The tension backstage at CBS Eye hasn’t felt this thick since the infamous “Who wore it better?” debate surrounding that red carpet incident from last awards season. At its source? The rumored fallout between legendary journalists Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell, and swirling whispers about King attempting — or succeeding in securing — a behind-the-scene replacement for her veteran NBC colleague.
Though both deny the friction publicly, their careers are intertwined with subtle but discernible differences. While Gayle remains a titan navigating the terrain of celebrity interviews within various morning programming segments alongside “CBS Mornings,” Norah’s domain appears to be steadily narrowing with a heavy focus on “Evening News” and specific political narratives. A shift in gears isn’t inherently bad; veterans like noram are capable of adaptation, but it leaves a certain sense of unease for fans wondering what this portends for future broadcasting landscape on the network side.
Of course, it begs the question – is Gayle orchestrating a maneuver similar to her high-profile friendship with Oprah? This isn’t necessarily outlandish; powerful women in media often have close bonds, and King is known in industry circles as a master strategist (she even got Oprah herself to wear that controversial red suit!). Could a silent power play be underway?
Adding fuel to this fire are certain career decisions. The network just added veteran NBC News journalist Anne Thompson – known specifically for her political reporting – to anchor “CBS N” (and presumably with a larger national stage if King is subtly directing). Is this truly independent casting choice, or more suggestive than that ? Time and ratings will tell.
The beauty of the modern public narrative lies in its ever-evolving interpretation. Maybe Gayle isn’t doing anything nefarious, perhaps Norah is taking these as opportunities rather than losses, maybe they’re genuinely getting brunch together next week for a “CBS Mornings” chat about avocados… What are your theories?