A year ago, Bari Weiss barreled into CBS News full of ideas and unwilling to listen to anyone who doubted her vision.
But what’s excruciating for staffers at the Tiffany Network is that — 12 months in, with a ratings disaster on her handsand the previously unshakable faith of her boss beginning to fray — Weiss still won’t hear anyone out.
“She doesn’t hear anybody. If you don’t agree with what she’s saying or doing, it doesn’t matter. She pretends to hear ideas, but she really doesn’t listen to anyone,” a source told Page Six.
Weiss’ first year has been marred by controversy, with one dubious decision following another.
She kicked off her reign shaping up its “Evening News” lineup by pulling Tony Dokoupil from “CBS Mornings” to helm the broadcast.
The switch saw an immediate decline in viewership and subsequent humiliating headlines for her new star anchor.
But the biggest head-scratcher came when she completely overhauled the nation’s most iconic newsmagazine “60 Minutes” — only to result in yet more embarrassing headlinesand yet more viewers reaching for the remote.
“No one can say, ‘That’s a bad idea.’ She looks at you like, ‘You don’t agree with what I’m saying,’ but there isn’t anybody who gets through to her,” the insider said.
But another insider scoffed at the idea. “There’s constant input from the entire news organization, and she frequently commends the points raised by people” during the 9 a.m. editorial meetings, they said.
Sources point to the “incredible bookings” the network has scored in recent weeks, including Sylvester Stallone for “CBS Sunday Morning,” and Patrick Clancy, which contributed to a ratings spike for “60 Minutes,”as proof there’s a ray of light.
“I think most senior leaders across the organization think that she brings a ton of value with her ideas and perspective, and would also say that she is a great listener, who incorporates many other ideas and suggestions into the organization’s work,” the insider claimed.
A rep for CBS declined to comment.
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