60 Minutes CBS May 21 2023 Preview: Price Gouging, Targeting Seniors, Jeff Koons
This week on 60 Minutes, Bill Whitaker investigates the alarming issue of price gouging within the U.S. defense industry, where the Pentagon and taxpayers fall victim to opportunistic defense contractors. Sharyn Alfonsi exposes the growing threat of cyber con artists preying on seniors, while Anderson Cooper delves into the world of renowned artist Jeff Koons. Join us as we uncover these captivating stories and explore their far-reaching implications.
Price Gouging
Bill Whitaker delves deep into the controversial world of U.S. defense contracting. According to former top Pentagon contract negotiator, Shay Assad, the system lacks accountability, enabling major defense contractors to exploit it, racking up excess cash and rewarding shareholders on the taxpayers’ dime. Whitaker confronts this issue head-on, raising questions about how the Department of Defense and the taxpayers are being fleeced. Is it a case of poor oversight or a systemic failure in controlling costs? The segment is produced by Sam Hornblower.
Targeting Seniors
The digital age has brought with it unforeseen challenges. Sharyn Alfonsi investigates the rise of cybercrimes, specifically those targeting seniors. Sophisticated con artists, armed with artificial intelligence, apps, and insidious social engineering techniques, are conning parents and grandparents out of an estimated $10 billion per year. Alfonsi talks with victims, law enforcement, and tech consultants to learn more about these fraudulent schemes and how we can better protect our loved ones. Oriana Zill de Granados and Emily Gordon produce this critical examination of an evolving menace.
Jeff Koons
Anderson Cooper brings us into the intriguing world of Jeff Koons, a prominent yet divisive figure in the contemporary art scene. Koons’ work, often inspired by everyday objects or pop culture icons, has been celebrated for its innovation, but has also drawn criticism for pushing the boundaries of technology, taste, and often, copyright laws. Cooper takes us to Koons’ studio in New York and a stone workshop in Pennsylvania, where Koons reveals some of his latest work and shares his vision for a permanent art exhibit on the moon. Nichole Marks produces this compelling portrait of an artist who continues to challenge our understanding of art.
