Alistair Cooke passes away, age 95

[Dan Murphy]

MSNBC news item

BBC news item

Omnibus, Masterpiece Theater, Letters From America. I so recall his acclaimed Alistair Cooke’s America series from the early 70's, such wonderful shows those were, brilliant.

As he retired from Masterpiece Theater in '92....

..I'm sorry to say, that, so far as I'm concerned, that is the end of Masterpiece Theater. I was hired for two years and they turned into 21," he said. " But also 40 years ago exactly this month, I first became a regular television performer as what one of my old directors called 'our writer/narrator/host.' Forty years is enough! And so, I just want to say to all those men and women and tots who, down the decades, either in the mail or in the flesh, have told us what they like and why: a very grateful thank you. So goodnight and goodbye.

As said by many, his elegance and class will be difficult to replace.

 

[JohnMouse]

A loss indeed. I remember Mr Cooke primarily for his stint as presenter of Masterpiece Theater. Later, when I got a shortwave radio, I was able to listen to his weekly Letter From America.

R.I.P., Mr Cooke.

 

[Deb in IA]

A classic himself.