This week on "Sunday Morning" (Nov. 16)
The Emmy Award-winning "CBS News Sunday Morning," a beloved staple for millions of viewers across the nation, returns this Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. ET on CBS. Hosted by the insightful Jane Pauley, the program continues its tradition of delivering in-depth reports, engaging profiles, and thoughtful commentaries that explore the rich tapestry of American life and beyond. For those who prefer to stream, the full broadcast will also be available on the CBS News app starting at 11:00 a.m. ET, ensuring no one misses out on this week’s compelling lineup.
The broadcast opens with a COVER STORY that delves into the intriguing, and increasingly controversial, world of online prediction markets. Reporter Jo Ling Kent takes a deep dive into platforms like Kalshi, where individuals are placing wagers on an astonishing array of outcomes – from the highly anticipated results of elections and major sports contests to more whimsical predictions, such as the bridesmaids at Taylor Swift’s wedding. This burgeoning industry, fueled by the human desire to speculate and test intuition, reportedly sees users trading billions of dollars every week. However, as these prediction markets expand their reach and influence, they are drawing significant scrutiny. State regulators and attorneys general are increasingly examining their operational models, raising questions about consumer protection, the potential for market manipulation, and the fine line between prediction and illegal gambling. Kent’s report promises to unpack the complex legal and ethical landscape surrounding these fascinating digital arenas.
Following this insightful investigation, the program offers its traditional ALMANAC, a moment to pause and reflect on November 16. This segment, a "Sunday Morning" classic, will transport viewers through time, revisiting significant historical events, notable birthdays, and pivotal moments that occurred on this specific date throughout history, offering context and perspective to our present day.
Next, viewers will get an unfiltered look into the mind of Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy. In a candid interview with Tony Dokoupil, Portnoy recounts the humble beginnings of his media empire, which famously started in 2003 as a free weekly newspaper of gambling tips published from his mother’s basement. Today, Barstool Sports has evolved into a digital behemoth valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, commanding a vast, primarily young and male audience that Portnoy affectionately refers to as "normal guys." Known for his provocative persona, Portnoy discusses the "locker-room"-style content that has often generated significant blowback and criticism. He also addresses the recent "definitive shift" toward antisemitism, sharing his perspective on the disturbing rise of hate and how he navigates such complex issues. Despite the controversies, Portnoy maintains that he doesn’t "go out of his way looking for fights" and asserts his ability to ignore criticism, attributing it to his "good moral compass." Dokoupil’s interview promises to be a revealing portrait of one of the most polarizing figures in digital media.
The program then shifts gears to the world of Broadway and film with a MUSIC segment featuring the legendary composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Mo Rocca sits down with the creative genius behind iconic Broadway hits like "Godspell," "Pippin," and the global phenomenon "Wicked." With "Wicked" now adapted into two highly anticipated movies, and "Wicked: For Good" serving as the second part of this cinematic event, Schwartz’s work is once again front and center. Rocca explores the fascinating journey of Schwartz’s career, including the pressures and price of his early success, and a period when he almost left composing Broadway musicals for good. The segment also features an interview with Kristin Chenoweth, who starred in the original Broadway production of "Wicked" and is currently captivating audiences in Schwartz’s latest Broadway endeavor, "The Queen of Versailles." For those eager to delve deeper, an excerpt from Carol de Giere’s biography, "Defying Gravity: A Biography of ‘Wicked’ Composer Stephen Schwartz," will be highlighted, offering further insights into the Grammy- and Oscar-winning artist’s creative process. A trailer for "Wicked: For Good" will also be shown, giving viewers a sneak peek into the magic.
In a poignant moment of reflection, "Sunday Morning" presents its weekly PASSAGE, remembering some of the notable figures who left us this week. This segment provides a respectful tribute to individuals who have made significant contributions across various fields, honoring their legacies and the impact they had on the world.
A crucial and timely U.S. report by senior contributor Ted Koppel addresses a stark societal paradox: when the employed are pushed into homelessness. In a nation that champions hard work as the cornerstone of success, an alarming number of families find themselves without stable housing, despite holding full-time jobs. Koppel’s two-part report delves into the systemic issues at play, including stagnant low wages, rapidly soaring rental costs, and the crippling impact of poor credit scores that lock many out of the conventional housing market. He speaks with Brian Goldstone, author of "There Is No Place For Us: Working and Homeless in America," who illuminates the grim reality of the "big business of homelessness" and the often exploitative conditions faced by those desperately seeking shelter. The report also features heartbreaking interviews with families like Rhea’s in Atlanta, who struggle daily, working multiple part-time jobs like driving for Uber, just to afford inflated rates at "extended stay" hotels that cater to the most vulnerable. This powerful investigation seeks to expose the underlying causes and human cost of this growing crisis.
Steve Hartman returns with his signature storytelling in a segment that celebrates A lesson in civics, and civility. In the small town of Surry, Virginia, an extraordinary local election unfolded last month. Nineteen-year-old Cameran Drew, fresh out of high school, was inspired by his civics class to run for a seat on the board of supervisors. His opponent? None other than his former civics teacher, Kenneth Bell. Hartman’s report explores this unique political contest, not just as a local election, but as a profound teachable moment about democratic participation, community engagement, and the spirit of respectful competition that can still thrive even in modern politics. It’s a story that underscores the vital importance of civility in public discourse.
Continuing the theme of fascinating personal connections, PROFILES features an unlikely yet captivating duo: "Star Trek" legend William Shatner and America’s favorite astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Luke Burbank explores the "bromance" between these two intellectual giants, a bond forged through their shared appreciation of science, the cosmos, and an insatiable curiosity about the universe. Their unique friendship blossomed into a two-man show titled "The Universe Is Absurd!", which notably grew out of a transformative trip to the South Pole. Shatner and Tyson discuss how their boundless curiosity about the cosmos not only fuels their work but also serves as a vibrant elixir for keeping one young and engaged with the world, offering viewers an inspiring perspective on lifelong learning and wonder.
Renowned biographer and historian Walter Isaacson offers a profound COMMENTARY titled "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written." As America steadily approaches its 250th birthday, Isaacson reflects on the enduring power and timeless message embedded within the Declaration of Independence. He meticulously unpacks the significance of its most impactful sentence, exploring why its ideals are just as vital and resonant today as they were when penned in 1776, inviting viewers to reconsider the foundational principles of the nation.
Finally, the program concludes with its customary moment of natural beauty, transporting viewers to the majestic Black Hills of South Dakota for its NATURE segment, a peaceful visual respite before the week begins.
Beyond the main broadcast, "Sunday Morning" also offers a robust collection of WEB EXCLUSIVES:
A special MARATHON of "Comfort food" stories is available as a YouTube Video, serving up a sizable helping of heartwarming and delectable tales about the dishes that nourish not just our bodies, but our souls. From classic recipes to personal anecdotes, this collection is sure to satisfy.
FROM THE ARCHIVES features a poignant YouTube Video on Nolan Williams and a promising treatment for depression. This segment revisits a 2021 report by Lee Cowan on the innovative neuroscientist and director of Stanford University’s Brain Stimulation Lab. Williams developed SAINT (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy), a groundbreaking method using targeted magnetic stimulation to treat depression without drugs or therapy. The archived report highlights the success of his experimental treatment in trials. This re-broadcast comes with a heavy heart, as Williams tragically died on October 8, 2025, at the age of 43 by suicide, having himself suffered from depression, making his pioneering work all the more impactful and bittersweet.
Another FROM THE ARCHIVES YouTube Video features Nobel laureate James Watson. This 2003 "Sunday Morning" report takes viewers back to a conversation with zoologist James Watson, half a century after the revolutionary double-helix structure of DNA was first revealed. Watson, who shared the Nobel Prize for this monumental discovery and later led the Human Genome Project, discusses the groundbreaking revelation. The segment acknowledges his immense scientific contributions, while also noting the condemnation he faced for offensive remarks about race in his later years. Watson passed away on November 6, 2025, at the age of 97.
Finally, a compelling GALLERY: Notable deaths in 2025 provides a comprehensive look back at the esteemed personalities who have left us throughout this year, honoring their innovation, creativity, and humanity that touched so many lives.
"CBS News Sunday Morning" is executive produced by Rand Morrison. Viewers are encouraged to check their local listings for exact broadcast times and can find more information about the show, including how to download the free audio podcast, on cbssundaymorning.com. Don’t miss this week’s thought-provoking and inspiring broadcast.
