CBS’ Bari Weiss Reportedly Eyeing ‘Younger, Hotter’ Male to Replace Face the Nation’s Margaret Brennan

CBS is reportedly searching for a very specific type of successor to replace Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan.

According to Rob Shuter’s latest Naughty But Nice Substack, published on Tuesday, January 27, CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss is said to be shopping around for talent that is “younger, hotter and male,” signaling a shift in priorities at the network.

Insiders claim that Weiss is suddenly favoring “camera-ready men” over veteran journalists.

“Bari loves her good-looking men,” one source said. “She thinks they read as authority now.”

Inside CBS, speculation is swirling that Tony Dokoupil and Matt Gutman fit what Shuter described as a new era of “headline hunks.” Tony Dokoupil took over CBS Evening News on January 5, while Gutman began his role as CBS News chief correspondent the same day.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper has also been mentioned by insiders, though he reportedly doesn’t fit the network’s new vision. Cooper is described as “too polished, too thoughtful,” according to insiders.

“Inside the newsroom, the message is getting louder by the day: experience is optional, loyalty is irrelevant, and looking good on camera is suddenly a job requirement,” Shuter reported.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that former Today show anchor Matt Lauer was exploring a return to TV at CBS.

“It’s no secret Matt wants back on TV,” insiders told Shuter. “For years, nobody would touch him. That may be changing.”