Veteran CBS News '60 Minutes' correspondent Scott Pelley has been dismissed following a contentious meeting with the show's new executive producer, Nick Bilton.
Termination Details
Bilton informed Pelley of his immediate termination on Tuesday evening, citing cause. Pelley, a long-time presence at CBS News, had previously anchored the 'CBS Evening News'.
Fiery Meeting
The conflict arose during a June 1 meeting where Pelley criticized CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, claiming she was undermining '60 Minutes'. Pelley expressed skepticism about Bilton's qualifications for the executive producer role, which he described as crucial in television news.
Pelley stated, “Bari Weiss is murdering '60 Minutes'. She does not love this place; she was brought in to kill it and is doing exactly that.”
Response and Reactions
In a note to staff, Bilton acknowledged Pelley's influence but noted attempts to reconcile were unsuccessful. Bilton described Pelley's behavior during the meeting as uncivil and contemptuous, emphasizing the importance of respectful debate.
Weiss recently appointed Bilton in a significant revamp of the program, replacing EP Tanya Simon, and correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi. Anderson Cooper plans to leave after the current season.
Impact on '60 Minutes'
With Pelley's exit, '60 Minutes' is left with correspondents Lesley Stahl, 84; Bill Whitaker, 74; and Jon Wertheim, 55. The firing raises concerns about the program's future lineup.
Cecilia Vega commented, “Many producing teams and correspondents have had to fight to maintain editorial independence. I am far from the only '60 Minutes' correspondent asking about personal red lines.”
Bilton aims to modernize '60 Minutes' with a new digital platform, bringing in correspondents specialized in various fields.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/scott-pelley-fired-60-minutes-heated-meeting-cbs-news-1236610557/
