In a critical piece this week, Mediaite Editor-in-Chief Joe DePaolo delivered a blunt message to the staff of CBS’ “60 Minutes.” He urged them to stop lamenting recent staff changes and shift their focus back to their work. His tone was far from sympathetic, demonstrating a keen sense of realism amidst the chaos at the news division.
DePaolo opened by acknowledging the prestige of “60 Minutes,” but quickly transitioned to admonishing the team for their emotional responses to the recent firings and departures. He noted that tears had been shed in the newsroom and that some employees openly expressed their heartbreak and anger. “Tears flowed openly in the newsroom,” reported Oliver Darcy, a former CNN reporter, echoing the sentiments of distressed staffers. “They’re gutting us,” one employee lamented, highlighting a palpable unease about the future of the program. Yet DePaolo harshly countered this despair with a call for resilience, stating simply, “Tough. Deal with it.”
The departures included that of Scott Pelley, a correspondent who openly challenged CBS Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss’s authority. DePaolo characterized Pelley as someone who “cut and ran” rather than sticking around to help enhance the program. This perceived lack of professionalism contrasted sharply with the image of a committed journalist fighting for the integrity of a show that was once a hallmark of American television journalism. According to DePaolo, Pelley’s actions accomplished nothing in swaying public perception or addressing the challenges facing the program. “If you didn’t, Pelley did absolutely nothing to convince you,” he wrote, leaving little room for sympathy.
DePaolo took aim not only at Pelley but also at the broader sentiment among staff. He remarked that millions of Americans endure jobs they may not love or leadership they disagree with. Many swallow their discontent and put in an honest day’s work. The implication was clear: the “60 Minutes” team needed to adopt a similar mindset. “It’s the ‘60 Minutes’ staff’s turn to do the same,” he said, pushing back against a culture of grievance in a newsroom that has seen its fair share of upheaval.
Moreover, he suggested that Weiss, often criticized for her role in the ongoing changes, deserves a chance to demonstrate her vision for revitalizing CBS News. While he acknowledged that her approach might not sit well with everyone, he challenged the staff to refrain from complaint. “The old guard obviously sees themselves as the heroes of the ‘60 Minutes’ story,” he concluded. If that’s true, then the current moment is a critical one for these journalists—to rise to the occasion rather than retreat from it.
This commentary comes against a backdrop of speculation regarding potential replacements for Pelley, such as podcaster Joe Rogan stepping into his role. However, CBS News spokesperson Jeremy Adler has dismissed these rumors as unfounded. Regardless of the rumors swirling around the show, DePaolo believes the essential message remains: staff must show resilience. “Heroes dig in and overcome those obstacles,” he stated, emphasizing that real valor is demonstrated when faced with adversity.
Through his piece, DePaolo vividly paints a picture of a tumultuous time at “60 Minutes.” Instead of allowing sadness and frustration to dictate their actions, he argues that designers of the narrative should embrace the challenge and transform it into an opportunity to rise. His tough-love approach, while controversial, calls into question the future ambitions of those involved in a program that has long been a staple of American journalism.
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