The one and only Andy Rooney

Then, "60 Minutes" creator Don Hewitt, desperate for some kind of post script to the broadcast, decided to put Andy Rooney on the air...at least his shadow.

[Silhouette 1: Being elected President of the United States is the highest honor in the world.

Silhouette 2: Aren't you being chauvinistic?

Silhouette 1: No.]

They were anonymous Silhouettes. Andy was the guy on the right.

[Silhouette 1: A man who wants to be loved greatly, greatly loves people or he wouldn't care what they thought of him.

Silhouette 2: Thank you.

Silhouette 1: Thank you.]

Rooney: Oh, god, I'd forgotten those, yes.

It didn't last very long and was followed by a parade of contributors from Billy Graham to Art Buchwald.

[Mike Wallace: And where there is smoke...]

And then, the long running Point-Counterpoint, first with Nicholas Von Hoffman, then Shana Alexander speaking for the left...

[Shana Alexander: And Jack, your right to blow smoke ends where my nose begins.

Jack Kilpatrick: That's sound libertarian doctrine Shana.]

...and Jack Kilpatrick for the right. It worked, up to a point.

[Kilpatrick: I can't agree.]

VO: And then, in 1978...

[Rooney: We were curious about the car death figures...]

Andy emerged from the shadows to begin his long run as the last word on "60 Minutes."

[Rooney: Why is it we all look forward to the mail coming everyday?]

[Rooney: Something's got to be done about phone books.]

[Rooney: You know something I don't like? Chocolate chip cookies.]

[Rooney: (Typing)]

Rooney: I sit down at my typewriter or I look at the newspaper, and there is so much going on in the world. I mean, "Who couldn't write a column," I think to myself. It's-- it's just-- there's everything going on. And I-- I-- I would be embarrassed to say I couldn't write a column.

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[hilarygraham]

I love Andy Rooney so much I made this video tribute to him (link below). I've also honored Andy Rooney's legacy by not having my eyebrows waxed for the past month. And even if you weren't a fan, you have to agree that Andy Rooney brought unabashed crankiness to an art form. Now we just need some ladies to get out there & break the curmudgeonly glass ceiling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jSqnZi8Rqc

[worldipnetwork]

What took CBS so long to get rid of him? After I watched Morley Safer interview him, I know why people do not like him. He is not a nice person. He needs to remember the viewers watching made his career possible and be more appreciative. CBS says he is iconic -- I agree -- iconic as in a person who should have never been on television. He says he is a Democrat but he acts like a Republican. The man is an idiot. Out with the old in the with new.

I wish CBS would wake up and get rid of Scott Pelley too. Pelley looks too uncomfortable/uptight behind the anchors desk. He comes across as being fake.

[meincalifornia]

what made you what you became? something sometime back stopped you in your tracks...mentally...life and you have been searching for meaning ever since. Sort of like the hoarder syndrome. Well, retirement will slowly alleviate...change because you no longer will be in the surrounding that created that block $%6() stunt. Did not really understand you when younger...kinda get/got you later. You're cool...but lol you don't care. That's cool too.

[RyanCasey1958]

Thank God this left wing dinosaur has finally left. Also, Rooney never liked his fans and threw away his fan mail. What a swell guy.

[mari1963]

I wish him well in his retirement. But I don't understand what took him so long. Doesn't he have a life outside of CBS? Why did he wait so long? Andy, find something else to do and enjoy it !!!

[Danize]

Curmudgeon is totally the wrong word to describe Andy. How about gadfly, like Socrates? He was always getting in the face of Athenians and challenging their assumptions. The once difference here is that Andy has been given a laurel crown, not a cup of hemlock. Andy, you have earned a tidy little corner in the hearts of millions.

[rdvnyc]

Check out my latest blog post about Andy! http://thebigapplemove.blogspot.com/2011/10/andy-rooney-meh.html

[mdambeck]

Andy, I wish you a great retirement. I have loved your wit, questions, dialogue, and segments for more than 30 years. While too much on 60 minutes is leaning liberal bias, you have always maintained fair reporting. In you farewell, you said you were concerned with death. I offer a prayer for you that you will find God, your savior and mine. I wish to see you live long on this side, and in heaven. Thanks for great writing all these years, a real talent will be missed. Mike

[calif7]

Just finished his book-My War- about his experiences during WWII. A insightful must read for every American. Thanks Andy.

[TampaBayTed]

It's about time the old windbag retired. Maybe let some 75 year old take his place. My grandfather had much the same wit as Mr. Rooney only he didn't get paid a hefty salary for his bon mots.