Tony Dokoupil Salutes Scott Pelley in Emotional ‘CBS Evening News’ Tribute
What To Know
- Tony Dokoupil delivered an emotional on-air tribute to Scott Pelley.
- The tribute featured a montage of Pelley’s major reporting achievements.
- Pelley was fired after a confrontation with new executive producer Nick Bilton.
On Wednesday’s broadcast of CBS Evening News, news anchor Tony Dokoupil paid tribute to his former colleague, Scott Pelley, who was fired from his position at CBS’ 60 Minutes on Tuesday, June 2.
“When I started at CBS, Scott Pelley was in this very chair, and still doing a dozen stories a year for 60 Minutes. And amid all of that, still meeting every new correspondent to share his view of the mission here,” said Dokoupil. “He believed freedom of the press, to quote [James] Madison, was ‘the right that guaranteed all the others.’ And the stakes are always that high in that, if you’d made it to CBS News, you were among the best in the world. He worked every single day to live up to that standard.”
The segment then cut to a montage highlighting Pelley’s distinguished career. It featured footage of him reporting from Ground Zero during the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, where he remained for days covering the efforts of first responders. The tribute also showcased his work reporting from the front lines of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as his willingness to travel to dangerous hotspots around the world in pursuit of the truth. The montage celebrated his numerous Emmy Awards, high-profile presidential interviews, and his reputation as a journalist who valued truth above all else.
Following the montage, Dokoupil continued his tribute. “There were also presidential interviews, of course, from Bush to Biden. And more than 50 Emmy awards along the way. He was, in some ways, a man from another era, and that’s not a knock. He didn’t watch the competition, he said, because he knew who he was. A journalist who valued truth at all costs. And always kept alive the memory of colleagues killed in the field,” said Dokoupil. “A reminder that his chosen line of work could be a dangerous one. But Pelley also made one major break from the past. He changed the signs around here. Under the CBS Evening News logo, where Scott Pelley’s own name would have been, he instead wrote ‘The CBS Evening News with all of us.’ Well, Scott, from all of us, thank you.”
Dokoupil was brought in by Bari Weiss to anchor the CBS Evening News. Weiss, who was appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News, selected the former CBS Mornings host to spearhead a major programming overhaul of the network. The editorial overhaul under Weiss has faced internal friction. Recent shakeups have seen the departure of longtime 60 Minutes veterans including Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Cecilia Vega.
Pelley was fired following a reported confrontation with the show’s new executive producer, Nick Bilton, during a staff meeting. As per the New York Times, Bilton told staff that CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss “loves 60 Minutes,” to which Pelley responded, “She’s murdering 60 Minutes. She does not love this place; she was brought in to kill it and is doing exactly that.” Pelley was reported to have told Bilton he had “slender qualifications” for his post, saying he would “never be welcomed there,” and then criticized Weiss’ takeover of CBS Evening News.
After Bilton’s termination letter, Pelley responded, “For my part, new management has instructed me to inject falsehoods and bias into a politically sensitive story.” Pelley did not identify which story he was referring. A CBS spokesman responded with the statement, “There is no political interference at CBS News, not from ownership, not from Bari Weiss. The only ‘interference’ is the normal back and forth between editor and correspondent that happens at every newsroom.”
In a statement released after his firing, Pelley accused the new bosses of CBS News of trying to win favor with President Donald Trump and that 60 Minutes “lost its DNA” due to the “incompetence and unprofessionalism in the new management” that has “wreaked havoc” on the show. He concluded his statement by writing, “I am deeply moved by the thousands of wishes we have received to ‘keep up the good fight.’ Most of the men and women of CBS News are still in that fight. But now the collapse of values at the top has become untenable. The leadership of 60 Minutes is no longer recognizable. The principles I hold dear are gone, and so I must leave as well.”
Conversation51 Comments
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R
Trump's been after 60 minutes for years. Along with CBS he is getting his wish The end of integrity in journalism the end of free press CBS has less lost all credibility lowered themselves to a such a level we might as well be in China, Russia or North Korea. 60 minutes has been on the air for almost 57 years. They are one of the few sources left that have Trusted media integrity. That will no longer be the case. CBS Will be remembered as the network. That bent-to-the whims of a corrupt vengeful dictator. CBS will never be able to remove the stain Of what they have done to American journalism. Hopefully People will never forget.
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G
From your post-"CBS Will be remembered as the network. That bent-to-the whims of a corrupt vengeful dictator." ...and a "reality" game show host. How sad, weak and pathetic of CBS.
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R
I'm glad you liked my sentence, and your addition works well. I just hope you're not writing any school papers.
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J
60 Minutes is the corrupt one. We don't watch their biased reporting anymore. They edited the Kamala interview on purpose to make her sound good -- to help her out. Her real words were the typical word salad. Why are they in the business of faking news to help out a certain candidate? You are being duped.
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T
You’re the ones attacking Nick Shirley for his journalism
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T
You people are the ones going after Nick Shirley for his journalism on fraud. All those centers got taken down and people are being sent prison by the court.
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L
freedom of speech and freedom of the press gone because of a fragile ego- this is not america
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J
That is not the truth. They have been putting out fake news when they were trying to help Kamala win and help Trump lose. You don't know that if all you watch is liberal news. They have been brainwashing you.
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J
I sincerely hoped that CBS Evening News wouldn't ignore or squash this incident, but was glad to see they didn't. I was even more surprised--happily so-- to hear Dokoupil's testimonial to Pelley and his career. But who knows what repercussions Tony may feel behind the scenes.
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F
But it is clear that Dokoupil is “ under the thumb” of the new regime. His tribute, while a great send-off “, was disingenuous - it was already over. Remember, on his first broadcast as host of the CBS Evening News regarding the invasion of Venezuela, he said that “ President Trump was amazing “….. Dokoupil is not a journalist…. he reads the regime’s narrative.
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A
I'm wondering the same thing...
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B
I’m Team Pelley 100%. Have to question the tactics of firing someone for cause in a memo. I’ve recorded 60 every week for probably 20 years. After the departure of Anderson Cooper, the firing of two of the three female correspondents and chicken shit firing of Scott Pelley, I’m done with 60 Minutes.
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J
Scott Pelley is one the best, shame on CBS! CBS has turned into a maga organization, not a good thing.
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J
I'm 68 years old and have watched 60 Minutes all of my life. This is like the death of an old trusted friend or even a family member. And CBS news radio as well. I'll probably still watch 60 Minutes out of respect for the other journalist.
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J
They are putting out fake news. Why bother?
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G
I used to love 60 Minutes, I guess now I’ll have to watch something else. RIP.
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J
Who's been watching lately anyway? They are not being honest.
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A
Now that's the definition of DEI; chasing away or firing skilled professionals only to replace them with unqualified people!
Like the CBS/Paramount corporation and the maga administration who will do anything to win favor with tRump!!!
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A
First Colbert, now Pelley. I stopped streaming Paramount and CBS when Colbert got axed. Wish everyone would teach CBS a lesson and walk away…
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P
I agree!!!
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W
I'll say it again. Bari Weiss is incapable in her position. It is clear why she is there, and it's unfortunate that CBS will suffer the wrath of her incompetence in the role. To lose such a seasoned journalist as Scott Pelley; to have Anderson Cooper walk away as well, disheartening. The legacy that 60 Minutes is to be destroyed... I only hope that Leslie Stahl, Bill Whitaker and the production team can hold their own and remain true to the tenets of integrity that defined 60 Minutes all of these years. I hope Tony Dokoupil can stand on his own and withstand whatever comes his way post his tribute to Pelley. It was tasteful and appropriate and Lord knows Weiss couldn't handle that, I'm sure.
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P
I also have watched 60 min for a very long time and agree with every thing the other long time viewer had to say. Also agree with Scott Pelley.
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G
Very classy of Tony
Anyone whos followed him from his morning show to evening s know hes very thoughtful and humble. Hope his evening show improve s in rating s and this is mearly just a dark cloud over CBS news until a new executive takes over and restore s its legacy as a intelligent informative organization with all of its popular anchors
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L
It's sad that CBS radio is also a casualty in the war on freedom of the press. Award-winning journalism will have to found elsewhere.
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D
Well, we definitely know now that anything that comes out of 60 Minutes will be pre-approved by Maga and the regime, otherwise it won't be aired, unless its some kind of fluff piece that 60 Minutes never did. I hope Leslie Stahl and Bill Whitaker keep it honest and I hope to God you dont bend over for them.. you've lost thousands and thousands of viewers, and you should be ashamed of yourselves for letting dirty money get in the way of a truly classic and once honest program.
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A
After almost 40 years of watching 60 minutes, won't be watching anymore. People with common sense should realize there is a real threat to our democracy when journalists are being threatened & harassed for telling the truth.
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A
But American people should be Even More concerned about the Communism being perpetrated on our country by the liberal left. Unless they violate a person’s civil rights companies have a right to hire and fire as They see fit. That’s America. There’s two sides of every story Scott Pelley was sincerely offered to sit down at dinner with the boss and have a civil conversation to try to “work things out”. But in his egotistical Arrogance Pelley essentially told him to stick it ! Not a wise decision. In ALL jobs on This earth Anyone is replaceable that goes for Pelley or Trump or Me or You. Only a foolish person would snub the boss like Pelley did . But he wrongly thought that his credentials would protect him. I’m Scott Pelley how dare you even think of firing me !! Well he’s gone !
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M
I uninstalled CBS from my TV. They can no longer report the truth. They’ve bent their knee to kiss Trump’s ring! It’s now Trump TV. No thanks!
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D
With the loss of The Colbert show and now 60 minutes I've no reason to view the CBS network again. I hope it folds. Good bye.
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M
CBS used to be the gold standard....not anymore ....this is all fueled by a MAGA supporting management.....so sad .....I will no longer be watching...and tony is not ready for the evening news desk
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M
I not only "think"; I know it's goodbye to CBS.
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F
CBS is off for me!
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S
Scott Pelley took CBS to sharing news that was not bias. The new man on board Bilton is a yes man and will want some one who does not have public opinion. CBS lost a great reporter there no replacement. Bilton will fire anyone who does not slander true. I see a puppet maker for DT dictator over AMERICA. Bilton not knowledgeable just lost a lot people watching CBS not worth my time. Scott Pelley a man with integrity.
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A
They had to tell Joe Biden this Allot as he spent more time falling than rising ! 🤣
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G
Hey Dokoupil: look at your ratings. You're dead last. You could be next.
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J
Not true..look at the ratings..ABC is dead last in the ratings..for the nightly news..
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B
They are actually dead first Joyce. Not sure where you get your “facts”
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S
Scott Pelly is,exactly correct.. what a shame to 60 minutes to lose such a talent and respected person...I totally agree its Trump. Which only tells me ...he must be just like him.
An egomaniac with lots of crazy mixed in im satando embarrassed he's ruining our country. Remember this comes the next election..all of his allies...too...shameful
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T
CBS= DEI
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G
CBS IS DEAD TO ME
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J
I'm confused. Didn't 60 Minutes edit their interview with Kamala Harris in a major way to try to make her sound good when all she really said was the typical word salad? And didn't 60 minutes edit their interview with Trump to make him sound bad? It seems 60 Minutes screwed itself. It's not Trump's fault this show is biased and untrustworthy. If Pelley was involved with any of this biased content, then he deserves to be let go. I wouldn't trust this show anymore. It's not the show of the past. The new people are trying to save it, but the old people have their heels dug in to maintain the biased content.
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G
Strikes have been made on every other American institution why not CBS, 60 Minutes, Scott Pelley. Tsk. Tsk. It’s turning into a predictable unstoppable free for all.
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V
Well, another rich white man gone. He voted for Trump not knowing who he was. Kamala told them but, they were not listening, so......
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A
🤣🤣 You’re funny !
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S
Stage 4 terminal cancer.
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R
You all way work for someone over you and you have to do what they say or leave. He is not the boss and now he is paying the price. Your way is not always the right way and don't forget get it people.
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J
Leslie Stahl should be next. She is too full of herself and extremely bias. In her interviews with Trump, she was condescending and disrespectful, even contradicting him when he said Obama was spying on him. We have since learned it to be true.
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J
Leslie Stahl is hopefully next on the list to remove. She is full of herself and extremely bias to the left. During an interview with Trump she was condescending, disrespectful and at one point contradicted him. It has since been verified as fact when Trump said Obama was indeed spying on him.
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A
Well said. And so true. She and Pelley wrongly think they are irreplaceable ! The boss offered Pelley a dinner and conversation to see if they could work things out. In his utter arrogance Pelley essentially told him to stick it ! Bad move ! So Pelley is put the door !
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J
Scott Pelley was part of an organization that ran with Fake, Phony Documents to try and kneecap a certain president in an upcoming election (2004). An organization that had no concern or reporting about record numbers of Americans on Food Stamps for over 55-consecutive months during the Obama years. No concern whatsoever over a sitting Secretary of State who was found to have had an unsecured server in her bathroom at her home in Chappaqua, New York?
Didn't mention a word about the political assassination of an American citizen Charlie Kirk. Weiss saw how obviously slanted the coverage at CBS and 60-Minutes was and set out to make the appropriate changes. Pelley was a man of the Left & everyone knew it. It was blatantly obvious. So long Scott. How O'Donnell survived the cuts is beyond me?
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