Many figures have been exiting 60 Minutes, and not necessarily by choice, over the past few weeks. However, one person staying on is Lesley Stahl. Reportedly, she even signed a two-year deal to stay on with the program. This also comes out after she and two of her co-hosts shared a letter explaining why they want to stay with the program.
Lesley Stahl Has Been Working With 60 Minutes Since The Early 1990s
Stahl first joined CBS News in 1971, becoming a correspondent within a few years. She joined 60 Minutes as a reporter in 1991.
Over the years, Stahl has appeared in a number of programs for the network. Her work has been featured on CBS Evening News and Face the Nation.
Viewers have seen multiple changes occur at 60 Minutes, including the recent departures of figures such as Anderson Cooper, Tanya Simon, and Scott Pelley. Many of these changes have been attributed to the installation of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief this past October.
As previously reported, despite these changes, Stahl confirmed that she would be staying alongside the program. She and her co-hosts, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim, shared a letter to staffers sharing this decision.
Stahl & Her Co-Hosts, Bill Whitaker & Jon Wertheim, Previously Shared Their Reasons For Staying In A Letter
According to a Status newsletter, Stahl even reached an agreement with CBS executives that will keep her on the network until 2028. However, the exact terms of the new agreement aren’t known at this time.
As shared by CNN Business, Stahl, Whitaker, and Wertheim explained their decision to stay on in their letter. They wrote, “If we can continue doing the work that made this show what it is — committing acts of independent, fearless journalism and storytelling — we’re here for it. If not, we leave.” At the time, there was already speculation that Stahl would be keeping on, as reports came out that she was already working on a project for the network.
The trio also shared that they were aware of the reactions the network’s overhaul has been getting in the media. As they acknowledged, “We feared that our returning might be construed as an endorsement of the existing power structure. That is simply, categorically not the case.”
The three concluded the letter writing, “For now we’re staying — for our audience, the millions who watch us with a loyal but critical eye. We’re staying for our teams, and all the teams. We work for you guys. The thought of abandoning you became unbearable. And, of course, we’re staying because this is home.” Singing off, they shared that they looked forward to Season 59 of the show.
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.