Saying Goodbye to a Media Legend

Last Sunday, we said goodbye to a celebrity who personified the term of a crotchety, old curmudgeon. Andy Rooney was one of the last stalwarts of old school television personalities. He was a writer and producer who became an iconic figure for quirky observations and a scaly demeanor.

I remember old Andy closing out 60 Minutes, and the weekend in general, almost every Sunday of my life. Don’t know about you, but the “Sunday Blues” always initiated when the ticking of the stopwatch heralded the beginning of the legendary news magazine. Andy Rooney’s final commentary became a regular reminder that the weekend was over and it was time to go back to school or work life.

He became a comforting figure that you looked forward to seeing – although, his eyebrows needed a thorough grooming by an industrial Weed Eater. But, Andy eventually became a parody unto himself. The greatness of Sacha Baron Cohen – a.k.a Ali G – once famously exposed this fact quite eloquently during a hysterical prank interview.

I’ll miss him regardless of how bullheaded he could be. It is a reminder that during my lifetime several other pillars of media have either left this mortal coil. Names like Walter Cronkite and David Brinkley on the serious side of journalism and talk show hosts such as Johnny Carson, Tom Snyder and Paul Harvey, helped to define media.

Although Mr. Rooney will supposedly make guest appearances here and there, along with others on this prestigious list, he’s basically out to pasture. It’s a sad thing to say goodbye to them all.