Rooney’s ’60 Minutes’ Suspension May End Sooner Than Expected

Andy Rooney is expected to return to “60 Minutes” shortly, perhaps as early as next week, sources say.

Talks involving Rooney, David Burke, president of CBS News, and those close to the suspended commentator were held during the last 48 hours. By Thursday night, however, no decision had been reached about when Rooney might be reinstated.

Sources cautioned that CBS management was still weighing how, and when, to lift the suspension.

Earlier this week, Burke called Rooney and asked for a meeting. Both men met at the CBS News Broadcast Center Wednesday morning.

In a phone interview late Thursday, Rooney said, “We had a very pleasant conversation and he conceded that there was nothing personal. I like him fine.”

Rooney added that “it would not be inaccurate” to say that a return is imminent. He also said, “I honestly don’t know” when the suspension would be lifted. Burke did not return phone calls.

Nevertheless, Rooney, in anticipation of an early return, has prepared a piece for this Sunday’s edition of “60 Minutes.” But it now appears viewers may have to wait until at least March 4 to see it.

Burke suspended Rooney Feb. 8 for three months, for racist remarks he was quoted as making in The Advocate, a gay magazine based in Los Angeles. Rooney denied making the remarks, but Burke enforced the suspension anyway. Rooney was not expected to return to the air until May.

Now CBS brass is rethinking its position. In the three weeks following the suspension, Burke and CBS News have come under enormous pressure from viewers calling for Rooney’s reinstatement. Pressure has also come from within CBS News. Don Hewitt, executive producer of “60 Minutes,” would like to see the popular commentator back on the show soon.

There may be another reason for lifting the suspension, sources say. By getting back Rooney, CBS hopes to bolster the show’s ratings, which have declined slightly since Rooney has been off the air.