Oliver Darcy

Oliver Darcy is the founder and lead author of Status.

CBS’ Foreign Explosion

Oct 13, 2026

Bari Weiss’ handpicked foreign editor unleashed an explosive tirade at CBS News staffers, threatened insubordinate journalists with firing, and clashed with correspondent Holly Williams, according to audio obtained by Status.

Bari’s Stahl Showdown

Oct 12, 2026

Two recent clashes over Israel coverage have roiled Bari Weiss' CBS News, Status has learned, with one confrontation even pushing legendary “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl to the brink of quitting.

Ellison’s CNN Orientation

Oct 8, 2026

The Skydance boss spent considerable time at CNN’s New York offices on Thursday, meeting with network boss Mark Thompson, touring the newsroom, and participating in a closed-doors meeting with top network executives.

Ellison’s Day-One Dance

Oct 6, 2026

On the first day atop his new Skydance media empire, David Ellison faced pointed questions from Anderson Cooper and Status about CNN, his coziness with Donald Trump, and his commitment to editorial independence.

Ellison Leaves His Mark

Oct 5, 2026

CNN staffers breathed a sigh of relief when Mark Thompson agreed to stay on under Skydance. But Status has learned that he hasn’t yet finalized a new contract—and he’s not the only top CNN executive whose deal expires in 2027.

Thompson’s Paramount Pilgrimage

Oct 1, 2026

David Ellison has asked Mark Thompson to stay at CNN, for now—buying time, but leaving the network's long-term future, and Bari Weiss' potential role, unresolved.

Comcast’s Carr Calculation

Sep 29, 2026

While the company announced plans to spin off NBCUniversal, Status has learned executives are weighing whether to hang on to their local television stations rather than risk a fight with Trump’s FCC.

Ellison’s Graham Doc Grab

Sep 28, 2026

Paramount is nearing a deal to pay an eye-popping sum for a documentary about the late Lindsey Graham that is also said to contain candid footage involving David Ellison himself, Status has learned.

Paramount’s Closing Path

Sep 25, 2026

As apprehension grips Warner Bros. Discovery's workforce, employees are wondering when Paramount will announce the merged company's leadership team and close the $111 billion merger. Here's what Status has learned.

Döpfner’s Thiel Tribute

Sep 24, 2026

At Axel Springer’s event honoring Peter Thiel in Berlin, the publishing boss dismissed his own journalists’ concerns and sat silently as Thiel attacked the press, fueling further pushback from staffers, Status has learned.

The Source Behind The Ban

Sep 23, 2026

The anonymous source behind one of the stories the White House cited to justify banning POLITICO was none other than Vice President JD Vance, Status has learned.

Axel’s Thiel Tempest

Sep 22, 2026

The publisher is set to honor Trump ally Peter Thiel this week—and Status has learned that staffers at Politico and Business Insider are pushing back, accusing their parentco of undermining its own commitment to press freedom.

Ellison’s Bonta Blowout

Sep 21, 2026

David Ellison worked the phones over the weekend to secure a settlement for his Warners takeover—but the deal’s supposed safeguard for CNN is already drawing skepticism from inside the network as staffers brace for what’s next.

Trump’s Press Purge

Sep 18, 2026

The anti-press president abruptly announced a ban of CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the White House—a move that blindsided the organizations and even some officials in his administration, Status has learned.

Bari’s Byers

Sep 17, 2026

Puck's lead media reporter has gone to unusual lengths to defend Bari Weiss’ disastrous CBS News overhaul—all as the outlet pursues a lucrative deal with one of Paramount’s top investors.

Bari’s ‘60’ Bust

Sep 15, 2026

Bari Weiss blew up “60 Minutes," ostensibly to create a better show. Instead, her revamped premiere just suffered its worst debut ratings of the 21st century—what one longtime TV executive told Status amounts to a “death spiral.”

Bari's Pentagon Bravo

Sep 14, 2026

Behind the scenes, Bari Weiss leaned on one unreported relationship to secure the “60 Minutes” airman interview, Status has learned—an exclusive that former staffers of the newsmagazine criticized as “propaganda.”

Bartiromo’s Fox Betrayal

Sep 3, 2026

Fox News offered no explanation for Maria Bartiromo’s abrupt firing. But Status has learned what happened behind the scenes, and why it put the longtime host at odds with her own network.

Apple's Map Acquiescence

Sep 1, 2026

In Cupertino, “not a soul” supports Donald Trump’s “Lake America” decree, Status is told—but, at the same time, the company is resigned to conceding such points to the White House to avoid triggering the president’s rage.

CBS’ El-Sayed Scandal

Aug 31, 2026

The Bari Weiss-led outlet is being pummeled by a storm of outrage over a story about Abdul El-Sayed—and Status has learned that within the network, some staffers have raised the matter with standards.

Puck's Paramount Predicament

Aug 27, 2026

The newsletter-centric upstart is in advanced talks for an investment from Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird. But media executives tell Status the deal presents a potential conflict, given Cardinale’s deep ties to Paramount and David Ellison.

The Times’ Kalshi Gamble

Aug 25, 2026

News that The Athletic is in talks with Kalshi on a potential partnership has prompted unease inside the broader New York Times Co. over the reputational risks of getting into bed with the controversial company, staffers tell Status.

Bari’s Cuomo Crush

Aug 24, 2026

The CBS News boss has set her sights on yet another big-name TV news star, holding talks with the cable news heavyweight, Status has learned—though actually getting him to the network will be difficult.

The ‘60 Minutes’ Countdown

Aug 20, 2026

The newsmagazine is racing to air amid major turbulence, with Bill Whitaker worrying he is a "traitor," Bari Weiss expressing frustration with a new contributor, and screenings behind the normal schedule, Status has learned.

Disney Goes To War

Aug 18, 2026

In an extraordinary lawsuit, the Josh D’Amaro-led company accused the federal government of serious First Amendment violations and warned that if it loses, “the press could in no way be described as free.”