Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino

Status
  • 4.7 (113)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino break down their reporting and deliver analysis on how information moves and shapes society. From the media and Silicon Valley to Hollywood, they examine the institutions driving narratives, shaping perception, and influencing culture. New episodes drop every Friday. Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@status Subscribe to Status, the newsletter behind Power Lines: https://www.status.news/ Follow Power Lines: https://www.instagram.com/get_status/?hl=en https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6 https://www.tiktok.com/@status.news

  1. 5d ago

    Inside Bari’s “60 Minutes” Bloodbath, CNN Stars Sound Ellison Alarm, and Dokoupil’s Ratings Trick

    Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday. On today’s episode:  Bari Weiss and David Ellison have dismantled “60 Minutes.” On the heels of the storied franchise winning two Emmys, and CBS News being called out publicly by the winner of the Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship, Weiss leveled the staff, dismissing Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, and Tanya Simon, among others. Simon will be replaced by technology journalist Nick Bilton who, like Weiss, has no experience running a television franchise. Oliver and Jon wade through the disheartening news and point to the obvious reason why this happened. Also, journalists, academics, and documentarians signed a letter pushing back on Paramount’s acquisition of CNN. And finally, was Tony Dokoupil actually able to eclipse the four million viewer mark?! CBS says yes, but we’ll explain why that claim isn’t quite accurate. 0:00 Intro 1:36 Inside Bari Weiss’ 60 Minutes Shakeup 28:52 The Press Mobilizes Against Ellison 34:13 Investigating CBS’ Claims on Latest Ratings Data 40:35 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    50 min

  2. May 22

    Bari on the Brink? Colbert's CBS Cancellation, Bezos' Embarrassing Interview, The Daily Wire Meltdown

    Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday. On today’s episode: Questions are swirling about Bari Weiss’ future atop CBS News after a report said Paramount has had conversations about narrowing her role—we break down David Ellison’s carefully worded denial and whether Weiss is in any real trouble. Plus, why the cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” is about far more than budget concerns, Jeff Bezos’ embarrassing interview defending Donald Trump and The Washington Post layoffs, and the turmoil consuming Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire. Read these stories and more at Status: https://www.status.news/ Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, who powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status 0:00 Intro 1:16 Is Bari Weiss Being Pushed Out at CBS News? 16:56 The End of The Late Show 22:16 Bezos Says Trump Is "Calmer," Defends WaPo Cuts 31:27 Daily Wire in Turmoil as Ben Shapiro Loses Allies 44:06 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min

  3. May 15

    Dokoupil's Taiwan Trouble, Weiss Brawls With Stahl, Kristof Blowback, & POLITICO Owner’s Trump Play

    Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday. On this week’s episode: CBS News not only failed to secure a visa for Tony Dokoupil to broadcast from Beijing during Donald Trump’s China trip, but the network was barred by its hotel from broadcasting from its grounds, Status has learned. The embarrassing fiasco adds to a slew of negative headlines the Bari Weiss-led network has faced this week. We discuss how Weiss undermined “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl by handing Major Garrett the Benjamin Netanyahu interview, as Status also first reported. Plus, The New York Times is grappling with blowback after Nicholas Kristof’s shocking opinion piece alleging Israel has systematically raped Palestinian prisoners. And we break down another Status exclusive report—this one about how POLITICO owner Mathias Döpfner has been quietly courting Trump, with secret dinner invites in Washington and a personal trip to the Middle East. 0:00 Intro 1:23 CBS News Fails to Secure Visa for Dokoupil 6:47 Latest ‘CBS Evening News’ Ratings Data 8:53 Inside ‘60 Minutes’ Staff Fallout after Netanyahu Interview 19:16 Israel Threatens The New York Times Over Kristof Piece 35:14 POLITICO Owner Quietly Courts Trump 44:19 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions Thank you to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status Interested in what we’re discussing? Read more from Status: https://www.status.news/p/tony-dokoupil-cbs-evening-news-taiwan-bari-weiss https://www.status.news/p/60-minutes-netanyahu-bari-weiss-major-garrett https://www.status.news/p/nicholas-kristof-israel-new-york-times https://www.status.news/p/mathias-dopfner-donald-trump-meeting-axel-springer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    56 min

  4. May 8

    CNN Star’s Ellison Alarm, Bari Weiss' Never-Ending Ratings Spiral, The Next Murdoch Media Empire

    Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday. On today’s episode:  Christiane Amanpour has become the first CNN star to say the quiet part out loud about David Ellison's upcoming takeover. Bari Weiss is in ratings hell—and under fire from a “60 Minutes” correspondent. Meanwhile, some of Substack’s biggest publishers are eyeing the exits, while James Murdoch moves closer to building a media empire of his own with a deal for Vox’s podcast network and New York Magazine. Read all of these stories and more at Status: https://www.status.news 0:00 Intro 1:43 Christiane Amanpour Speaks Out on CNN's Ellison Takeover 5:55 Bari Weiss' Ratings Spiral, 60 Minutes Correspondent Pushes Back 18:12 James Murdoch Moves on Vox Podcasts and New York Magazine 31:15 Substack's Biggest Publishers Eye the Exits 49:45 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions Thank you to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that  powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    56 min

  5. May 1

    Bari Weiss’ CBS News ‘Train Wreck;’ Disney Boss Faces Trump Test; Don Jr. the Next ‘Apprentice’?

    Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday. On today’s episode: CBS News is facing mounting turmoil as new ratings data shows “CBS Evening News” and “CBS Mornings” hitting historic lows under Bari Weiss’ leadership, Meanwhile, Weiss has ousted the network’s foreign editor after comparing the network's coverage to a terrorist group. Then, Donald Trump is demanding ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel, but Disney is finding unlikely support from MAGA. Plus, Amazon is discussing a reboot of “The Apprentice” with Donald Trump Jr. as host—what Jeff Bezos is really trying to accomplish. 0:00 Intro 1:47 CBS News Hits Historic Low Ratings Under Bari Weiss 12:17 Weiss Ousts Foreign Editor Over Terror Group Comparison 21:20 Trump Demands ABC Fire Jimmy Kimmel, MAGA Sides With Disney 33:19 Amazon Talks "The Apprentice" Reboot With Don Jr. 42:09 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min

  6. Apr 24

    Scott MacFarlane Gets Candid, Tucker Carlson Apologizes, and Kash Patel Lashes Out

    On this week’s Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino: Former CBS News correspondent, and current chief Washington correspondent for MeidasTouch, Scott MacFarlane joined the show! We talked about the tension surrounding this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Scott’s departure from CBS News, the state of legacy media, and his transition into independent journalism. Also, Oliver and Jon discuss Tucker Carlson saying he is “tormented” over his 2024 support of Donald Trump, and Kash Patel targeting reporters. No Open Lines this week but, please, call us on our new voicemail line! (646) 926-0325 We want to hear from you and feature your questions on the show. Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status 0:00 Intro 1:51 Scott MacFarlane on the White House Correspondent's Dinner and Leaving CBS News 31:09 Tucker Carlson ‘Tormented’ By Past Support for Trump 38:35 Kash Patel Uses FBI to Target Reporters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min

  7. Apr 17

    David Ellison's ‘Intimate’ Trump Dinner, Murdoch Wins in Court, and Our Battle With Actual Fake News

    On this week’s Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino: David Ellison is set to host an "intimate" dinner “honoring the Trump White House,” according to an invite that we got our hands on. The event is ostensibly a “celebration of the First Amendment” and will include CBS White House correspondents. Of course, inviting the very people who assail the First Amendment to an event celebrating it makes little sense. Oliver and Jon break down the details and explain what is really going on. Next, Oliver and Jon explain how they were victims of actual “fake news” this week, when Mediaite published a false story about Status, complete with a fabricated quote attributed to Jon. We’ll take you through what happened. And finally, Trump suffers a huge loss in court at the hands of Rupert Murdoch. Plus, we announce our new voicemail line during another edition of Open Lines. Give us a call at (646) 926-0325‬. Leave a message, ask a question, or just scream into the phone for a couple of minutes. We’d love to feature you on the show! Thank you to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status 0:00 Intro 1:18 Inside David Ellison’s Private Dinner Honoring the Trump White House 15:29 We Were Victims of Actual Fake News 34:05 Murdoch Beats Trump in Court 39:39 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer your Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min

  8. Apr 10

    The Press Embraces Its Enemies; Bari’s ‘60 Minutes’ Idea; MAGA Turns on Trump

    With the White House Correspondents’ Dinner approaching, news organizations are confronting an uncomfortable question: Do they welcome members of an administration that demonizes the press at every turn into their weekend events—or do they draw a line?  Over at CBS News, Bari Weiss has staffers at “60 Minutes” nervous about how she will overhaul the show. We've learned exclusive new details about what Weiss is privately floating during meetings about the newsmagazine’s future.  Plus, MAGA Media has had it with Donald Trump. Top figures like Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, and Megyn Kelly are unloading on the president over the Iran War—with some even calling for him to be removed from office via the 25th Amendment.  Oliver and Jon break it all down—and answer viewer questions during Open Lines at the end of the episode. 0:00 Intro 1:32 Trump Attending the White House Correspondent’s Dinner 15:40 60 Minutes Staffers Brace for Bari Weiss Shake-Up 25:29 MAGA Media Eviscerates Trump 36:01 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Listener Questions Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that  powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min
See All (49)

Trailer

4.7
out of 5
113 Ratings

About

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino break down their reporting and deliver analysis on how information moves and shapes society. From the media and Silicon Valley to Hollywood, they examine the institutions driving narratives, shaping perception, and influencing culture. New episodes drop every Friday. Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@status Subscribe to Status, the newsletter behind Power Lines: https://www.status.news/ Follow Power Lines: https://www.instagram.com/get_status/?hl=en https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6 https://www.tiktok.com/@status.news

Information

You Might Also Like