Rescuing old "60 Minutes" episode from the memory hole?

August 5, 2009 1:20 PM

Trying to find memory-holed "60 Minutes" episode from 1986... can anyone help?

I've been trying to find either a video or transcript of a "60 Minutes" segment that originally aired on November 23, 1986 entitled "Out of Control." Unfortunately, it looks like CBS has memory-holed it (probably out of embarrassment.)

I haven't found it in any of the (extensive) library resources I have available in NY -- even the Paley Center for Media doesn't have it. And when I contacted CBS, I got the following response: "Unfortunately, this episode of 60 Minutes is not available for release in either video or transcript form."

Of course, this makes me doubly determined to get a copy.

Does anyone have ideas about where I might track it down? I can do an interlibrary loan... I just need to find someone who's got a copy of the darn thing.

Any assistance much appreciated... thanks, hive mind!

posted by cgs06 to media & arts (9 comments total)

What was it about?
posted by jessamyn at 1:29 PM on August 5

The Audi thing.
posted by @troy at 1:33 PM on August 5

Yup. It's an investigation of "unintended acceleration" incidents in Audis -- later debunked. It also crossed an ethical line, journalistically.
posted by cgs06 at 1:42 PM on August 5

I'd try contacting Greg Farrell at USA Today. He wrote a 1998 article for Brill's Content about the segment, and mentioned in said article that he had seen a "hard-to-obtain copy of the broadcast." If he still has his notes or remembers where he found it after so long, of course.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:51 PM on August 5

The Vanderbilt Television News archive doesn't have the show, but it appears to have a news segment that excerpts it here.
posted by Wordwoman at 4:37 PM on August 5

ProQuest put out a series of monthly CDs with transcripts that should have it. I assume you already checked Lexis Nexis?
posted by meta_eli at 7:46 PM on August 5

Library of Congress has a tape.

It also lists microfilm transcripts from University Microfilms International and CD transcripts from ProQuest
posted by meta_eli at 7:59 PM on August 5

I watched it in my Ergonomic Psychology class. If you don't find it using normal methods, I can give you my professors name and contact info. He's got the tape.
posted by No New Diamonds Please at 9:24 PM on August 5

Thanks, all.

I had checked Lexis-Nexis; there wasn't a transcript.

I put in a request to get a copy of the LOC version. I had checked WorldCat, and it wasn't listed, even though other episodes were. (And if all else fails, I may take you up on your offer, No New Diamonds Please.)
posted by cgs06 at 5:46 AM on August 6