For whom does the stopwatch toll? It tolls for thee. While CBS has run this news program since 1968, 60 Minutes arguably had a heyday in the 1980s, where it spent seven seasons as one of the top 5 rated programs.
Often noted by trivia buffs as the only show on TV with no theme music, you can wow your friends by laying that bit of pseudo-fact to rest. While it was quite avant garde back in the 60s to refrain from heralding the likes of Mike Wallace and Morley Safer with triumphant brass-toned marches or jazzy appeals to gather 'round the boob tube, opening shows without music, or even credits has become a bit more commonplace.
But that frantic ticking did let viewers know they were in for news. 60 Minutes developed the reporter-centered investigatory style seen in most news magazine shows today. The show pioneered many investigative journalism techniques, including re-editing interviews, hidden cameras, and "gotcha" visits to the home or office of the person under investigation. The show remains a top network draw and is one of the longest running programs in American history.
