The Powers That Be: Daily Media Monday: Bari-Anderson Cooper Fantasies & A Dem Autopsy
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Nov 3, 2025 Jon Kelly, Puck co-founder and New Jersey correspondent, teams up with Peter Hamby for a lively discussion. They dive into Bari Weiss's ambitions at CBS News, including recent layoffs and her potential talent vision. The conversation shifts to the Democratic Party's deep-rooted issues ahead of the 2024 election, advocating for a focus on affordability and public safety. They question whether trendy media appearances can truly resolve these issues for the Democrats, ultimately stressing the need for bold talent and fresh strategies in media.
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CBS' Rapid Shakeup And Bold Experiments
- Jon Kelly recounts CBS News changes after Bari Weiss and the new owners moved quickly to cut staff and reorient the brand.
- He describes hopes that Weiss will try bold, sometimes-bonkers experiments to find something that sticks.
Legacy News Needs To Get Smaller And Better
- Jon Kelly argues legacy news brands must 'get smaller and better' rather than scale to new heights in today's fractured media.
- He sees opportunity in focusing on nonpolitical coverage areas that serve clear audience needs.
Invest In Apolitical, High-Value Coverage
- Do invest in apolitical, high-value coverage like weather, sports, and finance to win steady eyeballs.
- Try building reliable live coverage and practical reporting instead of leaning into politicized content.
