‘60 Minutes’ to Midnight
On Tuesday, the staff of “60 Minutes” celebrated 10 News & Documentary Emmy nominations, a recognition of the newsmagazine’s knack for producing strong journalism worthy of accolades—despite all the turbulence that has shaken the program. But behind the scenes, the mood has been anything but celebratory over the past week, amid reports of a looming overhaul of the iconic program by newish CBS News boss Bari Weiss. According to people familiar with the matter, staffers have been unnerved by the prospect that Weiss will seek to put her stamp on the show after the conclusion of this season, which Status first reported last week.
After our report, Variety published a story indicating that Weiss could oust Tanya Simon, the current executive producer, to whom staff are deeply loyal. Simon was elevated to the top role last year, before David Ellison closed his deal to purchase CBS News parentco Paramount, and long before Weiss entered the picture. At the time, as Status exclusively reported, the show’s top correspondents wrote to Paramount leadership urging them to give Simon, a veteran producer with nearly three decades at “60,” the job after former EP Bill Owens abruptly quit, citing corporate interference.
Simon ultimately struck a multiyear deal with brass, but Status has learned that tucked into her contract is a clause…
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