Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino

Latest Episodes:

Bari’s ‘60 Minutes’ Hires; Fox’s Fauci Focus; Hunter Biden’s Fuentes Chat Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday.

On today’s episode:

Bari Weiss and new executive producer Nick Bilton are reshaping “60 Minutes,” announcing a slate of new correspondents and contributors that includes Ross Douthat, Sebastian Junger, Gianna Toboni, and Trevor Phillips. Oliver and Jon break down how staffers reacted and whether the show can produce enough stories in time for the upcoming season.

Next, MAGA Media turns its attention back to Dr. Anthony Fauci following a contentious Senate hearing and the release of his private COVID-era diaries. Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, and Sean Hannity went all-in, with Fauci branded “a greedy mad scientist on a power trip.”

Plus: Hunter Biden’s recent joint interview with white-supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, the bipartisan effort to punish FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, and Oliver’s futile quest for “The Odyssey” IMAX tickets.

Read these stories and more at http://www.status.news

0:00 Intro

1:38 Bari Weiss’ Latest Hires for ‘60 Minutes’

23:54 MAGA Media Obsesses over Dr. Fauci

38:30 Hunter Biden Meets Nick Fuentes

45:05 The Bipartisan Effort to Punish the FCC

51:20 Oliver’s Odyssey to Get Movie Tickets

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Exclusive Sit-Down with CA AG Rob Bonta on the Lawsuit Threatening the Paramount-Warner Merger Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

On today’s episode:

California Attorney General Rob Bonta joins the show for an exclusive interview after filing a lawsuit to block David Ellison’s $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Bonta explains why he believes the deal violates antitrust law, the danger it poses to the media landscape, and addresses the elephant in the room: what happens to CNN and CBS News?

After the interview, Jon and Oliver unpack Bonta’s comments, including what he said about a potential CNN spinoff, the structural remedies he could seek, and why CNN has become central to the legal fight.

Plus: A special announcement—the first-ever Status Summit is coming to New York City on September 9, featuring candid conversations with Meredith Kopit Levien, Rebecca Kutler, David Remnick, Wendy McMahon, and more.

Read these stories and more at https://www.status.news

0:00 Intro

1:55 Interview with California AG Rob Bonta

25:34 Breaking Down AG Bonta’s Answers

41:20 Special Announcement from Status

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crisis at “60 Minutes,” The Future of CNN, Tucker vs. Hannity, And Your Biggest Media Questions Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

On today’s episode: Jon and Oliver answer your biggest media questions, including whether David Ellison's looming takeover of CNN should worry journalists, who really holds more sway on the American right today, and whether legacy news brands can survive the digital era. Plus, the future of NBC News, Business Insider, the network evening newscast, and much more. 0:00 Intro 2:20 Has “60 Minutes” Stabilized? 7:40 Has Bari Weiss Made “CBS News” More Digital-Friendly? 11:03 Is There A Future for the Evening Newscast? 17:01 Will Things Really Be That Bad if Ellison Owns CNN? 26:01 What’s Next for NBC News? 32:58 Does Business Insider Have A Path to Prosperity? 37:48 Who Has More Influence: Tucker or Hannity? 43:45 Should Big Tech Do More to Help Journalism? 50:12 Which Legacy Media Organizations Would You Work For?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why CNN Is Losing a Big Name, NPR's Huge Mistake, and Bari Weiss’ CBS Hits Grim New Low Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

On today’s episode:

Paula Reid, CNN's chief legal affairs correspondent, is leaving the network after growing uncomfortable with David Ellison’s impending takeover. Jon and Oliver break down exclusive reporting on what happened, and who else could follow her out the door.

Next, NPR’s embarrassing false report that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was retiring, what went wrong inside the newsroom, and what it reveals about the outlet’s editorial process.

Plus: MAGA media turns on Justice Amy Coney Barrett after the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling, and another brutal week for Bari Weiss’ CBS News as the network tries to spin a grim ratings picture.

Read these stories and more at http://www.status.news

0:00 Intro

1:41 Paula Reid is Leaving CNN. Who’s Next?

18:24 NPR’s Embarrassing False Report

27:04 MAGA Media Attacks Justice Barrett

34:06 Latest Ratings Data from Bari Weiss’ CBS News

44:21 Media Moment of the Week

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

‘CBS Mornings’ Ratings Freefall, Tucker Nukes Trump, and Zuckerberg’s Interview Duck Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday.

On today’s episode:

Executives at CBS News are sounding the alarm over historically bad ratings for “CBS Mornings.” Oliver and Jon dive into the numbers and discuss Tony Dokoupil publicly distancing himself from Bari Weiss.

Then, Emily Sundberg’s interview with Mark Zuckerberg exposes the Meta billionaire’s preference to talk to dodge tough questions.

Also, Tucker Carlson has not only broken from the Republican Party, but he also has some choice words for Donald Trump.

Plus, Status makes its debut on the “Joe Rogan Experience,” which we highlight in our Media Moment of the Week.

0:00 Intro

1:11 CBS Mornings Hits Historic Low Ratings

11:02 Tony Dokoupil Distances Himself from Bari Weiss

15:29 Zuckerberg Hand Picks Softball Questions in Recent Interview

26:28 Tucker Carlson Calls Trump a “Bitch”

31:15 Media Moment of the Week

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside Bari Weiss' Private Meeting With CNN, Bezos' Shocking Comments on The WaPo, MAGA Media's Turn Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

CNN and CBS executives are beginning to compare notes as David Ellison's deal moves closer to reality, with senior leaders from both organizations holding integration meetings and weighing what a combined future could look like.

Then, new reporting reveals what Jeff Bezos told Donald Trump behind closed doors about The Washington Post. Bezos reportedly described the paper as his worst investment and complained that its employees don't listen to him, raising fresh questions about his stewardship.

Finally, conservative media figures are turning on Trump's Iran deal. From the Murdoch-owned Fox News and New York Post to Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and other prominent voices on the right, the backlash is raising questions about whether Trump's grip on conservative media is beginning to loosen.

Plus, it's a new edition of Open Lines. Leave a question in the comments for a chance to be featured on next week's show!

0:00 Intro

1:22 CNN Presents to Bari Weiss and CBS News Ahead of Potential Merger

12:10 Kara Swisher Wants Out at CNN Before Ellison Takeover

18:40 Bezos Blasts WaPo Staff in Private Trump Meeting

30:11 MAGA Media Blasts Trump’s Iran Deal

43:47 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Bari Weiss Actually Get CNN, Daniel Dale Disappears, Elon Musk's Media Assault Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

On today’s episode:

Exclusive reporting on Bari Weiss, who has isolated herself within CBS News as David Ellison and network executives work to clean up her mess at “60 Minutes.” The crisis raises the question: How could she possibly run CNN after her mismanagement at CBS News? Then, the curious disappearance of CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale, who hasn't been seen on TV in more than three months. Oliver and Jon discuss why CNN may have benched one of its most popular on-air talents. Finally, Media Matters has been forced to cut staff in the face of a costly legal war from Elon Musk, who once called himself a “free speech absolutist.” What’s really behind the litigation?

Plus your questions in the latest edition of Open Lines.

Read these stories and more at Status: http://www.status.news

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code STATUS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/status

0:00 Intro

1:29 Bari Weiss is MIA as Ellison Cleans Up Her Mess at 60 Minutes

30:32 Where is CNN’s Daniel Dale?

43:21 Media Matters Downsizes After Elon Musk Lawsuit

55:20 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special Episode: Inside the ‘60 Minutes’ Firestorm as Bari Weiss Faces Backlash Over Her Radical Overhaul Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Bari Weiss has plunged “60 Minutes” into unprecedented chaos after firing Scott Pelley, who objected to her radical overhaul of the storied newsmagazine. Jon and Oliver discuss their exclusive reporting, from details on Pelley’s explosive confrontation with CBS News brass, to whether the remaining “60 Minutes” correspondents might call it quits, to what staffers at the show are quietly saying behind the scenes.

Read these stories and more at: https://www.status.news/

0:00 Intro

1:14 Inside Scott Pelley’s Firing from “60 Minutes”

20:04 The Secret Meeting Between Remaining “60” Correspondents

33:52 Pelley Accuses Network of Injecting Bias in Reporting

42:20 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside Bari’s “60 Minutes” Bloodbath, CNN Stars Sound Ellison Alarm, and Dokoupil’s Ratings Trick May 29, 2026

Show notes

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday.

On today’s episode:

Bari Weiss and David Ellison have dismantled “60 Minutes.” On the heels of the storied franchise winning two Emmys, and CBS News being called out publicly by the winner of the Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship, Weiss leveled the staff, dismissing Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, and Tanya Simon, among others. Simon will be replaced by technology journalist Nick Bilton who, like Weiss, has no experience running a television franchise. Oliver and Jon wade through the disheartening news and point to the obvious reason why this happened.

Also, journalists, academics, and documentarians signed a letter pushing back on Paramount’s acquisition of CNN. And finally, was Tony Dokoupil actually able to eclipse the four million viewer mark?! CBS says yes, but we’ll explain why that claim isn’t quite accurate.

0:00 Intro

1:36 Inside Bari Weiss’ 60 Minutes Shakeup

28:52 The Press Mobilizes Against Ellison

34:13 Investigating CBS’ Claims on Latest Ratings Data

40:35 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions

Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bari on the Brink? Colbert's CBS Cancellation, Bezos' Embarrassing Interview, The Daily Wire Meltdown May 22, 2026

Show notes

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday.

On today’s episode:

Questions are swirling about Bari Weiss’ future atop CBS News after a report said Paramount has had conversations about narrowing her role—we break down David Ellison’s carefully worded denial and whether Weiss is in any real trouble.

Plus, why the cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” is about far more than budget concerns, Jeff Bezos’ embarrassing interview defending Donald Trump and The Washington Post layoffs, and the turmoil consuming Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire.

Read these stories and more at Status: https://www.status.news/

Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, who powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status

0:00 Intro

1:16 Is Bari Weiss Being Pushed Out at CBS News?

16:56 The End of The Late Show

22:16 Bezos Says Trump Is "Calmer," Defends WaPo Cuts

31:27 Daily Wire in Turmoil as Ben Shapiro Loses Allies

44:06 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices