After a series of scandals and high-profile exits at “60 Minutes” seriously scaled back the show’s roster of journalists, CBS bosses are reportedly searching for new on-air talent and asking recruits for something wild in the process.On Monday, media news outlet Status reported that “dozens of screen tests” had been conducted with potential correspondents, several of which included “mock interviews” with someone pretending to be Ghislaine Maxwell, the accomplice of the late, disgraced financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.While CBS News chief Bari Weiss has been open about wanting to secure a sit-down with Maxwell, the screen-test charade would be an unusual hiring protocol in any circumstance.In fact, veteran television executives told Status the entire idea of screen testing for “60 Minutes” seemed odd, given how any candidates of the show’s caliber should have a portfolio of professional work and that an on-camera audition would do little to reflect someone’s investigative reporting skills.Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell pictured in March 2005. As “60 Minutes” looks to recruit new on-air talent, some potential hires have reportedly been asked to conduct a mock TV interviews with someone playing the part of Maxwell.Patrick McMullan via Getty ImagesIt’s hard to say if “60 Minutes” would even be grappling with a staffing shortage if not for Weiss’ heavy hand and the conflict that’s followed.Since being installed as the head of CBS News last October, the self-described “radical centrist” has reportedly tried to wield unprecedented influence over “60 Minutes,” a show that insiders say was largely allowed to operate in its own orbit under previous leaders.Weiss, the founder of the “anti-woke” outlet The Free Press, has allegedly taken it upon herself to individually approve most of the show’s segments and offer editorial input which left many worried about the revered newsmagazine’s journalistic independence.Tension over her oversight reached a breaking point in late May after longtime correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega were fired along with executive producer Tanya Simon.Days later, during a staff-wide meeting, “60 Minutes” veteran Scott Pelley assailed new Weiss-appointed executive producer Nick Bilton as unqualified while also accusing the CBS News boss of “murdering” the show. Pelley, too, was then terminated, leaving colleagues in panic over whether the show would even have enough material to fill its time slot when the 59th season of “60 Minutes” premieres on Sept. 13.