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For more than 30 years, John Kiesewetter has been the source for information about all things in local media — comings and goings, local people appearing on the big or small screen, special programs, and much more. Contact John at johnkiese@yahoo.com.

Charles Osgood Retiring From 'CBS Sunday Morning'

CBS News

Sunday mornings will never be the same.

Charles Osgood is retiring from "CBS Sunday Morning" on Sept. 25.

To me, he's a bigger loss at CBS than David Letterman. He's been our Sunday morning companion for 22 years, since taking over the show from Charles Kurault in 1984.  Osgood is a poet and renaissance man, and the show has reflected that in his tenure. 

His 45-year CBS News career will be celebrated during his final broadcast as anchor, CBS News said Sunday after the on-air announcement today by Osgood, who turns 84 in January.

He told viewers:

Credit CBS News
Charles Osgood

“Some of you may have heard rumors lately that I won't be hosting these ‘Sunday Morning’ broadcasts very much longer. Well, I'm here to tell you that the rumors are true.

"For years now people — even friends and family — have been asking me why I keep doing this considering my age. I am pushing 84. It's just that it’s been such a joy doing it! Who wouldn't want to be the one who gets to introduce these terrific storytellers and the producers and writers and others who put this wonderful show together.

"I want to thank all of them and all of you in our still-growing audience for your support and encouragement. It's been a great run, but after nearly 50 years at CBS, including the last 22 years here on ‘Sunday Morning,’ the time has come. The date is set for me to do my farewell ‘Sunday Morning.’ It’s September the 25th, after which you can still see me on the radio. ‘The Osgood File’ continues.”

Osgood will continue “The Osgood File,” his daily news commentaries broadcast on the CBS Radio Network and stations around the country. (Does anyone know if they air in Cincinnati?)

He will also make occasional appearances on "CBS Sunday Morning," CBS said Sunday.

My favorite "Osgood File" commentaries were the ones he wrote in verse. His first book was called, Nothing Could Be Finer Than a Crisis That Is Minor in the Morning (Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1979). He's also written A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the White House (Hyperion, 2008); There's Nothing I Wouldn't Do if You Would Be My POSSLQ (Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1981); Osgood on Speaking: How to Think on Your Feet without Falling on Your Face (William Morrow and Company, 1988); The Osgood Files (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1991); and See You on the Radio (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1999). He edited Funny Letters From Famous People (Broadway Books, 2003) and Kilroy Was Here (Hyperion, 2001).

He also has performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and played piano and banjo with the New York Pops and Boston Pops Orchestras.

Born in New York, Osgood graduated from Fordham University in 1954 with a B.S. degree in economics.  Before joining CBS News, Osgood was an anchor and reporter for WCBS-AM News Radio 880 in New York; worked for ABC News; served as the general manager of WHCT-TV in Hartford, CT; and was program director and manager for WGMS radio in Washington, D.C.  

Since joining CBS News in 1971, the versatile Osgood has been an anchor and reporter for every broadcast on the network, including the “CBS Morning News,” the “CBS Evening News with Dan Rather” and the “CBS Sunday Night News.”

With Osgood as host, "CBS Sunday Morning" has won three Daytime Emmys as Outstanding Morning Program. He also has received a Peabody Award, the  Walter Cronkite Excellence in Journalism Award from Arizona State University and the National Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award.

We'll miss you, Charlie. Sundays just won't be the same. See you on the radio! 

John Kiesewetter, who has covered television and media for more than 35 years, has been working for Cincinnati Public Radio and WVXU-FM since 2015.