‘CBS This Morning’ Viewers React to Latest Anchor Shuffle: ‘Horrible Mistake’

Anthony Mason and Nate Burleson (Credit: CBS)

CBS This Morning viewers are taking to social media to sound off about the show’s decision to replace veteran journalist Anthony Mason with former NFL player Nate Burleson on the anchor desk.

Earlier this week, the network announced Burleson would be joining its morning news team this fall. Mason will move to a new role as a cultural correspondent, after anchoring the morning broadcast with Gayle King and Tony Dokoupil.

Mason joined CBS News in 1986, according to his bio on the CBS website. He previously worked as the network’s chief Moscow correspondent, co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday, and served as interim anchor of the CBS Evening News. Mason moved to weekday mornings in 2019, when Norah O’Donnell and John Dickerson left CBS This Morning.

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A tweet from the show announcing Burleson would be coming on board garnered over 900 likes. But more than 135 people took the time to reply and the majority were not happy.

“So don’t pretend to be news anymore…Anthony gave you journalistic credibility…nothing against Nate but this is a horrible mistake. Just call yourselves Entertainment A.M.,” wrote Twitter user @LissaBurnettl14.

“Why is Anthony leaving?? He’s one of the reasons I watch. Not happy,” added @JDO51405862

“Damn! @AnthonyMasonCBS is the best interviewer on the show…. that is when he’s not being interrupted by @GayleKing asking the most mundane question. Oh well, in 18 months they’ll revamp the team again. Good luck @nateburleson!” @ken4theppl chimed in.

Added @JPSzczepanski: “Nothing personal to Nate – he was great as a guest- I just hate seeing a NEWS show replacing a journalist with an entertainer. There are fewer and fewer journalists on news programs. I hope to see @AnthonyMasonCBS continue his stellar career.”

“This does not sit well with me @AnthonyMasonCBS was the heart of @cbsthismorning, whether it was Saturday or weekdays…” tweeted @the_real_bfth.

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CBS This Morning consistently trails its competitors in the ratings, but the show is frequently praised for its hard-hitting interviews about politics, international affairs and Gayle King’s sit-down with R. Kelly over sexual abuse allegations against the R&B singer.

Burleson will bring a sports and entertainment background to the program. His most recent on-air jobs have been as an anchor on the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football and as a correspondent at Extra, after joining the syndicated entertainment news show in 2019.


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5 thoughts on “‘CBS This Morning’ Viewers React to Latest Anchor Shuffle: ‘Horrible Mistake’

  1. It is so disappointing to hear that Anthony Mason is leaving CBS This Morning.

    WithAnthony’s level of intelligence and the cultural background that he has in the arts, there is no doubt that he will be a huge contributing factor to any CBS programming.

    The person that took his place should not be under the misconception that he could ever replace him. A former football player versus a man of historical intellect who has earned the respect and admiration of thousands of viewers over the years Purely based on his intellect and entertaining way he presents such beautiful stories could never compare to Anthony.

    What we are left with is Gayle King still being the host of this show. There is nothing intelligent about the way she acts at all.

    She is so full of herself that out of pure disgust with her behavior that has built up over time, I just don’t watch the show anymore. She has this terrible habit of having to have the last word in or comment on just about every segment being done by someone else. I have yet to hear anything coming out of her mouth that isn’t scripted that was really meaningful or significant.

    Anthony Mason was a walking plethora of information and was always entertaining.

    Whatever stories he does for CBS, Anthony’s stories will be Thought-provoking, entertaining, and he will continue to have a very loyal following

  2. Good Bye CBS this Morning. I stuck with you after you fired Charlie Rose and stayed with you after both Norah O’Donnell and John Dickerson left for greener pastures. Without Anthony Mason your show is no longer the morning news show I enjoyed. Hiring a football player to read the news? Sorry you have copied ABC and no longer special.

  3. Is it me, has anyone else noticed the friction between Tony and Nate?
    I think the original threesome had a better feel. Sorry Nate.

  4. So disappointing Anthony Mason is no longer with CBS this morning. He was the reason I watched every morning. Anthony’s knowledge, reporting style and professionalism will be missed. Best wishes to Anthony.

  5. PLEASE TELL GAYLE KING TO STOP INTERRUPTING THE OTHER PRESENTERS ON THE SHOW. ALSO, SHE NEEDS TO STOP HAVING THE LAST WORD AND COMMENTING ON ALL THINGS “BLACK”. JUST BECAUSE SHE IS BLACK DOES NOT MEAN SHE IS AN EXPERT ON ALL THINGS BLACK. PLUS, WHERE IS THE IMPARTIALITY? I LIKE HER, BUT FEEL SHE COMES ACROSS AS RUDE WHEN SHE CUTS PEOPLE OFF AND INTERRUPTS THEM. I MISS ANTHONY MASON. HE SEEMS LIKE AN EXPERIENCED JOURNALIST. HE WAS SO TOLERANT WHEN INTERRUPTED.

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