How Was ’60 Minutes’ Season 59 Premiere After Bari Weiss Makeover?

All eyes were on 60 Minutes on Sunday night (September 13) as the show returned for its 59th season amid months of behind-the-scenes drama and on-screen changes.

Anticipation was high to see how the long-running magazine program would look under the vision of CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and new executive producer Nick Bilton. The episode featured segments on a U.S. military rescue mission in Iran, pardon brokers who take on cases for money, the Los Angeles Rams, and artificial intelligence.

The media reaction to the season premiere was mixed, to say the least. In its review, the New York Times wrote that “the version of America’s most watched news program that returned to CBS on Sunday looked a lot like the show viewers have come to expect.”

The Wrap shared similar sentiments, with editor A.J. Katz saying “the premiere mostly passed” its first test. He also praised Stahl’s segment on pardons, calling it “the strongest evidence that the revamped broadcast had preserved the franchise’s accountability journalism.”

Variety‘s Brian Steinberg said the show relied on some “old ticks [and] tricks,” noting that its mix of stories didn’t “deviate wildly from the norm.”

Deadline‘s Ted Johnson agreed, saying the “story selection was in the realm of past seasons” and overall the show had “much the same look and feel of previous seasons.”

This is a remarkable story. There is an incredible amount of courage and excellence in the United States military. It’s been very good for a very long time. https://t.co/Wuzat3NQKv

— David French (@DavidAFrench) September 14, 2026

New York Times columnist David French praised the Iran rescue mission story as “remarkable,” while NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck called it “compelling” and “mesmerizing.”

Others weren’t quite as sold, including Zeteo columnist Justin Baragona, who shared quotes from alleged CBS staffers. “Norah absolutely willing to play the part of dimwit reporter used as a propaganda tool,” one staffer told Baragona regarding the Iran rescue mission story.

A senior staffer added, “The show is dead. We’re just looking at some Frankenstein of bits sewn together of mismatched pieces.”

“Norah absolutely willing to play the part of dimwit reporter used as a propaganda tool,” a CBS staffer told me about the 60 Minutes Iran story.

“The show is dead. We’re just looking at some Frankenstein of bits sewn together of mismatched pieces,” a senior staffer also said.

— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) September 14, 2026

Former CNN reporter Greg Krieg wrote, “60 Minutes is now a clip farm for Pete Hegseth’s ‘Department of War.’”

Veteran journalist Jeff Jarvis added, “The Bari/Bilton 60 Minutes begins with pure Hegseth propaganda and lotsa God. Welcome to North Korea.”

The Bari/Bilton 60 Minutes begins with pure Hegseth propaganda and lotsa God. Welcome to North Korea.

— Jeff (Hot Type) Jarvis (@jeffjarvis) September 14, 2026

Viewers also sounded off, with one X user writing, “Journalism we can trust @60Minutes? I think not. I only had the last minute on because i’m waiting for #bb28 to come on. Bari whats-her-face f****d 60 Minutes & @CBS up.”

“Oooof. #60Minutes devoting a whole 15 minutes to this “stranded” soldier is definitely “selling the drama” to justify more war,” said another.

Another wasn’t a fan of the new staff editions, writing, “Ross Douthat is both visually and audibly unappealing that I don’t think I will ever watch 60 Minutes again. What were people thinking?!?!”

One fan appreciated the pardon brokers segment, saying, “Good to still see a high-quality investigation from #60Minutes despite what it has been through. Thank you, @LesleyRStahl.”

In May, Weiss fired producers Tanya Simon, Draggan Mihailovich, and Matthew Polevoy, and correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi. After longtime correspondent Scott Pelley spoke out against Weiss during a heated staff meeting, he, too, was dismissed.

What did you think of the 60 Minutes premiere? Let us know your thoughts below.