'60 Minutes' Season Premiere Suggests a Limited Bari Weiss Effect

Key Points:

• The 59th season premiere of CBS’ 60 Minutes, under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and executive producer Nick Bilton, showed minimal noticeable changes to the show's format or tone, despite months of controversy and speculation.
• The episode featured familiar correspondents Lesley Stahl, Norah O’Donnell, and Jon Wertheim, with new contributors like Ross Douthat making brief appearances, aiming for a smooth transition rather than drastic shifts.
• Segments included a puff piece on the Los Angeles Rams that felt outdated, a military rescue story with limited insight, and a critical but somewhat bland report on the pardon process under the current administration.
• The episode was generally flat and unremarkable, with minor aesthetic tweaks to the show’s iconic elements but no significant editorial departures from past seasons.
• The reviewer noted that while some aspects, such as Ross Douthat’s segment, reduced their interest in future viewing, overall the premiere did not significantly alter their likelihood of watching 60 Minutes going forward.