By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 29 seconds ago

The X-Files is one of the most fascinating shows in genre history for the worst possible reason. The show dominated much of the ‘90s because it capitalized on the advent of the World Wide Web and America’s growing fascination with conspiracy theories. The fan-favorite monster of the week episodes could make even the most mundane things (including air-conditioning vents and flukeworms) into the scariest things imaginable. Beyond that, the show teased audiences with a growing mythology that involved government collaboration with nefarious aliens who wanted to dominate the world. Unfortunately, The X-Files dropped the ball when the show had to stop teasing and actually provide answers to its many mysteries.

The longer you watch the series, the clearer it becomes that showrunner Chris Carter was making most of this stuff up as he went along. He didn’t have much of a plan, really, beyond getting fans to tune back in each week. Arguably, though, he was always doomed to failure, as getting answers to huge mysteries is never as exciting as just speculating (just ask Lost fans). While Carter couldn’t see that, one of his best writers could. When writing the largely forgotten episode “Blood,” Glen Morgan deliberately never revealed who or what was sending out subliminal messages, reasoning that audiences would be much happier coming to their own conclusions.

The Power Of Subliminal Messages

“Blood” was a Season 2 X-Files episode that dealt with one of the hottest topics of the ‘90s: crazy postal workers! The plot involves a postman who, right before he gets laid off, starts seeing subliminal messages like “Kill’em All” pop up on various electronics readouts. This happens to other people in the town, too, who try to kill people (including Mulder and Scully) after receiving similar instructions. Eventually, Mulder realizes that people are being sprayed with pesticides by a crop duster that makes them susceptible to these subliminal messages. Fortunately, he and Scully are ultimately able to stop the postal worker from committing a mass shooting from the top of a clock tower.

When you watch the episode, the first question you’re likely to ask is who is sending these subliminal messages and why. Mulder speculates that the government is deliberately doing this, much like they previously did with “D.D.T. in the 50’s, Agent Orange,” and “germ warfare on unsuspecting neighborhoods.” After Scully asks why the government would intentionally create a self-destructive population, Mulder replies, “Fear. It’s the oldest tool of power. If you’re distracted by fear of those around you, it keeps you from seeing the actions of those above.” Notably, his theory is never proven, and a creepy message sent to his phone (“ALL DONE. BYE-BYE”) implies the experiment is over.

Not Sweating The Small Stuff

So, who actually sent the subliminal messages? Nobody knows, and that’s the point! As published in The Truth Is Out There: The Official Guide to The X-Files, “Blood” writer Glen Morgan had absolutely no idea when writing this episode who or what was sending these subliminal messages. He also didn’t care, believing it would be better for the audience to try to figure everything out on their own. In this way, everyone watching the episode is a bit like Mulder: we can speculate as to the evil forces behind this widespread human experimentation, but we’ll never know for sure.

In retrospect, this is the approach Chris Carter should have taken with the mythology of The X-Files. Because the show’s slogan was “The Truth Is Out There” and Mulder was a crusader for revealing government secrets, Carter felt compelled to eventually give us very granular information about the aliens and their planned invasion of Earth. But everything got confusing as we got info about creepy black oil, infected bees, alien bounty hunters, mysterious vaccines, and government super-soldiers. Later, the awful X-Files revival retconned almost everything, revealing that aliens were actually peaceful, and evil government forces were staging fake abductions while trying to exploit advanced technology.

That final revelation effectively ruined the entire series for fans who had been enjoying The X-Files for decades. Looking back, it’s clear that Carter should never have revealed anything and left these mysteries for fans to argue about. Would audiences have been pissed about being led on and never getting a real payoff? Probably. But at the end of the day, those angry fans would have come up with a headcanon that was infinitely better than the answers we got and eventually gotten over their annoyance. Now, though, the fandom will never get over how badly the coolest mythology in television history was ultimately handled.

Anya Taylor-Joy is quickly becoming one of Apple TV’s most valuable stars. After leading The Gorge alongside Miles Teller, a sci-fi thriller that became Apple TV’s biggest movie launch ever, the actress with the most fascinating multicultural background is already lining up her next major project for the streamer. This time around, there’s no monsters or snipers or a terrifying abyss with nothing in it but suffering — probably for the best — because she’s trading it for a con artist thriller with a pretty sweet cast. And now we know when we’ll get to see it, and what we can expect when we do.

Apple TV has just unveiled the very slick trailer for Lucky, the exciting new seven-episode limited series starring and executive produced by Taylor-Joy. The series will premiere globally on Apple TV with its first two episodes on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through August 19.

The series is based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, written by Marissa Stapley, and follows a con artist whose latest job lands her in a bit of a pickle when a multimillion dollar heist goes terribly wrong. Lucky goes on the run but, with the FBI and a pretty ticked off crime boss closing in on her, she’s got to confront her demons and find a way out before her mistakes catch up to her.

Who’s Involved in ‘Lucky’?

Alongside ATJ, the cast includes Annette Bening (Nyad), Timothy Olyphant (Justified), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard), Drew Starkey (Outer Banks), Clifton Collins Jr.(Capote), and William Fichtner (The Dark Knight). The series comes from the prolific creator Jonathan Tropper — who also created Your Friends & Neighbors, another Apple TV sensation with Jon Hamm, and who has written the next Star Wars movie, Starfighter — who also serves as co-showrunner, writer, and executive producer through his Tropper Ink banner under his overall deal with Apple TV.

Cassie Pappas executive produces and serves as co-showrunner alongside Tropper. Reese Witherspoon — who made the novel one of her Reese’s Book Club standouts — and Lauren Neustadter executive produce for Hello Sunshine, while Taylor-Joy executive produces through her production banner, LadyKiller. Jonathan van Tulleken, who directed the pilot, also executive produces.

Lucky premieres July 15, 2026 on Apple TV. Check out the trailer above, and stay tuned to Collider for all the latest news and updates.

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Release Date

July 15, 2026

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Apple TV

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Jonathan Tropper, Cassie Pappas, Jonathan van Tulleken

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Sony’s June 2026 State of Play showcase was packed with new game reveals, first looks, release dates, and franchise returns. From Marvel’s Wolverine and God of War: Laufey to horror titles like Silent Hill: Townfall and Until Dawn 2, PlayStation delivered one of its biggest presentations in recent memory.

Below are some of the biggest announcements from the event.

Marvel’s Wolverine Gets A Brutal New Look

Insomniac Games finally unveiled an extended look at Marvel’s Wolverine, showcasing Logan’s savage combat style, Team X connections, and several major character reveals. The highly anticipated PlayStation exclusive is currently scheduled to launch on September 15, 2026.

God Of War: Laufey Officially Revealed

Santa Monica Studio surprised fans with the reveal of God of War: Laufey. Instead of following Kratos, the next chapter puts players in control of Faye as she battles through a dangerous realm filled with magic and mythical threats.

Silent Hill: Townfall Finally Gets A Release Date

Konami’s Silent Hill: Townfall received a brand-new trailer and an official release date of September 24. The latest footage introduced new characters and terrifying creatures lurking within the Otherworld.

Until Dawn 2 Continues The Horror Franchise

Horror fans also got a fresh look at Until Dawn 2, the sequel to the fan-favorite interactive survival horror game. While details remain limited, the new footage suggests another terrifying experience built around player choices and deadly consequences.

Onimusha: Way Of The Sword Arrives This September

Capcom showcased a new story trailer for Onimusha: Way of the Sword and confirmed a September 25 release date. Players can also jump into a playable demo available now.

Tomb Raider Returns In Legacy Of Atlantis

Lara Croft is back. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis was officially announced and is currently targeting a 2027 release window. The reveal trailer teased a globe-spanning adventure packed with ancient mysteries and dangerous exploration.

New Horror Game ILL Looks Absolutely Terrifying

One of the showcase’s biggest surprises was ILL, a first-person horror title featuring grotesque monsters, realistic physics, and an intense dismemberment system. The game immediately became one of the most talked-about reveals from the presentation.

Rayman Makes A Comeback

Ubisoft announced Rayman Legends Retold, a reimagining of the beloved platforming franchise that introduces new content, updated visuals, and expanded multiplayer features.

Final Thoughts

Sony’s June 2026 showcase featured a strong mix of blockbuster exclusives, beloved franchise revivals, and brand-new experiences. With Marvel’s Wolverine, God of War: Laufey, Silent Hill: Townfall, and several surprise announcements leading the charge, PlayStation fans have plenty to look forward to over the next year and beyond.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 12 seconds ago

As a franchise set in the far future, you might expect Star Trek to make some definitive, sweeping statements about the use of AI. However, various shows and movies have presented this technology as something of a double-edged sword. In Star Trek, AI powers the ship’s computers and holodecks, and it helps bring the beloved android officer Data to life. But AI is also responsible for numerous existential threats to the entire galaxy, including everything from evil androids like Lore to weapons of mass destruction like the Planet Killer and Control. Star Trek is ultimately very wishy-washy about this technology, presenting it as both a game-changer and a life-taker.

In the real world, the good of AI is quite outweighed by the bad. Sure, it can help you write emails and generate images, but it’s also being used by massive corporations to cut corners and give paying customers cheap slop, all so some rich exec doesn’t have to pay some poor, overworked creative.  Now, Star Trek has officially become part of the problem. Recently, Paramount seemingly used AI to create a thumbnail of William Shatner for Paramount+, and it created the stupidest-looking image in Trek history. Unfortunately, this is now the inevitable future of the franchise: a studio phoning in even the most basic creative efforts, all to please a fandom that is quietly dying.

Meet AI Slop Captain Kirk

This story begins with the worst streaming service ever created: Paramount+. Like all streamers, this platform provides thumbnails for various movies. Normally, this is just a still from the film. For example, when you scroll down to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, you might see an image of James Doohan giving his best thousand-yard stare. If you scroll to Star Trek III: The Search For Spock, you might see that melty-faced weirdo that Dr. McCoy tries to hitch a ride with. However, when fans recently scrolled to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, they saw an insanely ugly image of William Shatner that was seemingly created by AI.

The image features Shatner staring into the camera with a relatively sedate look on his face. He is wearing a suit and tie, which is properly absurd. Not only does Admiral Kirk never wear this suit in The Wrath of Khan, but the only time he wore anything remotely like this was when he donned a pinstripe gangster suit in the Original Series cheesefest episode “A Piece of the Action.” The most notable thing about this thumbnail on Paramount + is that one of Shatner’s eyes has a weird red glow around it. The whole thing is surreal and looks like what would happen if the Borg decided to assimilate Don Draper.

Garbage In, Garbage Out

So, what the heck happened here? On Bluesky, Ryan Estrada seemingly cracked the case. The image of Shatner’s face mostly does come from The Wrath of Khan. It’s from the scene where Kirk completes a retinal scan before accessing classified information on Project Genesis. In the movie, this is an extreme close-up of Kirk’s face, one that cuts off his chin and almost everything above his eyes. The shot works well in the movie, but it would look absolutely terrible as a streaming thumbnail. Estrada’s theory (and one I certainly agree with) is that Paramount fed the movie image to a generative AI and asked it to flesh out the rest of his body.

However, the AI took more than a few liberties with Shatner’s character. It basically ruined the actor’s hairline (something previously only God could do), making Kirk look like a slicked-down Wall Street broker. It put him in a business suit for completely unknown reasons, making the image look instantly out of place as a Star Trek thumbnail. Most bizarrely, it didn’t remove the red light from the reticle scan, making Kirk look like he’s got the galaxy’s worst case of red eye (maybe the waste extraction department was slacking). As ugly as it is, though, the worst thing about this AI slop is how damn lazy it is.

AI Slop: The Future Of Star Trek

Star Trek is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary, and Paramount is hoping to revive the entire franchise with a brand new movie. But why would anyone want to watch a film by the same creatively bankrupt people who had to use AI to make a freakin’ thumbnail? These execs are stewards of the coolest sci-fi IP ever created, but they couldn’t be bothered to simply take a suitable screencap from The Wrath of Khan. Sadly, this AI screw-up is an indictment of what Star Trek has become: lazy slop made by lazier creatives who hope you’re too stupid to care about how bad this franchise has become.

They’re wrong, obviously, and Paramount is about to learn a very bitter lesson: the only thing they can’t gin up in AI is fans who actually care about Star Trek anymore!

Nicole Kidman‘s thick, glossy hair has become almost as recognizable as her film career. Whether she’s attending a premiere, posing on an awards show red carpet, or stepping out for a press appearance, her blonde strands always seem to have that healthy, expensive-looking shine, prompting people to wonder what she uses in her hair routine.

As it turns out, one of the products helping maintain that signature look is surprisingly attainable. Kidman, who serves as a brand ambassador for Virtue, has credited the brand’s Healing Oil with helping keep her hair looking healthy, smooth and strong — and the strengthening growth-focused treatment is available on Amazon for $46.

Get the Virtue Healing Oil for $46 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

If your hair has lost some of its bounce and shine, Virtue Healing Oil is designed to help. The formula pairs moisture-rich Kalahari Melon Seed Oil with softening Tahitian Tiare Flower to help smooth dry ends, boost gloss and make hair feel noticeably silkier after styling.

Related: Jennifer Aniston’s Glow-Boosting Skin Secret Is on (Very) Rare Sale

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Jennifer Aniston has spent three decades on magazine covers, red carpets and our television screens, and somehow her skin keeps looking better. That signature lit-from-within glow she’s been working lately? It’s not just good genes and good lighting. The Morning Show star has said in countless interviews that she prefers to let her skin breathe, […]

The real standout, though, is Virtue’s Alpha Keratin 60ku technology, which helps support damaged strands while improving softness and manageability. A few drops can help tame frizz, add that healthy-looking sheen and give color-treated hair a fresher appearance between salon visits — all without the heavy, slick finish that makes some oils difficult to wear during the day.

The reviews are where things really shine. With more than 1,000 five-star ratings, shoppers are clearly hooked. One reviewer said the oil leaves their hair “feeling like silk” without “weighing it down.” Another shared that it “literally saved” their “bleached sad strands” and “really helped revive” their hair after damage from coloring treatments.

Finding out that one of Hollywood’s most enviable heads of hair relies on a product that doesn’t require a celebrity budget is always satisfying. At $46, the strengthening treatment offers an easy way to add more shine, softness and healthy-looking movement to your routine — while taking a cue from Kidman’s famously glossy strands.

Get the Virtue Healing Oil for $46 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Virtue here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Bethenny Frankel Compared This ‘Magic’ $7 Cream to La Mer

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Bethenny Frankel‘s resume may be stacked with credits like Real Housewives alum and Skinnygirl founder, but our favorite gig is the one where she shares budget-friendly beauty products that actually work. Recently, she took to Instagram to gush about a $7 face cream, calling it “magic” and comparing it to La Mer — a.k.a. the luxe, celeb-loved […]

The Sopranos star Aida Turturro has recalled a heart attack she mistook for prolonged chest pains.

During a Tuesday, June 2, appearance on Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Christina Applegate’s “MeSsy” podcast, Turturro, 63, detailed her near-death experience that led to an emergency quadruple bypass surgery.

“I was having chest pains for a while, but a hiatal hernia can imitate it [a heart attack],” she said. “My friend’s like, ‘Should we call the ambulance?’ and I’m like, ‘Nah, I’m fine.’ I get in my car, I walk to my house … my cousin gave me his doctor’s number, his doctor answered and he’s like … ‘It sounds like you might need to go to a cardiologist.’ I go to the doctor, [an] amazing doctor, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, you had a heart attack.’”

Turturro, who played Janice Soprano, the aunt of Sigler’s Meadow Soprano on the HBO drama series, was then told that “88 to 90 per cent” of her arteries were clogged before she was “rushed to emergency” where she underwent heart surgery.

“I could’ve died, I should’ve died then, but I didn’t,” the actress concluded. She also explained that she had thought that she was suffering from a hiatal hernia, which Mayo Clinic describes as when “the upper part of the stomach bulges through the large muscle [diaphragm] that separates the abdomen and the chest,” because she suffered from diabetes.

“I was lucky it wasn’t my time … diabetes is the number one cause of heart disease,” she said.

Turturro added that as a result of the surprise emergency, she’s since become more aware of taking care of oneself. “I’m blessed with beautiful people in my life. It’s all in your brain. I learned my lessons, you have to take care of yourself,” she said on the podcast. “We can always do better but it’s really about, don’t do nothing. You can’t help your kids, you can’t help your family if you don’t do you. Get everybody involved [because] this is a priority. This is our life, we’re doing this together.”

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Earlier this year, Drew Carey spoke out about ignoring heart attack symptoms of his own in 2001. “I was really overweight, and we were supposed to come back to start taping [The Drew Carey Show] … we were going to start taping so I [wanted] to lose some weight. So I thought I was going to start jogging,” the comedian, 67, said during the March 4 episode of Ted Danson’s “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” podcast. “I had a little heart monitor, and I was jogging down my street, and my heart rate went up to … something really crazy, and I was like, ‘Oh.’ And I felt numb in my shoulder [and] all the things that I read were heart attack symptoms.”

After experiencing further symptoms on set the following day, Carey was hospitalized before undergoing a coronary angioplasty.

Since his experience, through prioritizing a healthier lifestyle, Carey has lost 80 pounds through diet and exercise.

Peabo Bryson’s unmistakable voice soundtracked some of Disney’s most beloved love stories, but now fans around the world are mourning the loss of the legendary singer after his family confirmed his death at age 75. 

The two-time Grammy winner passed away surrounded by loved ones, only days after suffering a stroke. 

As tributes continue pouring in for the “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World” singer, many are looking back at the remarkable career that made Bryson one of the defining voices of romantic ballads and R&B classics.

Peabo Bryson’s family announced on Tuesday that the celebrated vocalist “transitioned peacefully at 5:00 p.m. ET” while surrounded by those closest to him. 

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In a statement shared with the Daily Mail, the family said they were overwhelmed by the support arriving from fans, friends, and colleagues across the globe.

“We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world,” the family shared. 

While grieving the devastating loss, they also found comfort in the enormous impact Bryson had throughout his decades-long career.

The family added that “his legacy and music will live on for generations to come,” while asking for privacy as they mourned “a beloved husband, father, family member, friend and artist whose impact extended far beyond the stage.”

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Bryson’s Death Sparks Emotional Tributes From Fans

Following news of Peabo Bryson’s passing, fans flooded social media with emotional tributes honoring the singer’s impact on music.

“Peabo Bryson was an all-time great vocalist,” one fan wrote on X, adding, “Rest in perfect peace, and thanks for sharing your gift.”

Another user praised the late artist’s Disney legacy. “Rest in power, Peabo. Your voice gave us ‘A Whole New World’ and that timeless Beauty & the Beast magic. Legend forever.”

Others described Bryson as “one of the great male vocalists,” while another fan added, “Mr. Bryson’s gonna be missed terribly.”

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Bryson’s family echoed the fans’ sentiments, describing his work as “the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments.”

According to the family, his music “carried generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration.”

Peabo Bryson Suffered A Stroke Before His Demise

Bryson’s demise comes shortly after the icon suffered a troubling health scare. 

As The Blast reported, a representative for Bryson released a statement on Sunday, confirming that the 75-year-old suffered a stroke and was under medical care.

Bryson’s family also made an emotional request for “privacy as they navigate this deeply personal moment together” while thanking supporters for the outpouring of love following the frightening health scare. 

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The representative added that “thoughts, prayers and love of friends and fans are welcomed and deeply appreciated.” 

The medical emergency came more than seven years after the “Beauty and the Beast” singer suffered a mild heart attack at his Georgia home in 2018. 

Bryson Became The Voice Behind Disney’s Biggest Ballads

At the time of recording “Beauty & the Beast” (1991), Celine Dion was actually considered an “up & coming” singer. Disney was concerned she may not have been a “strong enough” pull to do the song alone. They asked the seasoned and well-known R&B star, Peabo Bryson to sing the… https://t.co/NuVA2LWIxa pic.twitter.com/h7mltKkQ5P

— Sassington, M.C. (@MissSassbox) June 2, 2026

For many fans, Peabo Bryson’s voice instantly brought back memories of iconic Disney moments. The singer helped define an era of animated soundtracks with unforgettable duets, including “Beauty and the Beast” with Celine Dion and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle.

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Those songs helped Bryson secure two Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1992 and 1994. His smooth vocals and emotional delivery turned both tracks into timeless classics that continue reaching new generations decades later.

Bryson’s catalog stretched far beyond Disney, however. His career also included songs such as “As Long as There’s Christmas” with the late Roberta Flack, “By the Time This Night Is Over” with Kenny G, and “Without You” with Regina Belle.

In 2017, he reflected on recording “Beauty and the Beast” with Dion during an interview with CBC. Bryson admitted the recording session transformed once the pair became more comfortable with each other in the studio.

“I looked across at her, and she looked back at me and what went on from the point of becoming relaxed was extremely intimate,” Bryson explained. “You can’t buy that. You can record it, though.”

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He also said successful duets required singers to balance one another’s strengths carefully. Bryson noted that when performers support each other equally, “there are no weaknesses.”

Peabo Bryson’s Career Began Long Before Disney Fame

Long before becoming a Disney favorite, Peabo Bryson was already building a respected music career in the 1970s. He first gained attention while performing with Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display before signing with Bang Records and launching his solo career.

By 1977, he was releasing music through Capitol Records, beginning with “Reaching for the Sky.” The singer soon became known for R&B hits including “Feel the Fire,” “I’m So into You,” and “Crosswinds.”

Speaking to Soul magazine in 1978, Bryson admitted music had always been the only career path that truly made sense to him.

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“It’s all I ever wanted to really deal with,” he explained, adding that he briefly considered becoming a doctor before realizing music was his calling.

The 1980s brought even more mainstream success. His track “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” cracked Billboard’s Top 10 in 1984, while his appearance on “One Life to Live” led to him recording a version of the soap opera’s theme song.

Throughout his career, Bryson released 20 studio albums and continued performing for decades, maintaining a devoted fan base.

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60 Minutes veteran Scott Pelley has broken his silence after being fired from CBS News.

“There has never been anything in America like 60 Minutes,” Pelley, 68, wrote in a Tuesday, June 2, statement obtained by Deadline.

The correspondent continued, “The Sunday tradition is the most successful program of any kind in history. For more than a decade, its innovative growth on every major online platform has extended its reach to countless millions around the world. This spring, at the end of our 58th season, 60 Minutes grew rapidly with an unheard-of 9% jump in viewers on CBS.”

“60 has been the number-one program in America for decades because our beloved audience finds integrity, quality, and humanity in our stories. When stewardship of the program passed to my colleagues and me, our responsibility was to expand energetically into a new age of media technology while preserving the values our audience expects,” he wrote, going on to accuse CBS’ new owners of bowing to President Donald Trump. (Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, the son of billionaire Larry Ellison, purchased CBS parent company Paramount last year.)

Now, the new owner of our network is casting this legend aside, apparently to curry a moment of favor with the Trump administration,” Pelley alleged. “The waste is heartbreaking.”

Related: ‘60 Minutes’ Correspondent Scott Pelley Says Boss Is ‘Murdering’ the Show

60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley reportedly criticized higher ups’ handling of the long-running CBS news program during a staff meeting. According to audio obtained by Status and The New York Times on Monday, June 1, Pelley, 68, was critical of CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. “She is murdering 60 Minutes,” he reportedly claimed. “She does not […]

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“Last month, 60 Minutes lost its DNA when our entire senior leadership and two of our best on-air correspondents were cruelly fired without cause,” he wrote. “Good people were silenced because they stood up for our audience. They stood for fairness against the forces of political bias; they stood for professionalism against chaos.”

Pelley went on to criticize CBS News’ new management team led by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.

“For my part, new management has instructed me to inject falsehoods and bias into a politically sensitive story. I’ve been told to include assertions that are unverified,” he claimed. “To date, in every case, I have managed to ignore these instructions or refuse them. Recently, politicians have been invited to choose correspondents for interviews on the broadcast. Giving politicians control over 60 Minutes interviews is not how this is done. Finally, incompetence and unprofessionalism in the new management have wreaked havoc. In a case involving one of my stories, the entire program came within 19 minutes of not getting on the air at all.”

“At 60 Minutes, we have fought harder than anyone knows to save the program that became an American icon. We owed that to our millions of viewers. I am deeply moved by the thousands of wishes we have received to ‘keep up the good fight,’” Pelley wrote. “Most of the men and women of CBS News are still in that fight. But now the collapse of values at the top has become untenable. The leadership of 60 Minutes is no longer recognizable. The principles I hold dear are gone, and so I must leave as well.”

He concluded, “I depart after 37 years at CBS with one emotion — a heart brimming with gratitude for the men and women of CBS News who encouraged and enriched my work, very often at the risk of their own lives. I pray for a day when those people and their ideals are honored again — a day when sanity, competence, and courage return.”

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Us Weekly has reached out to CBS News for comment.

Earlier on Tuesday, Us confirmed that Pelley’s contract with CBS News was terminated following a verbal confrontation with 60 Minutes’ new executive producer Nick Bilton during a staff meeting on Monday.

In a memo to Pelley, Bilton wrote in part, “Yesterday, you hijacked my first meeting with staff to disparage me, my qualifications, and my intentions with remarkable incivility and contempt. I welcome a diversity of viewpoints and respectful debate among the team, but this was nothing of the sort. Yesterday’s performative display of hostility — enacted in front of the staff instead of in a civil, private conversation — demonstrated that you have no interest in contributing to the future success of the show or approaching my new tenure with a mind open to collaboration and progress.”