A former producer on “60 Minutes” is suing CBS, CBS News and parent company Paramount Global for gender discrimination, claiming that she was wrongfully terminated from the newsmagazine program.
In a complaint obtained by Variety, which was filed on Tuesday in New York federal court, producer Alexandra Poolos says the network fired her after she was falsely accused of bullying an associate producer she supervised. Poolos indicates discrepancies in how her firing was handled by the company compared to several male producers and editors of “60 Minutes” who’ve allegedly been the subject of multiple sexual harassment complaints.
“Sexism and misogyny defined the workplace of CBS, including CBS News, over many years,” according to the complaint. Poolos cites sexual misconduct and harassment claims against former CBS chairman Leslie Moonves, ex-network anchor Charlie Rose and former “60 Minutes” executive producers Don Hewitt and Jeff Fager, as well as several other current producers on the program.
In a complaint obtained by Variety, which was filed on Tuesday in New York federal court, producer Alexandra Poolos says the network fired her after she was falsely accused of bullying an associate producer she supervised. Poolos indicates discrepancies in how her firing was handled by the company compared to several male producers and editors of “60 Minutes” who’ve allegedly been the subject of multiple sexual harassment complaints.
“Sexism and misogyny defined the workplace of CBS, including CBS News, over many years,” according to the complaint. Poolos cites sexual misconduct and harassment claims against former CBS chairman Leslie Moonves, ex-network anchor Charlie Rose and former “60 Minutes” executive producers Don Hewitt and Jeff Fager, as well as several other current producers on the program.
- 10/11/2023
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
A former 60 Minutes producer claims she was falsely fired from the long running newsmagazine show last year, and now she’s suing CBS, CBS News and parent company Paramount Global for discrimination – and naming a lot of names.
In a vast ranging complaint filed today in federal court in New York, Alexandra Poolos says she was axed from 60 Minutes in early 2022 after 10 award winning years because an allegedly untruthful and self-serving colleague accused her of being too aggressive in the workplace. Poolos and her Vladeck, Raskin & Clark P.C. lawyers assert she was stitched up due to the “sexism and misogyny that “defined” CBS News, and the network wanted to get rid of her for raising concerns about the behavior of others at the organization.
“CBS has a long history of shielding men from answering for their misconduct, including unlawful conduct,” the 46-page filing bluntly states, naming ex-ceo Les Moonves,...
In a vast ranging complaint filed today in federal court in New York, Alexandra Poolos says she was axed from 60 Minutes in early 2022 after 10 award winning years because an allegedly untruthful and self-serving colleague accused her of being too aggressive in the workplace. Poolos and her Vladeck, Raskin & Clark P.C. lawyers assert she was stitched up due to the “sexism and misogyny that “defined” CBS News, and the network wanted to get rid of her for raising concerns about the behavior of others at the organization.
“CBS has a long history of shielding men from answering for their misconduct, including unlawful conduct,” the 46-page filing bluntly states, naming ex-ceo Les Moonves,...
- 10/11/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
The headlines coming out of CBS News will soon be guided by a new executive.
Neeraj Khemlani, who arrived at the Paramount Global unit in 2021 to oversee CBS News and local stations along with Wendy McMahon, is leaving his role running the unit that produces “60 Minutes,” “CBS Evening News” and “Face The Nation,” among other programs. Khemlani told CBS News staffers Sunday that he has decided to exit and will instead pursue a new multi-year first-look deal with CBS that has him developing content including books for Simon & Schuster, documentaries and scripted series.
Many senior news executives and anchors sign contracts for three years or more. Khemlani has during a two-years-plus tenure helped to rework CBS News’ morning programming; eliminate divisions between the linear news staff and CBS News streaming operations; bolster its investigative unit; and inject new talent into the famously insular division, including Robert Costa, Natalie Morales and Cecilia Vega.
Neeraj Khemlani, who arrived at the Paramount Global unit in 2021 to oversee CBS News and local stations along with Wendy McMahon, is leaving his role running the unit that produces “60 Minutes,” “CBS Evening News” and “Face The Nation,” among other programs. Khemlani told CBS News staffers Sunday that he has decided to exit and will instead pursue a new multi-year first-look deal with CBS that has him developing content including books for Simon & Schuster, documentaries and scripted series.
Many senior news executives and anchors sign contracts for three years or more. Khemlani has during a two-years-plus tenure helped to rework CBS News’ morning programming; eliminate divisions between the linear news staff and CBS News streaming operations; bolster its investigative unit; and inject new talent into the famously insular division, including Robert Costa, Natalie Morales and Cecilia Vega.
- 8/13/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Susan Zirinsky is back in a job where she can do one of her favorite things: tell a few stories.
For decades, Zirinsky, who left her role as president of CBS News last year, had big tales to relate. As a senior producer at CBS News, she played a role in preparing some of the operation’s most dramatic work: dozens of episodes of “48 Hours”; a memorable documentary on 9/11; and a look inside the CIA for Showtime featuring 12 living directors.
Now, after two years of tending more to the management of the news business at ViacomCBS — re-engineering CBS’ morning program and “CBS Evening News” — she has more. Zirinsky heads See It Now Studios, an independent production unit that she expects to launch documentary films and series for a range of ViacomCBS properties as well as outside parties. “I’m not a sliver of the network, or producing just for the inside,...
For decades, Zirinsky, who left her role as president of CBS News last year, had big tales to relate. As a senior producer at CBS News, she played a role in preparing some of the operation’s most dramatic work: dozens of episodes of “48 Hours”; a memorable documentary on 9/11; and a look inside the CIA for Showtime featuring 12 living directors.
Now, after two years of tending more to the management of the news business at ViacomCBS — re-engineering CBS’ morning program and “CBS Evening News” — she has more. Zirinsky heads See It Now Studios, an independent production unit that she expects to launch documentary films and series for a range of ViacomCBS properties as well as outside parties. “I’m not a sliver of the network, or producing just for the inside,...
- 1/5/2022
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
On Sunday, Scott Pelley gets a full hour to tell a story which has gripped him for 20 years.
In the season premiere of “60 Minutes,” the correspondent will give viewers a dramatic look at the firefighters who responded to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11, complete with actual recordings of emergency calls made during the horrific event. Pelley went through tapes of conversations made available by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Fire Department of New York and found what may be the only one available between a victim of the attacks in their last moments and a 911 operator. Most, he says, have been kept out of the public sphere to give families privacy. In the end, Pelley conducts what is essentially a three-act suite, introducing firefighters, taking viewers through a harrowing trip up one of the Twin Towers in a doomed...
In the season premiere of “60 Minutes,” the correspondent will give viewers a dramatic look at the firefighters who responded to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11, complete with actual recordings of emergency calls made during the horrific event. Pelley went through tapes of conversations made available by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Fire Department of New York and found what may be the only one available between a victim of the attacks in their last moments and a 911 operator. Most, he says, have been kept out of the public sphere to give families privacy. In the end, Pelley conducts what is essentially a three-act suite, introducing firefighters, taking viewers through a harrowing trip up one of the Twin Towers in a doomed...
- 9/8/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
CBS has hired the law firm Proskauer Rose to conduct an external investigation into accusations of racism, sexism and abusive workplace behavior at CBS TV stations, CBS Entertainment Group president and CEO George Cheeks said in a Friday memo to staff.
“I … understand that some employees may be hesitant to come forward and share their concerns, but I assure you that your voice will be heard, and that we will act on the findings of the investigation both swiftly and appropriately,” Cheeks wrote in the memo. “We also want all employees to know they can and should raise concerns in good faith and without fear which is why we prohibit retaliation — in any form — against anyone who speaks up.”
Keisha-Ann Gray of Proskauer Rose will lead the external investigation, Cheeks said.
In a separate memo sent to staff, ViacomCBS president and CEO Bob Bakish also encouraged employees to “assist in...
“I … understand that some employees may be hesitant to come forward and share their concerns, but I assure you that your voice will be heard, and that we will act on the findings of the investigation both swiftly and appropriately,” Cheeks wrote in the memo. “We also want all employees to know they can and should raise concerns in good faith and without fear which is why we prohibit retaliation — in any form — against anyone who speaks up.”
Keisha-Ann Gray of Proskauer Rose will lead the external investigation, Cheeks said.
In a separate memo sent to staff, ViacomCBS president and CEO Bob Bakish also encouraged employees to “assist in...
- 1/30/2021
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Wrap
ViacomCBS Thursday acknowledged that the company had conducted a review of a complaint by a former employee against CEO Bob Bakish but found no ground to support it.
“The Board takes any allegation of this type seriously. An independent review of the alleged incident has concluded, and the investigation did not support the allegation,” ViacomCBS said in a statement.
Website the Information first reported and Deadline has confirmed that the review centered on a complaint made this year by a former Nickelodeon employee, who alleged that Bakish touched her inappropriately at Viacom’s holiday party in 2016, when he was acting CEO.
Bakish became CEO of Viacom in 2017 and was named chief of the combined company when Viacom and CBS merged in December.
The issue is a sensitive one for companies, ViacomCBS in particular. The news of the probe of Bakish comes several years after the CBS side of the company...
“The Board takes any allegation of this type seriously. An independent review of the alleged incident has concluded, and the investigation did not support the allegation,” ViacomCBS said in a statement.
Website the Information first reported and Deadline has confirmed that the review centered on a complaint made this year by a former Nickelodeon employee, who alleged that Bakish touched her inappropriately at Viacom’s holiday party in 2016, when he was acting CEO.
Bakish became CEO of Viacom in 2017 and was named chief of the combined company when Viacom and CBS merged in December.
The issue is a sensitive one for companies, ViacomCBS in particular. The news of the probe of Bakish comes several years after the CBS side of the company...
- 9/24/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Peter Lenkov’s relationship with CBS has been terminated due to accusations the producer and showrunner created a toxic work environment on his sets, Variety has confirmed.
Lenkov developed and was the showrunner on the CBS revivals of “Magnum P.I.” and “MacGyver,” but has now been fired from those shows. In addition, his overall deal with CBS Television Studios has been ended. Lenkov was previously the showrunner on the CBS revival of “Hawaii Five-o,” which ended earlier this year.
“Peter Lenkov is no longer the executive producer overseeing MacGyver and Magnum P.I., and the studio has ended its relationship with him,” a CBS TV Studios spokesperson said. “Monica Macer will be the showrunner on MacGyver and Eric Guggenheim will run Magnum P.I. Both are currently executive producers on their respective series. Our studio is committed to ensuring safe and respectful production environments. Over the past year, we have assigned human...
Lenkov developed and was the showrunner on the CBS revivals of “Magnum P.I.” and “MacGyver,” but has now been fired from those shows. In addition, his overall deal with CBS Television Studios has been ended. Lenkov was previously the showrunner on the CBS revival of “Hawaii Five-o,” which ended earlier this year.
“Peter Lenkov is no longer the executive producer overseeing MacGyver and Magnum P.I., and the studio has ended its relationship with him,” a CBS TV Studios spokesperson said. “Monica Macer will be the showrunner on MacGyver and Eric Guggenheim will run Magnum P.I. Both are currently executive producers on their respective series. Our studio is committed to ensuring safe and respectful production environments. Over the past year, we have assigned human...
- 7/7/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: In its nearly 52 years on the air, 60 Minutes has traveled to war zones and managed through a few of its own internal crises. Nothing in the history of the CBS institution, however, may ever compare with the logistical gauntlet the show has run during Covid-19. Operating remotely in New York City, global epicenter of the pandemic, it has delivered three months of original news broadcasts without access to its nerve center, the main CBS studio on 57th Street. It also has fended off the virus in its own ranks, with several 60 Minutes and CBS News staffers testing positive during the spring, including veteran correspondent Lesley Stahl.
Viewers have responded. The show ended the official TV season in May with two straight weeks of No. 1 performances in the ratings. Its May 17 episode drew 9.9 million viewers, 18% more than the same week in 2019.
Come Memorial Day, the staff of the show is usually decompressing.
Viewers have responded. The show ended the official TV season in May with two straight weeks of No. 1 performances in the ratings. Its May 17 episode drew 9.9 million viewers, 18% more than the same week in 2019.
Come Memorial Day, the staff of the show is usually decompressing.
- 6/18/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Scott Pelley once found himself in the kind of terrible situation that would prompt most people to abandon him immediately. Not Bill Owens.
CBS News veteran Pelley had traveled to Iraq in 2003 with a production team in tow, including a familiar face: longtime producer Bill Owens. Pelley and Owens had covered the White House together in an earlier era. They had journeyed to Iraq and embedded with U.S. Marines under fire. Yet as an explosive detonated overhead, soldiers believed they were under chemical attack. Pelley noticed – too late – that he had left his gas mask behind in the team’s vehicle.
“I turned, and Bill, who had been maybe 50 yards away, immediately saw what the problem was, grabbed my gas mask and sprinted into the fire fight to get it to me,” Pelley recounts. “It turned out the shell that exploded over our heads was not a chemical weapon. But he didn’t know that.
CBS News veteran Pelley had traveled to Iraq in 2003 with a production team in tow, including a familiar face: longtime producer Bill Owens. Pelley and Owens had covered the White House together in an earlier era. They had journeyed to Iraq and embedded with U.S. Marines under fire. Yet as an explosive detonated overhead, soldiers believed they were under chemical attack. Pelley noticed – too late – that he had left his gas mask behind in the team’s vehicle.
“I turned, and Bill, who had been maybe 50 yards away, immediately saw what the problem was, grabbed my gas mask and sprinted into the fire fight to get it to me,” Pelley recounts. “It turned out the shell that exploded over our heads was not a chemical weapon. But he didn’t know that.
- 3/19/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
The “60 Minutes” producer at the center of a lawsuit against CBS has spoken out about the inappropriate photo he is accused of sending a co-worker who reported to him, saying that it was sent accidentally while he was honoring a deceased friend.
Michael Gavshon, who is accused of sending the photo, drinking during work hours and retaliating against Cassandra Vinograd for bringing the former complaints to human resources, released a detailed statement on Wednesday acknowledging sending a photo of himself urinating.
Vinograd filed a gender discrimination suit against Gavshon on Tuesday, which CBS says they are in the process of throughly reviewing.
Also Read: CBS Hit With Gender Discrimination Suit by '60 Minutes' Producer
Read Gavshon’s full statement below:
At the end of September, I was speaking to my sister in Johannesburg on Whatsapp. She and my elderly mother had returned from the funeral of a childhood friend. We...
Michael Gavshon, who is accused of sending the photo, drinking during work hours and retaliating against Cassandra Vinograd for bringing the former complaints to human resources, released a detailed statement on Wednesday acknowledging sending a photo of himself urinating.
Vinograd filed a gender discrimination suit against Gavshon on Tuesday, which CBS says they are in the process of throughly reviewing.
Also Read: CBS Hit With Gender Discrimination Suit by '60 Minutes' Producer
Read Gavshon’s full statement below:
At the end of September, I was speaking to my sister in Johannesburg on Whatsapp. She and my elderly mother had returned from the funeral of a childhood friend. We...
- 12/18/2019
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
Cassandra Vinograd, a London-based associate producer with 60 Minutes, has sued CBS Broadcasting for allegedly retaliating against her after she complained about the conduct of her boss.
According to the lawsuit, senior producer Michael Gavshon frequently consumed large amounts of alcohol, berated junior staffers and behaved erratically. On one occasion mentioned in the suit, Gavshon allegedly texted Vinograd a decades-old photograph showing Gavshon and a friend smiling and urinating on a fire. Gavshon followed that text with another message insisting he sent the image to Vinograd by mistake, instead of to his sister, the intended recipient.
Vinograd says that when she informed the human resources department at CBS about Gavshon’s behavior, they responded by ostracizing and punishing her.
CBS did not immediately respond to Deadline’s request for comment.
“CBS remains committed to insulating and protecting powerful men – the ‘talent’ – at the expense of its female employees,” the complaint says.
According to the lawsuit, senior producer Michael Gavshon frequently consumed large amounts of alcohol, berated junior staffers and behaved erratically. On one occasion mentioned in the suit, Gavshon allegedly texted Vinograd a decades-old photograph showing Gavshon and a friend smiling and urinating on a fire. Gavshon followed that text with another message insisting he sent the image to Vinograd by mistake, instead of to his sister, the intended recipient.
Vinograd says that when she informed the human resources department at CBS about Gavshon’s behavior, they responded by ostracizing and punishing her.
CBS did not immediately respond to Deadline’s request for comment.
“CBS remains committed to insulating and protecting powerful men – the ‘talent’ – at the expense of its female employees,” the complaint says.
- 12/17/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS was hit with a gender discrimination suit by an associate producer for “60 Minutes” who says she was retaliated against and stripped of her work duties for going to Hr with concerns about her boss.
The suit says that Cassandra Vinograd received “an inappropriate and unsolicited photo” from “60 Minutes” senior producer Michael Gavshon after being hired exclusively to work for him in June, “nine months after scandal-led departure of Jeff Fager,” the longtime executive producer of the program. It says the veteran journalist, previously of NBC, the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal, then emailed Hr and legal at CBS to request an investigation into the text and what is described as “Gavshon’s excessive alcohol use during work hours and while traveling for work.”
According to Vinograd’s suit, CBS told her the photo was a “mistake” and her claim of his excessive alcohol use was not corroborated.
The suit says that Cassandra Vinograd received “an inappropriate and unsolicited photo” from “60 Minutes” senior producer Michael Gavshon after being hired exclusively to work for him in June, “nine months after scandal-led departure of Jeff Fager,” the longtime executive producer of the program. It says the veteran journalist, previously of NBC, the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal, then emailed Hr and legal at CBS to request an investigation into the text and what is described as “Gavshon’s excessive alcohol use during work hours and while traveling for work.”
According to Vinograd’s suit, CBS told her the photo was a “mistake” and her claim of his excessive alcohol use was not corroborated.
- 12/17/2019
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
One of Norah O’Donnell’s highest-profile moments since taking over as anchor at “CBS Evening News” in July didn’t occur behind the desk of the venerable program.
In late September, O’Donnell snared a much-coveted interview with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and immediately pressed him about the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashogghi, which the CIA concluded the crown prince ordered. O’Donnell says she had spent the past year trying to secure a conversation with the Saudi leader, and had to jet to the Middle East for a midnight interview with him, then jump on an early-morning plane to get the piece edited and fact-checked just a few days before broadcast on “60 Minutes.”
She agonized over her first question: “Did you order the murder of Jamal Kashoggi?” Would the query stop the conversation before it began? In the end, “we started with the question the...
In late September, O’Donnell snared a much-coveted interview with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and immediately pressed him about the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashogghi, which the CIA concluded the crown prince ordered. O’Donnell says she had spent the past year trying to secure a conversation with the Saudi leader, and had to jet to the Middle East for a midnight interview with him, then jump on an early-morning plane to get the piece edited and fact-checked just a few days before broadcast on “60 Minutes.”
She agonized over her first question: “Did you order the murder of Jamal Kashoggi?” Would the query stop the conversation before it began? In the end, “we started with the question the...
- 10/15/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
John Glenn has exited as showrunner of the CBS military drama Seal Team following an unspecified investigation by producer CBS Television Studios, Deadline has confirmed.
The writer-producer also is out of his overall deal with the studio. Sources said Glenn’s second-in-command, executive producer Spencer Hudnut, will serve as interim showrunner and that production won’t be impacted by Glenn’s exit.
CBS and CBS TV Studios had no comment on the showrunner’s sudden departure from the series, but Glenn issued a statement tonight through his attorney, Michael Plonsker:
“I am proud of the work we did — and greatly enjoyed having the chance to contribute to its creative and commercial success. During my time as showrunner, I was pleased to be able to hire, develop and support numerous producers, writers and crew members who shared our passion for trying to make the series all it could be.
“While...
The writer-producer also is out of his overall deal with the studio. Sources said Glenn’s second-in-command, executive producer Spencer Hudnut, will serve as interim showrunner and that production won’t be impacted by Glenn’s exit.
CBS and CBS TV Studios had no comment on the showrunner’s sudden departure from the series, but Glenn issued a statement tonight through his attorney, Michael Plonsker:
“I am proud of the work we did — and greatly enjoyed having the chance to contribute to its creative and commercial success. During my time as showrunner, I was pleased to be able to hire, develop and support numerous producers, writers and crew members who shared our passion for trying to make the series all it could be.
“While...
- 9/18/2019
- by Erik Pedersen and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Justin Fairfax, the lieutenant governor of Virginia, filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against CBS on Thursday after the network aired two interviews with women who accused him of sexual assault.
Gayle King interviewed the two women, Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson, for airing on CBS This Morning. Fairfax contends that “both encounters were entirely consensual.”
In the lawsuit, Fairfax claims that the network had access to information indicating that the that the accusations were false, but the network “recklessly disregarded whether what Watson and Tyson were saying was, in fact, true.”
Fairfax “filed this lawsuit so that he can fight these allegations in a court of law, with the protections of due process, and on a level playing field.”
CBS News issued a statement in response to the lawsuit. “We stand by our reporting and we will vigorously defend this lawsuit.”
The women came forward just as it looked like Gov.
Gayle King interviewed the two women, Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson, for airing on CBS This Morning. Fairfax contends that “both encounters were entirely consensual.”
In the lawsuit, Fairfax claims that the network had access to information indicating that the that the accusations were false, but the network “recklessly disregarded whether what Watson and Tyson were saying was, in fact, true.”
Fairfax “filed this lawsuit so that he can fight these allegations in a court of law, with the protections of due process, and on a level playing field.”
CBS News issued a statement in response to the lawsuit. “We stand by our reporting and we will vigorously defend this lawsuit.”
The women came forward just as it looked like Gov.
- 9/12/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Susan Zirinsky, the new head of CBS News, has a lot on her plate, and she is making changes quickly. One thing she seemingly does not need to worry about — for now — is the Sunday night stalwart “60 Minutes,” still a top-10 rated primetime network broadcast series when it’s not a rerun.
The program has endured, even while gradually losing its all-star lineup. Mike Wallace, Harry Reasoner, Morley Safer, Ed Bradley, commentator Andy Rooney and legendary creator Don Hewitt, have died. Steve Kroft, who inherited the Mike Wallace tough-guy role, just retired. The show continues even though it’s been tarnished by #MeToo accusations that have led to the ouster of Jeff Fager, the executive producer after Hewitt, and contributor Charlie Rose.
So the timing of a new documentary, “Mike Wallace Is Here,” may either be a perfect salve, for longtime fans, or a lesson about great journalism for younger folks.
The program has endured, even while gradually losing its all-star lineup. Mike Wallace, Harry Reasoner, Morley Safer, Ed Bradley, commentator Andy Rooney and legendary creator Don Hewitt, have died. Steve Kroft, who inherited the Mike Wallace tough-guy role, just retired. The show continues even though it’s been tarnished by #MeToo accusations that have led to the ouster of Jeff Fager, the executive producer after Hewitt, and contributor Charlie Rose.
So the timing of a new documentary, “Mike Wallace Is Here,” may either be a perfect salve, for longtime fans, or a lesson about great journalism for younger folks.
- 7/24/2019
- by Mary Murphy and Michele Willens
- The Wrap
In a rare appearance on the same stage, the heads of the news divisions at ABC, CBS and NBC took on a range of topics, from M&A to the state of broadcast TV and, of course, coping with the nearly constant barrage of President Donald Trump’s tweets.
NBC’s Noah Oppenheim, CBS’ Susan Zirinsky and ABC’s James Goldston all expressed sentiments on Trump tweets during the panel session at the Ft Future of News Summit. Their thoughts contradicted the view of Vice News Evp Josh Tyrangiel on a previous panel. He said Vice deliberately limits its coverage of the tweets for fear of being overwhelmed by the “firehose” of information, though he credited Trump with an Andy Warhol-level inversion of the traditional scarcity of presidential commentary.
“Something may seem irrelevant in a Trump tweet, but it does get into what he’s thinking, what might happen,” Zirinsky said.
NBC’s Noah Oppenheim, CBS’ Susan Zirinsky and ABC’s James Goldston all expressed sentiments on Trump tweets during the panel session at the Ft Future of News Summit. Their thoughts contradicted the view of Vice News Evp Josh Tyrangiel on a previous panel. He said Vice deliberately limits its coverage of the tweets for fear of being overwhelmed by the “firehose” of information, though he credited Trump with an Andy Warhol-level inversion of the traditional scarcity of presidential commentary.
“Something may seem irrelevant in a Trump tweet, but it does get into what he’s thinking, what might happen,” Zirinsky said.
- 6/6/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Just as CBS News is pushing to turn a corner on a more than a year of internal turmoil, veteran anchor Scott Pelley shone a light back on to its recent past.
The anchor, a veteran of CBS News’ “60 Minutes” and “CBS Evening News” alleged Sunday that he was taken off CBS’ evening-news broadcast in 2017 after raising complaints internally about the news division’s workplace culture. “We’ve been through a dark period of the last several years of incompetent management and sort of a hostile work environment within the news division,” Pelley said during a segment on the CNN program “Reliable Sources.” He added: “I lost my job at the ‘Evening News’ because I wouldn’t stop complaining to management about the hostile work environment.”
Pelley alleged he took his concerns to senior management at CBS News as well as the chairman of CBS Corp.
“Scott was expressing his own opinion.
The anchor, a veteran of CBS News’ “60 Minutes” and “CBS Evening News” alleged Sunday that he was taken off CBS’ evening-news broadcast in 2017 after raising complaints internally about the news division’s workplace culture. “We’ve been through a dark period of the last several years of incompetent management and sort of a hostile work environment within the news division,” Pelley said during a segment on the CNN program “Reliable Sources.” He added: “I lost my job at the ‘Evening News’ because I wouldn’t stop complaining to management about the hostile work environment.”
Pelley alleged he took his concerns to senior management at CBS News as well as the chairman of CBS Corp.
“Scott was expressing his own opinion.
- 5/26/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
The revamped CBS Morning News today unveiled its quartet of correspondents. Lead correspondent David Begnaud, Jericka Duncan, Anna Werner and Vladimir Duthiers will be dedicated to the show and deliver original reporting on the day’s top stories, investigative reports and news-making interviews.
The four will appear with co-hosts Gayle King — who recently re-upped her deal — and newcomers Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil. The reporters’ stories also will be featured on CBS Evening News and the network’s other news platforms.
“Having a dedicated team of correspondents will provide a consistent, high level of original reporting that viewers can count on each day,” CBS Morning News executive producer Diana Miller said. “Each one of them brings something different to the broadcast and is focused on our mission of hard news with a heart.”
Duncan, who joined the division in 2013, becomes a national correspondent for the morning show. She has covered...
The four will appear with co-hosts Gayle King — who recently re-upped her deal — and newcomers Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil. The reporters’ stories also will be featured on CBS Evening News and the network’s other news platforms.
“Having a dedicated team of correspondents will provide a consistent, high level of original reporting that viewers can count on each day,” CBS Morning News executive producer Diana Miller said. “Each one of them brings something different to the broadcast and is focused on our mission of hard news with a heart.”
Duncan, who joined the division in 2013, becomes a national correspondent for the morning show. She has covered...
- 5/19/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The annual levitation act known as the upfronts each year reflects an extravagantly orchestrated defiance of reality: Hence the TV network sales forces this week were chasing $10 billion in advertising commitments despite the fact that their primetime audience had fallen 38% over five years and that media news seemed obsessed with streaming.
The network news divisions represent a fascinating microcosm of this quest. They’re dredging for bigger revenues despite the fact that 93% of their viewers now get some, if not all, of their news online. While all hands benefited from last year’s “Trump Bump” in ratings, the newsies must arm themselves for a 2020 campaign starring a President who regards Fox News Channel as his sole outlet and who disdains talking with either Congress or the networks.
Lachlan Murdoch, chief of the slimmed-down Fox Corporation, signals that he intends to keep Fox News on script, while Charlie Collier, his chief of entertainment,...
The network news divisions represent a fascinating microcosm of this quest. They’re dredging for bigger revenues despite the fact that 93% of their viewers now get some, if not all, of their news online. While all hands benefited from last year’s “Trump Bump” in ratings, the newsies must arm themselves for a 2020 campaign starring a President who regards Fox News Channel as his sole outlet and who disdains talking with either Congress or the networks.
Lachlan Murdoch, chief of the slimmed-down Fox Corporation, signals that he intends to keep Fox News on script, while Charlie Collier, his chief of entertainment,...
- 5/16/2019
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS has renewed six dramas for next season in “Seal Team,” “Swat,” “Bull,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “MacGyver” and “Madam Secretary.”
Additionally, newsmagazines “60 Minutes” and “48 Hours” will also return for the 2019-20 season.
It will be the third season for both “Swat” and “Seal Team” and the fourth for “Bull” and “MacGyver.” “Madam Secretary” will head into its sixth season, while “Hawaii Five-0” gets a 10th season.
Also Read: David Boreanaz Discusses 'Seal Team' Episode With Something That's 'Never Been Seen on Television - Ever' (Video)
“60 Minutes” will return for its 52nd season, while “48 Hours” will get its 30th campaign this fall. “60 Minutes” averages 10.9 million viewers every Sunday evening, while “48 Hours” pulls in 4.4 million on Saturdays. In February, CBS named Bill Owens to replace Jeff Fager as the executive producer for “60 Minutes.”
The six dramas join “Criminal Minds” (for its 15th and final season), “FBI,” “God Friended Me,...
Additionally, newsmagazines “60 Minutes” and “48 Hours” will also return for the 2019-20 season.
It will be the third season for both “Swat” and “Seal Team” and the fourth for “Bull” and “MacGyver.” “Madam Secretary” will head into its sixth season, while “Hawaii Five-0” gets a 10th season.
Also Read: David Boreanaz Discusses 'Seal Team' Episode With Something That's 'Never Been Seen on Television - Ever' (Video)
“60 Minutes” will return for its 52nd season, while “48 Hours” will get its 30th campaign this fall. “60 Minutes” averages 10.9 million viewers every Sunday evening, while “48 Hours” pulls in 4.4 million on Saturdays. In February, CBS named Bill Owens to replace Jeff Fager as the executive producer for “60 Minutes.”
The six dramas join “Criminal Minds” (for its 15th and final season), “FBI,” “God Friended Me,...
- 5/9/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
CBS has renewed its venerable newsmagazine 60 Minutes for the 2019-20 TV season and will also bring back 48 Hours for a 30th season. The news came Thursday among a slew of programming renewals by the network ahead of next week’s annual upfronts presentations in New York.
60 Minutes has been on the air for 51 years and averages 10.9 million viewers in its 7 Pm Sunday time slot; it has been TV’s No. 1 primetime news program for more than five decades. Steve Kroft, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper, Bill Whitaker, John Dickerson, Sharyn Alfonsi and Jon Wertheim are the correspondents and contributing correspondents.
The newsmag in February named Owens as executive producer to fill a role that has been vacant since September, when Jeff Fager, the longtime CBS News executive and Ep, was forced to step down amid allegations of inappropriate conduct at the network news division. He was Susan tapped by Susan Zirinsky,...
60 Minutes has been on the air for 51 years and averages 10.9 million viewers in its 7 Pm Sunday time slot; it has been TV’s No. 1 primetime news program for more than five decades. Steve Kroft, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper, Bill Whitaker, John Dickerson, Sharyn Alfonsi and Jon Wertheim are the correspondents and contributing correspondents.
The newsmag in February named Owens as executive producer to fill a role that has been vacant since September, when Jeff Fager, the longtime CBS News executive and Ep, was forced to step down amid allegations of inappropriate conduct at the network news division. He was Susan tapped by Susan Zirinsky,...
- 5/9/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Oprah Winfrey has quietly clocked out of 60 Minutes, where she had been serving as a contributor since 2017. In an interview with THR, the empress of Own explained that she “removed” herself from the show due to creative differences.
“It was not the best format for me,” she told the site, before (carefully) elaborating, “How should I say this? [It’s] never a good thing when I have to practice saying my name and have to be told that I have too much emotion in my name… I think I did seven takes on just my name because it was ‘too emotional.’ I go,...
“It was not the best format for me,” she told the site, before (carefully) elaborating, “How should I say this? [It’s] never a good thing when I have to practice saying my name and have to be told that I have too much emotion in my name… I think I did seven takes on just my name because it was ‘too emotional.’ I go,...
- 4/30/2019
- TVLine.com
Oprah Winfrey said she is no longer working as a contributor to “60 Minutes,” saying the legendary news magazine wasn’t a good fit for her.
“It was not the best format for me,” Winfrey told The Hollywood Reporter in a profile for the latest issue of their magazine.
“How should I say this? Never a good thing when I have to practice saying my name and have to be told that I have too much emotion in my name,” she continued. “I think I did seven takes on just my name because it was ‘too emotional.’ I go, ‘Is there too much emotion in the Oprah part or the Winfrey part?’ I was working on pulling myself down and flattening out my personality, which, for me, is actually not such a good thing.”
Also Read: Prince Harry Teams Up With Oprah Winfrey for Apple TV Mental Health Series
News...
“It was not the best format for me,” Winfrey told The Hollywood Reporter in a profile for the latest issue of their magazine.
“How should I say this? Never a good thing when I have to practice saying my name and have to be told that I have too much emotion in my name,” she continued. “I think I did seven takes on just my name because it was ‘too emotional.’ I go, ‘Is there too much emotion in the Oprah part or the Winfrey part?’ I was working on pulling myself down and flattening out my personality, which, for me, is actually not such a good thing.”
Also Read: Prince Harry Teams Up With Oprah Winfrey for Apple TV Mental Health Series
News...
- 4/30/2019
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
Jose Andino has been hired in the newly created role of Svp Human Resources at CBS News, the latest move at the division trying to revamp its culture in the wake of the exits of Les Moonves and Jeff Fager.
CBS News said Thursday that Andino will focus on overall human resources strategy along with employee relations, programs and processes, cultural and leadership development, employee education and development, and compensation and benefits at the division.
The hire was unveiled by Laurie Rosenfield, CBS’ chief people officer. Andino will report to Rosenfield and new CBS News president and senior executive producer Susan Zirinsky, and he will also work with Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, Evp Strategic Professional Development.
Most recently, Andino served as VP Human Resources at Mediapro Us. His 20-year career includes Hr roles at Sony Pictures Entertainment for two years and NBCUniversal for 12 years. Before NBCU, he was an Hr director at CNN, where he was on the team that launched CNN en Español.
“We are very pleased to welcome Jose to our team in this newly imagined and critical role,” said Rosenfield in a press release. “Jose’s proven track record of successfully evolving cultures and ensuring that human resources is set up to support business goals and strategies makes him a perfect fit to lead CBS News’ Hr efforts. In addition, Jose’s previous experience in News organizations and his passion for addressing the needs and aspirations of employees, as we continue to focus on strengthening our culture and ensuring that all employees are provided with a safe, fair, inclusive and positive work environment, made him the clear choice in our search.”
Rosenfeld was named to her post in October in the wake of the departures of Moonves and Fager. Zirinsky was named to run CBS News in January; she was thought to be top contender to replace ousted Fager but instead replaced David Rhodes, becoming the first woman to helm the news division.
CBS News said Thursday that Andino will focus on overall human resources strategy along with employee relations, programs and processes, cultural and leadership development, employee education and development, and compensation and benefits at the division.
The hire was unveiled by Laurie Rosenfield, CBS’ chief people officer. Andino will report to Rosenfield and new CBS News president and senior executive producer Susan Zirinsky, and he will also work with Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, Evp Strategic Professional Development.
Most recently, Andino served as VP Human Resources at Mediapro Us. His 20-year career includes Hr roles at Sony Pictures Entertainment for two years and NBCUniversal for 12 years. Before NBCU, he was an Hr director at CNN, where he was on the team that launched CNN en Español.
“We are very pleased to welcome Jose to our team in this newly imagined and critical role,” said Rosenfield in a press release. “Jose’s proven track record of successfully evolving cultures and ensuring that human resources is set up to support business goals and strategies makes him a perfect fit to lead CBS News’ Hr efforts. In addition, Jose’s previous experience in News organizations and his passion for addressing the needs and aspirations of employees, as we continue to focus on strengthening our culture and ensuring that all employees are provided with a safe, fair, inclusive and positive work environment, made him the clear choice in our search.”
Rosenfeld was named to her post in October in the wake of the departures of Moonves and Fager. Zirinsky was named to run CBS News in January; she was thought to be top contender to replace ousted Fager but instead replaced David Rhodes, becoming the first woman to helm the news division.
- 4/18/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Tanya Simon, a veteran at CBS newsmagazine “60 Minutes,” has been named the new executive editor of the program, putting a female producer into the top echelon of the CBS News show after an unexpected transition of leadership.
Simon has worked for the broadcast for nearly 20 years and was one of the show’s senior producers. Among her recent responsibilities were overseeing digital content and the production of the spin-off “60 Minutes Sports” for Showtime, also part of CBS Corp. But her time at the program has included other significant duties. She produced some of former correspondent Ed Bradley’s most memorable segments, including coverage of the Duke Lacrosse Rape case, which took Peabody and Emmy awards, as well as an examination of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11.
She has also produced the first major television interview with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange; an Emmy-winning first interview with hero pilot Capt.
Simon has worked for the broadcast for nearly 20 years and was one of the show’s senior producers. Among her recent responsibilities were overseeing digital content and the production of the spin-off “60 Minutes Sports” for Showtime, also part of CBS Corp. But her time at the program has included other significant duties. She produced some of former correspondent Ed Bradley’s most memorable segments, including coverage of the Duke Lacrosse Rape case, which took Peabody and Emmy awards, as well as an examination of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11.
She has also produced the first major television interview with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange; an Emmy-winning first interview with hero pilot Capt.
- 4/11/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Sean Hannity wants Fox News to hire Lara Logan, after the former CBS News correspondent went on a tear this week, attacking the liberal mainstream media and lauding the merits of Fox News and Breitbart.
“I mean this sincerely, I hope my bosses at Fox find a place for you,” Hannity told the former “60 Minutes” reporter during an interview on Wednesday. “I know that you want to still do great work and [be] independent and I think it would be a service if you did. I hope that you telling truth doesn’t end up in career suicide for you. We need the fair, honest investigative voices.”
During the interview, Logan continued to unload on the press, calling out specific reporters by name including Politico’s Michael Calderone, Vanity Fair’s Joe Hagan and CNN’s Brian Stelter — who Hannity referred to as “Humpty Dumpty.”
Also Read: Ex-CBS Reporter Lara...
“I mean this sincerely, I hope my bosses at Fox find a place for you,” Hannity told the former “60 Minutes” reporter during an interview on Wednesday. “I know that you want to still do great work and [be] independent and I think it would be a service if you did. I hope that you telling truth doesn’t end up in career suicide for you. We need the fair, honest investigative voices.”
During the interview, Logan continued to unload on the press, calling out specific reporters by name including Politico’s Michael Calderone, Vanity Fair’s Joe Hagan and CNN’s Brian Stelter — who Hannity referred to as “Humpty Dumpty.”
Also Read: Ex-CBS Reporter Lara...
- 2/21/2019
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
CBS News incoming President and Senior Executive Producer Susan Zirinsky has promoted three top executives as part of a new strategic management team as the division gears up for a new era at the network.
Kimberly Godwin has been promoted to Executive Vice President of News, from her previous VP role. Charles Pavlounis takes on an expanded role of Evp of Business Development and Chief Financial Officer, having most recently served as Svp and CFO. And Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, who has served as Evp of News since 2018, will become Executive Vice President of Strategic Professional Development.
The announcements come a day after Bill Owens was named executive producer of CBS’ venerable newsmagazine 60 Minutes. He fills a role that had been vacant since September, when Jeff Fager, the longtime CBS News executive and Ep, was forced to step down amid allegations of inappropriate conduct at the network news division.
In her expanded...
Kimberly Godwin has been promoted to Executive Vice President of News, from her previous VP role. Charles Pavlounis takes on an expanded role of Evp of Business Development and Chief Financial Officer, having most recently served as Svp and CFO. And Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, who has served as Evp of News since 2018, will become Executive Vice President of Strategic Professional Development.
The announcements come a day after Bill Owens was named executive producer of CBS’ venerable newsmagazine 60 Minutes. He fills a role that had been vacant since September, when Jeff Fager, the longtime CBS News executive and Ep, was forced to step down amid allegations of inappropriate conduct at the network news division.
In her expanded...
- 2/7/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS News unveiled a new top executive structure, another sign of how Susan Zirinsky, the unit’s incoming president, intends to manage operations going forward.
Kimberly Godwin was named executive vice president of news, with top editorial oversight of newsgathering around the world. Charles Pavlounis was given expanded duties as executive vice president of business development and chief financial officer. And Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, who was Evp of news, was named executive vice president of strategic professional development, focusing on recruitment and development of off-air talent.
Zirinsky is slated to take the reins of the CBS Corp. unit in March, bringing new leadership to a division that has been roiled in past months by the ouster of Charlie Rose from “CBS This Morning” after allegations of sexual harassment were leveled at him; sagging ratings at top shows; and shake-ups among top producers. Rose has denied the allegations. Zirinsky, a veteran producer...
Kimberly Godwin was named executive vice president of news, with top editorial oversight of newsgathering around the world. Charles Pavlounis was given expanded duties as executive vice president of business development and chief financial officer. And Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, who was Evp of news, was named executive vice president of strategic professional development, focusing on recruitment and development of off-air talent.
Zirinsky is slated to take the reins of the CBS Corp. unit in March, bringing new leadership to a division that has been roiled in past months by the ouster of Charlie Rose from “CBS This Morning” after allegations of sexual harassment were leveled at him; sagging ratings at top shows; and shake-ups among top producers. Rose has denied the allegations. Zirinsky, a veteran producer...
- 2/7/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Bill Owens has been named the new executive producer of “60 Minutes,” CBS said Wednesday.
Owens, the executive editor of “60 Minutes” since 2008, has been leading the show’s team since previous executive producer Jeff Fager was ousted amid a cloud of sexual misconduct allegations last fall.
“Bill Owens is steeped in the storytelling style audiences have come to expect from ’60 Minutes,'” CBS News boss Susan Zirinsky said in a statement announcing Owens’ promotion. “He has led the broadcast to some of its most important and timely journalism these past few months, during one of its most crucial periods. We are fortunate to be able to put such a talented veteran in charge of this iconic program. I am confident that with Bill and the seasoned team of journalists involved in this broadcast you will see more of the kind of work that’s made ’60 Minutes’ the most-watched news program in America.
Owens, the executive editor of “60 Minutes” since 2008, has been leading the show’s team since previous executive producer Jeff Fager was ousted amid a cloud of sexual misconduct allegations last fall.
“Bill Owens is steeped in the storytelling style audiences have come to expect from ’60 Minutes,'” CBS News boss Susan Zirinsky said in a statement announcing Owens’ promotion. “He has led the broadcast to some of its most important and timely journalism these past few months, during one of its most crucial periods. We are fortunate to be able to put such a talented veteran in charge of this iconic program. I am confident that with Bill and the seasoned team of journalists involved in this broadcast you will see more of the kind of work that’s made ’60 Minutes’ the most-watched news program in America.
- 2/6/2019
- by Itay Hod
- The Wrap
Bill Owens has been named executive producer of CBS’ venerable newsmagazine 60 Minutes, filling a role that has been vacant since September, when Jeff Fager, the longtime CBS News executive and Ep, was forced to step down amid allegations of inappropriate conduct at the network news division.
Owens had been executive editor since June 2008. His appointment was announced Wednesday by Susan Zirinsky, the incoming president and senior executive producer of CBS News.
“Bill Owens is steeped in the storytelling style audiences have come to expect from 60 Minutes,” said Zirinsky. “He has led the broadcast to some of its most important and timely journalism these past few months, during one of its most crucial periods. We are fortunate to be able to put such a talented veteran in charge of this iconic program. I am confident that with Bill and the seasoned team of journalists involved in this broadcast you will see...
Owens had been executive editor since June 2008. His appointment was announced Wednesday by Susan Zirinsky, the incoming president and senior executive producer of CBS News.
“Bill Owens is steeped in the storytelling style audiences have come to expect from 60 Minutes,” said Zirinsky. “He has led the broadcast to some of its most important and timely journalism these past few months, during one of its most crucial periods. We are fortunate to be able to put such a talented veteran in charge of this iconic program. I am confident that with Bill and the seasoned team of journalists involved in this broadcast you will see...
- 2/6/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Bill Owens was named just the third executive producer in the history of the venerable “60 Minutes,” capping off a period of uncertainty at the long-running newsmagazine and kicking off a new era at CBS News.
Owens has been serving as the leader of the program during an interim period, and his ascension to the top role comes as CBS News is about to get a new president, Susan Zirinsky. Owens has been the executive editor of the program, and CBS executives have been impressed with his handling of the show in the 2018-2019 season. Under Owens’ aegis, “60 Minutes” has placed an emphasis not only on deeply reported pieces but also on nabbing interviews with news-makers and politicians in the midst of breaking events.
Tanya Simon, a senior producer at “60 Minutes,” is expected to take on a new, elevated role at the program, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Owens has been serving as the leader of the program during an interim period, and his ascension to the top role comes as CBS News is about to get a new president, Susan Zirinsky. Owens has been the executive editor of the program, and CBS executives have been impressed with his handling of the show in the 2018-2019 season. Under Owens’ aegis, “60 Minutes” has placed an emphasis not only on deeply reported pieces but also on nabbing interviews with news-makers and politicians in the midst of breaking events.
Tanya Simon, a senior producer at “60 Minutes,” is expected to take on a new, elevated role at the program, according to a person familiar with the matter.
- 2/6/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
The CBS drama NCIS: New Orleans has lost its second executive producer in less than four months. Deadline has confirmed that Adam Targum has left the spinoff series whose former showrunner Brad Kern was fired by CBS TV Studios in October.
Vulture reports tonight that Targum, who joined the show less than a year ago, was fired on Friday.
Kern stepped down in May as Ep and showrunner of NCIS: New Orleans amid reports from 2017 of sexual harassment, discrimination against women and making racially charged comments. He had remained as a consultant on the show until being let go last year.
Vulture cites multiple sources as saying the workplace culture on the set had not improved under Christopher Silber, who was promoted to showrunner last year. One of its sources is quoted as saying the atmosphere this season is “miserable,” citing in part Targum’s alleged demeaning words, aggressive disposition and combative leadership style.
Vulture reports tonight that Targum, who joined the show less than a year ago, was fired on Friday.
Kern stepped down in May as Ep and showrunner of NCIS: New Orleans amid reports from 2017 of sexual harassment, discrimination against women and making racially charged comments. He had remained as a consultant on the show until being let go last year.
Vulture cites multiple sources as saying the workplace culture on the set had not improved under Christopher Silber, who was promoted to showrunner last year. One of its sources is quoted as saying the atmosphere this season is “miserable,” citing in part Targum’s alleged demeaning words, aggressive disposition and combative leadership style.
- 1/30/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
With the ink still drying on Megyn Kelly’s $25-30 million separation agreement from NBC News, questions have begun to emerge about what the ex-daytime star might do next. Without the shackles of a non-compete clause, Kelly’s future is more open than at any time in her television career.
“At this point, with the money that she settled for, she could buy time and do whatever she wants to do,” longtime radio host Curtis Sliwa told TheWrap. “She’s going to be swimming in dough.”
But few expect her to just retire — despite the debacle of her short-lived tenure at NBC hosting the third hour of the network’s morning “Today” juggernaut and an even shorter-lived primetime magazine show.
So where will she take her talents — and how soon? Kelly herself has teased her desire to get back into television, telling TMZ in an interview posted this month that...
“At this point, with the money that she settled for, she could buy time and do whatever she wants to do,” longtime radio host Curtis Sliwa told TheWrap. “She’s going to be swimming in dough.”
But few expect her to just retire — despite the debacle of her short-lived tenure at NBC hosting the third hour of the network’s morning “Today” juggernaut and an even shorter-lived primetime magazine show.
So where will she take her talents — and how soon? Kelly herself has teased her desire to get back into television, telling TMZ in an interview posted this month that...
- 1/25/2019
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
CBS News has come under fire for a lack of African-Americans among its core team of on-the-ground reporters and producers set to cover the 2020 presidential campaign cycle.
Criticism of CBS News began to build during the weekend after associate producer Ben Mitchell tweeted a title card featuring images of CBS News’ “political embed unit,” composed of eight 2020 campaign reporters and four associate producers, including himself. The group does not include any African-Americans in either role. Among the eight reporters, four are persons of color: Musadiq Bidar, a native of Afghanistan, Alex Tin, Jack Turman and Stephanie Ramirez. CBS News is still in the process of assembling its on-air correspondent team for the election.
It's Official: The @CBSNews 2020 Election Team has assembled! https://t.co/0GBCw4mj7s pic.twitter.com/E0rUDAkzf7
— Ben Mitchell (@bfmitchell) January 11, 2019
Christopher Isham, CBS News’ Washington bureau chief, called the group its “our boots on...
Criticism of CBS News began to build during the weekend after associate producer Ben Mitchell tweeted a title card featuring images of CBS News’ “political embed unit,” composed of eight 2020 campaign reporters and four associate producers, including himself. The group does not include any African-Americans in either role. Among the eight reporters, four are persons of color: Musadiq Bidar, a native of Afghanistan, Alex Tin, Jack Turman and Stephanie Ramirez. CBS News is still in the process of assembling its on-air correspondent team for the election.
It's Official: The @CBSNews 2020 Election Team has assembled! https://t.co/0GBCw4mj7s pic.twitter.com/E0rUDAkzf7
— Ben Mitchell (@bfmitchell) January 11, 2019
Christopher Isham, CBS News’ Washington bureau chief, called the group its “our boots on...
- 1/13/2019
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Susan Zirinsky is a veteran hand at CBS News, having worked there since the days of Watergate. But the actions she takes over the next few months will have more to do with the future of one of the nation’s best-known news outlets, not its past.
CBS on Jan. 6 said Zirinsky would become president and senior executive producer of CBS News, a title that comes with challenges as well as the usual glory. She will assume duties in March, replacing David Rhodes and becoming the first woman to run the storied division. But she takes command of CBS News after more than a year’s worth of turmoil related to fallout from the departure of former anchor Charlie Rose and former CBS CEO Leslie Moonves, both ousted after sexual misconduct allegations that both have denied.
During that time, some of CBS News’ top properties — “CBS This Morning,” “Face the...
CBS on Jan. 6 said Zirinsky would become president and senior executive producer of CBS News, a title that comes with challenges as well as the usual glory. She will assume duties in March, replacing David Rhodes and becoming the first woman to run the storied division. But she takes command of CBS News after more than a year’s worth of turmoil related to fallout from the departure of former anchor Charlie Rose and former CBS CEO Leslie Moonves, both ousted after sexual misconduct allegations that both have denied.
During that time, some of CBS News’ top properties — “CBS This Morning,” “Face the...
- 1/9/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Susan Zirinsky, a beloved figure at CBS News who started out as a production clerk in 1972, will have her fair share of fires to put out as she takes over the network’s news division following the ouster of David Rhodes.
First and foremost: turning around CBS News’ precipitous ratings slide over the last year.
In 2018, three of the network’s marquee shows — “CBS Evening News,” “CBS This Morning” and the Sunday morning chat fest “Face the Nation” — all declined from 2017 in both overall ratings and in the critical advertiser coveted 25-54-year-old demographic.
“Hard to sugarcoat, but it’s mostly a mess at CBS News outside of the consistent success of ’60 Minutes,’ which is enjoying yet another great season,” Joe Concha, a media critic for The Hill, told TheWrap.
Also Read: Former CBS Chief Les Moonves Will 'Not Receive Any' of $120 Million Severance Payment
Over the last year, Rhodes...
First and foremost: turning around CBS News’ precipitous ratings slide over the last year.
In 2018, three of the network’s marquee shows — “CBS Evening News,” “CBS This Morning” and the Sunday morning chat fest “Face the Nation” — all declined from 2017 in both overall ratings and in the critical advertiser coveted 25-54-year-old demographic.
“Hard to sugarcoat, but it’s mostly a mess at CBS News outside of the consistent success of ’60 Minutes,’ which is enjoying yet another great season,” Joe Concha, a media critic for The Hill, told TheWrap.
Also Read: Former CBS Chief Les Moonves Will 'Not Receive Any' of $120 Million Severance Payment
Over the last year, Rhodes...
- 1/8/2019
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
Susan Zirinsky, the CBS News executive known to her colleagues as “Z,” is getting ready for a heady tenure as the new president of CBS News. Gayle King, one of her top anchors, on live TV on Monday morning described her as a “badass.”
But first, she asks for your forbearance.
CBS News is grappling with some potent challenges, including ratings declines at some of its best-known shows: “Face the Nation” “CBS Evening News” and “CBS This Morning” Both the morning program and the venerable newsmagazine “60 Minutes” need new top producers. And then there’s the fact that the news unit, like its parent company, is emerging from a probe of its corporate culture, sparked largely by the late-2017 ouster of Charlie Rose after allegations of sexual harassment – which he denied – were leveled against him.
“We don’t live in a patient society, but listening to what works and...
But first, she asks for your forbearance.
CBS News is grappling with some potent challenges, including ratings declines at some of its best-known shows: “Face the Nation” “CBS Evening News” and “CBS This Morning” Both the morning program and the venerable newsmagazine “60 Minutes” need new top producers. And then there’s the fact that the news unit, like its parent company, is emerging from a probe of its corporate culture, sparked largely by the late-2017 ouster of Charlie Rose after allegations of sexual harassment – which he denied – were leveled against him.
“We don’t live in a patient society, but listening to what works and...
- 1/7/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Judy Tygard, a senior producer at CBS News’ “48 Hours,” will take the reins of the program in the wake of the series’ current chief, Susan Zirinsky, being elevated to president of the news division, according to two people familiar with the situation.
Zirinsky told staffers Monday of the decision. “I am leaving the ship in the most qualified hands,” Zirinsky said, according to a person who was present. “I need not explain her editorial strength and commitment to this broadcast.”
In Tygard, CBS News has a veteran who first started working for the network since 1985, when she first joined the outlet as a news writer for Bob Schieffer and Morton Dean on the weekend editions of “CBS Evening News.” She has been with “48 Hours” for two different tenures. She was a producer and senior producer for the show between 1989 and 1997, and then left for five years working as...
Zirinsky told staffers Monday of the decision. “I am leaving the ship in the most qualified hands,” Zirinsky said, according to a person who was present. “I need not explain her editorial strength and commitment to this broadcast.”
In Tygard, CBS News has a veteran who first started working for the network since 1985, when she first joined the outlet as a news writer for Bob Schieffer and Morton Dean on the weekend editions of “CBS Evening News.” She has been with “48 Hours” for two different tenures. She was a producer and senior producer for the show between 1989 and 1997, and then left for five years working as...
- 1/7/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
“CBS This Morning” offered fulsome praise of their new boss Susan Zirinsky on Monday, one day after the network announced she had been formally tapped to lead CBS News. On set, Gayle King said Zirinsky is just what was needed to turn things around at CBS News.
“I feel that we were sort of like a ship, not sinking, but taking on water,” King said during Monday’s broadcast of “CBS This Morning.” “And I feel that she is someone who can right the ship, because she gets us, she knows us. And by us I mean this organization. She’s been here for a very long time. She is a smart cookie and she is a badass in every sense of the word.”
King’s co-host Norah O’Donnell swiftly added her agreement.
“[Susan Zirinsky] is known for her original reporting, her great producing skills, she is a great journalist. And in addition to that,...
“I feel that we were sort of like a ship, not sinking, but taking on water,” King said during Monday’s broadcast of “CBS This Morning.” “And I feel that she is someone who can right the ship, because she gets us, she knows us. And by us I mean this organization. She’s been here for a very long time. She is a smart cookie and she is a badass in every sense of the word.”
King’s co-host Norah O’Donnell swiftly added her agreement.
“[Susan Zirinsky] is known for her original reporting, her great producing skills, she is a great journalist. And in addition to that,...
- 1/7/2019
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
David Rhodes is out as president of CBS News; Susan Zirinsky, thought to be top contender to replace ousted 60 Minutes Ep Jeff Fager is instead replacing Rhodes. She becomes the first woman to ever helm the news division.
Rhodes tweeted, CBS News confirmed – during NBC’s Golden Globe Awards broadcast.
“It’s been eight incredible years since I joined @CBS,” Rhodes tweeted to say he is stepping down. “I am pleased to announce that I’ll soon be handing the reins @CBSNews to Susan Zirinsky, our Senior Executive producer.
“Susan Zirinsky to Become President and Senior Executive Producer of CBS News,” CBS announced, far less dramatically.
“After March 1 I’ll be a Senior Advisor to @CBS CEO and to @CBSNews,” Rhodes said.
Actually, he’ll be senior advisor to acting CBS CEO Joe Ianniello for the time being, what with CEO Les Moonves having been pushed out over allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment.
Rhodes tweeted, CBS News confirmed – during NBC’s Golden Globe Awards broadcast.
“It’s been eight incredible years since I joined @CBS,” Rhodes tweeted to say he is stepping down. “I am pleased to announce that I’ll soon be handing the reins @CBSNews to Susan Zirinsky, our Senior Executive producer.
“Susan Zirinsky to Become President and Senior Executive Producer of CBS News,” CBS announced, far less dramatically.
“After March 1 I’ll be a Senior Advisor to @CBS CEO and to @CBSNews,” Rhodes said.
Actually, he’ll be senior advisor to acting CBS CEO Joe Ianniello for the time being, what with CEO Les Moonves having been pushed out over allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment.
- 1/7/2019
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS News president David Rhodes announced on Sunday that he will step down after eight years, with Susan Zirinsky to take over.
Zirinsky, who had been senior executive producer for “48 Hours,” will add the president title beginning in March. When she does, she will be the first female news chief in the network’s long history. Rhodes will transition to a senior adviser role for CBS News, as well as to the permanent CEO of CBS — Joe Ianniello has filled the role following the resignation of Leslie Moonves. Rhodes’ contract was set to expire in 2019.
“It’s been eight incredible years since I joined @CBS. I’m pleased to announce that I’ll soon be handing the reins @CBSNews to Susan Zirinsky, our Senior Executive Producer,” Rhodes wrote on Sunday during the Golden Globes broadcast on NBC. He added in a subsequent tweet: “The world we cover is changing,...
Zirinsky, who had been senior executive producer for “48 Hours,” will add the president title beginning in March. When she does, she will be the first female news chief in the network’s long history. Rhodes will transition to a senior adviser role for CBS News, as well as to the permanent CEO of CBS — Joe Ianniello has filled the role following the resignation of Leslie Moonves. Rhodes’ contract was set to expire in 2019.
“It’s been eight incredible years since I joined @CBS. I’m pleased to announce that I’ll soon be handing the reins @CBSNews to Susan Zirinsky, our Senior Executive Producer,” Rhodes wrote on Sunday during the Golden Globes broadcast on NBC. He added in a subsequent tweet: “The world we cover is changing,...
- 1/7/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
David Rhodes will step down as president of CBS News after an eight-year tenure and be replaced by veteran producer Susan Zirinsky, CBS announced Sunday night, a maneuver executives and anchors alike no doubt hope will end an era of turmoil at the famous news division. Zirinsky will become the first female chief in the storied history of a unit whose journalists have included industry titans like Edward R. Murrow, Fred Friendly and Walter Cronkite.
“The media is intensely scrutinized every day in this country, but what matters most is that we hold ourselves to the highest standards possible,” acting CBS CEO Joe Ianniello said in a note to staffers Sunday. “With this in mind, we called upon Susan and look forward to the next chapter for CBS News. In the coming weeks, Susan will be determining the needs of the organization and her executive team.” Zirinsky will start her duties in March.
“The media is intensely scrutinized every day in this country, but what matters most is that we hold ourselves to the highest standards possible,” acting CBS CEO Joe Ianniello said in a note to staffers Sunday. “With this in mind, we called upon Susan and look forward to the next chapter for CBS News. In the coming weeks, Susan will be determining the needs of the organization and her executive team.” Zirinsky will start her duties in March.
- 1/7/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
“60 Minutes” conducted an interview with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi that they say the Egyptian government asked them not run. In an article teasing the interview, the news organization said they will proceed with the piece this Sunday and not bow to any pressure.
“The ’60 Minutes’ team was contacted by the Egyptian Ambassador shortly after and told the interview could not be aired. The interview will be broadcast on ’60 Minutes,’ Sunday, January 6 at 7:00 p.m. Et/Pt on CBS,” they wrote, in a post headlined “The Interview Egypt’s Government Doesn’t Want On TV.”
The interview was conducted by show veteran Scott Pelley while the Egyptian president was in New York on a recent visit. In a brief clip released by CBS, Pelley can be seen questioning the general over the jailing of political dissidents.
Also Read: NBC News Veteran Leaves Network, Says Media Have Become 'Prisoners of...
“The ’60 Minutes’ team was contacted by the Egyptian Ambassador shortly after and told the interview could not be aired. The interview will be broadcast on ’60 Minutes,’ Sunday, January 6 at 7:00 p.m. Et/Pt on CBS,” they wrote, in a post headlined “The Interview Egypt’s Government Doesn’t Want On TV.”
The interview was conducted by show veteran Scott Pelley while the Egyptian president was in New York on a recent visit. In a brief clip released by CBS, Pelley can be seen questioning the general over the jailing of political dissidents.
Also Read: NBC News Veteran Leaves Network, Says Media Have Become 'Prisoners of...
- 1/4/2019
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
2018 was a wild ride in the TV news business. Shocking reports in the wake of #MeToo forced the industry to vomit out more sexual harassers. Some high-profile programs suffered ratings consequences. Meanwhile, TV news executives licked self-inflicted wounds, and, once again, viewers said so long, for now at least, to a super-successful TV news host who tried to change the daypart and network simultaneously.
CBS News veteran Jeff Fager, only the second person to executive produce 60 Minutes in its five decades on the air, got the hook in September following more reports of inappropriate behavior, which would follow in the footsteps of mentor Don Hewitt. But it was Fager’s threatening text to a reporter that got him jettisoned.
Meanwhile, NBC News got the ammo it sought in its struggles with its $69 million morning-show host Megyn Kelly, when she delivered on-air a nostalgic defense of blackface costumes during a Today panel discussion for Halloween.
CBS News veteran Jeff Fager, only the second person to executive produce 60 Minutes in its five decades on the air, got the hook in September following more reports of inappropriate behavior, which would follow in the footsteps of mentor Don Hewitt. But it was Fager’s threatening text to a reporter that got him jettisoned.
Meanwhile, NBC News got the ammo it sought in its struggles with its $69 million morning-show host Megyn Kelly, when she delivered on-air a nostalgic defense of blackface costumes during a Today panel discussion for Halloween.
- 12/31/2018
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
2018 was hard for a lot of media folks, but particularly so for this rogues’ gallery. For some, it was MeToo, for others, industry headwinds were too much. And for more still, disgrace and ignominy came after just saying the wrong thing.
Les Moonves: Once celebrated for his leadership of CBS, Moonves faced multiple allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct for which he was ultimately fired. CBS said in December that they would seek to deny him a roughly $120 million severance package.
Laura Ingraham: Long a divisive figure even on the right, the Fox News host might have avoided the losers column were it not for a sponsor boycott launched against her by Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg in March. Months later, advertisers are still wary of appearing on the program.
Michael Ferro/Tronc: The leadership of Michael Ferro has now made Tronc synonymous with mismanagement. In addition to leaving...
Les Moonves: Once celebrated for his leadership of CBS, Moonves faced multiple allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct for which he was ultimately fired. CBS said in December that they would seek to deny him a roughly $120 million severance package.
Laura Ingraham: Long a divisive figure even on the right, the Fox News host might have avoided the losers column were it not for a sponsor boycott launched against her by Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg in March. Months later, advertisers are still wary of appearing on the program.
Michael Ferro/Tronc: The leadership of Michael Ferro has now made Tronc synonymous with mismanagement. In addition to leaving...
- 12/31/2018
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
In 2018, a TV actor gender pay parity still was being debated, a TV journalist thought blackface could be defended on grounds of “Halloween,” and a TV ad campaign featuring a man known for kneeling to protest deaths of unarmed U.S. citizens triggered a national outbreak of gym sock logo cutting. Also, a network fired its hit sitcom star for behaving like the president, and the CEO of CBS learned what “consensual” most certainly does not mean.
Here are the sordid details:
CSI: Les Moonves
The first Fortune 500 CEO toppled by allegations of sexual misconduct in the #MeToo era, Moonves’ CBS career ended abruptly after a dozen women accused him of various unwanted acts, including forced oral sex. After his ouster in September, the company board announced in December that Moonves will get none of the $120M severance he had expected, citing the findings of its investigation into Moonves, CBS News...
Here are the sordid details:
CSI: Les Moonves
The first Fortune 500 CEO toppled by allegations of sexual misconduct in the #MeToo era, Moonves’ CBS career ended abruptly after a dozen women accused him of various unwanted acts, including forced oral sex. After his ouster in September, the company board announced in December that Moonves will get none of the $120M severance he had expected, citing the findings of its investigation into Moonves, CBS News...
- 12/28/2018
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
At CBS News, President David Rhodes has a series of important decisions to make that could affect the trajectories of some of TV’s best-known news programs.
As its parent company seeks to move forward from recent seismic events – the ouster of its former CEO, Leslie Moonves; a corporate probe into its workplace culture; and a near-showdown in court with the company’s controlling shareholder, National Amusements Inc. – CBS News has a number of challenges looming. Meeting some of them has been delayed by the recent corporate controversies, but Rhodes is likely to focus on new remedies in the weeks ahead.
The executive is expected in coming weeks to name a permanent executive producer at a network flagship, “60 Minutes” and replace a departing top executive at “CBS This Morning.” He will also have to grapple with ratings shortfalls at three of the news unit’s best-known programs: “CBS Evening News,...
As its parent company seeks to move forward from recent seismic events – the ouster of its former CEO, Leslie Moonves; a corporate probe into its workplace culture; and a near-showdown in court with the company’s controlling shareholder, National Amusements Inc. – CBS News has a number of challenges looming. Meeting some of them has been delayed by the recent corporate controversies, but Rhodes is likely to focus on new remedies in the weeks ahead.
The executive is expected in coming weeks to name a permanent executive producer at a network flagship, “60 Minutes” and replace a departing top executive at “CBS This Morning.” He will also have to grapple with ratings shortfalls at three of the news unit’s best-known programs: “CBS Evening News,...
- 12/18/2018
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
“CBS This Morning,” which had showed signs of ratings resurgence under co-anchors Charlie Rose and Gayle King,” has collapsed in the year since Rose was ousted by CBS and PBS after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.
Viewership for the weekday morning show, which was already in last-place among its key competition well before Rose’s removal on Nov. 21, 2017, have plummeted double digits in the past year.
Since September, when the new season started, “CBS This Morning” is down 16 percent compared to the same period last year among adults aged 25-54 — the key age range for news programming — and down 14 percent in total viewers (3.11 million), according to Nielsen’s Live + Same Day ratings metric.
Also Read: 'CBS This Morning' Ep Ryan Kadro to Step Down After Charlie Rose Sexual Misconduct Settlement
In comparison, NBC’s “Today” (which had its own #MeToo shakeup with the ouster of co-host...
Viewership for the weekday morning show, which was already in last-place among its key competition well before Rose’s removal on Nov. 21, 2017, have plummeted double digits in the past year.
Since September, when the new season started, “CBS This Morning” is down 16 percent compared to the same period last year among adults aged 25-54 — the key age range for news programming — and down 14 percent in total viewers (3.11 million), according to Nielsen’s Live + Same Day ratings metric.
Also Read: 'CBS This Morning' Ep Ryan Kadro to Step Down After Charlie Rose Sexual Misconduct Settlement
In comparison, NBC’s “Today” (which had its own #MeToo shakeup with the ouster of co-host...
- 12/18/2018
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
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