NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — CBS Sunday Morning paid a special tribute to host Charles Osgood, as the broadcasting legend made his final appearance on the beloved Sunday segment on Sept. 25.

The poet, author and newsman has been telling the stories of others for more than 50 years, CBS2 reported. He said his secret is pretending that he’s talking to his sister.

Osgood has been a part of CBS News since 1971 and became the second person to anchor “CBS Sunday Morning” in 1994, taking over for Charles Kuralt.

Before making his way to television, he worked as a news anchor and reporter on WCBS 880. He then worked on a variety of different CBS shows, including “CBS Morning News,” the “CBS Evening News with Dan Rather” and the “CBS Sunday Night News. He took the helm at ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ in 1994, where he served as host for the last 22 years.

He is exiting a job only one other person has held since “Sunday Morning” premiered in 1979. Charles Kuralt retired in 1994 after crafting the job in his own folksy, easygoing image and hosting for 15 years.

Donning his signature bow-tie, he provided comfort and reassurance, and sometimes even a song.

The program’s ratings are the best in decades and it is the most watched news show on Sunday morning. Even so, Osgood says it’s time to bid farewell.

“For years now people, even friends and family, have been asking me why I keep doing this considering my age. I am pushing 84. It’s just that it’s been a joy doing it,” he said.

Osgood seemingly had an impossible act to follow. But with his folksy erudition and his slightly bookish, bow-tied style, he immediately clicked with viewers who continued to embrace the program as an unhurried TV magazine that, as before, seemed defined only by its host’s, and staff’s, curiosity.

Since then, he has proved to be a broadcaster who can write essays and light verse as well as report hard news, a man who has continued to work in both radio and television with equal facility. (He once described himself as “a radio guy who finally stopped being terrified of the camera.”)

“Charlie is not just beloved by our viewers. He’s beloved by all of us who work each week crafting the stories we put on the program,” said Rand Morrison, executive producer of CBS Sunday Morning said in a statement Sunday. “Working with him truly has been an honor, a privilege and a joy. We look forward to paying tribute to him and his legendary career in September — and, of course, seeing him on the radio.”

He has long delivered “The Osgood File” on radio, and will continue to do so, where, if the mood strikes, he might sing another song.

Acclaimed journalist Jane Pauley will be taking over for Osgood following his departure from the show.

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