Mike Wallace (1) (1918–2012)

Mike Wallace with Gary Paul Gates, co-authors of Between You And Me A Memoir is packed with interesting personalities. The interviews were with visionaries, rabble rousers, con men, presidents, criminals, cultural icons, world leaders, but rather dated, since this book was published in 2005. One of the world leaders reflecting this problem is Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who came across moderately, compared to his present dictatorial ways.
Wallace’s career as an interviewer lasted for six decades. He died at 93. On 60 Minutes, things didn’t always go smoothly. At times, he and the show were controversial. He butted heads with the CBS brass. This was especially true with the investigation of William C. Westmoreland’s leadership during the Vietnam war. Problems with this program led to millions-of dollars law suit that resulted in sleepless nights, and depression, but was eventually withdrawn.
Of the hundreds of interviews, Wallace talked with presidents – all except one, artists, authors, singers -Barbara Streisand, and Tina Turner. His shows about First Ladies - Eleanor Roosevelt, and Rosalynn Carter were revealing. Black leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcom X were about Civil Rights. He however had some difficulty before landing an interview with Johnny Carson, the reigning king of the Tonight Show.… (altro)