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Scott Pelley Claims of the 'Murder' of 60 Minutes Defied by Ratings; ABC News Shocked by Political Ads

Brad Slager
Brad Slager  |  Jun 02, 2026
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Low-Octane Gaslighting – CBS NEWS

  • Shouldn’t a veteran newsman be concerned about getting the facts correct?

The media landscape is still abuzz over Scott Pelley's performance at an all-hands meeting on Monday. Many in the news ecosystem are hailing the man, despite an uncomfortable reality: The man was rather incorrect about several key points he was raging about with his new boss.

But the crux of all of this that so many are hanging onto is the claim that Bari Weiss is killing off Pelly’s vaunted news program. It sure sounds like the perfect soundbite for incurious journalists to latch onto, but there is one glaring issue with this convenient talking point:

Bari Weiss appeared to have guided the show to a favorable result in her first season of 60 Minutes while helming the news division. Seeing close to a 10 percent bump in the ratings is hardly an attempt at "murdering" the program, as Pelley hysterically alleges.

Reporting on the Mirror – CBS NEWS

  • Maybe admitting you were unsupervised is not the flex you think it is.

In the wake of all the furor at CBS News, a group of pompous media eggheads, most of them alums of 60 Minutes, signed onto a letter sent to the new network boss, David Ellison. (That Dan Rather is the most prominent name seen is simply hilarious.) The content of the letter – much like the pompous comments by Scott Pelley yesterday – sounds trenchant and important, but then whithers under examination. To wit:

“We, the undersigned, urge you and your management team at CBS News to uphold the principle of editorial independence that has made ‘60 Minutes’ — in the words of the show’s new executive producer — ‘the most important television journalism brand this country has ever produced. Modernizing the show for new audiences and new delivery approaches is important — but not at the cost of editorial integrity. The wholesale dismissal of editorial management, without a public pledge to maintain the values, standards and traditions of this program, puts the legacy of ‘60 Minutes’ in jeopardy. What is at stake is not just the future of the most important and enduring television journalism program in this country, but the future of free and independent press in America.

We are sorry, but what is that again?! You are demanding that the staff at 60 Minutes be granted “editorial independence”? That seems to go rather far in explaining the issues seen from this program over the past few years.

If the program has been free to act autonomously with its journalism without management oversight, that would explain quite a bit about things like the edited Kamala Harris interview debacle, or the recent piece praising Germany uncritically for cracking down on free speech, or the revelation in the disputed Sharyn Alfonsi segment where she claimed no administration officials responded to requests for comment only to have it revealed numerous sources answered her on the record.

Editorial oversight appears to be one thing 60 Minutes is in need of having.

Legalized Press-titution – PODSAVE AMERICA

  • At this point, you are clearly trying to convince yourself.

As Graham Platner becomes a worse and worse issue for the press, desperate to have him win a Senate seat, the list of shamed journos only expands. Already on that list is pod bro Jon Favreau, but he is managing to become shamed over Platner even more than the crew at the bad-ship The Bulwark.

Johnny Fave comes out with a new tout for Der Oysterfuhrer, and even his most ardent of backers will probably look at the podcast host and let him know he should ease off the praise throttle.

Gilded Reframe – ABC NEWS 

  • Reporting on this like it is the first time it was ever witnessed is…remarkable.

Okay, gang, we hope you are seated for this next entry. Shocking news is arriving.

At ABC News, they have discovered something unsettling about Spencer Pratt’s campaign for mayor of Los Angeles: According to correspondent Trevor Ault, the candidate has…well, there is only one way to put it: He has said some things that were unflattering about his opponent, Mayor Karen Bass!

According to Ault, Pratt’s campaign has been “provocative” (gasp!), as he has been “a vocal critic” of Bass (that’s crossing a line!). He has also reportedly “stirred reactions” (unacceptable!), while his ads have made “blunt statements” (absolutely unheard of!).

These are the kinds of things you have only seen in an election campaign since... forever!

We are now left to wonder if it is possible to impeach somebody before they have run in a primary.

Anti-Social Media – MS NOW

  • We are curious which nation he does feel at ease about…

We regret to inform everyone that MS NOW anchor Ali Velshi is not entirely comfortable with celebrating the nation’s 250th Anniversary. We request that you all govern yourselves accordingly.

DNC PR Firm – MS NOW

  • Molly Jong-Fast approved of this message.

Look, we get it – this network is a pimp factor for the Democrats. It is simply the reality. But could there be maybe a modicum of shame when doing so, or at least trying to feign a degree of professionalism when doing so? Molly Jong-Fast was hosting The Weekend Primetime and brought on Doug Jones, who is vying for the Alabama governor’s mansion. Molly and her guests were all swooning over Jones, to the extent that they all repeatedly shared the concept that winning the election will be…well, we’ll let them explain.

Reporting on the Mirror – WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS ASSOCIATION

  • We hope everyone received credit for their tux rental.

After the tragic cancellation of the WHCA Awards Gala, back when some off-his-meds would-be assassin tried to storm the affair to target President Trump, we now get word the event has been rescheduled.

Now the nation can properly heal.