Claim: Commentator Andy Rooney said God asked him to "tell your viewers that both Pat Robertson and Mel Gibson strike me as wackos."
Origins: So much of what has attributed to 60 Minutes commentator Andy Rooney on the Internet is apocryphal — including a piece praising older women, one explaining his political views, and another expounding on a variety of social topics — that just about any item bearing his name should be taken with a grain of salt. This entry is an exception that warns against an over-reliance on such general rules, however.
Mr. Rooney's commentary during the
(Footage from "The Passion of the Christ") ROONEY: (Voiceover) The movie by Mel Gibson called "The Passion of the Christ" is the other religious issue in the news. Everyone's talking about that. The question is whether the Jews killed Jesus Christ, who was Jewish, of course. I hadn't wanted to say anything about this, because it seemed like a personal (Footage of Pat Robertson) ROONEY: (Voiceover) . . . but Pat Robertson isn't the only one who has heard from God. I heard from God just the other night. God always seems to call at night. 'Andrew,' God said to me — he always calls me Andrew. I like (Footage of Robertson; Mel Gibson) ROONEY: (Voiceover) ' . . . both Pat Robertson and Mel Gibson strike me as wackos. I believe that's one of your current words. They're crazy as bedbugs,' another earthly expression. 'I created bed bugs, and I'll tell you they're no crazier than people. Let me just say,' God said to me, 'that I think I'd remember if I'd ever talked to Pat Robertson and I'd remember if I said Bush would get (Footage of Gibson and Diane Sawyer) ROONEY: (Voiceover) 'But I did catch Gibson being interviewed by Diane Sawyer. Did something right when I came up with her, didn't I? Anyway, as I was saying, Mel is a real nutcase.' (Footage of Gibson) ROONEY: (Voiceover) 'What in the world was I thinking when I created him? Listen, we all make mistakes,' God said to me. That's about all he did say, because I'm sure God has a lot more important things to do than talk to someone on television. My own question to Pat Robertson is this: The election looks as though it could be close, certainly not a My question to Mel Gibson is how many million dollars does it look as if you're going to make off the crucifixion of Christ?
It doesn't seen right, but religion has been in the news a lot recently. Pat Robertson says that God has spoken to him and told him that George W. Bush will be
According to an Associated Press account, what Pat Robertson said about the forthcoming presidential election during a
Associated Press version: "I think George Bush is going to win in a walk. I really believe I'm hearing from the Lord it's going to be like a blowout election in 2004. It's shaping up that way."
60 Minutes version: "I think George Bush is going to win in a wash. I'm hearing from the lord that it's going to be a blow-out."
CBS said this item drew the heaviest audience response to a
On 4 November 2011, Andy Rooney passed away at the age of 92.
Last updated: 5 November 2011
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