Osgood good for laughs

Alestle Staff Report

CBS News correspondent and veteran journalist Charles Osgood - once referred to as "one of the last great broadcast writers" - will appear at SIUE this Friday as part of the Arts and Issues series.

Osgood will bring his wry humor to the Meridian Ballroom in the Morris University Center at 7:30 p.m.

Since joining CBS News as a New York-based correspondent in September 1971, Osgood's news commentaries have won him legions of listeners. "The Osgood Files" is heard by one of the largest audiences drawn by any network radio feature; he is known as CBS Radio's "Poet in Residence." Arts and Issues coordinator Richard Walker said Osgood will provide a balance of urbane wit with a keen interest in current events.

"'The Osgood Files' are composed of tidbits of news in which the commentator shared his own sense of wonder, dismay or amusement," Walker said. "This should be a great evening of intimate sharing with a legend in national network news."

Osgood was named anchor of CBS News' "Sunday Morning" on April 1, 1994. Prior to his present assignment, Osgood provided commentary for "CBS This Morning" and was a regular contributor to "Up to the Minute" and "Sunday Morning." Until June 1992, he was a co-anchor of the "CBS Morning News" and a contributor to the "CBS Evening News with Dan Rather." From 1981 to 1987, Osgood anchored the "CBS Sunday Night News."

Tickets to the performance are $6 for students and $12 for the general public. Admission includes free parking in the lot behind the Morris University Center..