Andy Rooney Signs Off With One Last Complaint

Rooney finishes '60 Minutes' career with thanks ... mostly
By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 3, 2011 5:44 AM CDT

Andy Rooney delivered his 1,097th and final 60 Minutes essay last night, ending a 33-year relationship with the TV newsmagazine. "Not many people in this world have been as lucky as I've been," he said. "I've done a lot of complaining here, but of all the things I've complained about, I can't complain about my life." In his farewell piece, he noted that "I probably haven't said anything here that you didn't already know or have already thought. That's what a writer does. A writer's job is to tell the truth."

And, true to nature, he closed with one last curmudgeonly complaint: "I spent my first 50 years trying to become well known as a writer, and the next 30 trying to avoid being famous. I walk down the street now or go to a football game and people shout, 'Hey, Andy!' And I hate that." And though he offered up a sweet sentiment—"It's hard to accept being liked. I don't say this often, but thank you"—his parting words were 100% Andy Rooney: Should you see the 92-year-old at a restaurant, "please, just let me eat my dinner." (Click for one writer's take on why Andy Rooney will be missed.)

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