Steve Kroft, who served as a correspondent for "60 Minutes" for 30 seasons, recently discussed his extensive career on the CBS news program during an appearance on Bill O’Reilly’s “We’ll Do It Live!” podcast.
Kroft described the role as demanding and challenging, while also highlighting the appeal of focusing on compelling stories and receiving significant public exposure.
Kroft's Tenure and Reflections
Kroft joined "60 Minutes" in 1989 and retired from CBS in 2019 at the age of 73, making him the show's longest-tenured correspondent. During the podcast, Kroft characterized his time on the program as challenging and stated he disliked aspects of his tenure.
Demands of the Role
Kroft detailed the continuous commitment required by the role, describing it as a 24-hour responsibility. Key aspects of the job included:
- Frequent travel, often involving jet flights.
- Limited or interrupted sleep due to constant calls and demands.
- Multiple days dedicated to scriptwriting.
- Regular attendance at screenings before the cycle repeated.
Appeals and Challenges of the Environment
Kroft indicated that the appeal of "60 Minutes" stemmed from its emphasis on substantive and compelling stories, alongside the broad public exposure, both positive and negative, that his reporting received. He also noted that reporting on high-risk subjects generated a sense of excitement among the journalistic team.
However, Kroft also described a competitive atmosphere within the "60 Minutes" newsroom. He recalled experiencing animosity and jealousy from some colleagues after securing his position, leading him to describe the environment as a "snake pit."
Key Journalistic Contributions
Throughout his career at "60 Minutes," Kroft was responsible for several notable journalistic contributions, including:
- An interview with Hillary Clinton, then the spouse of future President Bill Clinton, regarding rumors of an extramarital affair, during which she made a widely noted statement.
- An investigation into insider trading within the U.S. Congress, which prompted significant reform.
- Conducting 11 interviews with President Barack Obama.