"60 Minutes" Asks, Mike Wallace Answers

It's only fair that a journalist who's considered a modern-day master at conducting in-depth interviews spends a little time in the hot seat himself.

Before he relinquishes his post as a fulltime correspondent for CBS' 60 Minutes at the end of the 2005-06 season, 88-year-old Mike Wallace sat down with longtime colleague Morley Safer for a friendly yet probative tête-è-tête set to air Sunday during "I'm Mike Wallace," a special edition of the top-rated newsmagazine devoted entirely to the veteran newsman.

Although Wallace wasn't on hand to answer questions about shady foreign policy, financial double dealings or scandalous personal affairs--subjects he has investigated with gusto since joining the CBS News team 43 years ago--Safer did provoke a few revelations from the man who has always been so proficient at making others spill the beans.

For someone who demonstrated such knowledge, understanding and confidence on-camera and has been at the top of his game for most of his career, it's hard to believe that, at times, Wallace felt quite differently behind the scenes.

While the 20-time Emmy winner also took turns on the other side of the table with Ed Bradley, Steve Kroft and Leslie Stahl, it was Safer who got his pal to delve more into his battle with depression over the years.

Wallace has been open about the subject for a long time and has publicly encouraged people to seek treatment if in need, but he admitted to Safer that 20 years ago he tried committing suicide.

"I don't know why the hell you asked me that question, because other people have," Wallace said. "It's the first time I have answered it honestly."

The years since, he then said, "have been the best in my life."

Wallace may be a little gray around the edges physically, but he hasn't lost his touch when it comes to asking the tough questions and getting people--famous people--to answer.

Maybe that's what has been holding up one of his professional streaks; Wallace has interviewed every president since JFK except for George W. Bush. During an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien Wednesday, he told the host he'd still love to dish with the current commander in chief, but that he could "live without it."

Wallace announced Mar. 14 he would be partially retiring this year, but still plans to contribute to 60 Minutes, which in the fall will add incoming CBS News anchor Katie Couric and CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper to the mix.

In addition to his Q&A sessions with his fellow journalists Sunday, the 60 Minutes retrospective will include clips of some of Wallace's more memorable interviews, including one 15 years ago during which he asked Barbra Streisand about her reputation for "bitchery."

"That was mean," Stahl told Wallace during their sit-down.

"Yes, it was," Wallace replied. "But [Streisand] needed to have control." Perhaps letting bygones be bygones, Wallace ends up offering an apology to the singer on camera.

Other Wallace interviews include ones with Academy Award winners like Shirley MacLaine, who Wallace said had "a thing" for him back in the day; Russian president Vladimir Putin; Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini; artists; mobsters; and Watergate conspirators, to name a few.

The words "Mike Wallace is here" may strike fear in the hearts of con men and rogues, or so read a 60 Minutes ad making the rounds a few years ago, but the words "Mike Wallace is leaving" sound a lot scarier.