60 Minutes : Season 41

"The Bailout" interviews Henry Paulson about government action on the economy. "General O" interviews General Ray Odierno the replacement for General David Petraeus. "The Collider" looks at the Large Hadron Collider and what scientists seek to learn from it. "Andy Rooney" discusses the Vice Presidency.

In tonight's first story, Steve Kroft with the details you might not have heard about the unraveling of the economy. What are 'credit default swaps' and how did they play a role in the downward spiral? The complex degradation of our economy is explained. Scott Pelley re-visits the first weeks after 9/11 when the appropriate focus was on the instigator of the massive, tragic terrorist attacks, bin Laden. A former Delta Force Officer recounts the secret missions in the Tora Bora Mountains near Pa

CBS News correspondent Armen Keteyian interviews Joaquin (Jack) Garcia, a fascinating undercover agent who infiltrated the Gambino crime family and was instrumental in bringing down the mob. A Cuban-American, Garcia was adept enough at pretending to be Italian that he was integrated into the deepest levels of the most dangerous mobster family. Lesley Stahl explores the most advanced weaponry being developed and used in the war in Iraq. You won't believe how high tech it gets. Finally, Morley

Foreign born al Qaeda in Afghanistan gaining strength and sophistication. Lara Logan with Major General Jeffrey Schlosser and how this is happening. In a second, very timely story, Lesley Stahl with what we might be seeing now that the government bail out has put government in the private sector. Bob Simon with two brothers, Cayetano and Francisco Ordonez, probably the most recognized matadors in Spain. While taping this segment, a critical injury occurs when a 1,300 lb bull gets the best of a

It sounds complicated and it actually is, but tonight, Steve Kroft makes it a lot easier to understand: Credit Default Swaps and their role in the unraveling of the economy. Charlie Rose interviews T. Boone Pickens, the multi-billionaire oil man who claims to have a plan to make the U.S. far less dependent on foreign supplies. Could it really work? Finally, Scott Pelley with Greg Carr, a U.S. citizen trying to make Gorongosa, a Mozambique, African location into one of the world's newest touris

Tonight, an atrocity exposed when Lesley Stahl investigates thousands of reservists and guardsmen returning home from duty to find their jobs gone. Some blatantly fired for "being gone too long" and others victims of downsizing while they were Iraq or Afghanistan. A small Missouri town's newest Sheriff, Sgt Bill Jakob, was cleaning up the streets like no one else. Arresting drug dealers and other criminals, the mayor thought he was the best thing that happened to his town. Unfortunately, he wa

Behind the scenes and a part of the "inner circle" with Steve Kroft on election night with Obama. You really haven't seen this anywhere else and it's both warm and fascinating. Then we go to China, a land of secrets and lies. Scott Pelley follows the trashed technology we think is being recycled and safely disposed of as it ends up in China where it's anything but safe. Finally, Morley Safer going toe to toe with mogul Ted Turner in one of the most candid interviews he's given.

Steve Kroft with President elect Obama's first post election interview. This is expected to be one of the most watched shows of the season as Barack Obama talks about his plans for the next four years. He also discusses his cabinet choices. Wife Michelle is also interviewed. In the second story, Lesley Stahl re visits one of the most amazing musical savants known. Rex Lewis-Clack's life was changed when his parents found that their son, born blind and mentally impaired, was extraordinarily gift

Imagine the size of a 6-pack of soda able to cause a nuclear explosion. That's about all the HEU (highly enriched uranium) it would take and it's not so difficult to get. Scott Pelley explores how easy it is to get a hold of the materials necessary to make a nuclear bomb. Matthew Bunn, security expert at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, concurs that access to HEU is not as difficult as it should be.

Online gambling is illegal in the U.S., but it's a nearly impossible law to enforce. In this story, a group of men turn a dishonest cyber-poker game around and cheat to the tune of $20 million. In the second story tonight, Lara Logan reports on the second woman to ever win the Silver Star (the first being in World War II). Monica Brown wasn't even supposed to be there when she ended up saving two wounded men in battle. Also tonight, Michael Phelps talks with CNN's Anderson Cooper. This 23 year

Lesley Stahl visits Saudi Arabia and tours the oil producing facilities while interviewing Saudi officials. Though prices have plummeted in recent months, they're not worried. What's in store for us, and them. In our second story, Morley Safer with Julian Schnabel, a powerhouse in art and film who made his initial mark in the 1980's and has never looked back.

Lesley Stahl speaks with House Financial Services Committee Chairman Rep. Barney Frank (D.-Mass.) Scott Pelley investigates the deepening mortgage crisis; Byron Pitts profiles USC football coach Pete Carroll; And Andy Rooney checks his mail.

Scott Pelley with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the sad state of the State of California. The man who once topped box office charts, now a political leading man despite facing some huge challenges with California's economical spiral. Also tonight, Lesley Stahl and the latest on airport security measures. Where weaknesses remain, where new tools are being tried and how Kip Hawley (outgoing head of TSA) feels poor reports are unjust. Finally, Bob Simon follows up on the orphaned elephants of Kenya.

Steve Kroft and a special edition 60 Minutes that explores President Elect Obama's long trek to winning the presidential election.

Mind reading with a scientific spin. What studies have found by looking into our brains. Lesley Stahl reports. Bob Simon reports on drunk driving and new campaigns that include longer prison sentences and even charges of murder. Finally, Scott Pelley with Texas Tech coach, Mike Leach.

Steve Kroft explores how our current economic mess had more contributors than we may have thought. Not the least of which being Wall Street speculation in the oil futures market. News correspondent, David Martin with the Joint Chief of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen. This is Obama's advisor as our government changes parties during wartime, another historical first. Finally, Scott Pelley with Wyclef Jean, a Haitian immigrant turned rock star.

Scott Pelley in Wilmington, Ohio where DHL, the town's largest employer has closed operations. The massive hardships are seen on a tremendously personal level, including how one supervisor who would walk dismissed employees off the property and take their ID badges, had it done to her as well. With "No Peace Deal", Bob Simon from Israel and the West Bank. Finally, Morley Safer reports on resveratrol, a substance in red wine that so far has repeatedly shown promise at lengthening lifespans.

Long awaited Katy Couric interview with Capt. Chesley (Sully) Sullenberger, the heroic pilot who successfully landed a 75 ton jet in the Hudson River without a single loss of life. This is Sully's first in depth interview and not surprisingly, very candid and thoughtful. Steve Kroft with Coldplay, the British group that rarely gives interviews and has been nominated for seven Grammys (airing tonight).

Lesley Stahl examines the new "Buy American" clause pushed for public works funded by the stimulus money. Dan DiMicco, CEO of the nation's largest steelmaker thinks it's a great idea. The head of Caterpillar, on the other hand, believes retaliation by other countries could spur them to push their own "Buy Europe" or "Buy China" clauses and end up hurting the American economy even more.

Lesley Stahl reports on the newest argument to reduce the legal drinking age to 18. More than 100 college presidents believe this will reduce binge drinking. Numerous organizations believe this would mean 900 families a year burying a teen. In our next segment, Lara Logan talks with Richard Butler, the CBS Newsman kidnapped along with others by Muslim militants. For three months he lived believing he would never make it out alive. Also, Bob Simon with a truly unusual story about a young boy li

The Bernard Madoff rip-off involved thousands of victims and billions of dollars. Why does Harry Markopolos claim that the SEC (Security Exchange Commission) wouldn't know fraud if it was handed to them? Steve Kroft reports on how the contention is that the SEC personnel reportedly watching out for this aren't experienced enough to see it. In our second story, CNN's Anderson Cooper reports about the ongoing and growing war involving Mexican gangs and drugs. With most of their weapons coming fro

Follow the FDIC as they actually take over a bank, secretly on a Friday night. What exactly happens when a bank fails? Scott Pelley reports. Lesley Stahl with a very interesting report on DNA evidence and how it weighs against, or with eyewitness accounts of crimes. Included in this segment, Jennifer Thompson, a rape victim who testified against Ronald Cotton, the man she was absolutely sure was her attacker. Years later, DNA exonerated Cotton and Jennifer admits she was wrong. This unlikely pa

Scott Pelley with Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke about what went wrong and brought us to this incredible economic crisis. There is so much to discuss that this segment is double-length. Next, Lesley Stahl with Alice Waters, a world class chef, author of 8 cookbooks and a personal problem with microwaves. Well, at least to the point of wanting to show people how easy, environmentally friendly and healthy fresh, organic can be.

Cyber gangs use computer viruses to gain information to electronically rob bank accounts; the African lion is in danger of extinction; basketball star LeBron James earns tens of millions of dollars annually.