Viewers have seen multiple changes take place at 60 Minutes following the installation of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief. Recently, rumors have come out claiming that ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith could be considered for a role. However, sports fans didn’t seem too happy over the idea.
Rumors Have Claimed That 60 Minutes Could Be Considering Revitalizing A Certain Segment
Smith is a television personality and sports analyst. He is notable for serving as an NBA analyst for ESPN.
Smith has appeared on programs including SportsCenter, First Take, and NBA Countdown. He also hosted ESPN Radio’s The Stephen A. Smith Show.
At this time, Smith doesn’t have a contract with CBS. However, there has been speculation that he is being considered for 60 Minutes. The news program used to end with a short segment from Andy Rooney dubbed “A Few Good Minutes.”
According to a report by Lachlan Cartwright in his Breaker Media newsletter, Smith reportedly held discussions with CBS about hosting a new version of the segment. Other figures considered allegedly included Jerry Seinfeld and John Cleese. However, according to Awful Announcing, later sources also alleged that it was unlikely that Smith would join the show.
In Addition To Stephen A. Smith, Rumors Claimed That Figures Ranging From John Cleese To John McEnroe Were Considered For The Role
That said, the story previously went viral. Awful Announcing shared the story on X, noting that a tennis icon was also reportedly being considered for the role. As the post noted, “Stephen A. Smith, John McEnroe reportedly in talks to revive Andy Rooney segment on ’60 Minutes’”
The outlet’s owner and editor, Ben Koo, took to social media to share the story. As Koo wrote in a caption, “ESPN decided that TV viewers didn’t want to see SAS on their NBA pregame show and talked themselves out of putting him on their MNF pregame show. And yet, CBS feels like SAS closing 60 Minutes is something their viewers want. This is such an own goal.”
With the recent share, sports fans took issue with the idea of Smith joining 60 Minutes. As some noted, it appeared unlikely that this could happen if Smith is still under contract with ESPN. On the other hand, a few shared reasons they wouldn’t be entirely against the idea. Some comments included:
- “Nobody, literally NOBODY, wants this.”
- “Love for him to leave ESPN.”
- “Why on earth would ESPN allow an employee to work for a rival network while under contract.”
- “Should be @adamcarolla he is the Gen X Rooney.”
- “Old people who watch the show and have no idea who Stephen A Smith is going to love it when he screaming through the tv screen.”
- “An AI Generated Andy Rooney would be better than either of them.”
ESPN decided that TV viewers didn’t want to see SAS on their NBA pregame show and talked themselves out of putting him on their MNF pregame show.
And yet, CBS feels like SAS closing 60 Minutes is something their viewers want.
This is such an own goal. https://t.co/VAqBLr2jWO
— Ben Koo (@bkoo) August 20, 2026
What is your reaction to this recent share? Have you been following this story? Are you keeping up with 60 Minutes? Would you be interested in a revival of “A Few Good Minutes?” Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest TV and celebrity news.
John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.