The BEST episodes of 60 Minutes
Every episode of 60 Minutes ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of 60 Minutes!
60 Minutes has been on the air since 1968, beginning on a Tuesday, but spending most of its time on Sundays, where it remains today. This popular news magazine provides both hard hitting investigations, interviews and features, along with people in the news and current events. 60 Minutes has set unprecedented records in the Nielsen's ratings with a number 1 rating, five times, making it among the most successful TV programs in all of television history. This series has won more Emmy awards than any other news program and in 2003, Don Hewitt, the creator (back in 1968), was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Emmy, along with the 60 Minute correspondents. Added to the 11 Peabody awards, this phenomenally long-lived series has collected 78 awards up to the 2005 season and remains among the viewers top choice for news magazine features.
#1 - A New Direction on Drugs, The Greatest, Little Jazz Man
Season 48 - Episode 40 - Aired 6/5/2016
Top drug official Michael Botticelli says the old war on drugs is all wrong; 60 Minutes revisits a classic 1996 segment on Muhammad Ali, who died at age 74; And, Joey Alexander plays jazz like a veteran, but he’s just 12 years old.
Watch Now:Amazon
#2 - Gen. John Allen, Vincent van Gogh
Season 44 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/16/2011
Scott Pelley interviews Marine Corps Gen. John Allen about the war in Afghanistan; Morley Safer interviews authors Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith, who discuss their biography of Vincent van Gogh (“Van Gogh: The Life”).
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#3 - The Narrative, Growing Body Parts, Tyler Perry
Season 42 - Episode 43 - Aired 7/25/2010
“The Narrative” rebroadcasts a segment on an ideology that is used to promote anti-Western sentiment. “Growing Body Parts” rebroadcasts a discussion with scientists who are developing techniques to regrow parts of the body. “Tyler Perry” rebroadcasts a profile of the famous filmmaker. “Andy Rooney” talks about excessive desire.
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#6 - Steve Jobs, Apps for Autistic People
Season 44 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/23/2011
Author Walter Isaacson discusses his biography of Steve Jobs and reveals that Jobs refused early and potentially lifesaving surgery after learning he had cancer. Also: a report on apps for autistic people that help them communicate.
Watch Now:Amazon#7 - Hard Times Generation, The Flavorists, Angelina
Season 44 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/27/2011
Hard Times Generation - Scott Pelley brings "60 Minutes" cameras back to Central Florida to document another level of homelessness - kids and their parents living in cars. The Flavorists - Meet the scientists behind the real and artificial flavors that make foods and beverages so tasty. Morley Safer reports on this fascinating industry that food manufacturers depend on, but which critics say make some people dependent on less-than-healthy food choices. Angelina - Bob Simon profiles international film star Angelina Jolie, who has gone behind the camera to direct a film for the first time.
Watch Now:Amazon#8 - Prosecuting Wall Street, Michael Bublé
Season 44 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/4/2011
Prosecuting Wall Street - Two whistleblowers tell Steve Kroft that their warnings about fraudulent and substandard mortgages were ignored by their companies, offering a rare window into the root causes of the subprime mortgage meltdown still holding back the struggling U.S economy. Michael Buble - He fills concert halls and has sold 35 million albums by covering classic American songs made famous by crooners like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Lara Logan profiles this still-rising singer whose current album, "Christmas," is number one.
Watch Now:Amazon#9 - The Case Against Lehman, Christians of the Holy Land, The Trouble with Treasure
Season 44 - Episode 31 - Aired 4/22/2012
The Case Against Lehman - Steve Kroft talks to the bank examiner whose investigation reveals the how and why of the spectacular financial collapse of Lehman Brothers, the bankruptcy that triggered the world financial crisis. Christians of the Holy Land - Bob Simon reports on the slow exodus from the Holy Land of Palestinian Christians, who say life in the middle of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become too difficult. The Trouble with Treasure - Jay Miscovich says he found a cache of emeralds on the bottom of the ocean off of Florida, but it may be years before he can profit from the treasure.
Watch Now:Amazon#10 - Zion's Christian Soldiers, Martha Stewart, Making Their Case
Season 35 - Episode 36 - Aired 6/8/2003
“Zion’s Christian Soldiers” rebroadcasts a segment on how Israel has strong support from the Christian Right. “Martha Stewart” rebroadcasts a profile of the television hostess who is now facing securities fraud. “Clinton & Dole” debate presidential term limits. “Making Their Case” looks at how some high school debate teams are helping inner-city students perform better in school. “Andy Rooney” talks about candy bars.
#11 - The Ayatollah Al-Hakim, Toxic Town, The Coach
Season 35 - Episode 48 - Aired 8/31/2003
“The Ayatollah Al-Hakim” rebroadcasts an interview with the spiritual leader of the Shiite Muslim majority in Iraq. “Toxic Town” rebroadcasts a segment on Anniston, Alabama, one of the most toxic towns in America. “The Coach” rebroadcasts a profile of NFL coach Bill Parcells. “Andy Rooney” talks about libraries.
#12 - Harry Potter, Going Home, Diego Garcia
Season 35 - Episode 37 - Aired 6/15/2003
“Harry Potter” rebroadcasts a profile of author J.K. Rowling. “Going Home” rebroadcasts a segment on how African Americans in the north are re-migrating to what was once the segregated south. “Clinton & Dole” debate Americorp and volunteering. “Diego Garcia” looks at how 2,000 people displaced from an Indian Ocean atoll are not allowed to return due to a secret U.S. military base. “Andy Rooney” talks about boxes.
#13 - Medical Malpractice, Imported from India, Pork Power
Season 35 - Episode 38 - Aired 6/22/2003
“Medical Malpractice” examines the contentious issue of wrongful-birth lawsuits where doctors are sued for malpractice because they did not foretell a child’s birth defects. “Imported from India” rebroadcasts a segment on how some of the best engineers are coming from the Indian Institute of Technology. “Pork Power” looks at environmental and health complaints made against hog formers in North Carolina. “Andy Rooney” talks about fashion.
#14 - Title IX, Billy Crystal, Armed and Dangerous
Season 35 - Episode 39 - Aired 6/29/2003
“Title IX” rebroadcasts a segment on how male athletes are suing due to the anti-discrimination law for college sports. “Billy Crystal” rebroadcasts a profile and interview with the comedian. “Armed and Dangerous” rebroadcasts a segment on whether someone who was involuntarily committed to a mental institution should be allowed to own a gun. “Andy Rooney” talks about cotton in pill bottles.
#15 - Kidnapped, Puzzle Master, Malden Mills
Season 35 - Episode 40 - Aired 7/6/2003
“Kidnapped” rebroadcasts a segment on woman whose children were kidnapped and taken to Saudi Arabia by their fathers. “Puzzle Master” rebroadcasts an interview with the editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle. “Malden Mills” rebroadcasts a segment on a textile mill owner that continued to pay his employees after his mill was destroyed by fire. “Andy Rooney” talks about coffee.
#16 - Keeping a Secret, SUV, Lost in Translation
Season 35 - Episode 41 - Aired 7/13/2003
“Keeping a Secret” rebroadcasts a segment on whether children conceived with donated sperm should be allowed to know the identity of their biological fathers. “SUV” rebroadcasts a segment on the American obsessions with large automobiles. “Lost in Translation” rebroadcasts an interview with a FBI whistle-blower who claims that crucial information about terrorism was deliberately not translated in the weeks after 9/11. “Andy Rooney” talks about mixing food.
#17 - Sheryl Crow, North Korea, Fingerprints
Season 35 - Episode 42 - Aired 7/20/2003
“Sheryl Crow” rebroadcasts an interview with the famous singer and songwriter. “North Korea” rebroadcasts a segment on the rarely visited country and witnesses the malnutrition, desperation and deprivation that many people face there. “Fingerprints” rebroadcasts an investigation of how fingerprint misinterpretation by the police can sometimes lead to wrongful prosecutions. “Andy Rooney” talks about bathtubs.
#18 - Unhealthy Diagnosis, Bering Strait, Michael Moore
Season 35 - Episode 43 - Aired 7/27/2003
“Unhealthy Diagnosis” rebroadcasts an investigation into whether a California hospital performed unnecessary heart surgeries. “Bering Strait” rebroadcasts a look at a country music group from Russia. “Michael Moore” rebroadcasts a profile of the controversial director. “Andy Rooney” talks about his portable computer.
#19 - On the Waterfront, Qatar, Was It Done with Mirrors?
Season 35 - Episode 44 - Aired 8/3/2003
“On the Waterfront” rebroadcasts a segment on how American seaports are vulnerable to terrorism due to the massive amount of cargo passing through U.S. customs. “Qatar” rebroadcasts a look at the Persian Gulf country that is becoming the most progressive in the region. “Was It Done with Mirrors?” rebroadcasts a segment on an theory that claims that centuries old works of art were produced with the use of projection devices. “Andy Rooney” talks about junk e-mail.
#20 - The Age Wave, Montana Power, Addicted to Orchids
Season 35 - Episode 45 - Aired 8/10/2003
“The Age Wave” rebroadcasts a segment on elderly people who are still working and do not want to retire. “Montana Power” rebroadcasts an investigation into how a profitable utility was turned into a penny-stock telecom company that is now nearly bankrupt. “Addicted to Orchids” rebroadcasts a segment on the $9 billion-a-year orchid growing industry. “Andy Rooney” talks about fashion for men. Finally, Steve Kroft memorializes producer Trevor Nelson.
#21 - Small, Cheap and Deadly, Lies, The Biological Clock
Season 35 - Episode 46 - Aired 8/17/2003
“Small, Cheap and Deadly” rebroadcasts a segment on the possible use of shoulder-fired missiles by terrorists in the United States. “Lies” rebroadcasts an interview with former New Republic journalist Stephen Glass. “The Biological Clock” rebroadcasts a segment on women who want both a career and children but still need to pay attention to their biological clock.
#22 - The Wrong Man, Who Is Catherine Reynolds?, Guilty Until Proven
Season 35 - Episode 47 - Aired 8/24/2003
“The Wrong Man” rebroadcasts a segment on how the FBI wrongly investigated a CIA agent for spying. “Who Is Catherine Reynolds?” rebroadcasts a profile of a wealthy philanthropist who tries to refute charges that her donations come with stings attached. “Guilty Until Proven Innocent” rebroadcasts a look at the plight of people detained as terrorists in the wake of 9/11. “Andy Rooney” talks about throwing things away.
#23 - Qatar, Keeping a Secret, Medical Emergency
Season 35 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/9/2003
“Qatar” looks at the Persian Gulf country that is becoming the most progressive in the region. “Keeping a Secret” examines whether children conceived with donated sperm should be allowed to know the identity of their biological fathers. “Clinton & Dole” debate military action in Iraq and Bush’s tax cuts. “Medical Emergency” looks at two generations of doctors and how malpractice insurance rates may effect the prospects of the third. “Andy Rooney” talks about how a pound of coffee is no longer a pound.
#24 - Hubble, The Rocket, Shadow of Shame
Season 35 - Episode 35 - Aired 6/1/2003
“Hubble” rebroadcasts a look at the Hubble space telescope and its historic discoveries. “The Rocket” rebroadcasts a segment on New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens. “Shadow of Shame” looks at how Holocaust guilt lingers in Germany decades after the end of World War II. “Andy Rooney” talks about tourism.
#25 - The Sheriff of Wall Street, Boys, The Mind of a Suicide Bomber
Season 35 - Episode 34 - Aired 5/25/2003
“The Sheriff of Wall Street” rebroadcasts a profile of New York State attorney general Eliot Spitzer who is cracking down on Wall Street. “Boys” rebroadcasts a segment on how boys are falling behind girls at at all levels of education. “The Mind of a Suicide Bomber” rebroadcasts a segment that on the psychology of suicide bombers. “Andy Rooney” talks about how it is hard to open certain products.