Hewitt On Wallace: “A Rare Talent”

Quoting David Zurawik‘s column in today’s Baltimore Sun: 60 Minutes “owes its success more to Wallace than anyone still associated with the program, according to Don Hewitt, who invented the newsmagazine genre with the creation of 60 Minutes.”

Hewitt says: “Mike was the ultimate eclectic, nonbeat reporter. The whole world was his beat. How many correspondents can interview [rhythm & blues singer] Tina Turner one week, and [classical pianist] Vladimir Horowitz the next. That’s a rare talent.”

More: “He has done them all for 50 years. And not just newsmakers and celebrities. Mike was able to bond with so many people from so many walks of life — from the prisoner in his cell, to the cop on the beat. And he brought all of that to 60 Minutes week after week. I hope he enjoys his retirement — he’s earned it.”