The best of Andy Rooney

By: Overtime Staff
Topics: 60 Rewind

On the first anniversary of Andy Rooney's death, there is no better way to celebrate America's favorite curmudgeon than to let Andy do the talking. In his 40 years on the "60 Minutes" broadcast, he did well over a thousand essays, airing complaints on every imaginable topic. In memory of Andy, here are a few of his best.

Even though few of us here at "60 Minutes" can remember a time when Andy wasn't on the show, he had a long reporting and writing career before "60 Minutes." Andy was a newspaper man for "Stars and Stripes" during the World War II; a writer for Arthur Godfrey's variety show and "The Garry Moore Show" in the 1950s; and then he switched to news and public affairs reporting, which included producing pieces for colleague and friend Harry Reasoner.

His very first piece was called "A Digression," but known around the office as "Silhouettes." It was seen on the premiere episode of "60 Minutes" back on September 24, 1968.

Watch "A Digression" by clicking here.

By 1978, he was the Andy we know today -- a voice of opinion, candor, and humor here at "60 Minutes."

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by Oldyoung1 November 4, 2012 9:20 PM EST: The inability of the Senate to do anything significant is not the fault of the Senators. The problem is due to a hundred and fifty years of effort by Secular Humanist/Progressives pushing to change America's worldview from the Judeo/Christian to theirs. They have made a lot of progress and both worldviews are well represented in the Senate. These are fundamentaly different and are totally opposed to each other. We must go back to the Judeo/Christian worldview of the founding fathers because the in the long haul, after the inertia of the founding Fathers has run out, the Secular Humanist worldview cannot support our democracy. It only works when the final authority is physical force - the side with the most guns "calls the shots" (pun intended),e.g. Hitler or Stalin. Progressives will deny this but that is their only true bottom line.; Reply to this comment


by Oldyoung1 November 4, 2012 9:17 PM EST: The inability of the Senate to do anything significant is not the fault of the Senators. The problem is due to a hundred and fifty years of effort by Secular Humanist/Progressives pushing to change America's worldview from the Judeo/Christian to theirs. They have made a lot of progress and both worldviews are well represented in the Senate. These are fundamentaly different and are totally opposed to each other. We must go back to the Judeo/Christian worldview of the founding fathers because the in the long haul, after the inertia of the founding Fathers has run out, the Secular Humanist worldview cannot support our democracy. It only works when the final authority is physical force - the side with the most guns "calls the shots" (pun intended),e.g. Hitler or Stalin. Progressives will deny this but that is their only true bottom line.; Reply to this comment


by OFBG November 4, 2012 8:15 PM EST: I think the solution to this and many other problems created by politicians is to set TERM LIMITS to 2 TERMS! No need for their pensions ( allow 401K ) or Cadillac Health Insurance ( standard coverage and anything beyond that they pay for it ) and they can NOT vote pay increases for themselves! Lastly, cut their office expenses and the number of people on their paid staff. They are suppose to be public servants! The way it is now, the public are the servants!; Reply to this comment


by Shona3432 October 26, 2011 12:31 AM EDT: Stars and Stripes was a place I went daily for news from my home, when I was overseas... Figures Andy Rooney reported for them...
Just want to say thanks. Thanks for bringing a little sanity into this insame world.; Reply to this comment


by jas_mint October 10, 2011 11:24 PM EDT: surely his retirement is occasion for a little fan mail. thanks for your work, mr. rooney. your commentary years back on modern car bumpers was my favorite. happy trails; Reply to this comment


by helpeachother October 10, 2011 3:47 AM EDT: Since it will be impossible to replace Andy Rooney, why not offer the time slot to President Obama & all future Presidents? The format could vary, with the President just talking to the viewers as one format, answering tough questions from 60 Minutes interviewers as another format, allowing the President to point out who killed a bill that would have been good for our country, promoting bills before voting, praising congress when they get it right, and answering viewers handwritten questions. THIS WEEK WITH THE PRESIDENT would help our country, help our President, and help 60 Minutes after losing Andy Rooney.; Reply to this comment


by YankeeDoodles October 2, 2011 11:02 PM EDT: Would America like a new curmudgeon? I nominate me. You know what annoys me...well, lots of things frankly. Like watching the Bears game today with my husband, and the commentators went on and on about Cam Newton. Ask him out on a date already guys. Come on. So, they were discussing how he was able to outmaneuver the opposition (Carolina still lost!) because of his "longness". No, not his length. His "longness". Do these people really get paid to speak on national television. Oh, if only I had a list of all the comical things they say. Maybe I'll start one. Yes, I am getting to the point. Yes, I do make long points...just like you Andy. :-) So, did anyone else catch it? On the backdrop behind Mr. Safer, right along his part? The place where it says "our forty-forth". I am going out on a limb here, but I think they are talking about the "forty-fourth"??? I know spell check misses mistakes like these, but I am guessing a few living, breathing people work there, too. You'd think on Andy's way out, they wouldn't make him crabby about the very things that make him crabby. Maybe they'll bring him back one more time to comment... If not, I am here to carry the torch for you, Mr. Rooney.

With great admiration,
A true Doodle; Reply to this comment


by kdsteph7 October 2, 2011 9:00 PM EDT: I guess I'll let you eat your dinner now...I just wish maybe you could have liked all of us a little bit better.; Reply to this comment


by maiingan October 2, 2011 8:56 PM EDT: Thanks for the excellent piece on Andy Rooney. One thing omitted was that he's not "just" a writer. There was one day when he told viewers a bit about his woodworking. He told us he made that desk he sat at. We got some good views of it, uncluttered, tonight. I was very impressed with it.; Reply to this comment


by mytakeonthings October 2, 2011 7:35 PM EDT: I remember watching Andy Rooney while growing up. Dad would call "Andy Rooney!" and we'd all gather around the TV to listen. I always feel reassured after listening to Mr. Rooney. You will be missed, Andy Rooney!; Reply to this comment

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