The segment, which is aired at the end of the show's November 6 broadcast, is led by Morley Safer who calls the late Andy 'America's grouch-in-chief' and America's watchdog.
- Nov 7, 2011
AceShowbiz - "60 Minutes" has honored Andy Rooney in its Sunday, November 6 broadcast just two days after the former contributor passed away. Morley Safer led the segment which mostly featured his interview with the late commentator before he resigned from the TV newsmagazine.
In his narration, Morley called Andy "America's grouch-in-chief" and America's watchdog, adding that "he was the voice - the loud whiny voice - speaking on behalf of citizens fed up with nearly everything." The segment looked back to the 92-year-old's journey from his childhood to becoming a writer before he joined the CBS News program.
Morley summarized highlights from Andy's 33-year-career at the TV newsmagazine, including his political views on the Oklahoma City bombing and the Iraq war. Andy's controversial comment about race and homosexuality, which led to his three-month suspension in 1990, was also addressed.
Andy died on Friday, November 4 in a New York hospital following "complications from minor surgery." In a statement responding to the sad news, chairman of CBS News and "60 Minutes" executive producer Jeff Fager said, "It's hard to imagine not having Andy around. He loved his life and he lived it on his own terms. We will miss him very much."
Andy delivered his 1,097th and last essay on "60 Minutes" on October 2. At that time, the television writer said, "I wish I could do this forever. I can't, though. But I'm not retiring. Writers don't retire, and I'll always be a writer."
