CBS Mornings top producer exits show in latest major shakeup by Bari Weiss

Shawna Thomas, the top producer of “CBS Mornings,” is stepping down as the show undergoes another strategic reset aimed at softening its tone and reversing sliding viewership.Thomas, who has run the program since 2021, informed staffers she will exit the role after helping steer the broadcast through several major transitions, according to a note she sent to colleagues, according to Variety.“For five years, I’ve tried to make this show something you all want to watch.Want to be a part of.

Want to learn from,” Thomas wrote in the memo.“I’ve had the privilege of helping to make 10 (now 12!) hours of television each week that goes out free to people everywhere.”“I’ve taken that responsibility of trying to inform, educate, entertain and make people care about the world around them very seriously and I know the people here do, too.”Her departure comes as executives rethink the direction of the morning program, which has long leaned into harder news coverage rather than the celebrity-heavy, lifestyle-focused format embraced by rival shows.Network leadership signaled a pivot toward a lighter tone that is typical of morning television — a notable shift for a broadcast that historically emphasized politics and deeper interviews.The anchors themselves are not going anywhere.CBS confirmed that co-hosts Gayle King and Nate Burleson will remain with the program for the foreseeable future.The third chair has been vacant since Tony Dokoupil moved to anchor “CBS Evening News” earlier this year.In the interim, the network is expected to cycle through guest hosts to fill the slot — drawing both from its internal roster and potentially outside personalities....