Series cast summary: | |||
Andrew Rooney | ... |
Himself - Commentator (segment "Andy Rooney")
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(564 episodes, 1986-2011)
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Lesley Stahl | ... |
Herself - Host
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(514 episodes, 1994-2016)
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Steve Kroft | ... |
Himself - Host
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(487 episodes, 1991-2016)
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Morley Safer | ... |
Himself - Host
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(389 episodes, 1973-2016)
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Scott Pelley | ... |
Himself - Host
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(357 episodes, 2003-2016)
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Ed Bradley | ... |
Himself - Host
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(274 episodes, 1984-2016)
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Bob Simon | ... |
Himself - Host
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(260 episodes, 1999-2015)
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Mike Wallace | ... |
Himself - Host
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(255 episodes, 1968-2016)
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This series set the pattern for the TV news magazine. Each episode consists of several stories, each presented by a different reporter. Stories have included investigative pieces, celebrity profiles, background pieces on current events, and general human interest stories. The series has also featured "Point-Counterpoint" debates and humorous commentaries by Andy Rooney. Written by Eric Sorensen
60 Minutes has some occasional moments of juice, but it lost its edge. 60 Minutes years ago was a lot more interesting, had harder-hitting stories, more "raw" interviews, capturing priceless moments on camera of innocence, guilt, glory, fame, whatever.
However, the show today is tired and boring. There is no gusto. Is it a coincidence that once Lowell Bergman left, the show started to suck? Anyone who saw The Insider knows the story here. 60 Minutes "sold its soul" in the 1990's due to the tobacco scandal. Stock-owning executives from 60 Minutes falsified dangers that 60 Minutes would be the target of billion-dollar lawsuits from tobacco companies that would fell CBS if they aired a controversial public news piece from a former tobacco executive.
A partial result of the fallout was that Lowell Bergman, the main producer of the 60 Minutes tobacco segment, left the show and now works for Frontline, a brilliant PBS documentary news show. Frontline is FAR more interesting and hard-hitting than 60 Minutes has been in years.
Back to 60 Minutes...they seems to "go easy" these days and have one easy to medium news story. They mix that with some other "profile" type story, and throw in a non-threatening interview with some easygoing person. Something a teenager with a camcorder could do (follow around some singer and throw in some good writing).
All very boring for the most part. Too easy, no more edge.
60 Minutes used to the finest show around. Frontline years ago supplanted it as the best investigative journalism show around.