiss’s potential targets could include Scott Pelley. Over the summer, Pelley publicly criticized CBS’s former owner after it settled a $16 million lawsuit with President Trump regarding claims that “60 Minutes” had misleadingly edited an interview with Kamala Harris.
Bill Whitaker, who was involved in that contentious interview, might also find himself in Weiss’s crosshairs. He has faced criticism for asking easy questions and not properly vetting the broadcast.
Interestingly, a CBS insider noted that Pelley is 68 and Whitaker is 74, suggesting that Weiss might be justified in seeking out new talent, especially since many of the show’s correspondents and viewers are older.
However, insiders argue that trying to guess who might be cut isn’t straightforward.
Leslie Stahl, at 83 years old, remains a key figure. Despite rumors about her retirement after she refused to apologize to Trump for dismissing the Hunter Biden laptop story, sources say she is considered a “treasure” by Weiss and could be staying put for a while.
Another uncertainty revolves around Tanya Simon, who took over as “60 Minutes” executive producer amid some chaos related to Trump this summer. There’s speculation about how she will fit into Weiss’s plans, but Simon seems to share Weiss’s sentiment that the show has become too lenient. Prior to Weiss’s appointment, Simon had already been contemplating staff changes to deliver more hard-hitting content.
No comments have come from Simon or representatives for “60 Minutes.”
A source previously mentioned to the Post that “’60 Minutes’ has turned into a platform for book and movie promotions,” which feels far from the investigative roots established by figures like Mike Wallace.
Last year saw some strong reporting, including an Emmy-winning piece on “Havana Syndrome,” but the recent season kicked off with lighter segments, such as Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s call for unity following a tragic incident, which has left some people unimpressed.
A CBS official even remarked, “This report is basically an afternoon cable TV show. This isn’t what ’60 Minutes’ is supposed to represent.”
This overhaul comes amidst discussions by Weiss and CBS News President Tom Sibrowski about the future of prominent talent like “CBS Morning” co-host Gayle King. Given that King’s hefty salary seems hard to justify for a third-place show, her fate remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the network is anticipated to announce significant layoffs soon.
“Big changes are on the horizon,” a source indicated.
Weiss is also looking to revive the commendable investigative journalism that has characterized CBS News for decades. There’s even talk of contacting former correspondent Katherine Herridge, who made headlines for leaking information on Hunter Biden’s laptop.
A CBS News executive remarked, “The investigative reporting department is nearly non-existent now. Essentially, ’60 Minutes’ is the investigative wing of CBS News.”
Recently, the network confirmed the retirement of John Dickerson, co-anchor of CBS Evening News, set for the end of this year. It’s anticipated that co-host Maurice Dubois may also step down as Weiss and Sibrowski look for a suitable replacement to anchor the program.
