310 Comments
User's avatar
Sue Sanders's avatar

What a loss! The CBS I grew up with was a pleasure to watch and had great reporting. Good letter!

Elizabeth J. Sampson's avatar

CBS news when it began in the early 50’s under Bill Paley and Jim Aubrey set the standard to which all news followed. Then Bari Weiss was hired and the whole station went to shit.

Everything Li’l Donnie touches goes to shit immediately.

Look at the Kennedy Center. He ruined that in one day, the uncouth, classless, mindless moron with an ego like a toilet— constantly filled with shit.

Linda Weide's avatar

U.S. citizens living, serving, or studying abroad—you can vote from wherever you are! 🌍 Visit https://votefromabroad.org to register and request your overseas ballot.

It’s quick, free, and valid for all elections in 2026. Need help? Write to help@votefromabroad.org.

Vote from Abroad volunteers are ready to assist you with any questions about requesting or returning your ballot. Don’t wait! Request your ballot today and make your voice heard! 🗳️

Donnamarie's avatar

I'm still upset about the Smothers Brothers

Michael's avatar

Me too. The Smothers Brothers Show was my Sunday night viewing during junior high school years.

Diana's avatar

OMG - Edith Ann!

Margo Robinson's avatar

Mean no harm they were a little out touch😊

Jonathan D. Simon's avatar

Not to mention Dan Rather.

Teri Gelini's avatar

He is still going strong in his 90'S. His wife passed within the last couple years. He lives in Austin, Texas. His substack writing is great just as his TV reporting was.Still sharp as a tack

Porter's avatar

Thanks! I didn't know that, and just subscribed to it.

Diana's avatar

Thanks—I just subscribed as well!

Rose Huston's avatar

Dan was great & had a special place in my heart as sincere & caring.

Diana's avatar

He was one of the ones that actually had journalistic integrity. I can't even think of anyone left on legacy media that does. Maybe I'm wrong because I don't watch the networks anymore.

Rally Guy's avatar

Rather did a lot and seemed to try to get the audience close but when I hear his name I only think of “What’s the frequency, Kenneth?”

Kathy Maas's avatar

That phrase is used often in my household; it's iconic. But I also read Dan's substack, and he's so much more than that one line. :)

Schmendryck's avatar

For all his worth & experience, he's never gonna get past Kenneth's frequency.

Martha Kenne's avatar

Hell yeah. Loved Tommy and Dickie!

Jean Conley's avatar

Like you and Deborah, Donnamarie, I am, too.

Ginni Simpson's avatar

Beyond sad to see a venerated institution denigrated and destroyed. I can’t think of a good reason to watch. If I want to be lied to, I’ll find an old boyfriend.

Merry's avatar

Obviously trumpian maga-itis has gone full blown viral. Nasty longterm infection!

Maybe do several intravenous injections of a strong disinfectant (like hydrochlorous acid or even household bleach) like Donny suggested for treating COVID?!?!?

Jonathan D. Simon's avatar

My only gloss being that old boyfriends, or girlfriends, are far more likely to tell the truth. There's much to be said for having nothing to lose.

Gary Sharpe's avatar

Or Newsmax or Fox News

Ginni Simpson's avatar

The difference is, I used to watch CBS when it was a respected and reliable station. I grew up loving Walter Cronkite and admiring Edward R. Murrow. I'v never watched Newsmax or Fox.

Porter's avatar

Cronkite and Murrow were the very best, and putting CBS in the hands of MAGATs is disgusting and disgraceful. This is the kind of crap that Putin does in Russia, destroyed news media and replacing it either with BS or with nothing at all.

Edward mead's avatar

I think Putin is telling the Orange Donald TRUMP What, where, and how to do to America

maZ's avatar

ABSOLUTELY! Spot On!!!

maZ's avatar

Thats dt’s aim…emulate his idol

Donnamarie's avatar

I've watched Fox and NEWSMAX, just to see for myself.... I suffered so you didn't have to 🙄😉

Cindi Keane's avatar

Don't waste your time. FAUX FAKE News and Newsmax are a freaking joke.

Shirley's avatar

Colbert is the reason to watch.

Margo Robinson's avatar

Maybe the current one!

Just having some fun!

Happy New Year 🎈🎊

Geri Cochran's avatar

lol Thanks for the laugh! ;)

Linda Weide's avatar

U.S. citizens living, serving, or studying abroad—you can vote from wherever you are! 🌍 Visit https://votefromabroad.org to register and request your overseas ballot.

It’s quick, free, and valid for all elections in 2026. Need help? Write to help@votefromabroad.org.

Vote from Abroad volunteers are ready to assist you with any questions about requesting or returning your ballot. Don’t wait! Request your ballot today and make your voice heard! 🗳️

Lois W. Halbert's avatar

Good letter. What was once our favorite CBS has become garbage. Yes we belong to Medias and 19 substacks all told. We want accurate news. We want integrity in reporting. We have boycotted CBS. We wrote advertisers and told them we are boycotting them. The start of this was when CBS got rid of Colbert and caved to Trump. And probably one of the 2 worst things CBS has done is interfering with 60 Minutes and the prision report and having Kirk's conspiracy wife on their site. Ugly. CBS has gone to the dark side.

Oaktown's avatar

You forgot the original extortion over the edits to the Kamala Harris interview.

Marietta's avatar

I stopped watching CBS and ABC because they both bowed to the knee of Trump and his demanding lawsuits. My only option was NBC, but due to contractual conflicts in my city, NBC has not been available with my cable carrier for over a month. Thank you Ben and MTN for bringing factual national news daily.

Bill's avatar

The good news is that there are many (way better) sources for Honest News than the so called legacy networks. And easy to access. Meidas is one of them. The Legacy networks were already dying. CBS simply accelerated its death - won’t exist at all in 3 years.

Sharon C Storm's avatar

I’m boycotting it too. I haven’t turned it on since Bari Weiss was appointed news director.

Michelle D.'s avatar

It’s so sad that CBS is dead to me. What a horrible shame.

Paul Schwartz's avatar

Well done, Ben. I would not give this feckless idiot the satisfaction of using her first name in your letter. I have not watched mainstream media including CBS in well over a year. We the Meidas Mighty do not need to see interviews with Erika Kirk or Steven Miller spewing hate. You claim 'family, Christian values and your Paramount network shows some of the most violent and graphic shows such as (1) Mobland, (2) Mayor of Kingstown, (3) Tulsa Kings along with suggestive shows like Landman with sex.

I have never seen a more hypocritical group than MAGA.

CARLA HEISTEN's avatar

I really want to cancel Paramount but that is where Star Trek lives. It's my one fun show, but I am thinking if I purchase the sets I can ditch them too...Star Trek is hopeful and overall it depicts what many of us WANT...a society where we work together to do wonderful things. I don't watch that violent junk. It's a conundrum for me.

Paul Schwartz's avatar

Carla, I get Paramount for free as part of my Rutgers 24/7 subscription (which is owned by CBS). However, I will NEVER allow my TV set to have over the air CBS and more specifically any NEWS or 60 minutes in my house!

Tracy Kyle's avatar

I will not watch CBS again!

Amy Dalton's avatar

Already canceled my Paramount+ subscription. Will not support their evilness.

Good letter.

Geri Cochran's avatar

My entire extended family cancelled their subscriptions as well. (well, except one sibling that chose the felon)

Susan  Coopet's avatar

Bravo. I’m only watching and recording The Late Show w/Stephen Colbert until they sign off in May. And CBS….your days are numbered. No viewers, no advertisers = no money. Huge mistake. Also, I have watched every episode of Survivor and The Amazing Race. Not anymore.

Shirley's avatar

Same for me - recording Colbert.

Cindy Dore's avatar

Thanks for writing the letter. CBS boycott is already underway in this household.

Ellen Gregorie's avatar

Great letter! Keep 'em coming!

Leroy's avatar

Wrong side of history.

Roberta Reid's avatar

I will not watch CBS again. Thank you for the information.

SANDRA MCGUIRE's avatar

Will no longer watch CBS. Keep on fighting the good fight!