In Memoriam: Mike Wallace

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

There were giants of the news media that today's blowed-dryed pretty boys and girls fall woefully short of their standards: Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, and Mike Wallace, for example.

Mike Wallace of CBS News and one of the creators of 60 Minutes died last night at the age of 93.

One of my favorite shows used to be 60 Minutes. There was Mike Wallace investigating some fraud or rip-off and going under-cover to get the goods, but my favorite part was always when he showed up with a camera to confront the individual and said "Mike Wallace, 60 Minutes, can I talk to you?" No words inspired more fear or trepidation.

In 2004, I had contacted 60 Minutes about an election integrity matter I was working on with other lawyers. My phone rang and I answered it, and the caller introduced himself, "Mike Wallace, 60 Minutes." At first I thought this had to be a prank, but as he talked I recognized his distinctive voice. How cool was that! Mike Wallace personally called me back. (60 Minutes never aired the investigation). I'll always have my "Mike Wallace, 60 Minutes, can I talk to you?" moment. Thanks, Mike.

Here is the memoriam at CBS News. Remembering Mike Wallace 1918-2012 – CBS News:

For half a century, he took on corrupt politicians, scam artists and bureaucratic bumblers. His visits were preceded by the four dreaded words: Mike Wallace is here.  

Wallace took to heart the old reporter's pledge to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. He characterized himself as "nosy and insistent." 

So insistent, there were very few 20th century icons who didn't submit to a Mike Wallace interview.

* * *

It's hard to believe, but when Wallace was born in 1918 there wasn't even a radio in most American homes, much less a TV.

* * *

At the University of Michigan, where his parents hoped he'd become a doctor or lawyer, he got hooked instead on radio. And by 1941, Mike was the announcer on "The Green Hornet."

"My family didn't know what to make of it – an announcer?" he recalled.

He was soon the hardest-working announcer in broadcasting.

When television arrived in the 1950s, Wallace was everywhere . . . variety shows, game shows, dramas, commercials.

But it was an interview show called "Nightbeat," first broadcast in 1956, that Wallace remembered fit him like custom-made brass knuckles. "We decided to ask the irreverent question, the abrasive question, the who-gives-a-damn question."

* * *

So when "60 Minutes" was born in 1968, Wallace brought with him his "Nightbeat" persona, and contributed 40 years' worth of nosiness, impertinence, and, of course, drama.

* * *

It was 65 years from Mike's first appearance on camera – a World War II film for the Navy – to his last television appearance, a "60 Minutes" interview with Roger Clemens, the baseball star trying to fight off accusations of steroid use.

65 years!

We're all going to miss you, Mike.