"60 Minutes" Correspondent Morley Safer (1931-2016) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 05-19-2016, 12:23 PM

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Morley Safer, an intrepid storyteller and interviewer whose name became synonymous with the newsmagazine "60 Minutes," has died. He was 84.

Safer was the longest-serving correspondent in "60 Minutes" history. He joined the CBS program in 1970, just two years after it launched, and worked there ever since, contributing 919 reports over the years. He filed his last report in March.

CBS announced Safer's retirement last week and televised a special hour-long retrospective about his career on Sunday. The timing of the announcement was partly due to Safer's poor health.

Jeff Fager, the executive producer of "60 Minutes," visited Safer after the retirement announcement and said Safer, a "humble man who never expects attention," soaked up all the recognition of his achievements.

Safer, a native of Canada, wrote for Canadian newspapers in the 1950s before joining the CBC as a television correspondent. From there, he moved to CBS, first as a London-based correspondent, quickly relocating to Saigon to cover the Vietnam War.

"He was an extraordinary writer and reporter, and a true gentleman," said CNN anchor and "60 Minutes" contributor Anderson Cooper. "From his work during the War in Vietnam to his completely unique and evocative pieces for 60 Minutes, he set the standard for what we all want to be as journalists. His kind shall not pass this way again."

His work as a war correspondent was legendary.
As recounted in the "Encyclopedia of Television News," Safer's "1965 film report showing a marine at Cam Ne setting a hut on fire with a cigarette lighter almost single handedly ushered in the era known as 'the living room war.' President Lyndon Johnson was irate over the negative publicity Safer created concerning the Vietnam War and unsuccessfully pressured CBS to censor him."
Safer wrote a book, "Flashbacks: On Returning to Vietnam," in 1990.

After his tours of journalistic duty in Vietnam, China and elsewhere, he returned to London in 1968, this time as bureau chief for CBS. Then he joined "60 Minutes" two years later.
Safer's insatiable curiosity was a perfect fit for the newsmagazine. He investigated wrongdoing, profiled tycoons and celebrities, and told offbeat tales that were rarely seen elsewhere on TV.

"They were works of art almost," Fager said in Sunday's hour-long tribune. "What makes a story a Morley story is his original voice. And by that I mean not just the timbre, but [also] the quality of the storytelling, his writing."

In a statement last week, when his retirement was announced, Safer said, "It's been a wonderful run, but the time has come to say goodbye to all of my friends at CBS and the dozens of people who kept me on the air."

Penny Lane · 05-19-2016, 12:38 PM

RIP Morley Safer

1960'sTVfan · 05-19-2016, 01:05 PM

Sad news, R.I.P. Mr. Safer. A legend of journalism, he always performed his work superbly and with professionalism.

AB · 05-19-2016, 04:16 PM

Rest in peace.

Coffeecup · 05-28-2016, 11:11 AM

Sad another person passed on. I haven't watched 60 Minutes in years. My folks were avid watchers of the show in the 1970's and 1980's. After the 60 Minutes if I remember correctly was Murder She Wrote in the mid 1980's. Gee time flies.

Janice · 05-28-2016, 01:10 PM

Rest in Peace.

Family Ties Forever! · 05-29-2016, 12:11 AM

RIP

05-19-2016, 12:23 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	"60 Minutes" Correspondent Morley Safer (1931-2016) Link Morley Safer, an intrepid storyteller and interviewer whose name became synonymous with the newsmagazine "60 Minutes," has died. He was 84. Safer was the longest-serving correspondent in "60 Minutes" history. He joined the CBS program in 1970, just two years after it launched, and worked there ever since, contributing 919 reports over the years. He filed his last report in March. CBS announced Safer's retirement last week and televised a special hour-long retrospective about his career on Sunday. The timing of the announcement was partly due to Safer's poor health. Jeff Fager, the executive producer of "60 Minutes," visited Safer after the retirement announcement and said Safer, a "humble man who never expects attention," soaked up all the recognition of his achievements. Safer, a native of Canada, wrote for Canadian newspapers in the 1950s before joining the CBC as a television correspondent. From there, he moved to CBS, first as a London-based correspondent, quickly relocating to Saigon to cover the Vietnam War. "He was an extraordinary writer and reporter, and a true gentleman," said CNN anchor and "60 Minutes" contributor Anderson Cooper. "From his work during the War in Vietnam to his completely unique and evocative pieces for 60 Minutes, he set the standard for what we all want to be as journalists. His kind shall not pass this way again." His work as a war correspondent was legendary. As recounted in the "Encyclopedia of Television News," Safer's "1965 film report showing a marine at Cam Ne setting a hut on fire with a cigarette lighter almost single handedly ushered in the era known as 'the living room war.' President Lyndon Johnson was irate over the negative publicity Safer created concerning the Vietnam War and unsuccessfully pressured CBS to censor him." Safer wrote a book, "Flashbacks: On Returning to Vietnam," in 1990. After his tours of journalistic duty in Vietnam, China and elsewhere, he returned to London in 1968, this time as bureau chief for CBS. Then he joined "60 Minutes" two years later. Safer's insatiable curiosity was a perfect fit for the newsmagazine. He investigated wrongdoing, profiled tycoons and celebrities, and told offbeat tales that were rarely seen elsewhere on TV. "They were works of art almost," Fager said in Sunday's hour-long tribune. "What makes a story a Morley story is his original voice. And by that I mean not just the timbre, but [also] the quality of the storytelling, his writing." In a statement last week, when his retirement was announced, Safer said, "It's been a wonderful run, but the time has come to say goodbye to all of my friends at CBS and the dozens of people who kept me on the air."
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

05-19-2016, 12:38 PM	#2
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,048	RIP Morley Safer
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

05-29-2016, 12:11 AM	#7
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	RIP
	__________________ Jenny

05-19-2016, 01:05 PM	#3
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,077	Sad news, R.I.P. Mr. Safer. A legend of journalism, he always performed his work superbly and with professionalism.

05-19-2016, 04:16 PM	#4
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	Rest in peace.

05-28-2016, 11:11 AM	#5
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,181	Sad another person passed on. I haven't watched 60 Minutes in years. My folks were avid watchers of the show in the 1970's and 1980's. After the 60 Minutes if I remember correctly was Murder She Wrote in the mid 1980's. Gee time flies.

05-28-2016, 01:10 PM	#6
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Rest in Peace.