CBS News’ “60 Minutes” is reportedly planning to bring back the commentary segment made famous by Andy Rooney, with Jerry Seinfeld, John Cleese, and Stephen A. Smith among those approached to participate. The segment, titled “A Few Minutes,” is expected to feature a rotating cast of personalities when the newsmagazine’s 59th season premieres on September 13.
Seinfeld has reportedly discussed the possibility of joining the segment but ultimately turned down the offer. Information regarding Cleese’s and Smith’s decisions was not immediately available. The revival aims to reinstate one of “60 Minutes’” most recognizable features as new executive producer Nick Bilton oversees a significant overhaul of the program’s staff and correspondent roster.
Andy Rooney began delivering his signature commentaries on a wide range of subjects in 1978. The segment became a consistent feature at the end of the Sunday broadcast for over three decades until Rooney’s final regular appearance in 2011. Rooney passed away a month later at the age of 92.
Marketing professor Scott Galloway also revealed that he had conversations with CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss about contributing to the program, which eventually focused on the possibility of him delivering an Andy Rooney-style segment. Galloway stated that while he discussed potential roles and even proposed a segment idea, the talks did not result in a collaboration.
The planned revival coincides with a period of substantial change for “60 Minutes.” Bilton has been recruiting new talent, including Norah O’Donnell, who has been elevated to full correspondent, New York Times opinion columnist Ross Douthat joining as a correspondent, and author Sebastian Junger and journalist Gianna Toboni added as contributors. British broadcaster Sir Trevor Phillips and former New Yorker staff writer Ariel Levy have also joined the program.
These additions follow a significant staff purge in May, which included the dismissal of executive producer Tanya Simon, correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, senior executive producer Draggan Mihailovich, producer Guy Campanile, and digital operations chief Matthew Polevoy. Veteran correspondent Scott Pelley was reportedly fired shortly after an incident during a staff meeting. Anderson Cooper also concluded his long-standing association with the program, leaving Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim as the remaining correspondents from the previous lineup.
Bilton has described the new recruits as “entrepreneurial journalists who understand how to reach modern audiences,” indicating an effort to expand the program's reach beyond its traditional broadcast format. CBS News has been approached for comment on the reported developments.