‘CBS Mornings’ Shakeup: Top Producer Exits as Show Plans Big Changes
What To Know
- Shawna Thomas is stepping down as executive producer of CBS Mornings after five years.
- The departure comes amid broader changes at CBS News, including anchor shifts and ongoing use of guest hosts following Tony Dokoupil’s move.
- There is speculation that CBS Mornings may shift from hard news toward more entertainment-focused content.
CBS Mornings is getting a shakeup as executive producer Shawna Thomas has announced she will be leaving the long-running morning broadcast after five years amid big changes planned for the show.
As reported by Variety, Thomas revealed her departure in a note to staffers on Thursday (March 5). “For five years, I’ve tried to make this show something you all want to watch. Want to be a part of. Want to learn from,” she wrote. “I’ve had the privilege of helping to make 10 (now 12!) hours of television each week that goes out free to people everywhere.”
She continued, “I’ve taken that responsibility of trying to inform, educate, entertain and make people care about the world around them very seriously and I know the people here do, too.”
Thomas’ exit comes after it was confirmed on Wednesday (March 4) that current CBS Mornings co-hosts Gayle King and Nate Burleson would be staying with the show for the foreseeable future. CBS News President Tom Cibrowski described King and Burleson as “fantastic partners for the show” and said he is “excited to continue to evolve CBS Mornings.”
Cibrowski also described Thomas as “a passionate journalist, especially when it comes to reporting and understanding our country’s very dynamic political arena,” adding, “We will certainly miss her reasoned voice at our morning meeting.”
Shawna Thomas; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter
Variety reports that Jon Tower will take over executive producer duties on CBS Mornings on an interim basis following Thomas’ departure. The outlet also states that the network is eager to keep Thomas involved with CBS News, perhaps as a contributor.
Thomas’ exit comes amid several shakeups at CBS News. In January, former CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil was promoted to anchor of CBS Evening News. His seat has been occupied by a string of guest hosts in recent weeks, including former CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell. Variety sources suggest the rotating guest hosts are likely to continue over the coming weeks.
There is also speculation that the show could shift away from hard-hitting news coverage toward much lighter entertainment-based content. For years, CBS Mornings has avoided the standard morning show favorites, such as cooking segments, social media gossip, and light celebrity interviews. That could be about to change.
Viewers have already noticed changes in recent weeks, with the show’s second hour moving to longer feature segments, more playful celebrity interviews, and interviews with eliminated contestants from Survivor‘s milestone 50th season.
CBS Mornings, Weekdays, 7a/6c, CBS
Conversation21 Comments
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B
The REASON people watch CBS This Morning is BECAUSE it doesn't do the light stuff. It's the alternative to the insipid fare that's on the other broadcasts. They should lean MORE into real news and capture that whole audience.
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N
If CBS mornings shows too much insignificant, stupid entertainment topics I will stop watching. Let’s get with real important issues and have just a small amount of amusement. You need to show good examples for this country. Being that it is a mess.
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P
Gayle king wants to BE the news. Her constant interruptions of EVERYONE is so annoying that I can't watch shows with her
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S
Get rid of Gail, never did like care for her....their ratings are horrible.
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G
I dont know what is wrong with cbs. every 10 minutes they change the reporter on the evening news but refuse to let gayle king go. she is nothing special.
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C
I have watched this show for many years. I want to see news, not all fluff.
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D
Get Gail out of there
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D
i have given up watching all CBS programming for these reasons: first of all because CBS has basically caved to the will of trump and cancelled its programming worth watching ie Stephen Colbert, 60 minutes or any other hard-hitting news shows! The rest of your programming is boring, CBS.
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D
I was never so happy when Tony got his chance to get off this horrible show and on to a better night platform. He gets to shine here and has a refreshing attitude on how the news should be reported and isnt constantly being interrupted, ANNOYING!
I truly agree with his get out there on the streets to report from the ground not just by script.
Keep up the good job Tony, you got this!
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G
I hope they do NOT give up on the hard news. I will have to switch to a program that does handle the news of the world if they do. I think they have balanced the personalities and the NEWS well.
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R
I don’t watch it because I can’t stand Gayle King. This addition would give me a reason to watch.
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R
CBS is becoming Fox News Lite!
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G
Stop with the changes!
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D
I want to see unopinionated news. Get rid of Nate Burleson and keep Matt Gutman
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L
I have shifted from watching each morning to using my library to skip past fluff segments of the show. I’m leaning toward podcasts for news. Since the Saturday shakeup I have boycotted CBS.
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C
Well.. if they change the format of the CBS Mornings.. I will be shopping for a news based Morning show
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Y
There's just something about Norah O'Donnell I don't care for, I'm with Gayle King on this. If it goes to light entertainment I'm done with CBS! As it is, I don't care for the 2nd half of the show.
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M
CBS Mornings is no longer a serious NEWS program. Now it's just fluff pieces and the anchors chit chatting about nothing. Oh and the "CBS Deals" segment. No thanks. They have a considerable markup and it takes weeks to receive your order.
Watched it for many years .. no more! Lost another (formerly) solid viewer
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J
Please limit your sport talk and guest that hardly anyone has ever heard of. Most of our family and friends enjoy the latest news from Aljarezza and ABC live to stay informed. Not some unknown Broadway actor. The bands you have on are awful for the most part so we sure understand why you folks need some updating. We really like Nora and O'Grady. Gale is ok but was better without Nate. Glad is great. We are giving CBS one last chance to improve or we are leaving. We need real world news as well as USA news not opinions, worthless chatter as we all have our own.
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N
I'm tired of CBS news,it's unimportant fluffy news,the anchors lean more on entertainment than real hard hitting news....good by CBS
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S
I think it would be a big mistake to change the set up of the morning show . I watch it because it isn’t foolish and Fake ,. Gail is the best
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