Andy Rooney publishes his final essay as ‘60 Minutes’ contributor

This Sunday’s (02) ‘60 Minutes’ edition had a special goodbye to one of its everlasting contributors: Andy Rooney. After spending decades dedicating himself to the show’s production, Rooney realized that retirement was unavoidable. The announcement of his departure was given a couple of weeks ago, but this Sunday was the date chosen for the final essay written by Rooney. Right now, all he asks is for peace of mind and that fans just let him be.

Definite Goodbye

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At the same time that Rooney was officially saying farewell for his part in ‘60 Minutes’, he guaranteed that he is not retiring as a writer. According to him, writers do not retire. “This is a moment I have dreaded. I wish I could do this forever. I can’t though. But I’m not retiring. Writers don’t retire and I’ll always be a writer. A lot of you have sent me wonderful letters and said good things to me when you meet me in the street. I wasn’t always gracious about it. It’s hard to accept being liked. I don’t say this often, but thank you. Although if you do see me in a restaurant, please, just let me eat my dinner,” said Rooney at his final essay.

Seizing the goodbye moment, Rooney took the time to acknowledge that he was wrong during several occasions. Even so, he still believes that he has been more right than wrong. As a matter of fact, when Rooney’s departure was announced several people publicly celebrated that he was finally leaving his post. On the other hand, some stated that his replacement might be even worse that Rooney himself.

Televised Memoir

Before Rooney had the opportunity to air his final essay, his profile was televised by Morley Safer, as a way to honor his contribution to the network. An interesting fact about his personality is that Rooney hates to give autographs and hates it even more when his fans asks him for one. As Rooney sees it, people who want his signature are just idiotic. However, Safer made sure to underline that it is not about idiocy.

His profile’s documentary talked about the time when Rooney spent his childhood during the Great Depression and his participation in World War II. Another topic of their conversation was about Rooney’s comments over homosexuality and racism, which were enough to get him suspended from the network. For those occasions Rooney said that he is sorry.