Norah O’Donnell says goodbye to CBS Evening News: «The honor of a lifetime»
25 january 2025 в 00:13
Nora O’Donnell officially bid farewell to the «CBS Evening News» program, which she called «the honor of a lifetime».
The veteran CBS journalist became the anchor of this iconic news program, which has been on the air since 1947, in 2019, replacing Jeff Glor. She followed in the footsteps of television legends such as Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather.
During her final broadcast on Thursday, January 23, O’Donnell reflected on her time on the program, saying: «CBS Evening News, for good reason, is America’s longest-running evening news program, and it has been supported by the best journalists from around the world — correspondents, producers, researchers, and camera crews who tirelessly work to bring you the news every evening. And that won’t change, because journalism matters. I know this because I have heard it from many of you, the viewers».
«So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting us and welcoming hard news with open hearts into your homes».
After O’Donnell replaced Glor on May 20, 2019, she made history as the second woman to lead the «CBS Evening News». A research journalist who began her career 25 years ago, she followed in the footsteps of Katie Couric, who anchored the program from 2006 to 2011. Although Connie Chung also co-anchored Evening News from 1993 to 1995, she shared the program with Rather.
«Nora is one of the leading journalists of our time», - said CBS News President Susan Zirinsky in a statement at the time. «Her outstanding reporting, insightful interviews, and dedication to the truth will distinguish CBS Evening News every evening». She will also serve as the program’s editor.
O’Donnell joined the CBS This Morning program in 2012 alongside Gayle King and Charlie Rose. Rose left the program in 2017 after allegations of sexual harassment. O’Donnell addressed the situation on air and condemned Rose, saying: «Let me be very clear, there is no excuse for this alleged behavior… Women cannot achieve equality in the workplace or in society until there is accountability and responsibility taken».
After O’Donnell’s departure from the program, King became the anchor of CBS This Morning. She was joined by two other familiar faces from CBS: Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil. «Gayle's interviews, her compassionate storytelling, and authenticity make her unique. Her unparalleled ability to connect with the audience makes 'CBS This Morning' relevant, understandable, and the place you should start your day», - Zirinsky said in a statement.
When it was announced that O’Donnell was leaving This Morning, rumors began to circulate that it was due to a conflict between the two women. «News should rarely be about us, and sometimes what you read isn’t even true», - King said in an episode of Ma6. «I find it so amazing, Nora, that after seven years together, now people are saying that we have some issues… I have no issues with you. You have no issues with me».
O’Donnell joined NBC News in 1999 as a Washington bureau correspondent, hosting rotations on Weekend Today and filling in on MSNBC Live. She later became a lead correspondent for Dateline NBC and chief White House correspondent for MSNBC. Moving to CBS News in 2011, O’Donnell became the network’s chief White House correspondent, as well as a fill-in anchor for Evening News, correspondent and fill-in anchor for Face the Nation, and a correspondent for 60 Minutes, in addition to her duties on This Morning.
Although she is leaving the evening news program, O’Donnell will remain at CBS News as a senior correspondent.
«I am pleased to announce that I have made a long-term commitment to CBS News to continue to tell the same stories and conduct the big interviews that have been our hallmark. I will continue to contribute to Evening News and all our news programs, including 60 Minutes», - O’Donnell said in a letter
The veteran CBS journalist became the anchor of this iconic news program, which has been on the air since 1947, in 2019, replacing Jeff Glor. She followed in the footsteps of television legends such as Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather.
During her final broadcast on Thursday, January 23, O’Donnell reflected on her time on the program, saying: «CBS Evening News, for good reason, is America’s longest-running evening news program, and it has been supported by the best journalists from around the world — correspondents, producers, researchers, and camera crews who tirelessly work to bring you the news every evening. And that won’t change, because journalism matters. I know this because I have heard it from many of you, the viewers».
«So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting us and welcoming hard news with open hearts into your homes».
After O’Donnell replaced Glor on May 20, 2019, she made history as the second woman to lead the «CBS Evening News». A research journalist who began her career 25 years ago, she followed in the footsteps of Katie Couric, who anchored the program from 2006 to 2011. Although Connie Chung also co-anchored Evening News from 1993 to 1995, she shared the program with Rather.
«Nora is one of the leading journalists of our time», - said CBS News President Susan Zirinsky in a statement at the time. «Her outstanding reporting, insightful interviews, and dedication to the truth will distinguish CBS Evening News every evening». She will also serve as the program’s editor.
O’Donnell joined the CBS This Morning program in 2012 alongside Gayle King and Charlie Rose. Rose left the program in 2017 after allegations of sexual harassment. O’Donnell addressed the situation on air and condemned Rose, saying: «Let me be very clear, there is no excuse for this alleged behavior… Women cannot achieve equality in the workplace or in society until there is accountability and responsibility taken».
After O’Donnell’s departure from the program, King became the anchor of CBS This Morning. She was joined by two other familiar faces from CBS: Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil. «Gayle's interviews, her compassionate storytelling, and authenticity make her unique. Her unparalleled ability to connect with the audience makes 'CBS This Morning' relevant, understandable, and the place you should start your day», - Zirinsky said in a statement.
When it was announced that O’Donnell was leaving This Morning, rumors began to circulate that it was due to a conflict between the two women. «News should rarely be about us, and sometimes what you read isn’t even true», - King said in an episode of Ma6. «I find it so amazing, Nora, that after seven years together, now people are saying that we have some issues… I have no issues with you. You have no issues with me».
O’Donnell joined NBC News in 1999 as a Washington bureau correspondent, hosting rotations on Weekend Today and filling in on MSNBC Live. She later became a lead correspondent for Dateline NBC and chief White House correspondent for MSNBC. Moving to CBS News in 2011, O’Donnell became the network’s chief White House correspondent, as well as a fill-in anchor for Evening News, correspondent and fill-in anchor for Face the Nation, and a correspondent for 60 Minutes, in addition to her duties on This Morning.
Although she is leaving the evening news program, O’Donnell will remain at CBS News as a senior correspondent.
«I am pleased to announce that I have made a long-term commitment to CBS News to continue to tell the same stories and conduct the big interviews that have been our hallmark. I will continue to contribute to Evening News and all our news programs, including 60 Minutes», - O’Donnell said in a letter
© Kolganov Andrey
