Anderson Cooper to Host New CNN Show The Whole Story

Come April, out anchor Anderson Cooper will be hosting a new Sunday-evening series for CNN, The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper.

Cooper, who came out as gay in 2012, has long played a key role in CNN’s weekday programming. He has hosted the weeknight news show Anderson Cooper 360° since 2003. Now, CNN is set to give Cooper a primetime slot on Sunday nights, too.

The Whole Story presents “one-hour deep dives into specific topics, interviews, profiles and investigations,” according to Variety. The show will serve as a long-form, 60 Minutes-esque counterpart to the segmented Anderson Cooper 360°.

CNN has been gradually expanding its Sunday night programming of late. The one-on-one talk show Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace – which debuted last year and is currently in its second cycle – airs during the 7 p.m. Eastern slot on Sundays. The Whole Story will occupy the following hour.

“Powered by CNN’s unmatched global journalism operation, The Whole Storygoes behind the headlines, touching every continent and corner of the planet, as we bring our viewers into the heart of the essential stories of our time,” CNN Chairman and CEO Chris Licht said in a statement, Variety reports.

There have been a number of episodes planned thus far. One will feature an exploration of San Francisco and its social problems by Sara Sidner. Another will center on Pamala Brown's investigation into allegations that Johnson & Johnson's discontinued talc baby powder causes cancer. In another, David Culver will provide an in-depth analysis of the medicinal and financial aspects of Magic Mushrooms, a psychedelic plant. And Nick Paton Walsh will cover his firsthand experience with a group of Central American migrants as they journey to the United States in search of asylum.

Susan Chun, a veteran producer at CNN, has been tapped to serve as executive producer for The Whole Story, Variety reports. As it stands, Cooper will maintain his regular weeknight programming.

The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper premieres April 16 at 8 p.m. Eastern.