Andy On 'Interesting Junk'

Andy Rooney On The Stuff People Send Him

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on Dec. 10, 2006.

The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.

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I don't mean to be unfriendly but, I don't know what possesses people to send me things but I get a ton of stuff in the mail. Most of it is junk but some of it is interesting junk.

I made the mistake of saying that about the only medicine I take is an occasional Tum and someone sent me a lifetime supply of Tums. I've estimated that there are about 2,200 Tums. If I take two a week, these would last me 1,100 weeks which is about 21 years.

I also got a "professional quality kazoo." I wouldn't want an amateur-quality kazoo.

I had one when I was a kid but a kazoo must be near the bottom of the list of musical instruments, below the harmonica certainly and just above the Jew's harp.

I get a lot of books from people looking for a plug. I've never plugged a book yet but that doesn't seem to discourage anyone.

A man named Bruce Bowman sent me a book he wrote called "Exposed." I guess it's a good book but he actually sent me a box with 20 copies of it. What am I supposed to do with 20 copies of a book like this that I don't want one of?

He probably chose the best-looking picture of himself for the cover - he isn't really this good-looking.

People are always painting pictures of me. If I thought I looked like most of them, I'd get into some other line of work where my face didn't show.

This was sort of a surprise: an irreligious T-shirt. Sent by an atheist I suppose. I don't know how many atheists there are in this country.

I also got a piece of gold sent to me by a man in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. It's one ounce of 14 karat gold. I'm not sure what a karat is but whatever it is I have to send this back or I'd get fired.

I think I know what I'm going to do with all these things people have sent me. I'm going to get them all together - put them in a big box, tie a ribbon around it - and throw the box away.

[tenasaw-2009]

Hi Mr. Rooney,

Please dont throw the things people send to you, I am a single mom of three, I could find a use for what you feel is junk to you, especially the 14kt gold piece. My name and address is Ms. Jamal Stennett P.O. Box 8822, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20898.

Thank you very much in advance,

Ms. Jamal Stennett

[michaelinlv]

Please don't throw away when so many could use your help. I'm a disabled Vet. Please send me what you don't want. I'll put it out for a yard sale or use it.
Michael N.
3342 S.Sandhill Drive
Las Vegas NV 89121

[primitivegal]

Andy,

My sister, Donna... suggested that you sell your unsolicited donations on eBay, and donate the money to a charity.

Sounds like a wonderful idea to me.

Doris Henson~SC

[trixiedeck]

Andy,

You could donate all that stuff to charity. There are many organizations that would take that stuff and turn it into dollars to help children, New Orleans survivors, etc. It would be such a shame to just throw it away. If you don't want to be bothered with donating it to charity, give it to your office staff or janitorial services. Someone could make good use of it. Public libraries would probably love to have the books! I love you but sometimes you say things that tick me off. You need to think outside the box more.

[annd2302]

I have been a fan for as long as I can remember of Mr. Rooney. I honestly hope the statement in this article is not true and certainly not the real feelings of Andy Rooney.

%u201CI think I know what I'm going to do with all these things people have sent me. I'm going to get them all together - put them in a big box, tie a ribbon around it - and throw the box away.%u201D

I just will not believe it, so no more comments on my part. Mr. Rooney please review what your underwriters are publishing in your name.

Still a loyal fan.
Steve

[hermit22]

"BRING IT TO THE SALVATION ARMY!!"

If all the fat cats on t.v. could just manage to say "BRING IT TO THE SALVATION ARMY!!" when their thoughtless compulsions to say "Throw it away" bubbles out of their mouths, how many thousands of people could be helped?

And these hideous "redecorating" shows where you see tons of stuff in the dumpsters as though "throw it away" gives them such a airhead sence of power.One of the worst was some t.v. airhead woman talking about fashion and actually demonstrating HOW to throw clothes into the GARBAGE CAN. That woman showed up out in our state for a t.v. interview wearing the UGLIEST dress I've seen on television! The SALVATION ARMY still might have been able to get some use out of it for dust rags!

[hillybilly188]

MR. ROONEY,
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? HAVE YOU BEEN TO A DOCTOR LATELY? I THINK YOU MUST HAVE HAD A STROKE AND YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW IT. THE STOKE HAS DAMAGED THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR BRAIN THAT GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO BE CIVILIZED. IT IS ALSO THE SIDE OF THE BRAIN WHERE COMPASSION, KINDNESS, AND CARING FOR YOUR FELLOW MAN IS KEPT.
MY SECOND GUESS IF A STROKE IS RULED OUT IS THAT YOU ARE JUST A GRUMPY OLD MAN WITH RETIREMENT WRITTEN ALL OVER YOUR FACE, AND YOU DO NOT MIND HURTING THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS.
SO ACT RIGHT FOR ONCE AND DO THE RIGHT THING. NO I DON'T MEAN SHAVE YOUR EYEBROWS, I MEAN GIVE THOSE ITEMS THAT PEOPLE THOUGHT ENOUGH OF YOU TO SEND AND GIVE THEM TO CHARITY!


ARMCHAIR DOCTOR IN GA.
MARK HOWELL

I'm guessing that you people actually think that someone or anyone from CBS reads these comments, they don't....Don't waste your time trying to talk to anyone there, the lights are on and no one is home

[oleander8]

Then why don't you go away, ncolsen.....

[mrsmiller1]

I don't think anyone from CBS (much less Mr. Rooney himself) looks at these comments, but going on the assumption that ordinary people like me read them, I'll just say that I suspect Mr. Rooney gets a kick out of seeming to be a curmudgeon and getting a "rise" out of his viewers. This is a projection on my part as it is an activity I indulge in occasionally. Being elderly, I sometimes delight in "pushing the limits" and stirring up the youngsters. They never take us seriously anyway.

[tvgenius]

I wouldn't be so sure that nobody reads these comments. I found it interesting that Meg Oliver mentioned specifically how to get in contact with Andy himself following the re-airing of his segment on Up to the Minute this morning, also hinting that apparently there had already been quite a response.

[gary-hamm]

well andy an ounce of gold is 644.00 I dont think thats junk or cheap

Gary Hamm

[Syndicate]

I wish all news outlets had this comment space. But then I can only imagine the things that would be written to fox.

[interested4]

I watched you last night Andy, and it's too bad you are so willing to look down on those who so obviously like you. Would it be asking too much for you to say a simple "thank you" and graciously leave it at that? You could always donate those items, and bring someone else a smile.

[shakezum]

Don't throw that stuff out! I'd be willing to take some of it off of your hands, Mr. Rooney. I could do withouth the 20 copies of that book, though. Thanks!

[dailycrafts]

Dear Mr. Rooney:

I must agree that you nor anyone else at CBS reads these comments. However, shame on you! I would imagine that you were not raised to be ungrateful. You could simply say thankyou and then donate the items. You do not have to plug any of them. You truely made a fool of yourself. Maybe it's time for you to move on sir.

[cornflower3]

put it on the goodwill website so it can be donated to them. they can put it on as a surprise box and it will go to the highest bidder and goodwill will benefit. don't put it on ebay. those people are just plain greedy.

[cmbrlandgirl]

Whoa....you all need to hold it. I'm a Cumberland girl and in fact Collin is a very good friend of my husband and I...he video taped our wedding, we spend holidays together...he is a good man....who made some poor word choices on national TV. However, he was only conveying what he knows is the majority attitude of this small minded town. The people here are very cliquish...they don't know real life exists beyond the mountains....but they are also very patriotic. All they understand is that someone told something that brought disgrace to the whole unit and our small town. That is why they are angry. Country people are old school...they don't air their dirty laundry. Though I do not share that attitude, luckily I've been away from here as much as I've been here, but I do think that you people are judging the man and our town way too harshly when you've only heard a small sound bite of what he has to say for us. ***contined on next post****

[cmbrlandgirl]

Continued from post below:

I work for the Maryland National Guard. My maid of honor's husband was with this MP unit. My father was a Vietnam Vet and my grandfather a POW of WWII, so I feel like I have a good solid platform to speak on this. Please do not downgrade my town or Mr Englebach. He and his associates have done a great deal for our vets around here. Just recently they completed a Korean War memorial to remember the fallen of that forgotten war. There are good people here and Cumberland is the 18th safest place to live in the US. I only regret that our yesterday way of thinking made it unsafe for Mr Darby and his family. I know what he did was morally right. I What he did was courageous and I applaud him for that. The media is the real villan. This scandal should have stayed in miliary hands. Instead, it was plastered everywhere for all to see. Those extremist loyals retaliated for the embarrassment of their people(yes embarrassment, not hardly torture) by loping off Nic Berg's head. He was completely innocent. Not hardly an eye for eye...but this is the beast we dealing with over there. AND why the patriotic people of Cumberland were angry with Joe....they felt he put our troops in more danger. I can see both sides. However, the only thing I have to say about all of this is I'm thankful to Joe Darby, Collin Englebach, and every other American soldier who ever served for, the freedom to sit here and pass judgement. God bless America and all of you!

[cmbrlandgirl]

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry... I posted on the wrong thread! I must have been redirected somehow and was just posting away,lol! I apologize!

BTW, I love Andy!


OK....off to post on the right thread.....

[french7771]

I just have to say, I wish folks admired me and my work to send me gifts, regardless if i thought it would be or become JUNK.
I am so thankful to have a job, that whenever a compliment is thrown my way, I am doubly thankful!! I hardly ever get anything free, or have an audience to gripe about life's uncaring or unforgiving thoughtless nature.
Andy, I would have felt offended had I sent a book, a chunk of gold, or a portrait. But maybe somebody would share what you truly a deserve, a lump of coal.................just my thoughts.

[longlegs5784]

Mr. Rooney. I would love to have the stuff you do not want. I love to read. I know people that could use what I do not want. I"am not able to work, so I take what any body will give me.You can e-mail me at [e-mail], Thank you and have a great week.

[carsen3]

Mr. Rooney, please do me and all of your viewers a huge favor and file your fingernails down at least an inch. Also while your at it go hogg wild and trim those eyebrows, they dont have to be your calling card, people know you by your bigoted and ignorant views against women and women sports announcers.
Yours Truly,
Carsen B

[smilie175]

Dear Andy,
Is there a way that CBS could sell the gifts that have been sent to you. Then the proceeds could be donated to a charity? Thank you Love the show. Kimberly

[dougquaid1]

Watching this segment, I couldn't help but think what an ungrateful disrespectful bleep . Andy Rooney might as well have spat in his own fan's faces with this one, not to mention I lost all respect for him after this segment (not that that matters to someone who basically steps on the very toes of his own fanbase). First of all, the answer to when you get something from someone that you have no use for is to try to pass it on to someone who can use it, ever hear of the Goodwill? or of donations to charity, Andy? Maybe you have been stuck in that studio for too long. If someone sends me something out of appreciation for my work or some other reason out of the kindness of their heart, I cherish it at best or give it to someone who can use it at least, throwing things away is not the answer, and telling the very people who sent you gifts out of respect that you think their gifts are trash, to be put in a big box and thrown out is definitely uncalled for. A painting of you is not trash, a case of tums is not trash, someone's book, no matter how uninteresting, is not trash, a piece of gold is not trash.
Maybe it's time to learn about gratitude, Mr. Rooney,
don't expect any gifts in the future, unless like a previous poster stated, it's a lump of coal, because that is all you deserve.

[whitlow552]

I'm sorry Andy, do you have too many adoring fans??

Dear CBS News,
Put Andy in a big box, tie a ribbon around it and throw it away!

[tysmomangie]

I am thoroughly disgusted with Andy Rooney. I'm not a big 60 minutes viewer but stumbled onto the Moken people and tsunami and was intrigued. I really enjoyed the program after it was over Andy did his spiel... About how people send him stuff and he is just going to throw it in the trash. I'm sorry but if you don't like things just send them to the good will or something... But you don't go on national TV and tell people, that send him something out of the goodness of their hearts (I am not one of these people by the way), that you are just going to trash what they sent you... WHAT A JERK. I can't believe that the producers of the show actually aired this. Like I said... I'm not a big 60 minutes watcher and after his spiel I guarantee that I will not become one either.

Signed,
Thoroughly discussed with Andy Rooney... WHAT A JERK!!!

[papagorilla-2009]

Greetings Andy Rooney,
In these hard times of war, protest, high gas prices and overworked, underpaid masses, a gesture of kindness is something to be treasure and appreciated. You are looked upon by many of your viewers as a man to admire. Viewers from all walks of life stop for a few minutes to listen to your words of wisdom. These viewers insure your job and the opportunity for to express your opinion publicly. You should say "Thank you".

Your viewers insure your livelihood and additionally show their admiration for you by sending you gifts from Tums to books to paintings among many other items. You are loved and respected in a time when so many are angry, frustrated or simply live on the "It's all about me" factor. Instead of insulting everyone by stating that their gifts are a nuisance to you and your plans are to throw them in the trash, you should publicly thank your viewers for their generosity in showing that they care about you.

As to the gifts that annoy you so much... well, graciously donate them to libraries, schools, charities and to rest homes , to name a few places. You most likely lost many admires over your last telecast as you heartlessly bashed the gifts you received in such a appalling manner. Shame on you for being so cold-hearted and down right mean. I think you should apologize to the public for your crude insults.

Where would you be without your audience?

[missbetty23]

The man is kidding! Andy said that he has yet to plug a book that someone has sent him...hello... he then goes on to do just that by mentioning Bruce Bowman's book "Exposed"! Of course nothing good ever comes free and Andy has fun teasing Mr. Bowman with a this guy can't possibly look as good as his book jacket jab.
In my opinion this was not one of Andy's best columns but remember that much of our world's best humor is often written -between- the lines. You may have to read/listen/watch it a bit more carefully to find the funny but it will reward you by keeping you laughing later longer.

[donnie900]

If anybody'd sent me that stuff I'd throw it out. Its kinda like a stranger sending you cookies or something.

[straightmate]

Andy, I know you could sorta goof the address alittle on that chunk of gold....

[terribayless-2009]

The problem isn't throwing away the stuff - it's telling everyone he is throwing it all away. I do have to clean house once in a while, but I appreciate the fact that I am given gifts. This article does not make him sound like he appreciates his fans for their thoughtfulness at all!

[wolfn2007]

Andy is the Don Rickles of News Commentary, he always speaks his mind and doesn%u2019t hold anything back. Has Andy ever been none insulting ..LOL If you%u2019re a fan of Andy then you understand, that is who he is.

Andy your too funny and always make my day!

[jimfinster]

curmudgeon

[grammawhamma]

Maybe his next gift will be a bag of dog poop...nice and ripe. Personally I would not waste a dime sending any celebrity anything. Andy was an ungrateful grumpy old man this week but I'll still watch him just to see what he comes up with next.

[donnie900]

I'll send ya brownies, Andy. Just don't mind de corn in it..

[drputt45]

Andy, you obviously are not sticking the "stuff" you receive where everyone intends for you to stick it. If you did, we wouldn't have to hear about it.

[gorfalamu]

I am not surprised that Mr. Rooney, relegated for decades now to the status of "Least of the Curmudgeons," would thusly treat his fans and their offerings. Mr. Rooney's schtick is to stick it to someone, anyone, even those who loyally support his irrelevant ramblings. It sells air time. That's his job and he does it to the best of his obviously limited ability.

But his disparaging comment about harmonicas is a disgraceful insult to millions of harmonica players worldwide and a cheap shot at an inexpensive but highly complex and versatile musical instrument that is anything but a toy. It takes the same amount of skill and dedication to play professional quality harmonica as it does any other musical instrument.

But Mr. Rooney wouldn't know that. He's been toodling his own kazoo for so long now it all sounds the same to him. If he could report news as well as I play harmonica, this post wouldn't be necessary.

Cheers,
Gorfalamu

[gorfalamu]

I am not surprised that Mr. Rooney, relegated for decades now to the status of "Least of the Curmudgeons," would thusly treat his fans and their offerings. Mr. Rooney's schtick is to stick it to someone, anyone, even those who loyally support his irrelevant ramblings. It sells air time. That's his job and he does it to the best of his obviously limited ability.

But his disparaging comment about harmonicas is a disgraceful insult to millions of harmonica players worldwide and a cheap shot at an inexpensive but highly complex and versatile musical instrument that is anything but a toy. It takes the same amount of skill and dedication to play professional quality harmonica as it does any other musical instrument.

But Mr. Rooney wouldn't know that. He's been toodling his own kazoo for so long now it all sounds the same to him. If he could report news as well as I play harmonica, this post wouldn't be necessary.

Cheers,
Gorfalamu

[michellem99-2009]

Dear Andy.
I am s hillbilly. Yer Mum forgot to teach yer manners. So yer can't use it then quietly give it those who could.
I am leally blind and I think yer need to thank yer viewers there kindness. So I feel yer ungrateful. Thibk of others. Good nite. hOPE A BETTER STORY NEXT WK.

[zeppikc]

Dear Andy,
I see ur point alot of that stuff you just didnt need and if realy want it then you would of bout it right? So in that case if you dont like the stuff people send you can you send me something, like a new Jimmy Page Signature Les Paul Guitar Please!!!! send to 829 California Sett. California Sett. NB, Canada