Andrew Rooney was an television writer who was best known for his weekly broadcast “A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney”, a part of the CBS News program 60 Minutes from 1978 to 2011. On this day in 1990, CBS News suspended Andy Rooney, the ”60 Minutes” commentator, for three months without pay and left his future at the network uncertain in response to complaints that he had made remarks offensive to blacks and homosexuals. In 2002, 60 Minutes was ranked #6 on TV Guide‘s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. 60 Minutes has been on the air for over 50 years. It aired its 50th season, September 24, 2017. In the Feb. 27 edition of The Advocate, Rooney is quoted as saying that “Blacks have watered down their genes because the less intelligent ones are the ones that have the most children. They drop out of school early, do drugs and get pregnant.” Rooney denied making the statement saying, “I am guilty of what I said about gays, and I deeply regret having offended them. But on the other charge, I am absolutely innocent. I never made any remark about blacks having ‘watered down’ their genes. I never made or thought the statement attributed to me. I am just infuriated by the notion that I am being called a racist. Anyone who knows me knows that is not true.” Bowing to his eminent suspension, Rooney said, “Mr. Burke was put in a difficult position, and I accepted his offer of suspension rather than to permanently end my career at CBS.” Benjamin J. Hooks, executive director of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, said in a statement, “We are pleased that CBS has moved so promptly. We have been greatly distressed over this incident. We think CBS has made a good beginning in imposing a three-month suspension.” The racial remarks attributed to Rooney were made in what The Advocate said was a 20-minute interview conducted by Chris Bull, a New York-based correspondent for the publication. Although the interview was not tape-recorded, Bull said in an interview with The Times that “I stand by the accuracy of the story.” Rooney retired from 60 Minutes, delivering his final commentary on October 2, 2011, it was his 1,097th commentary over his 34-year career on the program. He died one month later, on November 4, 2011. The November 13, 2011, edition of 60 Minutes featured an hour-long tribute to Rooney and his career, and included a rebroadcast of his final commentary segment.
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