CBS Evening News host Nora O’Donnell is reportedly set to be kicked off the network this spring due to her “toxic behavior” as management seeks to cut costs and boost profits.
Network co-president Neeraj Hemlani is allegedly looking to replace O’Donnell, 48, who is believed to be making $6 million to $8 million a year after her contract expires this spring, a CBS insider told the New York Post.
“The next big decision on his part is updating the Evening News,” one source said.
“It’s not a money-maker,” another echoed, adding that O’Donnell’s “toxic behavior” is taking its toll on the show.
Others claim she and Hemlani bumped heads last year after reports surfaced that he “quietly” began looking for a replacement for her.
Khemlani denied the allegations last year, saying, “Nora’s presence in Washington DC has boosted CBS Evening News coverage on all fronts. Her reporting on the military and domestic violence has won awards and changed politics in Washington. And in addition to reaching headlines, the program is gaining an audience.”
When asked about the latest replacement allegations, CBS cited a statement Hemlani gave to the New York Post.
The statement, which does not directly address the allegations, reportedly read: “We support Nora and the Evening News team and the quality journalism they provide every night.”
Meanwhile, insiders have pointed to CBS Mornings host Tony Dokupil as a possible successor to O’Donnell.
CBS Evening News anchor Nora O’Donnell could be kicked off the network this spring for her “toxic behavior” as management seeks to cut costs and boost profits.
Insiders say network co-president Neeraj Hemlani (left) is looking to replace O’Donnell. Some pointed to CBS Mornings host Tony Dokupil (right) as her possible successor.
Sources told The Post that rumors of O’Donnell’s expulsion intensified following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, noting that she is the only evening news anchor who has not traveled to Eastern Europe to cover the invasion.
Insiders claim that O’Donnell’s time in D.C. is “taking its toll on the ratings.” She travels to Poland this weekend to cover the conflict, but many say it’s “too late”.
“David Muir, Lester Holt and Anderson Cooper are all in Ukraine. Where is Nora? We are in the midst of a war and she is reporting from Washington, DC,” the source said.
“Either she didn’t want to go, or management didn’t want her to leave. In any case, this is bad.
According to Nielsen ratings, CBS total viewers dropped to 5.1 million in the week of February 28. ABC and NBC were watched by 8.8 million and 7.4 million viewers respectively.
Before the war, O’Donnell had between 5.3 and 5.6 million viewers each night.
“I don’t know if Neeraj will be able to make the final decision, but he is going to bring [ratings] data to George Chick and Bob Bakish,” the source said, citing network executives. “Nora’s contract expires in May. There is time.
Sources say rumors of O’Donnell’s resignation have intensified amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, noting that she is the only evening news anchor who has not traveled to Eastern Europe to cover the invasion.
ABC World News Tonight host David Muir traveled overseas to cover the conflict. In the picture, on March 5, he talks with families who fled from Ukraine. ABC tops the Evening News rankings with 8.8 million viewers every night for the week of Feb. 28.
NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt and CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper also traveled to Ukraine after the conflict.
Others contend that the potential personnel changes are due to O’Donnell’s alleged “first class attitude”, which allegedly includes a “dress rehearsal” for the news release half an hour before it airs live.
“Rehearsals are an excuse to blow up packages 15 minutes before the show,” one person told the Post. “She changes the words into segments. Everyone has a stroke.
“She’s a news actress,” said another, claiming that dress rehearsals before news releases are “very unusual.”
A third insider stated that the producers should train her and “make her more human” so that she is not a “robot” when she reads.
Insiders also said that O’Donnell often berates his stylists during rehearsals.
“There was an incident at the studio last year when she ranted about how her bronzer was wrong,” one source told the newspaper, claiming she was known to drive her glam team to tears.
“We are at the epicenter of a pandemic and people are dying,” the source added.
Others claim that she and Hemlani bumped heads last year after he “quietly” began to report that he was looking for a replacement for her. At the time, he denied the allegations. He has not yet commented on recent reports of O’Donnell’s possible dismissal, but said on Friday: “We support Nora and the Evening News team and the quality journalism they put out every night” (left to right: Shauna Thomas, Tony Dokupil, Gayle King , Neeraj Khemlani and Nate Burleson in September 2021)
Others have criticized the presenter for her alleged clothing specifications, citing her annual wardrobe allowance, which they claim is $65,000.
Sources also complained that O’Donnell expects Gucci flip-flops to be waiting in front of her dressing room door so she can put them on as soon as she leaves the set every night.
O’Donnell’s publicist Cindy Berger denied the accusations, telling the Post, “It’s a clothing allowance, every news anchor has it. This figure is incorrect.”
“I categorically refute these outrageous and sexist statements!”
“It is insulting that female anchors and reporters are subjected to such sexist treatment,” Hemlani reportedly reiterated in an emailed statement released late Friday night.
Some CBS staffers reportedly believe that Hemlany really intends to keep O’Donnell on the staff, claiming that he is only “buying a new anchor” as a tactic to get her to agree to a “significant pay cut”.