CBS Viewers Criticize Tony Dokoupil’s Chaotic Evening News Debut

Tony Dokoupil’s debut as anchor of CBS Evening News was fraught with complications, prompting significant viewer backlash. Technical difficulties and confusing on-air moments marred the much-anticipated first broadcast on January 5.

Technical Issues and Viewer Reactions

Dokoupil, who transitioned from CBS Mornings to lead the CBS Evening News, faced a cascade of errors during his inaugural show. As he attempted to introduce a segment about Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s decision not to seek re-election, confusion reigned. A graphic featuring Arizona Senator Mark Kelly mistakenly appeared on-screen, leaving Dokoupil visibly puzzled.

• “First day—big problems here,” he remarked during the mix-up.
• His confusion continued as he struggled to clarify the respective stories.

Once he managed to redirect the broadcast to the Walz segment, another error occurred. Dokoupil incorrectly referred to Minnesota as the “Great Lake State,” a nickname that actually belongs to Michigan. The state of Minnesota is popularly known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”

Social Media Backlash

The on-air blunders did not go unnoticed by viewers. Social media quickly filled with criticisms of Dokoupil’s performance and broader concerns regarding CBS News. Comments on various platforms included:

• “This is embarrassing. Newly installed anchor Tony Dokoupil has major problems during his first regular broadcast.”
• “Poor Tony’s not getting off to a good start.”
• “CBS News is crumbling at a record rate under Bari Weiss.”
• “An absolute train wreck.”

Viewer reactions suggested that many attributed the chaos to the inexperience of Bari Weiss, the new editor-in-chief of CBS News, who was appointed in October. Critics argued that the shake-ups within CBS News led to the lack of a cohesive production team.

Leadership Changes and Future Commitments

Dokoupil’s arrival at CBS Evening News follows significant changes within the network’s leadership. In a video statement released on New Year’s Day, he addressed viewers directly, urging them to hold him accountable in his new position. He committed to focusing on the needs of the average American rather than on commercial or political pressures.

The CBS Evening News, under Dokoupil’s leadership, airs weeknights at 6:30 PM ET, and while the debut was rocky, he aims to improve as he settles into the role.