[EXCLUSIVE] Carrie Underwood’s inauguration performance sparks major issue with American Idol

American Idol bosses are acutely aware of the impact that Carrie Underwood’s inauguration performance could have on the show, with fears it may unravel hard-fought efforts to improve LGBTQ representation.

The country star, 41, was invited to sing America The Beautiful as President Donald Trump, 78, was sworn in for a second term in office on Monday.

Her decision to perform for the Republican was polarising and prompted calls to boycott her upcoming debut as a judge on the popular ABC show.

Now, insiders have claimed there are concerns that contestants may feel ‘uncomfortable’ which could prove problematic for the show’s ‘values’ and ratings.

‘Idol contestants come from a wide range of diverse backgrounds, and so do the people who work on the show,’ a source told DailyMail.com exclusively.

‘There are concerns that her apparent political stance might make some contestants feel uncomfortable.’

American Idol execs are aware of the impact that Carrie Underwood’s inauguration performance could have, with fears it may unravel efforts to improve LGBTQ representation

The country star, 41, was invited to sing America The Beautiful as President Donald Trump , 78, was sworn in for a second term in office on Monday

Her decision to perform for Trump was polarising and prompted calls to boycott her upcoming debut as a judge (pictured with fellow judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest)

They continued: ‘There’s also worry that backlash could impact viewership. Her apparent support for Trump doesn’t align with the show’s values of inclusivity and diversity.’

Following years of criticism, Idol has received higher praise since it moved from FOX for an ABC reboot in 2018, providing a more inclusive space for minorities and members of the LGBTQ community.

Though memorable contestants such as Adam Lambert, Clay Aiken and David Archuleta eventually came out after their time on the show, it was 13 seasons before a contestant was open about their sexuality, something that is now more common in the early audition stages.

‘Lionel Richie, who is very liberal, may not see eye to eye with Carrie’s views which could create some tension,’ the source continued. ‘He has never and will never support Trump.’

They noted that due to the changes since season 16 in 2018, judges ‘are typically advised to avoid becoming political figures’ but they do not always hold back from expressing their views.

Luke Bryan made headlines when he invited Republican politician Ron DeSantis to join him on stage at a gig in Florida back in 2022.

He defended his decision in a statement in which he wrote: ‘Governor Desantis is a very polarizing figure. But I grew up in a country where if a governor asks you if they can come and raise awareness to help victims of a natural disaster you help.

‘I’ve generally stayed out of politics throughout my career. I knew people would chatter about this but for me the more important piece was if I am going to come back there a few weeks after a large portion of people have been affected by a natural disaster in a state where people have been good to me this felt right.’

Insiders have claimed there are concerns that contestants may feel ‘uncomfortable’ which could prove problematic for the show’s ‘values’ and ratings

The country star closed out his statement by writing: ‘This is all I am saying about this.’

The insider questioned if Carrie had considered her role on Idol and how performing for one of America’s most divisive Presidents could impact the show.

‘The general opinion is that Carrie should have thought about the show’s culture and network values before jumping into such a major role while under contract,’ they said.

Carrie told fans she was ‘honored’ to have been asked to sing and be a ‘small part of this historic event’.

‘I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future,’ she said.

It comes six years after she told The Guardian that she likes to ‘stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins.’

‘It’s crazy,’ she said. ‘Everybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it, like it’s black and white. And it’s not like that.’

Carrie has replaced Katy Perry as a judge alongside Luke and Lionel on the popular show hosted by Ryan

The singer’s judging debut was intended to be a triumphant moment, marking 20 years since she first auditioned for the show herself in 2005.

A separate source previously told DailyMail.com that Carrie was looking to kick start ‘a big year’ for herself professionally by performing at the President’s inauguration.

‘This is something that she is very proud of, and the spin she is putting on it is that she is doing it for America, not specifically for Trump,’ an insider explained.

The source added that Carrie was never focused on the politics of the situation, but wanted to embrace the large platform.

‘She does her music for everyone, and she also knows many of her fans will be watching the inauguration,’ the source said. ‘So this was a no-brainer as she feels there is more good that will come from it besides those that will bash her for what it looks like supporting Trump.’

The insider concluded that Carrie ‘is a former American Idol contestant and America made her dreams come true, so this is her giving back to the country she loves and which has supported her forever.’

Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, season 23 is set to debut in March.

Carrie Underwood Reportedly Had a Heated Reaction Backstage After Her Inauguration Performance

Carrie Underwood probably had a vision of how her version of “America the Beautiful” would be received after accepting Donald Trump’s invitation to perform at his Jan. 20 inauguration. The majestic views of the Capitol overlooking the crowds and singing a patriotic song were likely what the 41-year-old country singer had in mind — instead, it was a scaled-down venue with a few technical hiccups.

Underwood was reportedly not thrilled as how her rendition went down, according to the Daily Mail. She allegedly felt that she was not “afforded the same level of respect” as other singers have in the past, including “Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.” “Carrie was dissatisfied with her performance at the event, primarily due to the limited space she was given, which left her feeling cramped and uncomfortable,” a source revealed.

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There was no elevated platform, so the American Idol winner “felt as if she was ushered in and out and had a mini hissy fit afterwards.” The insider added, “She felt like she was literally just in a room with people all around her and a microphone. This threw off the acoustics.” Underwood probably also didn’t expect the technical hiccups when it came to the music.

Underwood was forced to improvise and sing a cappella after there was a music glitch and several minutes of awkward silence. “You know the words — help me out here,” she told the crowd as she sang an abbreviated version of the song. It was a real-life moment of “the show must go on” and Underwood did her best to save the day — but that doesn’t mean she was happy with how the situation unfolded.

It seems like she would rather forget the entire event. In addition to not sharing the news with her Instagram followers ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, Underwood did not upload any post-event photos or commentary. Her silence speaks volumes after her decision to perform for Donald Trump brought some criticism from fans who thought she should have stayed out of the political discourse. Instead, she leaned into the controversy.

“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement to Today on Jan. 13. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”

Before you go, click here for more documentaries about strong women in music.

The Price Is Right host Drew Carey reveals change to longtime game as some fans disagree

Drew Carey took fans Back to ’75 and was amused by aspects of the popular pricing game. Pic credit: CBS
On The Price Right, games come and go, while other popular games might stick around with occasional changes.

During a recent episode of the popular game show, host Drew Carey mentioned how production had changed up a longtime pricing game.

He had a contestant on stage to play the game Back to ’75, which features various items from years ago.

Contestants must determine the price of the three items from the show back in 1975.

The contestant has $50 on the gameboard, which resembles a vintage TV screen. After guessing an item’s price, each dollar they are off by gets deducted from the $50 they have on the board.

In the latest contestant’s situation, she could win $25,000 if she didn’t lose all $50 on the board after estimating the prices of the three items.

Drew spoke about changes to a popular TPIR game

While presenting the game in 2025, host Drew Carey brought up a noticeable update.

“If you notice, new year, we changed the background to Back to ’75,” he told everyone.

He explained that in 1975, they “redesigned the look of the show” and made changes like extending it to an hour long and bringing in the Big Wheel for the Showcase round.

“Same TV, though,” Drew joked while discussing the game’s recent update.

The host said the game was originally Back to ’72 for the 50th anniversary of the show. It stuck around due to its popularity and got renamed Back to ’75.

During the modern-day game, George Gray read the original copy for each of the three items from back in 1975, and then the contestant could turn the dial to “dial in the price” they thought that item cost in 1975.

George revealed that the first of three items was a Schick air-freshening machine that periodically sprayed a fresh scent. She estimated the price to be $16, but she was only four dollars off since it was $20.

Next up was a Litronix 2230 calculator with big red buttons. George said it was “unconditionally guaranteed to the original owner for one full year from date of receipt.”

Drew was amused by that line and laughed at George after he finished. George reminded him it was the original copy for the 1975 item. The contestant dialed in a price of $34 and was under by just six dollars.

Lastly, there was a Tele-Games version of the classic game Pong from Sears. When Drew saw that item, he got excited and raised one fist to celebrate the prize.

“Hey man, your mom gets your video games from Sears,” Drew joked as the contestant consulted with the audience.

The contestant estimated it cost $62, but the actual price was $100. However, with $40 left on the game’s dial, she had two dollars left after all three items. She was ecstatic as she’d won $25,000 for her great guesses.

Some fans questioned TPIR’s changes to the game, and others celebrated ‘vintage’ aspects

In the YouTube comments, several fans called out the change, seeming to criticize aspects of the update.

One commenter indicated that The Price Is Right needed to wait slightly longer in 2025 to make the change.

“Too soon to change that backdrop of the old turntable. They should have waited until the 54th season to do that. The set change happened in August 1975 when they were still doing all new shows for the summer,” a fan wrote.
Pic credit: @thepriceisright/YouTube
Another asked if they would “change the name of this game every year, a la Match Game?”

“I think the game should be called ‘The Price WAS Right’, that way they can have items from different years the show has been on that need to be guessed on,” they commented.

Another individual mentioned that the show had a pricing game called The Price Was Right, which replaced the Showcase Showdown during the “disastrous 1994 New Price Is Right.”

Some fans praised seeing this game in the highlight clip and reminisced about various aspects of it.

One fan said they love “the vintage prize music that plays as George reads the original copy.”

“I love the classic music cues!!! Please use them more often. Feels like the Price is Right we all know and love,” a commenter said.
Pic credit: @thepriceisright/YouTube
A commenter said, “Love how enthusiastic Drew was with the Pong system. Must’ve played it when he was a kid.”

“These are the same exact prize copies that were first read out by the late great Johnny Olson,” another fan commented.

The Back to ’72 game debuted in September 2022, returned for Season 51 as Back to ’73, and continues to be updated yearly. Given its unique format, including vintage items and intriguing copy, it should stay as the show continues.

Price is Right fans outraged after ‘banned’ item ‘spotted’ in episode blunder

The Price is Right fans were watching the latest episode with eagle eyes as they were able to spot a guest in the crowd possibly using a “banned” item during the show.

The Price Is Right player celebrates after winning car

The Price is Right viewers think they may have spotted an audience member using a “banned” item.

Fans of the CBS game show have recently fumed about moments on the show, including a “creepy game” and a contestant’s “stupidest answer ever.”

The viewers almost always have something to say about what’s happening on stage, but never off, until now.

During the latest episode of The Price is Right, announcer George Gray was calling a contestant to the front. As the excited player rushed to the stage, fans watching at home saw something peculiar in the crowd.

A man, who was wearing a cream button down and black pants, was seated two rows in front of him and appeared to be holding a phone.

A few viewers were upset as they knew the rules of the shows and its permitted items. According to the game’s website, “phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the holding room or studio of The Price is Right.”

On Reddit, someone wrote: “That’s the first time I’ve seen someone do that.”

Some were questioning if it was “even a phone” because it was “so small” and the producers wouldn’t allow it if it was.

Previous audience members chimed into the conversation sharing their experience with the policy.

One said: “They take your phone right before you go in the studio.”

Another pointed out: “Some VIP guests may be allowed to have their phone in the studio, however having it out on camera is ridiculous.”

A third added: “One of my episodes I attended I was seated next a group of 4 VIPs 2 in front and 2 to my right. Partway through the taping they asked me if I could take a photo of them with their phone… I’m thinking the whole time what the f— do you have your phone?????”

Did anyone else notice?
byu/sash0le inThePriceIsRight

To ensure fair play, audience members are also not allowed to bring smartwatches, backpacks and price lists. The show even puts limitations on the type of clothing the crowd can wear.

The Price is Right airs on CBS every weekday at 10 am EST.

Why Did Norah O’Donnell Leave CBS Evening News? Here’s What She’s Doing Next!

Norah O’Donnell has said goodbye to CBS Evening News.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The longtime news anchor signed off from the show on Thursday night (January 23) and even got a surprise from Oprah Winfrey during the broadcast.

“You have so much to be proud of,” Oprah said in a pre-taped message. “Your work as the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News has not only won awards, but more importantly, has made such a difference and informed our nation.”

So, why did she leave the show? And what is she doing next?

Norah explained her exit in a statement back in July 2024.

“After this year’s election, I’ve decided I will be leaving my role as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News to take on a new position at the network. We just celebrated an amazing five years together. I love what I do, and I am so fortunate to work with the best journalists and people in the business,” Norah said. “There’s so much work to be proud of! But I have spent 12 years in the anchor chair here at CBS News, connected to a daily broadcast and the rigors of a relentless news cycle. It’s time to do something different. This presidential election will be my seventh as a journalist, and for many of us in this business we tend to look at our careers in terms of these milestone events.”

Norah announced back then that she had committed to staying with CBS News as a contributor to all of the news broadcasts, including Evening News and 60 Minutes.

Norah confirmed her continued presence on CBS while signing off.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting us and welcoming hard news with heart into your homes. I will miss you, too, but I will see you on CBS news programs, including Mornings, 60 Minutes, Sunday Morning and in prime time. So, for the final time, that’s tonight’s CBS Evening News. I owe it all to everybody I work with honestly. Love you, good night,” she said on her final show.

CBS Evening News Says Goodbye to Norah O’Donnell With an Assist From Oprah Winfrey — WATCH

Norah O’Donnell has forfeit her anchor chair.

CBS announced in July that O’Donnell would step down as host of CBS Evening News after the 2024 presidential election — and Thursday marked her final broadcast.

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“As many of you know, this is my final Evening News broadcast,” she said. “It has been an incredible five and a half years, and I’m told we have a surprise guest — honestly, I don’t know who it is — to help us look back.”

The broadcast then cut to a pre-taped message by former Queen of Daytime, Oprah Winfrey, who congratulated O’Donnell on her tenure, then narrated highlight reel featuring interviews with everyone from Pope Francis to Dolly Parton.

“You have so much to be proud of,” Winfrey said. “Your work as the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News has not only won awards, but more importantly, has made such a difference and informed our nation.”

For the final time, @NorahODonnell signs off from the CBS Evening News. pic.twitter.com/4IU9Htj1sY

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) January 24, 2025

When the montage concluded and O’Donnell reappeared, she was visibly overcome with emotion.

“This has been the honor of a lifetime to anchor this legacy broadcast,” she said. “You know, the CBS Evening News is, for good reason, the longest running evening newscast in America, and it is powered by the finest journalists around the world — the correspondents, producers, researchers and crews who work tires loosely to bring you the news every night. And that won’t change, because journalism matters. I know that because I’ve heard it from so many of you, our viewers. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting us and welcoming hard news with heart into your homes. I will miss you, too, but I will see you on CBS news programs, including Mornings, 60 Minutes, Sunday Morning and in prime time. So, for the final time, that’s tonight’s CBS Evening News. I owe it all to everybody I work with honestly. Love you, good night.”

O’Donnell will now transition to a new role at CBS News. She will serve as a senior correspondent and continue to contribute to across the network’s portfolio of news programs. Meanwhile, fellow CBS veterans John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois will succeed O’Donnell behind the anchor desk, beginning Monday, Jan. 27.

T.J. Kirkpatrick/CBS

O’Donnell was named host and managing editor of CBS Evening News in 2019, following a seven-year stint as co-anchor of CBS This Morning. She also serves as a correspondent on the network’s venerable newsmagazine 60 Minutes, and as a correspondent and occasional fill-in host on Sunday-morning program Face the Nation.

Prior to joining CBS News in 2011, O’Donnell enjoyed a 12-year run at NBC News, where she served as NBC’s Washington Bureau correspondent and MSNBC’s Chief White House correspondent, and contributed to Weekend Today and Dateline NBC.

“The fact is… Norah’s superpower is her ability to secure and then masterfully deliver unparalleled interviews and stories that set the news cycle and capture the cultural zeitgeist,” Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures, said in a previous statement. “From her global exclusive with Pope Francis to her interviews with every living president, Norah’s newsmaking interviews always deliver for the audience. How many people can effortlessly shift from field-anchoring on an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea to sitting down with Bono and Dolly Parton? Norah’s work here is legendary….”

TVLine will update this post with video of Winfrey’s surprise appearance if/when it is made available. In the meantime, hit the comments and tell us if you will miss O’Donnell on CBS Evening News.

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Norah O’Donnell: “Thank you for welcoming hard news with heart into your homes”

Norah O’Donnell got a special sendoff on Thursday night’s “CBS Evening News,” her final show as anchor before she takes on a new role at the network.

 

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Oprah Winfrey took us back through O’Donnell’s five years as anchor and managing editor of “CBS Evening News” — a tenure that included a historic interview with Pope Francis, a live broadcast aboard the USS Nimitz, and live, on-the-ground coverage on critical breaking news stories across the globe.

“Through countless hours of breaking news, and nearly 1,300 broadcasts, Norah, you’ve treated each story with grace and compassion, putting world events into context, offering a hug, a little laughter, and a whole lot of smiles along the way,” Winfrey said.

O’Donnell called her time at CBS Evening News “an honor of a lifetime” and thanked the viewers “for trusting us and welcoming hard news with heart into your homes.”

O’Donnell will move into a new role as senior correspondent for CBS News, contributing feature reporting and interviews across CBS News broadcasts and platforms.

Norah O’Donnell Exits Ahead of Hard Pivot for ‘CBS Evening News’

Analysis: CBS will tinker with the formula of its venerable program in a turbulent era

CBS

Norah O’Donnell’s exit from “CBS Evening News” Thursday night wasn’t what viewers might have expected. And the successor program that CBS intends to air in its place on Monday will have a similar quality.

O’Donnell bid farewell to viewers of the long-running broadcast after a surprise taped cameo from Oprah Winfrey which celebrated the anchor and showed many highlights of her tenure. O’Donnell thanked the audience for welcoming “hard news with heart into your homes,” and was spotted being surrounded by colleagues and family as the show’s credits began to roll. Coming Monday: a completely overhauled edition of the program that is taking pains to break many visual ties to the days when Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather told the nation what was most important at the end of their day.

CBS will launch a new “Evening News” that relies on a group of co-anchors, rather than a single person. One of the goals is to imbue the national program with the look and sensibility of the local-news programs that viewers of CBS stations see across the U.S., a nod to the fact that local broadcasts tend to still have traction among audiences who are more prone to get their headlines and information from streaming and digital sources than in the past.

Already, the similarities are evident. The graphics used on “CBS Evening News” Thursday evening looked just like those on display for the 6 p.m. broadcast of the local news from New York’s WCBS that preceded O’Donnell’s last round. During O’Donnell’s last broadcast, one segment centered on WCBS meteorologist Lonnie Quinn, who is slated to have a significant role in the new edition of the program.

“CBS Evening News” has been stuck in third place behind ABC’s “World News Tonight” and NBC’s “NBC Nightly News” for years. O’Donnell didn’t change that, but give her this: The show last week won an average of 5.037 million viewers — a little higher than the program’s norm — amid big changes in the nation. And she’s never had her journalism questioned or a story that generated criticism of being unfair or inaccurate — despite several tough pieces that investigated sexual assault in the military. She also secured an interview with Pope Francis, not the easiest “get” in the business.

In her place, CBS will launch an “Evening News” led by John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, with Quinn adding weather and Margaret Brennan adding to her duties as moderator of “Face The Nation” on hand to offer perspective on Washington and politics. The new format will help accomplish a goal touted for months by senior CBS and Paramount Global executives: bringing together the news teams of CBS News and the CBS local stations. The maneuver takes place as Paramount is under extreme pressure to cut millions of dollars from its operating costs. More are expected to take place once the company is acquired by Skydance Media, expected, at present, at some point later this year. Viewers of the new “Evening News” probably won’t see Dickerson and DuBois out in the field all that much, a duty that will increasingly be handled by a correspondent who covers the area in which an important news story breaks.

Whether audiences will flock to it remains anyone’s guess.

The appeal of the evening news on any network comes from a desire for a reliable wrap of the day’s most important events and stories. The shows lack the hot-talk alarm of their cable-news counterparts, though in recent years, “Breaking News” chyrons have crept into the graphics mix with increasing frequency. The shows provide a stable haven for pharmaceutical advertisers, still one of the biggest supporters of linear TV. To be sure, the evening-news doesn’t lure young viewers like a “Squid Game” binge on Netflix might, but they still corral millions of people over the course of a single half hour. And maybe there’s a thrill of some sort from seeing a single host juggle politics, culture, stories from overseas and a little bit of pop culture all in less than thirty minutes.

The risk for CBS next week is that the viewers who tuned in to O’Donnell — and Jeff Glor, Anthony Mason, Scott Pelley, Katie Couric and Bob Schieffer before her — will expect more of the same, not something different.

O’Donnell has more work to do. She will take on senior correspondent duties that will have her working for big interviews and doing enterprise work that will land across CBS News platforms. At a moment when many of the nation’s big TV-news mainstays are under increasing financial pressure — both CNN and NBC News unveiled layoffs Thursday — she may have landed the better job.

Norah O’Donnell signs off, Hoda Kotb’s out: ‘God-like days’ are over for big name anchors

The ever-changing TV news business is reportedly offering anchors, from Kotb to O’Donnell, their walking papers or new contracts with significant pay cuts, and many big-name journalists are declining them or shifting to smaller roles.

CNN’s Alyson Camerota and Poppy Harlow left CNN last year, and so did Chris Wallace. Univision anchor Jorge Ramos left the U.S. Spanish language network shortly after the 2024 election. Stephanopoulos, though, is apparently sticking with ABC — at least for now — after the network’s $15 million settlement involving his comments about President Donald Trump.

On Thursday, struggling CNN shifted much of its programming lineup, bumping hosts such as Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer to earlier timeslots as the company cuts about 200 TV positions, or 6% of its workforce, according to the network’s own reporting. The company also removed Jim Acosta from their lineup, leaving him without a show.

But over the past year, a slew of notable anchors jumped ship. At least a half dozen marquee hosts at U.S. news organizations — from Fox News to CNN — have left their powerful perches at the anchor desk.

As news consumers flee traditional platforms for peppy TikTok videos and political podcasts, media experts are opening up to USA TODAY about TV anchors changing the channel on the format.

‘God-like days are definitely over for news anchors’

The “big three” networks — CBS, NBC and ABC — have toyed in recent years with replacing big-name news anchors, like Kotb and O’Donnell, with little-or-lesser-known broadcasters. Kotb was replaced by Craig Melvin, well-known among “Today” viewers but far from a household name.

When ex-“Today” anchor Katie Couric left the CBS nightly anchor chair in 2011, she was replaced by Scott Pelley. Before O’Donnell took the reins of “Evening News,” the network tapped Jeff Glor, who was recently laid off.

Their hope, experts say, is that news organizations can cut high salaries, hiring younger anchors whom they hope will appeal to a younger audience.

Anthony Adornato, chair of the broadcast and digital journalism at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications, says “news consumption habits” are having a direct impact on the health of the TV news industry.

“There is less of an emphasis on those big-name anchors who are making a ton of money,” Adornato says, noting that younger audiences are engaging with non-traditional content.

CNN and MSNBC’s ratings have plummeted in recent years, and especially since the Nov. 5 election. The TV news business is simply managing costs in a new, challenged environment, media experts like Mark Feldstein say. Feldstein, a former ABC News and CNN investigative correspondent, is the University of Maryland broadcast journalism department chair.

“These networks are about making money and they’re going to do what makes money,” Feldstein says, adding that budget cuts are “kind of like the breakdown of the studio system in Hollywood. Networks aren’t as big as they used to be. Their audiences are dwindling, their profits are dwindling.”

Adornato added that “the big salaries of the big anchors” are “being more closely monitored” by networks if stars are unable to “bring in the numbers on traditional broadcast.”

Norah O’Donnell’s replacements are relative unknowns

As O’Donnell departs the “Evening News” desk Thursday, Adornato, a former news reporter and anchor, points out that the CBS mainstay will be replaced by “two people who are relatively known but not super well known.” In July, CBS announced O’Donnell’s replacements, starting Monday, are “60 Minutes” alum John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, a longtime local anchor at WCBS in New York.

Cable news networks like CNN have made surprising promotions such as elevating correspondent Kaitlan Collins, who covered Trump’s first term and recently returned to the role. Collins, 32, now pulls double duty on CNN as the network’s chief White House correspondent and host of “The Source” in Chris Cuomo’s former 9 p.m. timeslot.

“We’re seeing a whole lot of younger people, which is not necessarily a bad thing, than we did many years ago,” Adornato says.

Feldstein agrees, arguing that networks’ “promotion of younger talent is an effort to attract younger viewers in TV news,” and “the big problem (for networks) is the aging demographic of their audience.”

Ex-news anchors like Hoda Kotb can build brands without the help of TV

Experts say broadcasters like Kotb, who spent 26 years at NBC, doesn’t need a mammoth network now that she has already established a lasting brand. Kotb, host of the popular podcast “Making Space,” plans to work with NBC on special projects and pursue her passions in the health and wellness space. O’Donnell will also continue to contribute to CBS News.

“They’ve built a brand already and now they don’t need to necessarily be on television,” Adornato says, adding that anchors are still able to “reach an audience through social media and build a brand of their own,” even with smaller paychecks. As networks purge well-known talent, Feldstein believes personalities such as Kotb still resonate with viewers but says name recognition is “slowly diminishing over time.”

“It used to be that the (big three) television networks had a monopoly or oligarchy on the brand,” Feldstein says, but”NBC is still bigger than Hoda. People don’t have strong emotions about NBC or any of the other networks. They do have strong emotions about Hoda and some of the other talent.”

As Kotb makes space for something new and O’Donnell signs off, the days of Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow are done, according to Adornato.

“The God-like days are definitely over for news anchors.”

‘Wheel Of Fortune’s’ Vanna White Talks Retirement – Here’s What You Need To Know About Her

Vanna White has been the co-host of the hit game show Wheel Of Fortune since 1982. She recently renewed her contract to stay on the game show until at least 2026.

In a new interview, however, she’s admitted that she considered retiring after her long-time co-host Pat Sajak announced that he’ll be leaving the show at the end of this season.

White Talks Retirement

When asked by TV Insider how long she plans to stay on Wheel Of Fortune, White admitted, “I don’t know.”

“When I heard that Pat was retiring, I thought maybe I should retire too,” she confessed. “But I’m not ready!”

White, 67, is set to remain on Wheel Of Fortune through at least the 2025-2026 season. After that, however, she’s not sure what will happen.

“We’ll see toward the end of those two years how I feel,” she said. “I thank God after all these years that I still love my job.”

White Shoots Down Rumors

Season 42 of Wheel of Fortune is set to premiere in September with White co-hosting alongside Ryan Seacrest. The American Idol host was tapped as Sajak’s replacement in June of last year.

Last year, there were rumors that White was holding out in contract negotiations for a pay raise. She was quick to shot down this speculation, however.

“Everything is so blown out of proportion, not just with my stuff, with everybody’s stuff,” she told People Magazine back in October.

White went on to describe herself as “a strong person. I’m not going to do anything I don’t want to do or that I don’t believe in.”

“My mother taught me that at a young age, and I’m sticking to my guns,” she concluded.

Watch White talk more about this in the video below.

White’s History

White was born in 1957 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Her parents divorced when she was a baby and she was raised in North Myrtle Beach by her mother and stepfather.

After high school, White attended the Atlanta School of Fashion while also working as a model. After her mother died of ovarian cancer in 1980, White moved to Hollywood and quickly score some minor acting roles in movies that are largely forgotten.

White’s life changed forever in 1982, when she was chosen over 200 applicants to co-host Wheel Of Fortune with Sajak. The show was a massive hit, and by 1986, it had a syndicated evening version that attracted 30 million viewers.

White Named As TV’s Most Frequent Clapper

Vannamania soon swept America, with White becoming incredibly popular. In 1992, “The Guinness Book Of World Records” named White as TV’s most frequent clapper. The publication found that she has an average of 720 claps per show and over 28,000 per season.

“It’s not the most intellectual job in the world, but I do have to know the letters,” she once joked of her role on Wheel Of Fortune. “When I was having that alphabet soup, I never thought that it would pay off.”

Watch White talk about her love for this job in the video below.

In her personal life, White was married to George Santo Pietro from 1990 until they divorced in 2002. They had two children together, son Nikko, 29, and daughter Gigi, 27.

White helps bring joy to millions of people every night on Wheel Of Fortune. Here’s hoping she stays with the game show for many years to come!

Ryan Seacrest Announces Sad News For E! Live Fans

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It’s the end of an era on the E! Network. Everyone’s favorite professional host and face of award show interviews, Ryan Seacrest, has announced that he is leaving his longtime gig as co-host of E!’s Live from the Red Carpet. After over a decade of grilling celebs and Hollywood A-listers on the finer points of their fashion choices with Giuliana Rancic by his side, the 46-year-old announced in an Instagram post that he’s moving on.

Under a smiling photo donned in a tux with an E! emblazoned microphone, the man who has made millions as a professional master of ceremonies broke the news to fans and followers, sharing, “After 14 years of hosting E!’s Live from the Red Carpet I’ve decided to move on to new adventures.”

With American Idol, the production of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, his radio show “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” and his co-hosting duties on Live with Kelly and Ryan, it’s no wonder Seacrest might want to free up a little bit of time in his busy schedule. Especially after, as USA Today notes, the consummate entertainer gave everyone a scare last summer after (what was later diagnosed as) exhaustion caused him to stutter and slur his way through the American Idol virtual finale.

A replacement for Ryan Seacrest has not been named by E! yet

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Although the announcement certainly came as a surprise to fans, it’s obvious Ryan Seacrest’s relationships with his co-workers and E! Network executives are intact and positive. His departure announcement concluded by thanking everyone from crew to fans for the wonderful experience, poignantly stating, “I’ll miss the whole crew that works so hard behind the scenes and of course my amazing partner Giuliana. Thanks to everyone for watching all these years.”

Amidst the messages from fans and well-wishers, many fellow E! employees joined in to send Seacrest off. Among them, Fashion Police‘s Brad Goreski who wrote, “You are a legend Ryan!” And E! News anchor Jason Kennedy who shared, “It was a pleasure brother.” Even an official statement by E! came with accolades for the longtime host, “E! has long enjoyed our relationship with Ryan over the years especially as co-host of E!’s signature red carpet series. He has been instrumental in giving viewers a front row seat to some of Hollywood’s biggest nights. We are extremely appreciative of his many contributions and he will always be part of the E! Family” (via TV Insider).

As the next major red carpet event quickly approaches with the Golden Globes slated to air on Feb. 28, the New York Post reported that no replacement host has been named by the network yet. It’s certainly hard to imagine anyone else filling those Ryan Seacrest shoes!