Buh-bye. One day after the 60 Minutes special ran, the one with a pro-MAHA food message and an unbiased interview with the HHS Secretary, this happens. The Washington Post ran the story, headlined, “Anderson Cooper is leaving ‘60 Minutes’ after two decades.” He said that, after 20 years with the Sunday news serial, Anderson, 58, is stepping back to spend more time with his young children, but everybody knows he just rage-quit. (He’s sticking to CNN, though.)

In a sense, Anderson’s warmly intended cover story was true. His kids are also single and underemployed. He probably will be spending a lot more time with them, and the nanny.

First, CBS hired the classically liberal free-speech crusader Bari Weiss as editor in chief, who opened the dusty history books and set about reintroducing the news organization to the long-lost journalistic concept of avoiding bias. Then there was that dustup about CBS’s temporary hold on a 60 Minutes hit job arguing that Trump was deporting American citizens to El Salvador’s SuperMaxx gang prison, CECOT. CBS, under relentless pressure, relented and let it run— but with added comments from Trump Administration figures (the original episode had included no contrary voices).

Now this. Platforming notorious anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.? Instead of silencing him? And attacking ultraprocessed food?? It was just too much for Anderson. That was it. They could take this dumb side job and shove it. CBS viewers will no longer enjoy the silver-haired surrogate dad’s fresh takes anymore.

Anderson Cooper survived a career in war zones, Hurricane Katrina, unhinged pandemic takes, and Anderson Cooper 360°. But apparently he couldn’t survive a 60 Minutes segment that asked fair questions about big food.

Anderson, 60 Minutes will struggle on without you. Bye, Felicia.

J C