Anderson Cooper Adds "60 Minutes" to "360"

Anderson Cooper is well on his way to becoming the busiest man in TV journalism.

The CNN golden boy, who won accolades from his peers and public--and a higher-profile slot on the cable news network--after his probing coverage of Hurricane Katrina, has signed on to contribute five stories a year to CBS's 60 Minutes, television's top-rated newsmagazine show.

"I'm delighted to be able to bring Anderson Cooper's varied talents to 60 Minutes," Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports, said in a statement. "He has the curiosity and the desire and will be a great fit. I'm looking forward to having him contribute to the broadcast."

The 38-year-old journalist, host of the nightly news program Anderson Cooper 360, did two stories for the now canceled 60 Minutes II last season. One of them, an exposé on a doctor who prescribed steroids and growth hormones for professional football players, led to multiple indictments and a congressional hearing on the NFL's drug policies.

"I'm very excited by the opportunity to work at 60 Minutes," Cooper said. "I grew up watching the broadcast and, like many Americans, still try to make sure I'm home Sunday nights at 7 so I can see it. I?m truly honored to be part of 60 Minutes and look forward to working with [executive producer] Jeff Fager and all the other remarkable talents at CBS News. I can't wait to get started."

Fager was equally pleased to have Cooper on board.

"Anderson is among the very finest reporters of his generation, and he's got what it takes to be a perfect fit here at 60 Minutes," Fager said. "He's a superb storyteller with a thirst for adventure and a lot of energy for chasing stories. I hope and expect he'll be reporting for us for many years to come."

The deal, which takes effect at the start of the 2006-07 season, also allows CNN to rebroadcast Anderson's 60 Minute pieces.

"Anderson's work for 60 Minutes continues a unique collaboration we've had with CBS News and 60 Minutes for several years--and it's a strong, mutually beneficial one," Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S, said in a statement. "CBS News gets strong journalism from one of our most respected and talented journalists, and Anderson gets much deserved exposure for his distinctive reports."

Before joining CNN in 2001, Cooper was a correspondent for ABC News, where he won an Emmy for his coverage of Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.

While Cooper's addition will inject 60 Minutes with a dose of fresh perspective, CBS was also pleased to finalize a deal with someone who has provided a solid shot of wisdom on the Emmy-winning news hour for years.

Veteran correspondent Mike Wallace has signed a four-year contract that will keep him reporting occasional stories for 60 Minutes until his 90th birthday has come and gone. Wallace, who turns 88 Tuesday and was recently wooed by NBC's news team, announced in March that he was semi-retiring from the show.

"I'm going to stay here," Wallace told the Los Angeles Times earlier this month. "There's an understanding that I'm not going to be getting on airplanes and flying all over the world, but there are going to be certain important interviews I will do for 60 Minutes."

Wallace has interviewed practically everybody who's anybody, including every U.S. president since John F. Kennedy (except for George W. Bush, whom he's going to try to corner soon) and a truckload of celebrities.

Unlike his 60 Minutes colleague, Andy Rooney, who has publicly voiced his dissatisfaction that Katie Couric will be taking over as lead anchor for the CBS Evening News come September, Wallace told the Times that he has "great respect" for Couric and is looking forward to seeing how she does. The Today show host will also work on stories for 60 Minutes once she makes her trans-network move.