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Mike Wallace Retiring from '60 Minutes'

The familiar '60 Minutes' stopwatch.
CBS News

The familiar 60 Minutes stopwatch.

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March 14, 2006

Mike Wallace has decided to step down as a full-time correspondent for CBS' 60 Minutes and become a "correspondent emeritus." He issued a statement today in which he said:

"As I approach my 88th birthday, it's become apparent to me that my eyes and ears, among other appurtenances, aren't quite what they used to be."

Wallace says he's not being forced out by CBS and that he'll still keep an office there. CBS News President Sean McManus released a statement saying Wallace "is one of a few giants of broadcast journalism for whom a list of endless superlatives can't and don't do justice."

From NPR's Sr. VP of Programming, Jay Kernis:

"I spent 14 years at CBS News, five years at 60 Minutes, my last year as one of Mike's producers. I had a great time with him, mostly doing profiles: singer Barbara Cook, tough New York state Judge Leslie Crocker Snyder, gossip columnist Liz Smith, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, crazy person Mel Brooks and others. It's hard to imagine 60 Minutes without Mike and a lot of memories washed over me when I saw the news that he was cutting back. First, how fearless he is; he'll ask anyone anything, as long as he knows he's backed up by the facts. Secondly, how beautifully he could read and the spectacular quality of his voice. Boy, can he nail a script. Lastly, there were a number of times when I'd be in his office, working on a story with him, and someone would call who wanted to discuss problems with depression. Mike has been very open about the challenges he faced, and Mike would stop whatever we were working on so he could open his phonebook and recommend a doctor or therapist. And he made the person on the other end of the line promise to get help. Hard to imagine the show without him, but he sure deserves to take it easy."

60 Minutes: Specials

I always enjoyed watching Mike Wallace on the air. He asked alot of driving questions to try and get the truth out there. He will be missed. Hopefully, he will develop some specials in the future to keep us informed.

60 Minutes: NPR

I used to have respect for Mr. Wallace, but haven't watched 60 Minutes for the last four years once I learned just how controlled the media today are. If Mr. Wallace wanted to ensure a morally lasting legacy he'd open up the eyes and ears of all who still respect him by spilling the beans on the wizards behind the curtain. That would also include the wizards behind the curtain of NPR, namely the Carnegie Foundation, The Ford Foundation et al. who lurk behind the scenes to make sure only their agenda is followed.

60 Minutes: Family Ritual

Mike Wallace was in my living room since I was a tiny girl...all of my life actually.

I learned my love of facts as well as journalism from watching 60 minutes with my parents and siblings every Sunday evening - one of my family's rituals. Children actually watched shows like this with their parents and often grandparents. Even we young ones would often discuss what Mike Wallace or Andy Rooney spoke about on Monday mornings waiting for the school bus. Mike Wallace shall never stop being respected and treasured by my family. When a topic speaks to him, I am certain we shall see him on 60 minutes again.

60 Minutes: So Long

Good riddance...just 30+ years too late! Merely one more paid shill with no morals, a sniveling lap-dog press whore hypocrite of the first order, documented by hundreds who have experienced first-hand his deceptive two-faced approach to "new" replete with "creative" so-called editing which time after time virtually reversed the true essence of the actual interview, making him a liar and cheat and low-life scoundrel who will NOT be missed by any halfway informed or perceptive American.

Who Cares About Mike Wallace?

Who cares? Just another New World Order pawn serving his masters.

60 Minutes: Avid Fan

I'm an avid fan of 60 Minutes, and as I read this article about the retirement of a great journalist like Mike Wallace, I will surely miss him forever.

Anyway, happy retirement and spend the rest of your happy days delivering news to the public.

Avid Fan :)

60 Minutes: Enjoyed The Stories

Mr. Wallace, you will truly be missed. I've watched you on 60 minitues throughout the years and really enjoyed all the stories.

60 Minutes: I Wonder

I wonder if Jeff Wygand will miss Mike Wallace? Somehow, I doubt it.

60 Minutes: Thank You

We wish for you many productive and interesting years. I know we can count on you not to vegetate, but move on to things you have not had time for while fully involved in "60 Minutes". Thanks for showing us, all these years, what broadcast journalism can be at its best.

A Salute to Mike Wallace

Dear Mr. Wallace, I have watched you over the years and I can say you're the best. 60 Minutes will not be the same at my house now. Take care, sir. I salute you for a job well done.

Retired Green Beret

The Quiet Professional

Mike Wallace is One of My Heroes

Mike Wallace is one of my heroes. I'm a neurotic sort who spends perhaps a little too much time thinking about aging. I can't think of anybody who makes growing older seem more palatable or rewarding than Wallace. We can all look to this man as a standard bearer of just how engaged, productive, and for lack of a better term, cool, older people can be. I wish him all the best.

60 Minutes: Ambush

Mike Wallace was best after age sixty-five. His earlier years on TV are mixed. Over the years he grew into journalism, a profession that he was not trained for academically. For a number of years he was a ambush artist but he changed. His combination of super human stamina, intellectual growth, personal persona and resonant voice carried him far.

60 Minutes: Miss Him

I will miss Mike Wallace especially when he is one of the only people whom can do what he does. I can not imagine anyone from my generation taking his place any time soon. The generations are not as together, morally, ethically spiritually. Something has really changed and it totally frightens me to think an uneducated, ill-prepared work force and more family breakdown than ever is about to take over, I can not imagine what is going to happen to all of our financial institutions and schools farms ect. It is very sad, thank you for your wonderful contribution.

 
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