Tony Dokoupil Stumbles Through Segment Transition During ‘CBS Evening News’ Debut: ‘First Day, Big Problems Here’

New “CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil experienced an on-air mishap during his official debut broadcast Monday, mixing up a segment transition and acknowledging the error live on camera.

During the broadcast Monday night, Dokoupil fumbled a transition between segments, mixing up a story about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.

The on-air confusion was evident, with Dokoupil saying: “Other news, as you just heard from Jill… well as to other news now to Gov. Walz, no, we’re going to do Mark Kelly.” He then stated, “First day, big problems here,” before proceeding to the Kelly segment.

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The Kelly story concerned the Arizona senator possibly being demoted from his retired Navy rank of captain. The segment reported that the Navy had issued what’s known as a letter of censure for the Democrat over his participation in a video that called on service members to defy illegal orders, without specifying which orders he had in mind. The report noted that the Navy called what the former combat pilot and astronaut did an act of sedition.

Dokoupil then transitioned to the Walz segment, saying: “Now we go to Minnesota, a surprise announcement from the Great Lake state there today, Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee.”

On Saturday, Dokoupil made an early debut covering the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, two days ahead of his scheduled Monday launch. He was named the new anchor of “CBS Evening News” after Bari Weiss’ takeover of CBS News spurred by new Paramount chief David Ellison.

In a video on New Year’s Day, Dokoupil outlined his mission as the show’s new anchor, vowing that the “average American” would come first.

“On too many stories, the press has missed the story,” he said. “And it’s not just us. It’s all of legacy media. Because we’ve taken into account the perspective of advocates, and not the average American. Or, we put too much weight in the analysis of academics, or elites, and not enough on you.”

He continued: “I report for you, which means I’ll tell you what I know, when I know it and how I know it. And when I get it wrong, I’ll tell you that too.”