60 MINUTES {CHERNOBYL; STEALTH; GRAND CENTRAL} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of news magazine programs. This edition features reports on the legacy of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the U.S. Air ForceÕs stealth program, and the paradoxes of New York CityÕs Grand Central railway terminal. First, in "Chernobyl," Steve Kroft travels to the Soviet Union to survey the areas most affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Robert Gale, a medical professor with an international emergency team, talks about the dangerous decontamination work, and Kroft visits several deserted cities and villages that were evacuated because of radioactive contamination. Soviet nuclear experts state that the logistical problems that led to the explosion of plant number four threaten other Soviet plants still in operation, but financial concerns prevent the plants from being closed because they generate much needed, inexpensive power. Information is also provided about the long-term effects of the nuclear explosion--which will likely affect younger generations with cancers several decades in the future--and about Soviet plans to combat radiation and prevent excessive exposure. Next, in "Stealth," Mike Wallace delves into the mystery surrounding the U.S. Air Force's plans to build a series of B2 stealth bomber planes. First, Wallace speaks with the retired Pentagon director of air warfare who initiated the plan to build quiet, inexpensive fighter planes in the 1970s. The ex-director explains that his plans mutated into the current high-budget program to build planes that are undetectable by radar and that can be used defensively in the event of a nuclear airstrike. A weapons analyst argues that the B2 is not only detectable by a number of radar systems in spite of claims of its virtual invisibility; it also lacks any real strategic benefit. Following an official statement on behalf of the U.S. military by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral William Crow, an Oklahoma Congressman and his associate discuss their research to determine the actual cost of the stealth program, which is hidden from the public in the PentagonÕs secret "black budget." Finally, in "Grand Central," Morley Safer reports on the daily routine of activities in the Grand Central railway station. The stationmaster and police officers note that throughout the day hundreds of commuters compete for space with the homeless people who take refuge in the station. Railroad employees also comment on the behavior of passengers, and police officers are shown clearing homeless individuals from their various resting places in the station. The program concludes with a brief update by Kroft and with several letters from viewers about the segment "A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney." Includes commercials with Paul McCartney for Visa, Peter Onorati for Amana, and Tina Turner for Plymouth.
Cataloging of this program has been made possible by the Bell Atlantic Foundation, 2000.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: February 18, 1990 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:56:04
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:48051
- GENRE: News magazine
- SUBJECT HEADING: Chernobyl Nuclear Accident, Chernobyl, Ukraine, 1986; United States Air Force - Weapons systems; Railroad stations - New York
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1968-
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - AT&T telecommunications
- TV - Commercials - Amana appliances
- TV - Commercials - Anacin pain reliever
- TV - Commercials - Chrysler automobiles
- TV - Commercials - CoAdvil cold medicine
- TV - Commercials - Crispix cereal
- TV - Commercials - Gilette razors
- TV - Commercials - Goodyear automobile tires
- TV - Commercials - McDonaldÕs restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Mercedes automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Plymouth automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Sunsweet prunes
- TV - Commercials - Visa credit card
CREDITS
- Don Hewitt … Executive Producer, Writer, News Writer
- Philip Scheffler … Senior Producer
- Merri Lieberthal … Producer
- William K. McClure … Producer, For "Chernobyl"
- Thompson, Charles C., II … Producer, For "Stealth", Writer, News Writer
- Holly K. Fine … Producer, For "Grand Central", Writer, News Writer
- Paul Fine … Producer, For "Grand Central"
- Cindy Babski … Associate Producer, For "Chernobyl"
- David McGloin … Associate Producer, For "Grand Central"
- Susan Bieber … Production (Misc.), Assistant Producer
- Ariadne Allan … Production (Misc.), Assistant Producer, For "Stealth"
- Deven McGraw … Production (Misc.), Assistant Producer, For "Grand Central"
- Arthur Bloom … Director
- Allen Mack … Direction (Misc.), Associate Director
- Alicia Tanz Flaum … Direction (Misc.), Associate Director
- Ed Bradley … Reporter
- Steve Kroft … Reporter
- Harry Reasoner … Reporter
- Morley Safer … Reporter
- Mike Wallace … Reporter
- William Crow
- Robert Gale
- Andy Rooney