Voting Station

Newton Minow

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Bureaucrat

The Resume

    (January 17, 1926-May 6, 2023)
    Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (1961-63)
    Known for his 'vast wasteland' speech (May 9, 1961)
    Wrote 'Abandoned in the Wasteland: Children, Television and the First Amendment' (1995)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was appointed to the FCC despite lacking a background in broadcasting.
    His main qualification for the job appeared to be his friendship with John and Robert Kennedy.
    Many felt his 'vast wasteland' speech was elitist.
    If he thought the inane but benign TV of the early 60s was a vast wasteland, it's a wonder his head did not explode during the era of Jerry Springer and Fear Factor.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He played a key role in the creation of Comsat and Intelsat, paving the way for communications satellites.
    He has been married to his wife Josephine for over 50 years.
    Sherwood Schwartz named the S.S. Minnow in 'Gilligan's Island' after him.
    He joked that his wife plans to inscribe 'Off to a vaster wasteland' on his tombstone.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 56 Votes: 46.43% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 14 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 21 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 18 Votes: 61.11% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 42 Votes: 59.52% Annoying