In a recent podcast episode of “Call Her Daddy,” journalist Katie Couric opened up about her experiences at CBS, shedding light on some backstage tensions. During the interview, she discussed how her ambitions for “60 Minutes,” including a pitch centered on Lady Gaga, were met with resistance from producer Jeff Fager.
Couric mentioned feeling like an outsider, having come from a different network, and recalled how Fager didn’t seem to appreciate her presence. She had a concept that she thought would really resonate, given that “60 Minutes” might have been missing some key cultural moments. “I believed Lady Gaga was going to be the next Madonna, someone captivating,” Couric said, “and her journey intrigued me.” However, her idea didn’t receive the enthusiastic response she had hoped for from the producers.
She went on to explain that after initially pitching the concept, she offered a new angle focusing on Sister’s who had taught Gaga, creating a contrast between her traditional upbringing and her bold persona. The producers seemed more receptive this time, but upon returning to CBS, Couric discovered that the project had shifted—she saw names like Lady Gaga and Anderson Cooper attached to a whiteboard, which left her feeling quite frustrated.
This wasn’t an isolated case; Couric reflected on a similar situation when she was supposed to cover Hillary Clinton during her tenure as Secretary of State. Though she’d anticipated focusing on Clinton’s work empowering women globally, the direction seemed to change without her input. Couric said Fager had indicated he wanted to give her that story, only to later announce a different plan without explanation, which felt, in her words, like “gasslighting.”
In the wake of heightened tensions at CBS, particularly after Scott Pelley was let go following a confrontation with the new executive producer Nick Bilton, Couric expressed understanding over the decisions made at the network. “I think this is a clear case of insubordination,” she noted, adding that sometimes choices have to be made for the greater good of the team.
CBS has yet to comment on Couric’s statements. Discussions surrounding her experiences have rekindled interest in the intricate dynamics at play within news media, and how personal stories often intertwine with professional ones.
