NEW YORK — Dan Rather returned to the CBS News airwaves for the first time since his bitter exit 18 years ago, appearing in a reflective interview on “CBS Sunday Morning” days before the debut of a Netflix documentary on the 92-year-old newsman’s life.
After 44 years at the network, 24 as anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” Rather left under a cloud following a botched investigation into then-President George W. Bush’s military record.
Rather signed off as anchor for the last time on March 9, 2005, and exited the network when his contract ended 15 months later.
With continued enmity between him and since-deposed CBS chief Leslie Moonves, Rather essentially became a nonperson at the news division he dominated for decades.
“Without apology or explanation, I miss CBS,” Rather told correspondent Lee Cowan in the interview that aired Sunday.
Over the past few years, he has become known to a new generation as a tart-talking presence on social media.
In both the documentary and in the CBS interview, Rather bypasses his career when talk turned to his legacy.
“In the end, whatever remains of one’s life — family, friends — those are going to be the things for which you’re remembered,” he said.
NEW YORK — Days before the release of a Netflix documentary on the 92-year-old newsman’s life, Dan Rather made his first public appearance on the CBS News broadcasts since his bitter exit eighteen years ago. He did this in a contemplative interview on “CBS Sunday Morning.”.
After working for the network for 44 years—24 of those as an anchor of “CBS Evening News”—Rather departed in disgrace due to a flawed probe into the former president, George W. The combat history of Bush. On March 9, 2005, Rather submitted his final resignation as an anchor, and he left the network 15 months later when his contract expired.
Rather essentially vanished from the news division he led for decades due to the ongoing animosity between him and the since-fired CBS chief Leslie Moonves.
Rather said to correspondent Lee Cowan in the Sunday-airing interview, “I miss CBS, without apology or explanation.”. Ever since I departed, I have been missing it. “.
somewhat avoided official repercussions for the report that cast doubt on Bush’s National Guard service during the Vietnam War, although, as the anchor introducing it, they were linked to it. Many of the people involved in the story still think it’s true, even though CBS could not attest to the authenticity of some of the documents used as the basis for the report.
Rather said in the documentary “Rather,” which debuted on Netflix on Wednesday, that he had assumed he would survive the incident. However, his wife Jean informed him, “You got into a fight with the president of the United States during his reelection campaign.”. What were you expecting to happen?
After departing from CBS, Rather continued to work as an investigative journalist and conduct interviews with rock stars for HDNet, a digital cable and satellite television network. A new generation has come to know him in recent years as a tart-talking social media figure.
He made the following post on X last week, amid the hush money trial of the former president Trump: “Is it just me or did today seem sleazy even for Donald Trump?”.
It is possible to become involved and involved in the new terms dot. Rather stated in the Texas home videotaped CBS interview, “or you’re out of the game.”. Moreover, I desired to continue playing. “.
The Netflix documentary follows his career beginning with his reporting on President John F. Kennedy’s murder, the Vietnam War, Watergate, and everything from his anchor years forward. It includes a few of the more bizarre incidents that the then-tightly wound Rather was involved in, such as an attack in New York City where someone asked him, “What’s the frequency, Kenneth?” and his subsequent onstage appearance with RdotE. M. when the ensemble played the title track.
Rather sidesteps his career when discussing his legacy, both in the documentary and in the CBS interview.
“Whatever is left of a person’s life—family and friends—those will be the things that people remember them for,” he remarked.
