In the ever-evolving landscape of American media, the past week has seen two of its most prominent names—Howard Stern and CBS News—thrust into the spotlight for very different reasons. While Stern, the legendary radio host, found himself at the center of swirling rumors about his supposed firing from Sirius XM for being "too woke," CBS News grappled with internal tensions and public scrutiny following a bold memo from its new editor in chief, Bari Weiss. Both stories, though distinct, underscore the ongoing debates over media bias, workplace culture, and the shifting sands of public trust in journalism.
Howard Stern, now 71, is no stranger to controversy or the rumor mill. On October 10, 2025, he appeared on Sirius XM's Andy Cohen Live to address the viral reports that he'd been ousted from the satellite radio giant for his political views. With characteristic wit, Stern quipped about his supposed exile: "I was on vacation and the next thing I know I was in Stephen Colbert Land where I was being thrown off by the FCC somehow. I don’t know whatever it was or because I’m too woke. Too woke? I don’t even know what a woke is. What is woke?" as reported by Parade.
Leaning into the absurdity of the rumors, Stern continued, "The fact that if I’m too woke—the world has turned upside down. I mean, holy st, the stuff I do and talk about, I don’t even know what that means. But you know what? If it means I’m awakened, God bless." Andy Cohen, the host, chimed in to suggest that being "woke" might simply mean "you care about other people," a sentiment Stern readily agreed with: "Yeah, I mean, it’s suddenly not macho to give a fk about anybody."
Stern took the opportunity to set the record straight, making it clear that he remains very much a part of Sirius XM. "If that works out, great. I love this company. I do," Stern said. He reminisced about the early days of his tenure: "When I signed on, I think it was 200,000 subscribers. XM was killing us. And my dream, just like when I used to go to s**y radio stations, 'Let’s fking win.' And now today, there’s this robust company, and I’m very proud of it. And if I do end up staying with this company, I’m going to take ownership of that."
The rumors of Stern's firing had been circulating since August, with some speculating that his outspoken political stances had made him a liability. However, Sirius XM executive Scott Greenstein swiftly dismissed the reports, and Stern himself even parodied the situation by pretending that Andy Cohen had replaced him with a rebranded show called "Andy 100." According to Parade, the whole episode became a kind of meta-commentary on the nature of media speculation and the appetite for sensational stories, regardless of their veracity.
Meanwhile, in the world of television, another seismic shift looms on the horizon. Stephen Colbert, the face of CBS's The Late Show, announced back in July that his show will conclude in May 2026, following the 2025–26 season. In a joint statement, CBS executives declared, "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026… We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time." The network was quick to clarify that the decision was not a reflection of Colbert's performance or the show's content, but rather a financial move. The end of Colbert's run marks the close of a significant chapter in late-night television, and CBS's decision to retire the franchise entirely sends a clear signal that the economic realities of broadcasting are shifting yet again.
Just as CBS prepares for life after Colbert, the network is also contending with a new era in its news division. Bari Weiss, who took the reins as editor in chief of CBS News, recently made waves with an all-staff email that some saw as a breath of fresh air—and others as an affront. In her message, Weiss wrote, "I hope you are as excited as I am about the prospect of elevating CBS News to its rightful place as No. 1: the most trusted and most consumed news source in the nation. So, I’m interested in any particular ideas you have to achieve this goal." She asked staffers to submit memos by Tuesday, October 14, outlining not only how they spend their working hours and what work they are most proud of, but also what is working, what is broken or substandard, and how the organization can improve. "Please be blunt—it will help me greatly," she encouraged, explaining that the memos would serve as a "discussion guide" for upcoming individual meetings.
On its face, the request seemed like standard fare for a new leader eager to understand her team and foster improvement. But the reaction was anything but uniform. Some CBS News employees took offense at what they perceived as an implicit challenge to justify their roles. Their union swiftly recommended that no one respond to Weiss's request. The incident, reported on October 11, 2025, quickly became a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over workplace transparency and the culture of legacy media organizations.
The episode also drew commentary from some of the industry's most storied figures. Dan Rather, the former CBS anchor whose career ended in the wake of the infamous 60 Minutes Bush National Guard hoax, weighed in with a pointed critique. Rather expressed concern that under Weiss, CBS News might abandon its historical alignment with the Democratic Party. He warned that Weiss's approach could lead to "bothsidesism" and "arguments reliant on false equivalences," adding, "There can be no equivalences drawn between the two political extremes in this country, especially when one extreme is led by a man who rarely speaks without lying." Rather's comments, as reported, reflect a broader anxiety among some in the media about the risks of pursuing balance at the expense of truth—a debate that has raged for decades and shows no sign of abating.
Weiss, for her part, is seen by critics and supporters alike as a disruptive force. Her publication, The Free Press, is reportedly a daily must-read among the billionaire class, and her influence extends well beyond traditional newsrooms. Some observers argue that her arrival at CBS News signals a potential shift away from the network's perceived partisanship, while others worry that her style could alienate longtime staff and viewers alike.
The tensions at CBS News are unfolding against a backdrop of deep skepticism toward mainstream media. The union's resistance to Weiss's memo, coupled with the public airing of grievances by figures like Rather, highlight the challenges facing any leader seeking to reform a storied institution. As one observer put it, "I have no idea what the future holds for Bari Weiss at CBS News, but I will say this with confidence: CBS News will not become more biased or more inaccurate, and its ratings will not decline."
As the dust settles, both Howard Stern and CBS News find themselves at inflection points. Stern, ever the provocateur, remains a fixture at Sirius XM, undeterred by rumors and proud of his legacy. CBS News, meanwhile, stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, facing tough questions about its identity, leadership, and role in a polarized nation. The coming months promise more headlines, more debate, and—if history is any guide—more surprises.
