Andy may have been somewhat misunderstood in that his humility came across as standoffishness. You could see in his talk with Morley Safer that he was obviously a congenial man who hated the limelight. Seems like he was a very engaging individual in a one on one conversation.
I am just a loyal viewer of 60 Minutes. There were many times that I would only get to watch the last segment of the show which was okay with me. I did not want to miss Andy. I cannot remember any of Andy's views that I did not disagree with. In my way of thinking he was dead on every time. EVERY TIME!!!! God Bless Andy Rooney. He was an honest man and a straight shooter.
Since 1978... It's like a "long-running hit broadway play" now missing the 'SHOW-STOPPER.' As with the passing of a 'star' management would order the lights dimmed. Irreplaceable... That face, voice and style. I cried as if I knew HIM--when you look for and look forward to seeing that particular person, i.e., "what they have to say" always finding it amusing and altogether interesting; as for the 'persona' it's ok to think I (WE) did. In his way he'd probably think us stupid... And that's ok "Andrew A. Rooney." WE will miss you anyway. A true one-of-a-kind. R.I.P.
Mory, I sent this regarding Andy. I am dropping this line to let you know this message with the greatest sincerity and appreciation that my late father(who passed away suddenly within two months of Uncle Walter) have for you guys. Ed, Walter, Mike, Harry, Andy and you are the legends who conceived and wrote the book reflecting the highest journalistic standards through your writing, correspondent and reporting. You are the gems that glow and shine within the essence of your existence. I close with the following quote from a movie with Clark Gable whose title I cannot remember "collage is the horse, experience is the jockey." Again, god bless and many thanks.
Rest in peace my friend. Your brilliance and intellect was within the simplicity of yourself. Your legend lives on within the annals of time. You are now with your good friend, colleague and legend within his own rite,Uncle Walter. Your were part of an elite group dubbed the moniker "Uncle Walter's Boys." You will be solely missed.
I was once thrilled to receive a wonderful, lengthy letter from Andy in response to a pretty good letter I'd sent him concerning his newspaper column making fun of tv meteorologists. In an uncharacteristically lengthy sentence, he wrote, "I think meteorologists have improved more in telling us how much they've improved than they have actually improved." Lengthy, but emblematic of his brilliant writing (I doubt he'd have used the word 'emblematic'). I used to show his newspaper columns to some promising newsroom interns as a lesson in short, declarative, yet colorful sentences.
I think many of us can understand why he was so uncomfortable with adulation and fame. I admired his courage in expressing his opinions without worrying about how he'd show up in focus groups and the like.
Sorry, Andy. Like it or not, many of us are deeply saddened by losing our favorite grump. If that's maudlin affection, so be it.
Don Paul Chief Meteorologist WIVB (CBS affiliate) Buffalo NY
I had chance to meet Andy Rooney 8 or 9 yr ago. It was late evening on a week night at a B&N Book store in Norwalk, CT. He showed up, unplanned, and said he would stay around for a little while and sign books if people were interested (His book My War just came out). I just happened to be in there. There was not a lot of people in the store at the time. I got a book for my parents. He was persistent in asking, "What are their names? What is the last name? How do you spell that?" He said, "I want to sign a book for a real person, not just say 'Best wishes, from the author' to some unknown person." I said thank you, walked away, and then looked at the book, and saw it had my parents name, but Mr. Rooney did not sign his own name. I went back. I said, "Sir, I hope you don't mind, you signed my parents name, but not your name." He said, "Oh, I'm, sorry. I wanted to make sure I got their names, I forgot about my name." He signed it. I said my parents will appreciate this, and we enjoy watching you on 60 minutes. He said thank you. I felt I had good fortune to meet him. I heard he was cranky in his old age. I imagine that was true. He had to be in his 80's when this happened. I think he came to this book store on purpose at a time when there would not be a lot of people. I think he was glad to say hello to a few people, but he did not want to see a big crowd.
Maybe I'm a curmudgeon but I never liked Andy. Do we really need to hear him rant about why there's cotton in a pill bottle? (There's a good reason). Maybe as a reporter during the War, he was something to behold but I'll always remember him as being too well paid for being a nasty old man.
It would appear that you are not fond of good taste, either. When someone dies, your personal dislike of the individual, public or private, may be best kept to yourself.
It doesn't make you a curmudgeon to not like Andy Rooney. It does make you somewhat of a jerk to anonymously post something like that on the internet a couple days after he died, while many of us are savoring his memory, expressing appreciation for the talent he shared with us and the overall good that we saw in the man.
You didn't like him, yet you took the time to read an article, watch a video, and post your negative opinion that contributes absolutely nothing.
At some point in your life you will realize that there are more people on this planet who dislike and resent you than who like you. At least ten times more. People who don't even know you will go out of their way to post something hateful or disagreeable about you on the internet. This realization is humbling and will make you a lot less critical of others.
You're ridiculous. Beyond the fact that your comment is as meaningless how dare you dishonor the memory of a man who couldn't care less about your god. While your so concerned about the "after-life" this man lived his life without the need of a religious crutch.
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Rest in peace my friend. Your brilliance and intellect was within the
simplicity of yourself. Your legend lives on within the annals of time.
You are now with your good friend, colleague and legend within his own
rite,Uncle Walter. Your were part of an elite group dubbed the moniker
"Uncle Walter's Boys." You will be solely missed.
I think many of us can understand why he was so uncomfortable with adulation and fame. I admired his courage in expressing his opinions without worrying about how he'd show up in focus groups and the like.
Sorry, Andy. Like it or not, many of us are deeply saddened by losing our favorite grump. If that's maudlin affection, so be it.
Don Paul
Chief Meteorologist
WIVB (CBS affiliate)
Buffalo NY
You didn't like him, yet you took the time to read an article, watch a video, and post your negative opinion that contributes absolutely nothing.
At some point in your life you will realize that there are more people on this planet who dislike and resent you than who like you. At least ten times more. People who don't even know you will go out of their way to post something hateful or disagreeable about you on the internet. This realization is humbling and will make you a lot less critical of others.