Jimmy Kimmel Criticizes CBS Over Scott Pelley’s Firing

On Wednesday night, Jimmy Kimmel criticized CBS News executives after the network dismissed Scott Pelley, a veteran ’60 Minutes’ correspondent. Pelley’s firing came after a tense staff meeting with the show’s new executive producer, Nick Bilton.

During his monologue on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’, Kimmel accused CBS of penalizing Pelley for defending the show’s longstanding journalistic standards. Kimmel described Pelley as a respected journalist committed to truth and integrity, suggesting that his firing was a result of standing up for these values.

Pelley’s frustrations stemmed from recent changes at ’60 Minutes’, including the departure of correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, as well as executive producer Tanya Simon. Nick Bilton succeeded Simon after being appointed by CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.

Kimmel called out CBS leadership, stating that the changes at the show have led to a decline in values. He noted that Pelley’s criticism of CBS management culminated in a confrontation with Bilton during a staff meeting.

Pelley expressed that the collapse of values at the top was untenable and voiced this during the meeting.

Kimmel humorously suggested that CBS might reimagine ’60 Minutes’ to align with its new late-night lineup following the replacement of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ by Byron Allen’s ‘Comics Unleashed’.

Kimmel also addressed former President Donald Trump’s reaction to the dismissal. Trump criticized Pelley in an interview with Miranda Devine, describing him negatively.

Bilton accused Pelley of an ambush in a termination notice and claimed Pelley displayed incivility during the staff meeting. CBS News hasn’t publicly commented on the decision.

In his statement, Pelley argued that ’60 Minutes’ had lost its essence under new leadership and accused CBS of requesting falsehoods and bias in his reporting. Weiss, addressing the staff, mentioned a breach of trust and efforts to reconcile, which Pelley disputed.

Kimmel tied these events to the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, hinting at potential tensions during the event.