Everybody Has A Story, Flashbacks

(CBS)  Every two weeks someone threw a dart at a map of America. CBS News correspondent Steve Hartmanthen went wherever it stuck, flipped through the local phone book, and picked a name at random. He then did a story on someone at that house (assuming they were willing, of course).

It didn't matter who they were or what they had to say. This was strictly first come, first served. No one was eliminated for any reason and every story got on the air. The result - unique and wildly unpredictable television.

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After meeting a family and convincing them that he really wasn't selling anything, Steve and his cameraman Les Rose usually spent about 2 days with their subjects. Much of the first day was spent trying to figure out the person's "story". The second day was mostly shooting and interviewing. Before leaving, the subject of the story threw the dart (backwards and over the shoulder to prevent aiming) sending them on their next adventure.

The project started in 1998 and ran through 2004 when Steve reluctantly gave up the project to serve as a commentator on 60 Minutes II. When all was said and done, Steve had profiled nearly 100 people from Maine to Miami -- from the Oregon coast to the Arizona desert. His youngest subject was a 5-year-old boy from Tennessee who liked to float balloons to his grandmain heaven. His oldest was an 87-year-old woman from Louisiana who still does her son's laundry.

The idea for "Everybody Has a Story" came from a newspaper reporter named David Johnson. Johnson works for the Lewiston, Idaho Morning Tribune. For more than 2 decades he has been picking people out of his local phone book and putting their stories on the front page. After interviewing David in '94, Hartman tried the idea himself. "I was doing it more or less as a joke," Hartman said years later. "I never dreamed you could actually find good stories like that. Turns out I couldn't have been more wrong. Like David, I now believe the white pages are chock full of amazing, untold stories."

[chanceylap]

MORE STEVE HARTMAN... MORE STEVE HARTMAN!!!

Considering all the depressing and disturbing news we are bombarded with on a daily basis - Steve's reports are a breath of fresh air...and hope. PLEASE give him more air time! We need the lift in spirit!

[jzwerneman]

Pretty cool to tune in and see Craig in one of the flashbacks... I've tried to find the video of "Words you can bank on", but can't find it. Is it still on here somewhere?

[joy6676]

I know your starting a series of World stories. I have a great story. My daughter has been in India since the end of June working for a non profit Human Rights Organization, People's Watch. She lived in India before. I think a great story would to talk to her to see what she did and how to adjust to the states again and how hard it has been to find a paying job! She is almost 31 and has lived abroad in many countries doing volunteer work. She is coming home 1/26. She is coming through Newark and you might have her discuss her experiences with airport security! My email is [e-mail]. Oh, by the way, her younger sister has also lived out of the states in different places doing different work but very exciting as well. I REALLY DO BELIEVE MANY PEOPLE WOULD FIND THESE STORIES INTERESTING AS MANY MORE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE STATES TO VOLUNTEER TO GET EXPERIENCE AND HOPE TO GET PAYING JOBS ON THEIR RETURN. jOY, THEIR MOM.

[jpconti65]

Steve, you are a fantastic man. You touch my heart with every story you report. Like you said, there is a story in everyone. Thanks for making me laugh, cry and smile.

[debb17055]

I love Steve Hartman's segments. They always bring a smile to my face.
Thank You Steve!