"60 Minutes"' Mike Wallace Retiring

[Joseph_Gallant]

Longtime "60 Minutes" host/correspondent Mike Wallace, who has been with the top-rated CBS newsmagazine series since it's premiere in 1968, is retiring.

At this writing (1:40 P.M. March 14th), there are few details, and I have not seen anything on the 'Net regarding when he will step down. My guess is it will be in May at the end of the television season.

This is an article on Broadcasting and Cable.com (registration may be required) reporting Wallace's retirement.

I believe Wallace is in his mid-to-late eighties; I thought he might have continued through 2008 so he could have had forty full years on the show.

 

[raccoonradio]

> Longtime "60 Minutes" host/correspondent Mike Wallace, who
> has been with the top-rated CBS newsmagazine series since
> it's premiere in 1968, is retiring.

There was a bit of a controversy recently when Howie Carr (syndicated
in New England) was doing his weekly on-air chat with Mike's son Chris,
and Chris started disparaging his father: "The man has lost it," etc.
He later apologized but not before NewsMax picked it up...

> I believe Wallace is in his mid-to-late eighties; I thought
> he might have continued through 2008 so he could have had
> forty full years on the show.
>
According to Internet movie database:
born 9 May 1918
Brookline, Massachusetts, USA
88 in May!<P ID="signature">______________

</P>

 

[jjjohnson]

Mike Wallace is an amazing individual. He successfully made the transition from acting, hosting game shows and advertising to become one of TV's most recognizeable personalities. His contributions to journalism, "60 Minutes" and CBS speak for themselves. Having said that, it is way past time for retirement!

 

[Almo]

> Mike Wallace is an amazing individual. He successfully made
> the transition from acting, hosting game shows and
> advertising to become one of TV's most recognizeable
> personalities. His contributions to journalism, "60 Minutes"
> and CBS speak for themselves. Having said that, it is way
> past time for retirement!
Mike had problems that he probably felt would worsen, if he got out of the biz. I don't think he intended to be working at 87. It's good he's chilling out, after a legendary career.

 

[mjlarochelle]

> Mike had problems that he probably felt would worsen,
> if he got out of the biz. I don't think he intended to be
> working at 87. It's good he's chilling out, after a
> legendary career.
-----------
My grandfather is 87 and is turning 88 this year as well, and I can't see him doing what Mike Wallace does in a million years.

The mandatory retirement age at CBS used to be 65, and Mike Wallace was originally supposed to retire in 1983, but CBS made an exception for him.<P ID="signature">______________
From WNBC-TV New York this is Liiiiive at Fiiiiive!</P>

 

[Joseph_Gallant]

M.J. Larochelle commented:

> The mandatory retirement age at CBS used to be 65, and Mike
> Wallace was originally supposed to retire in 1983, but CBS
> made an exception for him.

I thought the first exception CBS made to the retirement age of 65 was for Lowell Thomas, so he could continue his nightly newscasts on CBS Radio.

A few years later, another exception was made for network chairman Bill Paley. Ironically, no exception was made for Vice-Chairman Frank Stanton, who was forced to step down in 1973.

I believe CBS no longer has any mandatory retirement age.

 

[bpatrick]

> M.J. Larochelle commented:
>
> > The mandatory retirement age at CBS used to be 65, and
> Mike
> > Wallace was originally supposed to retire in 1983, but CBS
>
> > made an exception for him.
>
> I thought the first exception CBS made to the retirement age
> of 65 was for Lowell Thomas, so he could continue his
> nightly newscasts on CBS Radio.
>
> A few years later, another exception was made for network
> chairman Bill Paley. Ironically, no exception was made for
> Vice-Chairman Frank Stanton, who was forced to step down in
> 1973.
>
> I believe CBS no longer has any mandatory retirement age.
>
I believe you're right. It stands to reason; Wallace will
be 88 in May, Dan Rather and Morley Safer turn 75 this year,
and Bob Schieffer is pushing 70.