It's the end of an era.
Newsman Andy Rooney signed off CBS' 60 Minutes Sunday, appearing on his last regularly scheduled broadcast. For his final segment, Rooney, 92, reflected on "my lucky life."
"I've done a lot of complaining here, but of all the things I've complained about, I can't complain about my life," said Rooney, who first appeared on the program in 1978.
Continued Rooney, in his 1097th original essay: "I spent my first 50 years trying to become well known as a writer, and the next 30 trying to avoid being famous. I walk down the street now or go to a football game and people shout 'Hey Andy!' And I hate that.
"I've done a lot of complaining here, but of all the things I've complained about, I can't complain about my life…. And all this time I've been paid to say what is on my mind on television. You don't get any luckier in life than that.
"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," Rooney said, signing off.
