60 Minutes Reports on “Notre Dame”, “Smith Island”, “Kate Winslet” & “Welcome to the Wedding” December 1 2024

This Sunday, CBS’s long-standing news magazine, “60 Minutes,” will air a special 90-minute edition, extending its usual runtime to deliver four compelling stories of resilience, restoration, and real-life drama. The extended episode, set to broadcast from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM ET (7:00 PM to 8:30 PM PT) following football, promises viewers a diverse lineup of segments ranging from a historic cathedral’s revival to a covert rescue operation.

Notre Dame

Nearly six years after a catastrophic fire that nearly razed the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the iconic Paris landmark is set to reopen its doors to the public on December 8, 2024. Correspondent Bill Whitaker provides an exclusive sneak peek into the cathedral’s astonishing repair and restoration efforts that made French President Emmanuel Macron’s ambitious five-year reconstruction pledge a reality. The segment explores the blend of historical preservation and modern engineering that has breathed new life into this monumental site, reflecting on Macron’s vision of restoration as a metaphor for national resilience and identity.

Smith Island

In the heart of Chesapeake Bay, Smith Island, Maryland, stands as a testament to both natural beauty and imminent vulnerability. Correspondent Jon Wertheim visits this unique locale, accessible only by boat, where the impacts of climate change are not just forecasts but present realities. As sea levels rise, erosion reshapes the landscape, and the island’s residents face the threat of becoming some of America’s first climate refugees. This segment delves into the lives of the islanders who, despite the odds, continue to show remarkable perseverance and pride, inspiring a new generation determined to preserve their home and heritage.

Kate Winslet

Correspondent Cecilia Vega travels to the United Kingdom to engage with Kate Winslet, one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed and atypically low-profile A-listers. The report covers Winslet’s recent project “Lee,” where she not only stars but also serves as producer, portraying Lee Miller – a pioneering American photographer and one of the few female war correspondents during World War II. The segment offers an intimate look at Winslet’s advocacy against industry biases and her personal identification with Miller’s legacy of resilience and perspective.

Welcome to the Wedding

The episode’s double-length segment tells the harrowing story of nearly 400 Afghans who escaped Taliban control under the guise of a wedding ceremony, following the tumultuous U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Jon Wertheim returns to report on this audacious operation, spearheaded by former Army intelligence officer Jason Kander and a network of American citizens, who orchestrated one of the most daring and unconventional rescue missions in recent history.

This extended episode of “60 Minutes” not only showcases global stories of cultural, environmental, and historical significance but also underscores the program’s enduring commitment to deep-dive journalism and impactful storytelling.