CBS Evening News Producer Reportedly Fired Amid Relaunch Turmoil
The second-in-command producer at “CBS Evening News” has reportedly been let go, a striking development as the recently relaunched program faces challenges during Tony Dokoupil’s rocky debut week as anchor.
This news was initially highlighted by a reporter from The Guardian. According to three sources, Javier Guzmán was “fired” following Wednesday night’s broadcast, although the reasons for his dismissal remain unclear, leading to some confusion in the newsroom during the show’s first week back.
Guzmán’s exit echoes the difficulties faced by Dokoupil. The much-anticipated rollout of “CBS Evening News,” intended to present new anchors to viewers nationwide, has already seen its plans scaled back due to breaking news and internal conflicts.
Mr. Guzmán had joined “CBS Evening News” as a senior broadcast producer just last August. He has nearly eight years of experience in broadcasting, previously working as a supervising producer on the documentary series “CBSN: On Assignment.”
His background also includes stints at Vice Media and WNYC radio.
The Post has reached out for comments from CBS News, but it appears Guzmán was unavailable for a response.
During Dokoupil’s first week, his on-air missteps gained a lot of attention. At one point, a teleprompter error led to an awkward pause where he openly debated which part to read next, leaving viewers staring at a silent screen.
The situation became even more significant when Dokoupil appeared visibly emotional while discussing his childhood in Florida. This prompted criticism from media commentators who felt his tearful moment blurred the lines between personal storytelling and serious journalism.
Notably, former FOX News and NBC anchor Megyn Kelly openly criticized Dokoupil. She called out his emotional display, stating that “there’s no crying on ‘Evening News,'” suggesting such behavior undermines the traditional authority of news anchors.
Despite the blunders and ensuing backlash, the debut managed to attract about 4.4 million viewers—about 9% higher than the average for the season—but remained significantly behind ABC and NBC. Officials noted that initial viewer curiosity often diminishes quickly.
Dokoupil’s promotion was a strategic move by Bari Weiss, who chose him to represent the revamped vision of CBS News just weeks into her role as editor-in-chief. This decision followed unsuccessful attempts to acquire top anchors from competing networks and was closely tied to her aims to rejuvenate the struggling evening broadcast.
Reports indicate that Weiss’s leadership style has stirred some discontent, with staff expressing concerns about her hands-on management approach and the demands surrounding the promotional tour for Dokoupil’s launch, particularly in light of the early complications that have arisen.
