What smart people are saying about the '60 Minutes' relaunch
The show was on shaky ground in recent months, following a string of high-profile departures like Scott Pelley and Anderson Cooper.
CBS has reintroduced the 59th season of its flagship news program, 60 Minutes. The show returned on Sunday with a familiar cast, including anchors Norah O'Donnell, Lesley Stahl, and Jon Wertheim. The premiere episode featured segments on a US Air Force Officer rescued from Iran, brokers offering felons pardons from President Donald Trump, and a profile of the Los Angeles Rams. CBS leadership praised the debut, stating it marked a significant moment for the iconic news program.
Critics from the media industry have shared their opinions on the new season. Variety's senior TV Editor, Brian Steinberg, noted that while the new season aimed for change, it largely relied on familiar elements from the show's past. He mentioned notable absentees, such as correspondents Ross Douthat, Sebastian Junger, Gianna Toboni, Trevor Phillips, and Ariel Levy, who were replaced by the returning team.
Alex Marquardt, host of Al Jazeera English's "This is America," highlighted the significant presence of military personnel in the premiere, mentioning Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, General Mark Caine, Admiral William J. McRaven, and a weapons systems specialist who appeared in the Pentagon segment. Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark Podcast, took issue with one segment hosted by Lesley Stahl, criticizing it for focusing on individuals associated with alleged corruption rather than addressing broader issues of systemic issues.
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