Ticking Clock

Behind the Scenes at 60 Minutes

By: Ira Rosen

Narrated by: Ira Rosen, L. J. Ganser

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 Audio

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.

Thoroughly enjoyed!

The book was more informative than I expected.
In addition it was entertaining with some laugh out loud moments.

Ticking Clock

Hearing the background stories were extremely interesting. your life was a success. Thanks for the insight.

The True Inside Story

It really gives you a different perspective on CBS and the people behind the network. Great stories.

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.

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.

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.

Great insight into beloved news show

It was great to get the backstory behind this enduring and very important news show. I had wish there was a tiny bit less focus on the personalities and a little bit more on the journalistic values driving the decisions there. But it certainly had some of that as well. And many people will love hearing more about their favorite new celebrities.

If you love 60 Minutes...

You’ll love this book. It’s full of great stories—some gossip, some background. I had trouble leaving it.

Very revealing

A bit slow in the beginning but does not take long to get into the nitty gritty. Very interesting