CBS insiders infuriated by Bari Weiss's refusal to 'learn' and 'utter incompetence'
As CBS News head Bari Weiss helps ready the next season of "60 Minutes," there are complaints that she has refused to understand how segments are produced.
In a deep dive by New York Magazine into the turmoil under the controversial Weiss, who has driven the CBS Evening News to horrific low ratings since she took over, there are worries she will also damage the venerable Sunday night newsmagazine.
After detailing the mass firings, described as a "bloodbath," she undertook that cleared out experienced producers and on-air talent, the report notes that the learning curve on producing the popular show is steep — and Weiss has failed to surmount it.
Weiss has "struggled to adapt to the rhythms of the show," with segments at times almost not making it to air because she had requested changes so late in the process. At one point, a CBS News executive advised the show's host to have a backup episode ready, just in case, the report notes.
"It feels like utter incompetence," one former CBS News journalist told New York Mag's Charlotte Klein. "You have to be uniquely capable and adept at the intricacies of television to be able to put a political heavy hand on. They may want to, but they're not even close to that — they don't understand the basic blocking and tackling yet."
A current "60 Minutes" staffer added that Weiss did not appear motivated to learn the role.
"She's a print person and doesn't understand how it works, and she never seemed to give a s--t enough to try and learn, which I think is what rubbed people the wrong way," the staffer said.