
Ticking Clock
Behind the Scenes at 60 Minutes
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Narrated by:
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Ira Rosen
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L. J. Ganser
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By:
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Ira Rosen
About this listen
This program includes a prologue read by the author.
Two-time Peabody Award-winning writer and producer Ira Rosen reveals the intimate, untold stories of his decades at America’s most iconic news show. It’s a 60 Minutes story on 60 Minutes itself.
When producer Ira Rosen walked into the 60 Minutes offices in June 1980, he knew he was about to enter television history. His career catapulted him to the heights of TV journalism, breaking some of the most important stories in TV news. But behind the scenes was a war room of clashing producers, anchors, and the most formidable 60 Minutes figure: legendary correspondent Mike Wallace.
Based on decades of access and experience, Ira Rosen takes readers behind closed doors to offer an incisive look at the show that invented TV investigative journalism. With surprising humor, charm, and an eye for colorful detail, Rosen delivers an authoritative account of the unforgettable personalities that battled for prestige, credit, and the desire to scoop everyone else in the game. As Mike Wallace’s top producer, Rosen reveals the interview secrets that made Wallace’s work legendary, and the flaring temper that made him infamous. Later, as senior producer of ABC News Primetime Live and 20/20, Rosen exposes the competitive environment among famous colleagues like Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters, and the power plays between correspondents Chris Wallace, Anderson Cooper, and Chris Cuomo.
A master class in how TV news is made, Rosen shows listeners how 60 Minutes puts together a story when sources are explosive, unreliable, and even dangerous. From unearthing shocking revelations from inside the Trump White House, to an outrageous proposition from Ghislaine Maxwell, to interviewing gangsters Joe Bonanno and John Gotti Jr., Ira Rosen was behind the scenes of 60 Minutes' most sensational stories.
Highly entertaining, dishy, and unforgettable, Ticking Clock is a never-before-told account of the most successful news show in American history.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press
©2021 Ira Rosen (P)2021 Macmillan AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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What listeners say about Ticking Clock
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- Ken Larsen
- 12-04-21
Narcissist
Mr. Rosen's fascinating, first hand account of how the sausage is made at shows like 60 Minutes confirms that the yeoman's work is done behind the scenes, under enormous pressure while the on air personalities are little more than glamorized, over paid, spoiled, narcissist.
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- abby carmean
- 03-06-21
Thoroughly enjoyed!
The book was more informative than I expected.
In addition it was entertaining with some laugh out loud moments.
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- Anonymous User
- 03-28-21
Ticking Clock
Hearing the background stories were extremely interesting. your life was a success. Thanks for the insight.
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- Ms N
- 05-19-21
The True Inside Story
It really gives you a different perspective on CBS and the people behind the network. Great stories.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Matt Van Excellent
- 05-04-25
Great stories and great READING!!!
Ira was so forthcoming and honest it really made a fascinating career also very interesting!! Highly recommend!!
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- Abhilash + Asha M
- 02-26-21
such an amazing gem.
this is amazing. I honestly ran into this book accidentally and I loved every single minute of the story and probably the best book that I have read all year. I have no clue about journalism or broadcast television and this book is an amazing testament to the work that goes behind the scenes and the stories that happened between the scenes.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Paul H Lehmann
- 03-16-21
Dishing on the Celebs
Well I don't think Mr Rosen will be writing a sequel because I'm sure he broke his arm patting himself me back. I think when everyone you work with is a problem eventually you need to think that the one constant in the story is you. I'm sure the correspondent's were prime donna's but it seemed that the author needed constant praise and recognition as well. I remember when I produced concerts I would tell my staff that if we do our job then nobody knows we existed. They only see us if we screw up. I think Mr. Rosen could have used that lesson as well.
Interesting stories and behind the scenes stories but it often felt like he was just trying to settle a score not relaying the facts.
Fun read though.
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- Alison Sattler
- 11-25-24
Captivating Stories
Loved listening to what it was like to work at 60 Minutes. Soooo glad I opted out of journalusm as a career. mean, disgusting behavior by Mike Wallace and others...all of the men who pushed women out with their harrassment.
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- WOH
- 02-20-21
Expected
I do not think much of those in media, and this confirms my suspicion. It confirmed many of the people discussed in this book.
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7 people found this helpful
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- Laura Grandmont
- 02-25-21
Fantastic
Such a well-written memoir, with just enough inside information added in. I enjoyed every minute of this book, probably one of the best reads I've had in a long time.
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4 people found this helpful