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Most of the obits and features dealing with the death of Andy Rooney gave only a brief mention of Arthur Godfrey.

Arts and Entertainment Editor Bob Sokolsky says that is not too surprising. Yet for many years, he points out, Godfrey’s personality dominated the broadcast industry.

And, while it may not be accurate to say that without Arthur Godfrey there would have been no Andy Rooney, that is a subject that could produce some debate, especially since Godfrey was impressed with Rooney’s talents and hired him to write foir some of his shows..

Sokolsky also credits Godfrey with paving the way for a number of shows that followed him.

However, there was a major change in personality that cost him most of his friends in the media, eventually leading to the end of a career that became controversial, wiping out many of the near brilliant things he accomplished.