Bill Maher commented on Scott Pelley’s exit from 60 Minutes following an alleged heated interaction with Nick Bilton. He expressed his dislike for Pelley while seemingly downplaying his role as a correspondent. Maher also argued over Sen. Chris Murphy’s claims that Donald Trump is politically interfering in major media companies.
Bill Maher reacts to Scott Pelley’s 60 Minutes exit
During the Overtime edition of Real Time With Bill Maher, the TV host initially asked his guests, Chris Murphy and Susan Rice, their thoughts on the recent shakeup at 60 Minutes. At first, he said, “I’m for it — goodnight,” and pretended to walk off before reiterating the question. Murphy stepped in to claim that Trump is misusing his power to place friendly ownership in the media and to sack those who go against him.
He elaborated, “You’re watching a censorship state be created. Trump is using the powers that he has available as president of the United States to install only friendly ownership at the big media companies. He’s using regulatory powers to punish people who oppose him.” Maher argued that the firing had nothing to do with such an instance.
“I just don’t think being a 60 Minutes correspondent is that hard. I don’t feel like Scott Pelley was a national treasure. I never liked him, sorry. I just never did,” he claimed. Stressing how everything is viewed these days politically, he added, “Companies change hands. People bring in their own people, their new ownership. I feel like we see everything through such a partisan lens. ‘Oh my God! 60 Minutes has a new cast!’ So does Saturday Night Live!” Murphy disagreed that it had to do only with 60 Minutes, while referring to Trump’s critic Stephen Colbert’s show cancellation (via Entertainment Weekly).
Reports claimed that Bilton and Pelley clashed during a tense 60 Minutes staff meeting. The new executive producer accused Pelley of “ambush,” “hostility”, and “misconduct.” He further announced his effective termination in a signed letter.
Originally written by Shazmeen Navrange on Mandatory.
