West 57th (TV program)
A CBS news magazine that aired from 1985 to 1989.
CBS aired the news magazine West 57th from August 1985 to September 1989. Named for the network’s West 57th Street broadcast center, it began as a summer series. Its success worried 60 Minutes creator Don Hewitt, leading Andy Rooney to parody the show’s correspondents. Original reporters included Jane Wallace, Bob Sirott, Meredith Vieira, and John Ferrugia. After cancellation, Saturday Night with Connie Chung and later 48 Hours replaced it. Vieira and Steve Kroft later joined 60 Minutes.
Quick Facts
- Runtime
- 60 minutes, including commercials
- Creator
- Andrew Lack; Howard Stringer
- Executive producers
- Andrew Lack
- Theme music
- Edd Kalehoff
- Country
- United States
- Network
- CBS
- First aired
- 13 August 1985
- Last aired
- 9 September 1989
Facts from the source article.
Reaction
The program covered serious topics like the Iran–Contra affair, the Challenger disaster, and unsafe grey market drugs, but drew fire for being slick and shallow. Some attributed this criticism to a campaign by 60 Minutes executive producer Don Hewitt, who lobbied against it within CBS and through outside media contacts. The Christian Science Monitor dismissed it as a "ditsy, disco-beat docu-mag for viewers with a short attention span." John Corry of The New York Times called it "video, and it's a mess," adding that neither news nor entertainment prevailed. In contrast, Washington Post critic Tom Shales praised one segment for its impressive footage, claiming the show was raising broadcast journalism standards in photography and editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created West 57th (TV program)?
West 57th was created by Andrew Lack and Howard Stringer.
When did West 57th (TV program) first air?
West 57th first aired on 13 August 1985.
When did West 57th (TV program) end?
West 57th last aired on 9 September 1989.
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