'60 Minutes' Kicks Off 59th Season Amid Staff Changes

'60 Minutes' launched its 59th season on CBS-TV, featuring familiar correspondents and traditional storytelling, while largely avoiding discussion of recent turmoil within the show. The premiere included segments from long-time correspondents Lesley Stahl, Jon Wertheim, and Norah O'Donnell, but did not showcase new faces who have recently joined the program.

Significant changes have occurred behind the scenes, including the firing of top producer Tanya Simon and notable correspondents like Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Cecilia Vega. Bari Weiss, the new editor-in-chief of CBS News, has indicated a desire to push the show into the future, although the first episode retained many elements from its past.

Despite the upheaval, the episode featured segments that longtime viewers would expect, including an investigation into the “pardon economy” by Stahl and an interview with a military pilot by O'Donnell. The show’s opening logo and montage have been updated, but the overall format remains familiar.

What we know

• '60 Minutes' premiered its 59th season with familiar correspondents. Confirmed by www.independent.co.uk, variety.com
• Significant staff changes occurred, including the firing of Scott Pelley and other correspondents. Confirmed by www.independent.co.uk, variety.com
• Bari Weiss is the new editor-in-chief of CBS News and aims to modernize '60 Minutes.' Confirmed by www.independent.co.uk, variety.com

Sources

• www.independent.co.uk — Amidst Turmoil, '60 Minutes' Launches 59th Season with a New Direction
• variety.com — ‘60 Minutes’ Launches 59th Season with Familiar Faces and Traditional Stories