Andy Rooney

Andy Rooney: “I wish I could do this forever”

Andy Rooney said he had dreaded saying farewell to “60 Minutes.”

“I wish I could do this forever. I can not, though, but I am not retiring. Writers do not retire,” he told viewers tonight. “And I shall always be a writer.”

He thanked viewers, and noted that he was not always gracious when they met him in public. He also left a warning. “If you do see me in a restaurant, please, just let me eat my dinner.”

Did you ever wonder why these little essays could be such big news? Because they were a memorable part of the most popular program in U.S. history.  No prime-time show can match “60 Minutes” for its longevity, popularity or influence. It changed TV news, and it continues to make mountains of money for CBS. And Rooney had been part of it on air since 1978.

In saying farewell, Rooney focused on his luck in making a living as a writer for 70 years. He talked about having “four good kids,” befriending Walter Cronkite and working for Harry Reasoner. In a wonderfully gossipy bit, Rooney revealed that Reasoner, a good writer, was lazy and liked to drink.

Morley Safer interviewed Rooney for tonight’s show and repeated Rooney career highlights, such as the essays about the Challenger disaster and the Oklahoma  City bombing. “I could kill the bastards,” Rooney said in the latter piece.

He was succinct, passionate and cranky. He spoke up for honesty in all things. And he revealed at age 92, he thought about death quite a bit. “I don’t like it,” he said.

He also said that he liked being part of “60 Minutes.” “It’s been such a show over the years,” he said. And he helped make it too. A TV era ended tonight. How little things can make such a big difference.