Bottled mineral water

Bottled water is drinking water (e.g., well water, distilled water, or spring water) packaged in plastic or glass water bottles. Bottled water may be carbonated or not. Sizes range from small single serving bottles to large carboys for water coolers.

Global sales[link]

The global bottled water sales have increased dramatically over the past several decades, reaching a valuation of around $60 billion and a volume of more than 115,000,000 cubic metres (3.0×10¹⁰ US gal) in 2006.^[1] U.S. sales reached around 30 billion bottles of water in 2008, a slight drop from 2007 levels ^[2]

The global rate of consumption more than quadrupled between 1990 and 2005.^[3] Spring water and purified tap water are currently the leading global sellers. By one estimate, approximately 50 billion bottles of water are consumed per annum in the U.S. and around 200 billion bottles globally.^[4]

Storage[link]

Bottled water is often stored as part of an emergency kit in case of natural disaster. Commonly, disaster management experts recommend storing 1-US-gallon (3.8 L) of water per person, per day.^[5] This amount is intended to include water for drinking and cooking as well as water for hand washing, washing dishes, and personal hygiene. Factory-sealed containers of water have an indefinite shelf life, as long as they remain unopened and undamaged.^[6] The sell-by date is voluntarily and individually set by manufacturers to indicate the length of time that they believe the water will taste and smell fresh, rather than to indicate any issue of contamination or food safety.

Controversy about bottled water[link]

Health effects[link]

In the United States, bottled water and tap water are regulated by different federal agencies: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the quality of tap water. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act the EPA has set maximum contaminant levels for approximately 90 contaminants that might be found in drinking water and 15 secondary maximum contaminant levels.^[7]

Often, enforcement and monitoring of water quality is uneven and irregular for both tap water and bottled water. While tap water contamination incidents must be reported promptly to the public, the same is not true for bottled water, and while contamination of bottled water does occur, many instances have never received public notice until recently (see, for example, the list of more than 100 bottled water recalls).^[8]

Since the 1950s, tap water is often treated with fluoride to prevent tooth decay. Since bottled water processed with distillation or reverse osmosis lacks fluoride ions which are present in some natural ground water, it is possible that the drinking of distilled water may increase the risk of tooth decay due to a lack of this element now added to many water supplies.^[9] The efficacy and safety of fluoride taken internally remain controversial, however, and some express concerns about adding it to water supplies.^[10]

According to a 1999 NRDC study, in which roughly 22 percent of brands were tested, at least one sample of bottled drinking water contained chemical contaminants at levels above strict state health limits. Some of the contaminants found in the study could pose health risks if consumed over a long period of time.^[11] The NRDC report conceded that "most waters contained no detectable bacteria, however, and the level of synthetic organic chemicals and inorganic chemicals of concern for which [they] were tested were either below detection limits or well below all applicable standards."^[12] Meanwhile, a report by the Drinking Water Research Foundation found that of all samples tested by NRDC, "federal FDA or EPA limits were allegedly exceeded only four times, twice for total coliforms and twice for fluorides."^[13]

Another study, conducted by the Goethe University at Frankfurt found that a high percentage of the bottled water contained in plastic containers was polluted with estrogenic chemicals. Although some of the bottled water contained in glass were found polluted with chemicals as well, the researchers believe some of the contamination of water in the plastic containers may have come from the plastic containers.^[14] Leaching of chemicals into the water is related to the plastic bottles being exposed to either cold and high temperatures.

Bottled water vs carbonated beverages[link]

Bottled noncarbonated drinking water competes in the marketplace with carbonated beverages (including carbonated water) sold in individual plastic bottles.^[15] Consumption of water often is considered a healthier substitute for sodas.^[16]

According to the Container Recycling Institute, sales of flavored, noncarbonated drinks are expected to surpass soda sales by 2010.^[17] In response, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have introduced new carbonated drinks that are fortified with vitamins and minerals, Diet Coke Plus and Tava, marketed as "sparkling beverages."^[18]

Bottled water versus tap water[link]

In the United States, bottled water often costs up to $3 per bottle, while tap water costs less than a penny.^[19] In 1999, according to a NRDC study, U.S. consumers paid between 240 and 10,000 times more per unit volume for bottled water than for tap water.^[12] Typically 90 percent or more of the cost paid by bottled water consumers goes to things other than the water itself-such as bottling, packaging, shipping, marketing, retailing, other expenses, and profit.^[20]

In some areas, tap water may contain added fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay and cavities.^[21] Most bottled water manufacturers in the United States either add fluoride to their product or provide a fluoridated bottled water product. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States does not require bottled water manufacturers to list the fluoride content on the label.^[22] Water fluoridation remains controversial in countries where forced fluoridation is practiced (the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and a handful of other countries).

Bottled water may have reduced amounts of copper, lead, and other metal contaminants since it does not run through the plumbing pipes where tap water is exposed to metal corrosion, however, this varies by the household and plumbing system.^[23]

In a study comparing 57 bottled water samples and tap water samples, all of the tap water samples had a bacterial content under 3 CFUs/mL(colony-forming unit) and the bottled water samples' bacterial content ranged from 0.01-4900 CFUs/mL. Most of the water bottle samples were under 1 CFU/mL, although there were 15 water bottle samples containing 6-4900 CFUs/mL.^[21] In another study comparing 25 different bottled waters, most of the samples exceeded the contaminant level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‎ (EPA) for mercury, thallium, and thorium.^[24]

In much of the developed world chlorine often is added as a disinfectant to water. If the water contains organic matter, this may produce other byproducts in the water such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids, resulting in off-smell or taste. The level of residual chlorine found at around 0.0002 g per litre, which is too small to cause any health problems directly.^[23] The chlorine concentration recommended by World Health Organization is between 0.0005 and 0.0002 g/L.^[25]

The Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and World Wildlife Fund have urged their supporters to consume less bottled water. Anti-bottled-water-campaigns and organizations, such as Corporate Accountability International, typically argue that bottled water is no better than tap water, and emphasize the detrimental environmental side-effects of disposable plastic bottles.

The Showtime series Penn & Teller: Bullshit! demonstrated, in a 2003 episode, that in a controlled setting, those diners could not discern between bottled water and water from a garden hose behind the restaurant.^[26]

The United Church of Christ, United Church of Canada, National Council of Churches, National Coalition of American Nuns, and Presbyterians for Restoring Creation are among some of the religious organizations that have raised questions about whether or not the "privatization" of water is ethical. They regard the industrial purchase and repackaging at a much higher resale price of a basic resource as an unethical trend.^[27]

The recent documentary Tapped argues against the bottled water industry, asserting that tap water is healthier, more environmentally sustainable, and more ecologically sound than bottled water. The film focuses on the bottled water industry in the United States. The film has received largely positive reviews, and has spawned college campus groups such as Beyond the Bottle.

Environment[link]

In February 2012, the Grand Canyon National Park Service has approved a plan that would eliminate the sale of bottled water within 30 days. Visitors can use $290,000 water stations to refill their own water bottles, which they can tote in from the outside, concerns that empty plastic bottled scaterred around the park are spoiling views of the natural wonder.^[28]

Bottled water in the marketplace[link]

The Beverage Marketing Corporation defines the bottled water market segment as "retail PET, retail bulk, home and office delivery, vending, domestic sparkling and imports", but excluding "flavored and enhanced water."^[29] The Plastics Symbol no. 7 is a recent concern worldwide on discovery that large numbers of no.7 plastics are made with Polycarbonate plastic which, experimentally were found to leach bisphenol A. This chemical is a known hormonal disruptor causing miscarriages and birth defects, according to a study conducted by Case Western Reserve scientists. “Synthetic xenoestrogens,” one of which is Bisphenol A or BPA “are linked to breast cancer and uterine cancer in women, decreased testosterone levels in men, and are particularly devastating to babies and young children. BPA has even been linked to insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes.” Responsible baby bottle industries are producing BPA-free bottles that are clearly marked.

Purified water vending machines[link]

Bottle-less drinking water vending machine in Pattaya, Thailand. Customers bring their containers

A number of cities and companies worldwide have vending machines that dispense purified water into customer's own containers. All dispensers filter the location's tap water. In North America, these machines are typically located outside of supermarkets.

Of all the water vending companies, Glacier Water is by far the largest. Since its inception in 1983, Glacier Water has experienced significant growth in machine placements and has created an extensive network of approximately 17,000 water vending machines (year 2010) located throughout the United States and Canada.

Water devices and containers available[link]

Many plumbers install final purification devices into the homes and businesses of customers. Several methods of treatment are offered, ranging from carbon filtration to reverse osmosis and the degree of filtration ranges from making the tap water more palatable to removal of specific minerals and contaminants. Counter-top filtration systems also are sold in grocery and department stores that make tap water more palatable.

Similar in principle to traditional canteens that have been used for generations, stainless steel containers for carrying one's personal water supply (drawn from the home or public supply) now are being marketed, however, they are built to resemble contemporary water bottles. Whether that is intended symbolically or as an attempt to fit so many products designed for soda cans or plastic bottles, is uncertain. Similar to glass, stainless steel has been proven as a safe container for water or food for generations because they do not leach any contaminants into its contents.

Reverse osmosis water purification systems can remove up to 90% or more of certain inorganic chemicals. These inorganic chemicals include: fluoride, sulfate, nitrate, iron, copper, lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, silver and zinc. Reverse osmosis can even remove some microbiological contaminants, including Giardia cysts. However unless equipped with an activated charcoal post-filter, reverse osmosis by itself does not remove dissolved gases and organic chemicals such as radon and trihalomethanes,<http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az9419.pdf>.

Bottled water service[link]

An office water cooler with a reusable 5-US-gallon (19 L) bottle

It is not uncommon for business or individuals to subscribe to a bottled water service. These services deliver water either monthly or weekly, sometimes even daily. Traditionally, water in glass bottles (jugs) was provided to electric coolers in areas of businesses without plumbing. Plastic containers have replaced those glass jugs, however, dispensers at businesses now may stand alongside of existing water taps or fountains.

Bottled water by region[link]

Australia[link]

The Australasian Bottled Water Institute is a regional member of the International Council of Bottled Water Associations. The bottled water industry in Australia is worth approximately $400 million per year,^[30]

An upmarket restaurant in Sydney has stopped selling bottled water and started using a machine costing A$5000 to filter, chill and carbonate tap water to get the same quality water.^[31]

Bottled water ban in Bundanoon[link]

In 2009, the New South Wales town of Bundanoon voted to become the first town in the world to outlaw bottled water.^[32] Its citizens voluntarily chose to ban bottled water in response to a bottling company's desire to sell water from the town's local aquifer.^[33] The initiative was proposed by local businessman Huw Kingston and carried out by the grassroots organization name Bundy On Tap (the name is a pun which refers to Bundaberg, an Australian brand of rum which is sometimes served as a pre-mixed draught). In a community meeting of 356 of the town's 2,500 residents, all but one voted in favor of the ban,^[30] prohibiting the selling or dispensing of bottled water within the town precinct.^[34]

Bundanoon's six stores have removed bottled water from their stock. The town now offers public drinking fountains and filtered water dispensers where people can fill up reusable water bottles and canteens. The reusable empty bottles are sold in place of full bottles in the local stores. Bundanoon's bold stand against bottled water's damaging effects on the environment and on communities has thrust it into a global spotlight. Bundanoon has caught the attention of many other cities around the world who soon could have similar policies.^[30][35]

The decision to ban bottled water came partly from opposition to the proposed bottling plant, and partly from opposition to the environmental and health impacts. There is skepticism that singling out bottled water is necessarily the best option, as there is a worry that soda will be purchased more frequently in place of bottled water because of the convenience the disposable bottle offers.^[30]

European Union[link]

Directive 2009/54/EC^[36] deals with the marketing and exploitation of natural mineral waters in the European Union. The two main types of bottled water recognized are mineral water and spring water.

Broadly speaking, "mineral water" is groundwater that has emerged from the ground and flowed over rock. Treatment of mineral water is restricted to removal of unstable elements such as iron and sulfur compounds. Treatment for such minerals may extend only to filtration or decanting with oxygenation. Free carbon dioxide may be removed only by physical methods, and the regulations for introduction (or reintroduction) of CO₂ are strictly defined. Disinfection of natural mineral water is completely prohibited, including the addition of any element that is likely to change bacterial colony counts. If natural mineral water is effervescent, it must be labelled accordingly, depending on the origin of the carbon dioxide: naturally carbonated natural mineral water (no introduction of CO₂); natural mineral water fortified with gas from the spring (reintroduction of CO₂); carbonated natural mineral water (CO₂ added following strict guidelines).

Directive 2001/83/EC^[37] deals with bottled water that is considered a "medicinal product" and is thus excluded from the scope of the other regulation.

Bottled Water Refill Station in a Canadian grocery store

Lebanon[link]

Water is the chief natural resource of Lebanon where the porous fractured limestone of the mountains, both the Mount Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon ranges, create an excellent aquifer that are replenished over spring and early summer by the melting snow.^[38] Lebanon has an advantageous position in the region as far as the amount of rainfall the country receives and water resources available where springs are abundant, due to the exceedingly “fractured geologic rocks,” and where streams amount to a length of 730 km.^[39] Lebanon has one of the fastest growth rate of per capita consumption of bottled water.^[40]

Bottled Water Brands[link]

Lebanon has seven major brands of bottled mineral water for local consumption and for exportation to the water-starved countries on the Arabian Peninsula and in the Persian Gulf:^[41]

• Almaha
• Arz Water
• Rim Natural Mineral Water
• Sabil
• Sannine
• Sohat
• Tannourine
• Dawn Dew Drop (Xenith 3D)

New Zealand[link]

Bottled water in New Zealand is regulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand and must comply with the Food Act 1981. From July 2009 fluoride was allowed to be present in bottled water as an additive or as a natural occurring mineral.

Pakistan[link]

Due to contaminated water being widespread, in the mid-1990s urban families started installing filtration units at home. This later developed into companies providing mineral water delivery services at home. Use of these1-US-gallon (3.8 L) bottles that could be attached to a dispenser is still widespread.

Bottled water was made famous by one of the largest marketing campaigns in Pakistan history undertaken by Nestle. Eventually, other bottlers including dozens of local ones, Coca Cola, Pepsi,Dawn Dew Drop 3D, and other imported brands such as Evian began marketing in the country.

United States[link]

The U.S. is the largest consumer market for bottled water in the world, followed by Mexico, China, and Brazil.^[42] In 2008, U.S. bottled water sales topped 8.6 billion US gallons (33,000,000 m³) for 28.9% of the U.S. liquid beverage market, exceeding sales of all other beverages except carbonated soft drinks, they are followed by fruit juices, and sports drinks.^[29] Americans drink 21 US gallons (79 L) of bottled water per capita per year.^[43]

See also[link]

Water portal

• Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI)
• Canned water
• International Bottled Water Association
• Reuse of water bottles

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Arnold, Emily; Larsen, Janet (2 February 2006). "Plan B Updates - 51: Bottled Water - Pouring Resources Down the Drain". Earth Policy Institute. http://www.earth-policy.org/plan_b_updates/2006/update51. 
• Gleick, Peter (5 May 2010). Bottled and Sold: The Story Behind Our Obsession with Bottled Water. Shearwater. ISBN 978-1-59726-528-7. http://islandpress.org/bookstore/detailsfad4.html?prod_id=1858. 

External links[link]

• Mineral Waters of the World - a comprehensive list of bottled waters
• International Bottled Water Association
• British Bottled Water Producers

Andy Rooney
Born	Andrew Aitken Rooney (1919-01-14)January 14, 1919 Albany, New York[1]
Died	November 4, 2011(2011-11-04) (aged 92) New York City, New York
Notable work(s)	The weekly broadcast "A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney" on 60 Minutes
Notable award(s)	Emmy 2003 Lifetime Achievement 1980 "Tanks" 1980 "Grain" 1978 "Who Owns What in America" 1968 "Black History: Lost, Stolen, or Strayed"
Spouse(s)	Marguerite Rooney (m. 1942–2004) «start: (1942)–end+1: (2005)»"Marriage: Marguerite Rooney to Andy Rooney" Location: (linkback:http://en-wiki.pop.wn.com/index.php/Andy_Rooney)(her death)
Children	Brian, Emily, Martha, Ellen
Influences Harry Reasoner, Mike Wallace, E. B. White

Andrew Aitken "Andy" Rooney (January 14, 1919 – November 4, 2011) was an American radio and television writer. He was most notable for his weekly broadcast "A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney," a part of the CBS News program 60 Minutes from 1978 to 2011. His final regular appearance on 60 Minutes aired October 2, 2011. He died one month later, on November 4, 2011, at age 92.

Early life[link]

Andrew Rooney was born in Albany, the son of Walter Scott Rooney (1888–1959) and Ellinor (Reynolds) Rooney (1886–1980). He attended The Albany Academy,^[2] and later attended Colgate University in Hamilton in Central New York,^[3] where he was initiated into the Sigma Chi fraternity, before he was drafted into the United States Army in August 1941.

World War II[link]

Rooney began his career in newspapers while in the Army when, in 1942, he began writing for Stars and Stripes in London during World War II.^[4]

In February 1943, flying with the Eighth Air Force, he was one of six correspondents who flew on the second American bombing raid over Germany.^[5] Later, he was one of the first American journalists to visit the Nazi concentration camps near the end of World War II, and one of the first to write about them. During a segment on Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation, Rooney stated that he had been opposed to World War II because he was a pacifist. He recounted that what he saw in those concentration camps made him ashamed that he had opposed the war and permanently changed his opinions about whether "just wars" exist.

For his service as a war correspondent in combat zones during the war Rooney was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal.^[6]

Rooney's 1995 memoir, My War, chronicles his war reporting. In addition to recounting firsthand several notable historical events and people (including the entry into Paris and the Nazi concentration camps), Rooney describes how it shaped his experience both as a writer and reporter.^[5]

Career[link]

Rooney joined CBS in 1949, as a writer for Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts,^[5] when Godfrey was at his peak on CBS radio and TV. It opened the show up to a variety of viewers. The program was a hit, reaching number one in 1952, during Rooney's tenure with the program. It was the beginning of a close life-long friendship between Rooney and Godfrey. He wrote for Godfrey's daytime radio and TV show Arthur Godfrey Time. He later moved on to The Garry Moore Show,^[7] which became a hit program. During the same period, he wrote for CBS News public affairs programs such as The Twentieth Century.

According to CBS News's biography of him, "Rooney wrote his first television essay, a longer-length precursor of the type he does on 60 Minutes, in 1964, "An Essay on Doors."^[8] From 1962, to 1968, he collaborated with another close friend, the late CBS News correspondent Harry Reasoner — Rooney writing and producing, Reasoner narrating — on such notable CBS News specials as "An Essay on Bridges" (1965),^[8] "An Essay on Hotels" (1966),^[8] "An Essay on Women" (1967),^[8] and "The Strange Case of the English Language" (1968).^[8] In 1968, he wrote two CBS News specials in the series "Of Black America,"^[8] and his script for "Black History: Lost, Stolen, or Strayed" won him his first Emmy."^[9]

When CBS declined to broadcast "An Essay on War" in 1970, Rooney quit CBS and read the opinion himself on PBS — his first appearance on television.^[10] That show in 1971 won Rooney his third Writers Guild Award.^[8] Rooney re-joined CBS in 1973, to write and produce special programs.^[10] Rooney also wrote the script for the 1975 documentary FDR: The Man Who Changed America.

After his return to the network, Rooney wrote and appeared in several prime-time specials for CBS, including In Praise of New York City (1974),^[7] the Peabody Award-winning Mr. Rooney Goes to Washington (1975),^[7] Mr. Rooney Goes to Dinner (1978),^[7] and Mr. Rooney Goes to Work (1977).^[7] Transcripts of these specials, as well as of some of the earlier collaborations with Reasoner, are contained in the book A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney. Another special, Andy Rooney Takes Off, followed in 1984.

[edit] A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney

Rooney's "end-of-show" segment on 60 Minutes, "A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney" (originally "Three Minutes or So With Andy Rooney"^[5]), began in 1978, as a summer replacement for the debate segment "Point/Counterpoint"^[5] featuring Shana Alexander and James Kilpatrick. The segment proved popular enough with viewers that beginning in the fall of 1978, it was seen in alternate weeks with the debate segment. At the end of the 1978–1979 season, "Point/Counterpoint" was dropped altogether.^[5]

In the segment, Rooney typically offered satire on a trivial everyday issue, such as the cost of groceries, annoying relatives, or faulty Christmas presents. Rooney's appearances on "A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney" often included whimsical lists, e.g., types of milk,^[11] bottled water brands,^[12] car brands,^[13] sports mascots,^[14] etc. In later years, his segments became more political as well. Despite being best known for his television presence on 60 Minutes, Rooney always considered himself a writer who incidentally appeared on television behind his famous walnut table, which he made himself.

Controversies[link]

Rooney made a number of comments which elicited strong reactions from fans and producers alike.

Insensitivity towards minorities[link]

Rooney wrote a column in 1992 that posited that it was "silly" for Native Americans to complain about team names like the Redskins, in which he wrote in part, "The real problem is, we took the country away from the Indians, they want it back and we're not going to give it to them. We feel guilty and we'll do what we can for them within reason, but they can't have their country back. Next question."^[15]

In a 2007 column for Tribune media services, he wrote, "I know all about Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, but today's baseball stars are all guys named Rodriguez to me." Rooney later commented, "Yeah, I probably shouldn't have said it, [but] it's a name that seems common in baseball now. I certainly didn't think of it in any derogatory sense."^[15]

In 1990, Rooney was suspended without pay for three months by then-CBS News President David Burke, because of the negative publicity around his saying that "too much alcohol, too much food, drugs, homosexual unions, cigarettes [are] all known to lead to premature death."^[16] He wrote an explanatory letter to a gay organization after being ordered not to do so. After only four weeks without Rooney, 60 Minutes lost 20 percent of its audience. CBS management then decided that it was in the best interest of the network to have Rooney return immediately.^[17]

After Rooney's reinstatement, he made his remorse public:

Rooney always denied that he was a racist. In the 1940s, he was arrested after sitting in the back of a segregated bus in protest.^[19] Also, in 2008, when Barack Obama was elected President of the United States, Rooney applauded the fact that "the citizens of this country, 80 percent of whom are white, freely chose to elect a black man as their leader simply because they thought he was the best choice." He said that makes him proud, and that it proves that the country has "come a long way — a good way."^[20]

Remarks on Kurt Cobain's suicide[link]

In a 1994 segment, Rooney attracted controversy with his remarks on Kurt Cobain's suicide. He expressed his dismay that the death of Richard Nixon was overshadowed by Cobain's suicide, stating that he had never heard of Cobain nor his band, Nirvana. He went on to say that Cobain's suicide made him angry. "A lot of people would like to have the years left that he threw away," Rooney said. "What's all this nonsense about how terrible life is?" he asked, adding rhetorically to a young woman who had wept at the suicide, "I'd love to relieve the pain you're going through by switching my age for yours." In addition, he asked "What would all these young people be doing if they had real problems like a Depression, World War II or Vietnam?" and commented that "If [Cobain] applied the same brain to his music that he applied to his drug-infested life, it's reasonable to think that his music may not have made much sense either."^[21]

On the following Sunday's show, he apologized on the air, saying he should have taken Cobain's depression into account. He also read only critical feedback from listeners without interjecting any commentary of his own.^[22][23]

Collections and retirement[link]

Rooney's shorter television essays have been archived in numerous books, such as Common Nonsense, which came out in 2002,^[24] and Years of Minutes, probably his best-known work, released in 2003.^[25] He penned a regular syndicated column for Tribune Media Services that ran in many newspapers in the United States, and which has been collected in book form. He won three Emmy Awards for his essays,^[26] which numbered over 1,000. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Emmy in 2003.^[27] Rooney's renown made him a frequent target of parodies and impersonations by a diverse group of comedic figures, including Frank Caliendo, Rich Little and Beavis.

In 1993, CBS released a two-volume VHS tape set of the best of Rooney's commentaries and field reports, called "The Andy Rooney Television Collection — His Best Minutes." In 2006, CBS released three DVDs of his more recent commentaries, "Andy Rooney On Almost Everything," "Things That Bother Andy Rooney," and "Andy Rooney's Solutions."^{[citation needed]}

Rooney's final regular appearance on 60 Minutes was on October 2, 2011,^[28] after 33 years on the show.^[29] It was his 1,097th commentary.^[30]

Views[link]

He claimed on Larry King Live to have a liberal bias, stating, "There is just no question that I, among others, have a liberal bias. I mean, I'm consistently liberal in my opinions."^[31] In a controversial 1999 book Rooney self-identified as agnostic,^[32] but by 2004 he was calling himself an atheist.^[33] He reaffirmed this in 2008.^[34] Over the years, many of his editorials poked fun at the concept of God and organized religion. Increased speculation on this was brought to a head by a series of comments he made regarding Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ (2004).^[35]

Though Rooney has been called Irish-American, he once said "I'm proud of my Irish heritage, but I'm not Irish. I'm not even Irish-American. I am American, period."

In 2005, when four people were fired at CBS News perhaps because of the Killian documents controversy, Rooney said, "The people on the front lines got fired while the people most instrumental in getting the broadcast on escaped." Others at CBS had "kept mum" about the controversy.^[36]

Personal life[link]

Rooney was married to Marguerite "Margie" Rooney (née Howard) for 62 years, until she died of heart failure in 2004. He later wrote, "her name does not appear as often as it originally did [in my essays] because it hurts too much to write it."^[37] They had four children; Brian, Emily, Martha and Ellen. His daughter Emily Rooney is a TV talk show host and former ABC News producer who went on to host a nightly Boston-area public affairs program, Greater Boston, on WGBH. Emily's identical twin, Martha, became Chief of the Public Services Division at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. The third daughter, Ellen, is a photographer based in London. His son, Brian Rooney, has been a correspondent for ABC since the 1980s.

Rooney also had a sister Nancy Reynolds Rooney (1915–2008).

Rooney lived in the Rowayton section of Norwalk, Connecticut,^[38] and in Rensselaerville, New York,^[39] and was a longtime season ticket holder for the New York Giants.^[40]

Death[link]

Rooney was hospitalized on October 25, 2011, after developing postoperative complications from an undisclosed surgery,^[41] and died on November 4, 2011, at the age of 92, less than five weeks after his last appearance on 60 Minutes.^[42][43]

Awards[link]

• 2001 — Emperor Has No Clothes Award from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.^[44]

Books[link]

Books written by Rooney:

• Conquerors' Peace; report to the American stockholders, by Oram C. Hutton and Andrew A. Rooney. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1947.
• A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney, 1981 (ISBN 0-689-11194-0)
• And More by Andy Rooney, 1985 (ISBN 0-517-40622-5)
• Pieces of My Mind, 1986 (ISBN 0-689-11492-3)
• The Most of Andy Rooney, 1986 (ISBN 0-689-11864-3)
• Word for Word, 1988 (ISBN 0-399-13200-7)
• Not That You Asked ..., 1989 (ISBN 0-394-57837-6)
• Most of Andy Rooney, 1990 (ISBN 0-88365-765-1)
• Sweet and Sour, 1992 (ISBN 0-399-13774-2)
• My War, 1997 (ISBN 0-517-17986-5)
• Sincerely, Andy Rooney, 1999 (ISBN 1-891620-34-7)
• The Complete Andy Rooney, 2000 (ISBN 0-446-11219-4)
• Common Nonsense, 2002, (ISBN 1-586482-00-9)
• Years of Minutes, 2003 (ISBN 1-58648-211-4)
• Out of My Mind, 2006 (ISBN 1-58648-416-8)
• 60 Years of Wisdom and Wit, 2009 (ISBN 1-58648-773-6)

References[link]

External links[link]

	Biography portal
	United States Army portal

• Andy Rooney at the Internet Movie Database
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Works by or about Andy Rooney in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
• Andy Rooney collected news and commentary at The Wall Street Journal
• CBS Biography
• Archive of previous "A Few Minutes ..." segments
• Snopes.com on Rooney E-Mail Snopes.com's article on false e-mail claims
• Andy Rooney Interview at Archive of American Television
• A film clip "The Open Mind - Andy Rooney on Andy Rooney (2003)" is available for free download at the Internet Archive [more]
• Andy Rooney at Find a Grave

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Jim Gaffigan
Jim Gaffigan on February 20, 2010
Birth name	James Christopher Gaffigan
Born	(1966-07-07) July 7, 1966 (age 45) Chesterton, Indiana, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up, television, film
Nationality	American
Years active	1991 – Present
Genres	Deadpan, sarcasm, observational comedy, satire
Subject(s)	Pop culture, everyday life, marriage, parenting, obesity, self-deprecation
Spouse	Jeannie Noth Gaffigan (2003-present) 4 children
Notable works and roles	Beyond the Pale King Baby Roy Keene on That '70s Show Andy Franklin in My Boys
Website	http://www.jimgaffigan.com

James Christopher "Jim" Gaffigan (born July 7, 1966) is an American stand-up comedian and actor.

Early life[link]

Gaffigan was born in Chesterton, Indiana and attended La Lumiere School in La Porte, Indiana. He is the youngest of six children and often jokes about growing up in a large family. He attended one year at Purdue University, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He graduated from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business in 1988. Jim Gaffigan wrestled in High School and stated, while on Joe Rogan's podcast, that he played College Football (division 3).

Career[link]

Stand-up career[link]

Gaffigan performing in May 2008

Gaffigan's comedy routines often include humorous, high-pitched "asides" representing commentary on his performance from a hypothetical naive and easily offended audience member. These were inspired by his sister.^{[citation needed]}

Gaffigan is also known for routines or skits relating to being lazy and eating food, especially popular routines regarding Hot Pockets, cake, and bacon. In 2004 Gaffigan's stand up material was featured in Comedy Central's animated series Shorties Watchin' Shorties. His 2006 album, Beyond the Pale, consisted primarily of material regarding food and American eating habits. The album was accompanied by an hour-long special on Comedy Central of the same name, which was released on his DVD. His 2009 album, King Baby, was also a television special filmed in Austin, Texas at the end of his "The Sexy Tour". Comedy Central released King Baby on DVD. In a March 2009 interview on Anytime with Bob Kushell, Gaffigan defended his naming of the tour, stating that he thought it would be funny that parents would be unsure about whether to bring their teenage children to the show.^[1]

For Easter 2010, Gaffigan traveled to Israel and had two performances. One was at a theater in Tel Aviv and the second was at Israel's only English-speaking comedy club in Jerusalem.^[2]

On February 25, 2012, Gaffigan taped a one-hour stand-up special Mr. Universe at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C.^[3] He announced that, based on the business model used by Louis C.K.'s Live at the Beacon Theater, the stand-up would be available online through his website for $5, with $1 of the proceeds going to the Bob Woodruff Foundation.^[4]

Acting career[link]

Gaffigan performing at the Carolines on Broadway comedy club in New York City.

Gaffigan is also recognizable for having performed in several comedic commercials for Sierra Mist alongside fellow comedian Michael Ian Black. Furthermore, he appeared in two movies chosen for the 2001 Sundance Film Festival: Super Troopers and Thirty Years to Life. He appeared on That '70s Show. Gaffigan was a regular cast member of the TBS original sitcom My Boys. He left the show at the end of the third season.

Gaffigan produced a series of animated shorts for Late Night With Conan O'Brien, titled Pale Force, in which the animated Gaffigan and O'Brien are superheroes who fight crime with their extremely pale skin.^[5]

In 2009, Gaffigan guest starred as the best friend of Murray Hewitt in one episode of the HBO comedy series Flight of the Conchords. Later that same year, he appeared in the Sam Mendes-directed dramedy Away We Go and the teen comedy 17 Again. On June 11, 2009, Gaffigan made his first and only appearance on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. He appeared on Law & Order episodes "Flight" and "Reality Bites".

He was in an episode of The Daily Show as a man who, posing as a prolific Daily Show correspondent, obviously knows nothing about the show (refers to it as "The John Daily Show") and simply wants to be seen with Jon Stewart. This was meant to be a parody of the 2009 White House gatecrash incident.

He was in the movie The Love Guru starring Mike Myers.

Broadway[link]

On November 2, 2010 it was announced that he will next appear on Broadway opposite Brian Cox, Chris Noth, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jason Patric in That Championship Season, which will open in March 2011.^[6]

Personal life[link]

He is married to Jeannie Noth, a Catholic, with whom he has two daughters, Marre and Katie Louise, and two sons, Jack and Michael, and a fifth child on the way. Gaffigan was raised Catholic,^[7] something else he frequently jokes about. He is noted for his consumption of fish on Fridays, his love of McDonald's, his failure to pay attention in church, and his dislike of hecklers.

Discography[link]

• 2001: Luigi's Doghouse
• 2001: Economics II
• 2003: More Moo Moos
• 2004: The Last Supper
• 2004: Doing My Time
• 2006: Beyond the Pale
• 2009: King Baby
• 2012: "Mr. Universe"

Filmography[link]

• Three Kings (1999)
• Cry Baby Lane (2000)
• Super Troopers (2001)
• Igby Goes Down (2002)
• No Sleep Till Madison (2002)
• 13 Going On 30 (2004)
• The Great New Wonderful (2005)
• Stephanie Daley (2006)
• The Living Wake (2007)
• What She Knew (2008)
• The Love Guru (2008)
• 17 Again (2009)
• Away We Go (2009)
• The Slammin' Salmon (2009)
• It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010)
• Going the Distance (2010)

Selected television appearances[link]

• Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (voice)
• Random Play (VH1 Comedy Sketch Series) (1997–1999)
• Law & Order (1998 and 2009)
• Welcome to New York (2000–2001)
• Sex and the City (2001)
• Friends
• The Ellen Show (2001–2002)
• Hope & Faith (2003)
• Ed (2003–2004)
• That '70s Show (2003–2004)
• I Am Comic (2010)
• My Boys (2006–2010)
• Pale Force - Recurring animated short on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (voice)
• Law and Order: Criminal Intent (2002 & 2007)
• WordGirl (2007-present; voice of Mr. Dudley)
• Flight of the Conchords (2009)
• The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (2009)
• The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (2009)
• Bored to Death (2010)
• Royal Pains (2011)
• Conan (2012)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Jim Gaffigan

• Official website
• Jim Gaffigan at the Internet Movie Database
• Jim Gaffigan on Twitter
• Jim Gaffigan on Myspace
• Pale Force episodes at NBC.com
• 'Getting Late' interview by Pete Dominick on Sirius Radio
• Sexyspeak with stand-up Jim Gaffigan