An unexpected friendship with David McCullough

By: 60 Minutes Overtime Staff
Topics: Overtime Original

One of the great things about working on 60 Minutes is you get to meet such an array of people: from princes and queens, all the way down to serial killers and mobster hoodlums, along with all the interesting people in between.

Certainly, David McCullough ranked as one of the most interesting. We all know that he's America's premiere historian-- his books have sold more than 10 million copies and his documentaries on PBS are all critically acclaimed. But what we didn't know was that David McCullough is also a really nice guy.

This week, Morley Safer interviewed McCullough on the broadcast, and when we asked his team about about their experience with McCullough, 34-year-old associate producer Jonathan Schienberg couldn't say enough nice things about the guy.

So, we decided to let Schienberg tell you himself, along with some help from Morley, what it was like to work with the great David McCullough.

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by cjmase22 November 14, 2012 9:50 AM EST: Nice piece Jonathan. McCullough is one class act as are you. This I'm reminded how special hand written thank you notes are for those on the receiving end. I'll bet that if McCullough took the easy route and thanked you via text or e-mail it would not have carried half the weight as his heartfelt and personalized note that he obviously took the time to pen and "snail mail" to you from France. Thanks not only for the great history lessons Mr. McCullough but for a simple lesson on how to exhibit class, sincerity, and thoughtfulness!

Chris M.
Latham, NY

Chris Mason; Reply to this comment


by Ginabelle56 November 4, 2012 8:05 PM EST: Kroft, you, like many other major networks during your primetime broadcasts, refuse to tell the truth to the American people. Your interview with Reid and McConnell was pluff and should have been omitted from the broadcast.You and others insist on perpetuating "this false equivalency," regarding THIS OBSTRUCTIONIST CONGRESS. You didn't play 1 clip that showed the words of McConnell about his "#1 job is to make sure that this President is a one term President." You never mentioned Grover Norquist, and the written and signed pledge that all of the Republicans took to block any reasonable revenue measures. You never mentioned the threats that any reasonable Senator or Congress person lives with if they go against their pledge.Your performance was as premeditated as it was ridiculous. The actions of THIS obstructionists in Congress have HURT Americans, and YOU KNOW THAT.; Reply to this comment

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