By Trendsetter Tribune 
CBS Evening News has faced a turbulent start to 2026, with new host Tony Dokoupil’s emotionally charged debut coinciding with the firing of a senior producer, Javier Guzman. The shake-up comes amid growing scrutiny of Dokoupil’s performance and marks a significant personnel change behind the scenes at one of the network’s flagship broadcasts.
Tony Dokoupil took over as anchor of CBS Evening News last week, a role that has drawn both attention and criticism. His first week featured the “Live From America Tour,” during which Dokoupil revisited his childhood in Miami. The segment turned emotional, as he openly wept on camera discussing his upbringing after his family fled legal troubles in the mid-1980s.
Dokoupil, six at the time, left South Florida with his mother when his father, a major drug dealer, ran into legal issues. Dokoupil’s recounting of the experience, which included attending the elite $53,000-a-year Gulliver Preparatory School, was intended to add a personal dimension to the broadcast but instead became a point of viral discussion online.
Producer departure
Javier Guzman, who served as the No. 2 broadcast producer on CBS Evening News, was reportedly fired following the January 7 broadcast. While CBS has not confirmed the reason, sources suggest his dismissal was related to internal disagreements with executive producer Kim Harvey, rather than Dokoupil’s political positioning or the show’s direction.
Guzman had been in his senior producer role since August, after nearly eight years as a producer on the program. His experience also includes stints at CBSN and Vice Media.
Dokoupil’s debut and controversies
Dokoupil’s launch as anchor was marked by several missteps. He struggled with line delivery and segment transitions during his first week, drawing criticism from CBS staff and media observers. One segment included praise for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, referring to him as “the ultimate Florida man,” which some insiders described as inappropriate for a news broadcast.
The emotional scenes from Miami, combined with his rough handling of the teleprompter and segment timing, led to internal dissatisfaction. A source told Status that the debut was a “total s–t show,” while another described it as a “total disaster.”
Analysis: pressures of high-profile anchors
Transitioning to a flagship evening news anchor role carries immense scrutiny. Dokoupil’s emotional openness and on-air errors illustrate the delicate balance anchors must strike between authenticity and professionalism. For producers like Guzman, managing these dynamics behind the scenes can be challenging, particularly when disagreements arise over creative or operational control.
Guzman’s departure underscores the high-pressure environment at top-tier news programs, where even minor disputes can lead to significant personnel changes.
Conclusion
CBS Evening News has begun 2026 with turbulence both on-air and behind the scenes. Tony Dokoupil’s debut, while personal and emotive, faced criticism for execution, coinciding with the firing of senior producer Javier Guzman. The shake-up highlights the intense pressures of running a flagship nightly broadcast and sets the stage for CBS to stabilize its production team while managing public perception of its new anchor.
Back in his hometown of Miami for the new CBS Evening News, @tonydokoupil took a moment to reflect on his childhood there — in an emotional conversation with @CBSMiami’s Lauren Pastrana. pic.twitter.com/eObHyP9aWW
— CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil (@CBSEveningNews) January 7, 2026