Andy Rooney Stepping Down From 60 Minutes

Sunday's show will mark the last broadcast for the 92-year-old, whose essay segment began in 1978

By Bruna Nessif Sep 27, 2011 10:00 PMTags
Andy Rooney, 60 MinutesJohn Filo/CBS

CBS will be losing one of its most monumental figures this Sunday, as Andy Rooney announced this week wil be his last regular broadcast on 60 Minutes after 33 years on the show, according to the network's website.

So what do the executive heads have to say about this end of an era?

"There's nobody like Andy and there never will be. He'll hate hearing this, but he's an American original," said Jeff Fager, chairman CBS News and the executive producer of 60 Minutes.

"His contributions to 60 Minutes are immeasurable; he's also a great friend. It's harder for him to do it every week, but he will always have the ability to speak his mind on 60 Minutes when the urge hits him."

The 92-year-old began his essay segment for the show back in July 1978, and come this Sunday, he will be reciting his 1,097th original essay. The episode will also feature a segment in which Rooney looks back on his career in an interview with Morley Safer.