CBS Saturday Morning entered a new era on November 29 with the debut of its newly appointed hosts, Lindsey Reiser and Vladimir Duthiers. Their arrival came just one week after longtime anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson delivered emotional farewells to viewers following their abrupt removal from the program. The shake-up, which stemmed from wide-reaching CBS network layoffs in October, also included the departure of executive producer Brian Applegate, marking a significant internal restructuring that has left audiences feeling unsettled and, in many cases, deeply unhappy.
Viewers who tuned in for the latest broadcast immediately noticed the absence of Miller and Jacobson, two journalists who had become fixtures of the show for more than seven years. Many fans took to social media to vent their frustrations, expressing disappointment, anger, and even a sense of betrayal at the network’s decision to remove the pair. Despite the professionalism and warm presence of the new hosts, Reiser and Duthiers, the shift in on-air chemistry and tone was undeniable to longtime fans — and many did not hesitate to make their displeasure known.
One X user expressed raw emotion upon watching the newly configured team, writing, “CBS Saturday Morning is not the same without you both!!!!!! I am crying as I watch this morning because I miss you both!!!” That sentiment resonated with numerous others, with many echoing the feeling that the show had lost something vital with Miller and Jacobson’s exit. Another viewer directly criticized CBS, declaring, “@CBS You’ve lost a Saturday morning viewer when you kicked off the excellent women who carried your show so well.”
The reactions continued throughout the morning, highlighting a recurring theme: audiences felt the show had not only changed hosts but also transformed its identity in ways they didn’t appreciate. Someone else complained on X, “@CBS has ruined @cbssaturday. Expecting a magazine show that matches a Saturday morning mood, instead it’s a hyped up, over-energetic mess… No thanks. Too much, too early. REALLY missing the easy chemistry of @danajacobson & @CBSMMiller.” To this viewer, the effortless rapport between Miller and Jacobson was something the new format simply could not replicate, at least not right away.
Another user’s reaction was even more definitive, with one declaring, “No Michelle or Dana on CBS Saturday Morning today so NO @cbsnews in my house anymore!” This kind of statement underscored how deeply connected some fans felt to the outgoing anchors. Their loyalties were not merely to the brand but to the people who had delivered their news each weekend for years. On TikTok, viewers shared similar sentiments. One user pleaded, “Bring back Dana and Michelle please!!! Vlad nothing but love,” a comment that both supported Duthiers individually while still rejecting the new hosting dynamic as a whole.
Even local broadcast viewers chimed in with comparisons, suggesting the revamped CBS Saturday Morning failed to meet their expectations. One person complained on X, “What a disappointment this morning. Our local stations have better talent and programming. What to watch next week. Certainly not this mess.” It was clear that many longtime watchers felt not only surprised but blindsided by the sudden change, especially because the former anchors had developed strong relationships with the audience through years of consistent, trusted reporting.
The frustration was amplified by the emotional nature of Miller and Jacobson’s farewell on November 22. Their final broadcast together acted as both a goodbye and a reflection on their years of work. Michelle Miller opened the farewell with heartfelt sincerity, saying, “After seven long years of welcoming you to the weekend, our time here is coming to a close. CBS Saturday Morning will still be here with the latest news and all the stories you expect from CBS News. We wish our colleagues the best.” Her message carried the unmistakable weight of finality but also grace, acknowledging both the show’s future and the legacy she felt proud to leave behind.
Dana Jacobson followed with her own emotional remarks. She made it clear that the decision to remove them from the program had not been theirs, saying, “While it wasn’t our choice to leave, we did have one in how we get to say goodbye, including a chance to say thank you to the amazing producers, photographers, audio engineers, editors, makeup and hair stylists, assistants, and floor crew, and wardrobe. Everybody who is a part of each and every story we told. Without them, there is no us.” Her tribute highlighted the behind-the-scenes teamwork that brought each episode to life, while also acknowledging the abruptness and lack of control she and Miller felt in their departure.
As their final sign-off approached, Miller closed on a reflective and poetic note. She shared a well-known quote attributed to Bob Marley: “Beginnings are usually scary, endings are usually sad, but it is everything in between that makes it all worth living.” She added that the sentiment perfectly encapsulated their time at CBS Saturday Morning — the years of shared stories, long workdays, laughter, challenges, and connections that she believed had made their journey meaningful. It was a message that clearly resonated with their audience, many of whom were still grieving the abrupt loss of two familiar and beloved voices in Saturday morning television.
With Miller and Jacobson no longer at the helm, the responsibility of anchoring the show fell to Lindsey Reiser and Vladimir Duthiers, both established journalists within the CBS family. Their debut was professional, polished, and in keeping with CBS News’ standards, but the public reaction underscored how difficult it can be for new hosts to step into roles previously filled by long-standing, well-loved anchors. Viewers must slowly adjust to changes in tone, pacing, and interpersonal chemistry, all of which take time to develop naturally on air.
For CBS, the shift was part of a broader strategy to address internal restructuring and adapt to long-term budgetary needs. The layoffs that swept through the network in October affected multiple departments, and Miller, Jacobson, and Applegate—despite their prominence and tenure—were among those whose positions were cut. While such decisions often reflect financial realities or strategic transitions, the emotional impact on viewers tends to be immediate and significant, especially in programs where anchors become fixtures of viewers’ routines.
CBS Saturday Morning now moves forward with Reiser and Duthiers in place, facing not only the ongoing task of delivering news but also rebuilding the trust and comfort of audiences who are still processing the loss of familiar faces. Changes of this magnitude in morning television rarely settle overnight, and viewer reactions often evolve over time as they adjust to new voices, personalities, and on-screen dynamics. Yet the initial backlash illustrated how deeply connected audiences felt to Miller and Jacobson, and how difficult it can be for any show to shift direction without risking viewer loyalty.
The future of the program will depend in part on how well the new hosts develop chemistry with one another and with the audience, and whether viewers can embrace the new tone CBS seems to be cultivating. For now, though, one thing is clear: the departure of Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson has left a lasting impact on viewers, who continue to express their disappointment as the show embarks on this new chapter.
