Long-time producer Henry Schuster reportedly announced his departure from CBS’ 60 Minutes after nearly two decades. Schuster has become the latest high-profile departure from the news magazine under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. However, unlike several others who recently left because of major changes made to 60 Minutes, Schuster’s decision to leave was for an entirely different reason.
CBS faces another shakeup as veteran producer Henry Schuster announces his exit from ’60 Minutes’
Veteran producer Henry Schuster quits CBS’ 60 Minutes amid new leadership under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. As per The Guardian, Schuster informed then-executive producer Tanya Simon in February that he was ready to explore other avenues. Notably, this was before the multiple firings engulfed the network (via The New York Post).
In his farewell message, Schuster revealed that Simon requested he stay until the end of the season. He shared: “When I went to Tanya [Simon] in February, I told her I was ready to go, that I needed a break. She could not have been more helpful, only asking if I would stay through the end of the season.”
However, Schuster admitted that his departure was overshadowed by the recent trail of high-profile exits. He wrote on LinkedIn: “It has been overshadowed by the forced departures of so many colleagues and friends at the broadcast.”
The veteran producer also credited former colleague Scott Pelley, stating: “I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t sought me out” from CNN. Moreover, he revealed that they had a great working relationship.
Notably, Schuster’s departure from the network is just the tip of the iceberg. Prior to Weiss’ appointment, celebrated executive producer Bill Owens quit. Owens alleged that there was too much corporate interference, which clashed with his editorial sensibilities.
This followed a spate of departures from the network, pointing fingers at the newly appointed editor-in-chief, Weiss. Correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega were fired from their jobs. Not only that, executive producer Tanya Simon and executive editor Draggan Mihailovich were dismissed from their roles as well. Anderson Cooper also quit his job in May.
However, things reached a boiling point when Pelley accused Weiss of “murdering” 60 Minutes during an explosive staff meeting.
