CBS Sunday Morning January 4: Ukraine Peace Prospects, ‘The Pitt’ Behind-the-Scenes, and the Mayor Who Made NYC Great
So I know Sunday mornings are supposed to be relaxing? Like, coffee and newspapers and maybe some light reading about… I dont know, gardening or something? But CBS Sunday Morning this week is covering war, emergency rooms, political history, and annual death tributes.
Which is kind of on brand for this show, actually. They always manage to make the heavy stuff feel… contemplative? I guess thats the word. Like youre processing the world with your first cup of coffee instead of doom-scrolling before youve even gotten out of bed.
Anyway. Heres whats on the January 4th broadcast at 9:00 AM ET.
Ukraine Coverage: Is Peace Possible?
Holly Williams reports on peace talk progress – or whatever counts as progress these days. The piece covers the war’s ongoing impact on Ukrainian civilians and looks at where things stand heading into 2026.
Remember that February 2025 White House meeting where Trump and Vance criticized Zelenskyy? Yeah, theyre touching on that too. The Ukrainian president pushed hard for continued US support while Putin’s assault continued. Now everyones wondering if 2026 might actually bring some kind of resolution.
Im not optimistic, but I suppose someone has to cover the possibility.
Behind the Scenes of ‘The Pitt’
Okay this segment I’m actually excited about. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook goes behind the scenes of “The Pitt,” that Emmy-winning HBO Max medical drama about hour-by-hour struggles in a Pittsburgh trauma center.
I know ER dramas are, like, inherently stressful to watch. But theres something about seeing overworked-yet-superhuman emergency room workers that feels weirdly comforting? Maybe because real healthcare workers are actually like that. Dr. Sharma would probably have opinions about whether the show gets things right.
The segment covers how the show balances real ER medicine with television drama. Which… seems like a delicate balance.
Fiorello La Guardia: The 5’2″ Dynamo
Mo Rocca interviews Columbia historian Kenneth T. Jackson about New York’s legendary mayor during the Great Depression. La Guardia was apparently a “bundle of dynamite” at five foot two, reshaping the city through public works – housing, bridges, schools, hospitals.
The framing here is interesting: La Guardia “changed the role government plays in people’s lives” and “made New York the greatest city in the world.” Which is probably generating some discourse somewhere, but the historical angle seems genuinely fascinating.
Also he was apparently an “inveterate PR hound” which… some things never change I guess.
In Memoriam: The Year We Lost
The traditional tribute segment remembering notable figures who died in 2025. This is always the part that gets me a little emotional – they pull from past CBS Sunday Morning interviews with the people being honored, so youre hearing their own voices reflecting on their lives and work.
Celebrities, newsmakers, creative figures. The annual reminder that time keeps moving and we keep losing people who shaped culture in ways big and small.
I should probably have tissues ready.
Europe as “Frenemy” to Trump
Elizabeth Palmer reports on the US-EU relationship, which has apparently shifted from “solid, cooperative, cordial” since WWII to… whatever this is now. European security expert Camille Grand is interviewed about Trump’s attacks on the European Union and whether the alliance can survive.
Given everything happening with Venezuela this weekend, the “how does America relate to the rest of the world” question feels particularly relevant.
Dan Balz on 2026 Politics
Longtime political journalist Dan Balz talks with Robert Costa about what America looks like entering its 250th year since independence. Government layoffs, Trump reshaping federal institutions, what it all means for November midterms.
Heavy stuff for Sunday morning, but again – thats kind of what this show does.
Heartwarming Follow-Ups
Lee Cowan revisits some impactful stories from 2025 to see positive outcomes since they aired. This is the palate cleanser after all the serious stuff. Updates on people who were featured in previous segments, how their lives improved, that kind of thing.
I need this segment after everything else, honestly.
How to Watch
CBS Sunday Morning airs at 9:00 AM ET on CBS. Also available on demand at CBSNews.com, CBS.com, and Paramount+. Streaming on Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Chromecast. Speaking of streaming – streaming services have been having their oh crap moment lately with all these options.
Executive producer Rand Morrison continues delivering the thoughtful, reflective journalism that’s made this show a Sunday ritual for millions. Even when the news is heavy – maybe especially when the news is heavy – theres something valuable about processing it with coffee and contemplation.
I’ll be on my couch with my second cup by 9:15. Probably. Unless I oversleep. Which is also very on brand for me on Sundays.