Old Friends, Memories, and the Work

A Reason To Smile

New York City was, for many decades, the epicenter of my life. 

It was (and remains) the home of CBS News headquarters, the studio where we delivered the “Evening News” and election nights, the edit rooms where we wrestled with “60 Minutes” pieces and ideas for pioneering a series like “48 Hours,” and the offices of the legions of colleagues with whom I had the good fortune to work. 

It was also my personal home, where Jean and I made our lives, where we met friends, went for walks, and basked in all the wonders the city has to offer. We had our favorite movie theater and diner. We went to shows and museums. There were fancy events and lazy Sundays reading the paper. I knew, and loved, the city’s streets, its tempos, its seasons, and its people.

Now home for us is Texas, and we are at an age and stage in life when travel is not as simple. Running to catch an airplane, winding our way through security, dealing with delays and luggage are hassles we would rather keep to a minimum. 

This was my first time in New York since the early days of the pandemic. Jean had been in Austin when it hit, and we were separated for months. So coming back was always going to be a big deal, for both of us. 

The occasion for this journey was the world premiere of the documentary “Rather” at the Tribeca Film Festival. It is the story of my life and career as told by the talented filmmaker Frank Marshall and his team. I participated in the film as an interviewee but had no editorial or financial role. 

It is difficult if not impossible to dispassionately judge a work like this. As most of you know, my career has had both highs and lows, which are covered in the film. But in the end, I think it was a fair treatment that attempted to get to some important truths, and as a journalist that is what one hopes for most. I am deeply honored by the care, intelligence, hard work, and artistry everyone put into the effort. 

It would have been one thing to just watch the film, but to be in a theater packed with family, friends, and colleagues was an ultimate treat. I can be thick-headed about a lot of things, but I know that nothing I have been able to accomplish in life would have been possible without the support of others — and above all, Jean, with whom I have shared more than 65 years. 

I was happy to acknowledge some of these thoughts in the post-film Q&A session. (My friend and long-time colleague Steve Tyler, the talented editor, captured the moment.)

Yes, there were some tears last night, but they were mostly ones of gratitude and happy memories. Much more prevalent were the smiles. And I was pleased to see them on the faces of those who came to support me and the film, some traveling great distances to attend. Many of these women and men have been in the trenches with me — both literal and metaphoric. We have seen each other through times of tribulation and joy, struggle and success, uncertainty and exaltation. 

What united us, and continues to do so, is a belief in the work of journalism — which never really felt like work to me. It is the sense of being part of something bigger than oneself. It is the day-to-day effort to try to make sense of the world and then convey context and perspective to one's readers or viewers. 

It is thanks to all of you here at Steady that I have the great honor to still call myself a working reporter. I never had to really retire, and that is a gift you make possible. 

The days captured in the film may be long gone. To see myself age from the other side of the camera, and to see the world change as well, was a bit surreal. 

But what choice do we have?

We focus a lot on what is wrong in the news. But looking back, I can also see that there is a lot about this country and the global community that is better, safer, wiser, more just, and more empathetic than when I was a younger reporter. We have made a lot of progress on many fronts, even if that progress is precarious. And I like to think that journalism, in its best manifestation, has played an important role. 

As I packed to leave New York, I knew that it is not certain when or if I shall return. I think about all the people I got to see and all they have given me, as has this city, as has this country, as have all of you. 

I am smiling. I like to say I am a reporter who got lucky, very lucky. I could see that last night on film. And I feel it now. Scanning the paper, it is clear that we live in very eventful times. There are so many stories I am eager to cover. 

Forward. Courage. Steady.