November 5, 2011

  • "My Brush with Rooney-Ness" by Ed Kaz

    So sad to learn of the passing of Andy Rooney this morning.  It made me suddenly recall my special encounter with the TV legend back in 2001.

    I used to work for a show called "Iyanla."  Their office was located directly above the 60 Minutes offices on 57th Street.  One crisp September morning as I walked toward the building I spied a small camera crew.  Curious, I moved closer and spotted a small man at the center of the activity. It was Andy Rooney, interviewing passers-by. His idea of a remote shoot was to place one foot out the door.

    Rooney looked up at me and inquired, "When was the last time you took a bath?"  The camera and boom mic swung quickly in my direction.  

    "I took a shower this morning." 

    His eyebrows straightened resolutely. "No. A BATH."

    At that moment my TV instincts kicked in.  The fact that I've been editing TV for over ten years at that point certainly helped. 

    Oh!  I know what he's looking for.

    I looked directly into his eyes and said, "Last bath I had, I was about seven years old.  My mother gave it to me before church."

    Then I took a TV pause, and delivered the line I knew Rooney wanted:

    "I HATE baths."

    With that, he smiled widely. "Thank you!  We got it!"  The crew immediately shut down their equipment and a very happy Andy Rooney almost skipped with delight back into the warm lobby.

    Sure enough, about two weeks later I tuned in 60 Minutes and there he was, whining his trademark whine.  Bath-taking versus shower-taking.  Standard-issue Andy.

    "We went out and asked people if they take baths."

    The montage of bites ran by, and of course, I was granted the punchline:  "I HATE baths."

    Cut back to Andy and off he went.

    I'm so proud I seized my moment and was, for a few fleeting seconds, a contributor to 60 Minutes. 

    I'm also happy I gave Andy Rooney what he needed so he could get the hell back into his office and finish his coffee.

    #andyrooney

                                                                                   ----- Ed Kaz

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